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An Interview
With CA - eBooks Rock! may have closed, but it's not entirely gone. In the spirit of eBooks Rock! interviews, I will continue to trample into authors' personal lives and demand that they tell us EVERYTHING<g> Okay...so perhaps it's not that harsh...but the interviews are just as fun. This particular interview has been long in coming. Because this is the first interview I've done since closing eBooks Rock!'s doors AND because it's arrival comes with my first newsletter, Intermission, I've selected a worthy author whose ambition, drive, and accomplishments are basically just....out of control! She's a woman I've long admired. Welcome Michele Bardsley! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer a few questions, Michele. I'd like to start with Midnight Intentions, which won an EPPIE this year from EPIC. I understand that Midnight Intentions was originally a book you distributed for free and that you recently sold it to Writers Exchange E-Publishing. What is Midnight Intentions about? MB - MIDNIGHT INTENTIONS is a romantic suspense about a woman trying to start over. Callie is a survivor of an abusive marriage--a marriage that ended brutally. Now, she's moved home in attempt to get on with her life, but soon, an irritating cop, Evan, and an unknown stalker enter her life. CA - Do you have a favorite scene in this book? MB - I like the way Callie and Evan interact. I'm intrigued by Callie. She's like no other character I've ever written. Strong and vulnerable. A favorite scene? Probably the one where Callie and Evan are arguing about whether or not he's going to spend the night at her house in order to protect her. CA - Many of your novels are romantic comedies that have received rave reviews, such as "tons of laughs and sexy romance", "thoroughly enjoyable read", "too precious for words", "warm, funny, and thoroughly delightful", "an absolute winner". Many reviewers feel you have a real knack for writing children as well as combining humor and romantic elements in your works. Are your books/characters based much on your life or are they the results of an author's wild imagination? AND--if true to life, can you give an example of what experiences/people have made it into the pages of your books? MB - Like most writers, I create characters that are composites of people I know or known in the past and I create scenes that are composites of experiences I've had or empathized with on a deep level. I never consciously decide, "I'm basing this hero on so-and-so." And like most writers, I'm a thief. I steal from those around me--conversations, experiences, actions. No human being is safe. <g> An example: I attended a writer's conference in Ohio one year. I fly stand-by and getting out of that particular airport is harder than heck, so I ended up staying at the airport--all night--in the hopes of catching an early-morning flight. About 2 a.m. in the morning I crawled into the 24-hour cafe, sat down at the counter, and ordered coffee. Next to me was a guy in the same situation: flying stand-by and waiting for the dawn to catch a plane out. We started talking and soon he's telling me that he's from Nebraska and one of the things he used to do for fun when he was in high school is--get this--tip over cows. I was so laughing so hard, I almost didn't need the coffee to wake up. It just so happened that I was working on BRIDE IN TRAINING at the time and, whaddaya know, the hero, Ross, and the heroine, Susan, end up attempting to tip a cow. (You gotta read the book to find out why and what happens. <g>) As for writing kids realistically, I have two, a four-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter and they provide plenty of foddor for my stories. <g> CA - Is there any one of your books that your especially trying to promote at this time and can you tell us a little about it? MB - I'm waiting for HUSBAND FOR HIRE and HOUSEWIFE FOR RENT to be re-released from Hard Shell Word Factory. HOUSEWIFE FOR RENT is one of my favorite stories and, it turns out, has gotten the best reviews and reader raves. I'm almost finished with my fifth HSWF novel, WILD WOMEN, but I have no idea when it will be released. My paranormal trilogy, BE MINE: VALENTINE will be released from Awe-Struck in February 2003. In fact, I'm writing the first novella as a free in-progress read: readycandyhearts-subscribe@yahoogroups.com MIDNIGHT INTENTIONS will be released by Writer's Exchange