Tuesday, August 21, 2007

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning, Michelle M. Pillow is a romance author, working in the sub-genres of fantasy, dark fantasy, paranormal, historical, contemporary, futuristic and every combination thereof.

She has always had an active imagination. Ever since she can remember, she's had a strange fascination with anything supernatural--ghosts, magical powers, and oh…vampires. What could be more alluring than being immortal, all-powerful, and eternally beautiful? After discovering historical romance novels in high school, it was only natural that the supernatural and romance elements should someday meet in her wonderland of a brain. She's glad they did, for their children have been pouring onto the computer screen ever since.

She is married (madly in love) and has a wonderful family.

Contact: michelle_pillow@yahoo.com
Website: www.michellepillow.com
Blog: www.michellepillow.com/authorblog
Book Announcement Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/michellempillow/join


INTERVIEW:

Why did you become a writer? Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in your life?
When I was young, I thought I’d become a photographer for National Geographic. That lasted until I found out there really weren’t any wild animal safety nets between the camera and lion. I still became a freelance photographer and I have to say brides can be much scarier than the lions---just kidding. I’m not sure why I became a writer. I love research and learning something new, I love watching two people fall in love and being a writer allows me to create stories I want to create, research what I feel like researching. There is hardly anything greater than typing the end on a story you worked hard on, knowing you created it all by yourself.

What do you love about being an author? Is there anything you dislike?
I love the research and (mostly) freedom. I love looking up meticulous details of a wide variety of subjects. For the most part, I love what I do. I’ve even gotten used to the promotions and marketing part, which I hadn’t prepared for. The only think I really hate are writing synopsizes. It took me 100,000 words to say it the first time. Getting that down to 2-5 pages is a chore. LOL

How do you balance your personal and writing time?
Family has to come first or you’ll destroy your personal life. But, writing is a job and you need to make sure everyone understands that. It’s a delicate balance sometimes. I’m very lucky. My family is completely supportive of what I do. They’re wonderful.

How do you write? Do your characters come to you first or the plot or the world of the story?
Usually the basic idea. I don’t really plot out a book, but once I name and role the characters, I set them down in the world I create for them and just let them do what they do. Somehow we all make it to the end.

What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
I write in many genres and sub-genres—historical, futuristic, paranormal, contemporary, fantasy, dark fantasy, sweet to lighter erotic, and every combination thereof, but always romance. I write what I do to explore human emotions, to create magical world, to explore the past and to just entertain.

What is the biggest misconception about being an author?
That it’s easy. That anyone can do it. That since I work at home I have plenty of time to do whatever else people need me to do. Writing is hard work, and getting more than a book or two out is even harder. Sure, almost anyone can make up a story, but to put it down on paper all nice and sparkly, to make it fit a publisher’s needs, to market and promote it—it’s all hard, time consuming work.

Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
There are traits that come out from others, even from me, but mostly they are imagined. I have characters who love pj pants, like me. I have characters who don’t cook, like me, or cook amazingly well like my husband. Sometimes I slip private jokes in no one by a few will get. If I were to ever completely base a character off of one person, I don’t think I could write it. I’d be thinking of what that person would do in this situation, worrying, rewriting, it would stunt the process.

Out of all the characters that you've written, who is your favorite and why?
I really love Eden and Vladamir in Maiden and the Monster, as far as those books published. Vladamir is so real, feels an emotion and just goes with it not caring what others think. Eden is almost a wide-eyed innocent despite some things that have happened to her. Getting these two together was a lot of fun. I also like Jiri, a side character from the Tribes of the Vampire series. You never know if he’s friend or foe. And the King of the Damned in the Realm Immortal series. He’s pure evil, but there is something about him that just begs to be redeemed.

If you were writing a script for the big screen, who would you want to act in your movie?
Queen Latifah. I think she’s great in whatever she does—elegant, funny, beautiful. I’d write a part just for her. And of course, you have your normal dream stars list people tend to use—Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt---whoever will draw people to go watch the movie. I like actors like Nathan Fillion, Rutger Hauer, Brendan Fraser, Ewan McGregor… Yeah, this question is too hard.

What would you want readers to take away from your books?
A smile and a feeling of happiness and possibility.

Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
Do your research—research everything—the book, the industry, your craft, the market, everything.

Who are your favorite authors?
I love Jane Austin. When Mr Darcy, seemingly out of nowhere, proposes for the first time I get all giddy. Robyn Carr, who is just one of the nicest/funniest people I’ve met. Mandy Roth, my partner in crime who can create things I’d never dream of. Jaycee Clark who made me love suspense. John Steinbeck for Travels with Charley, Of Mice and Men. There are so many more, it’s hard to name them all.

What are you reading right now?
The Finishing School by Michele Martinez, a suspense novel. It’s very clever and you can tell she knows what she’s talking about when reading the book.

I’m also re-reading Valkyrie by Mandy Roth, as I finally got my print copy of the book. It’s great, because I don’t have to wait to find out what happens in her series, I make her tell me before the book is even done.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

BLURB:

Alexis Grant has everything she’s ever wanted—fashionable clothes, social standing, a New York penthouse apartment, and a mother who pays for it all. That’s until her mother is arrested for embezzlement and the government seizes everything. Now, jobless, homeless and moneyless she has only one choice—to work her way cross country with a complete stranger. Tattoo Artist Ethan James is everything she’s never wanted in a man, but he might just turn out to be everything she needs.


EXCERPT:

Ethan didn’t get it at all. Eight girls all lined up, ready for action, and then bam. Nothing. It was like he’d suddenly developed leprosy. And, to make matters worse, he wasn’t able to drum up any solid tattoo business. There were a lot of drunken maybes, but no definites. They’d even gone to different bars. Every place it was the same. He’d start being charming. It looked like it worked. He’d leave, letting the anticipation simmer. But then, instead of them coming to him, they actually left without so much as another look.

Ethan shook his head. Hearing Alexis hum softly, he turned to study her. She looked damned fine tonight, but she always looked good. However, tonight it was more than her outfit, it was her whole demeanour. She was smiling more, a bright smile that lit up her whole face. It was like she was happy, relaxed. Maybe it was the alcohol. She had five beers and to a skinny girl that could be a lot. Ethan had no idea why he kept track of how much she drank, but he had.

She’d gotten more than her share of attention that was for sure. She was asked to dance twice. He wondered at the satisfaction he felt each time she refused.

‘I like this town,’ Alexis said, leaning her head to the side.

Ethan chuckled. ‘You look like you like everything right now.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ she demanded, sitting straighter.

‘Ah, do we have to do this tonight? It’s late. I’m tired.’ Ethan shot her a sidelong glance. He had a few beers himself and needed to concentrate on the road. He wasn’t even close to drunk, but he didn’t want to risk driving recklessly with other people in his car. ‘Can’t we call a truce until tomorrow morning?’

‘Fine.’ Alexis yawned. ‘But don’t think this means I like you, because I don’t.'

She just couldn’t leave it alone, could she? Ethan rolled his eyes. ‘Fine. I don’t really like you either.’

‘Good.’ This time her voice was a sleepy mumble. ‘I actually think I loathe you.’

‘I loathe you too.’ His voice was low. Ted and Susan looked to be asleep in the backseat.

‘I hate your tattoos,’ Alexis said, her voice softer with each word.

‘You’re too skinny,’ Ethan whispered. He glanced at her.

Alexis’ head lay against his seat. She was turned to the side, facing him. For a brief moment, her eyes opened to look at him. She blinked several times. ‘Do you really think I’m ugly?’

‘I never said you were ugly.’ Ethan wondered at the sadness in her voice. Where was the confident she-demon who’d tormented him for days? ‘I just think you should stop starving yourself for no reason.’

‘Then do you think I’m pretty?’ she asked, not looking at him again. He forced his attention back to the road

Yes, Ethan thought, I think you’re gorgeous.

He didn’t answer her. His body stirred to life, all too ready to remember her softness from the night before. She didn’t seem to notice as her breath deepened. She was asleep.



REVIEW:

"5 Hearts! Michelle M. Pillow has penned a truly great road-trip story. This will get you laughing, crying and howling, not to mention your thighs will be shivering when you read the hot sex scenes. Ms. Pillow has written wonderful characters that sweep their way into the reader’s heart. ...Altogether a wonderful read that brought tears to this reviewer’s eyes. "
-- Love Romances, 2007


Opposites Attract by Michelle M. Pillow
ISBN-13: 978-0352341259
Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Virgin Cheek
Release Date: August 7, 2007
$7.99 from Amazon.com


Purchase Opposites Attract by Michelle M. Pillow HERE!!!