E-publishing sometime this year or early next year. I'm pleased that the story will be available in print. It's so exciting! CA - The Writers 12 Step Inspirational Program is different than your other books in that it is non-fiction and was co-written with author Sue Charnley. What was the inspiration for writing this? MB - I wrote an article ages and ages ago called The 12 Step Program For Writers which was published by Fiction Writer's Connection. My friend, aspiring novelist Daphne Wedig, suggested I turn the Steps into a workshop. And I did. Then Sue and I were talking about co-presenting a workshop at the Romantic Times Convention and somehow incorporating inspiration. We decided to turn my version of the workshop into The Writer's 12 Step Inspirational Program. We brainstormed each step together and had a fabulous time giving it at RT. Then I turned it into an e-book--which we gave away--and entered it into the EPPIEs. We were thrilled when it finaled. For the most part, I drag Sue along when it comes to this workshop and e-book. I've changed it here and there and, recently, I created an Inspiration Kit that I plan to sell at our website for $6.99. It has Inspiration Starters, Meditations For Writers, and The 12 Steps. http://www.writers12stepprogram.com You asked about the inspiration...in creating the original 12 steps, I was trying to answer the question, "What should I do when I get stalled, frustrated, restless?" It's amazing to see the effect the Steps have on workshop participants. They have terrific break-throughs in the course of doing the exercises--and it surprises them when they discover what's bothering them or stalling them. CA - Of all the characters you've written about, who would you say is most like you? And why? MB - I don't know. Maybe Rory James from DADDY IN TRAINING. She's got the kids and animals and exhaustion. LOL! CA - Is there a book out there that you're just dying to write but for some reason haven't? MB - Make that BOOKS. I have a romantic vampire comedy, a single-title women's fiction, two romantic suspense, a mainstream mystery, and a mystery series I plan to set in a small mountain town in California. The reason I haven't--life, work, and deadline for other novels. <g> CA - What would you say has been your biggest writing challenge? MB - Time is the biggest challenge. Time just disappears. My priorities are bringing in what income I can (I edit for Hard Shell Word Factory) and taking care of my family. I need to promote my available books, update my website, and jillion other things that can easily, and often do, offer me opportunities to put off writing. My "peak" writing times are early in the mornings or late at night. During the day too much is going on for me to concentrate. You can only hear "Mommy, can I have <insert requqest>" so many times before you give up trying to finish a scene. <g> CA - Is there anything out there that you'd like to do, but haven't yet been given the opportunity? MB - I'd like to make oodles of money as a writer. Consistently. I'm working on making that a reality. <g> CA - Is there a book that you've written, but we'll never see? Why? MB - The first novel I completed was a paranormal called SHADOWS PRESENT. As is, it won't see the light of day, but I hope that one day I'll be able to rewrite it and sell it. CA
- Many readers wonder what's going on in an author's
head, and here's the part where we find out<g>. MB - watching a movie, on the computer, or reading. CA - If I were a cartoon character I'd be... MB - Courage, the Cowardly Dog. CA - If I could have one wish, I would wish... MB - for my kids to be happy and healthy always. CA - What kind of car do you drive? MB - Saturn SL CA - What kind of car do you *want* to drive? MB - Jaguar. CA - Answer the following questions as quickly as possible, but feel free to expand on any of your answers (Hey, it's not a test).: What's your favorite movie? MB - The Matrix CA - Favorite song? MB - The Ya'll Come Back Cafe by Kathye Long CA - Favorite snack? MB - Chocolate. (But I'm pretty sure it's a food group.) CA - Favorite book? MB - Tears Of Gold CA - Typewriter or computer? MB - Computer. CA - Soup or salad? MB - Uh ... what kind of soup? <g> Salad. CA - Turkey burger or steak? MB - Steak. CA - Slacks or jeans? MB - Jeans. CA - Boxers or briefs? MB - Boxers. CA - Are blondes really more fun? MB - I hope not. I'd look hideous as a blonde. CA - Have you ever held anyone hostage? MB - My children. CA - If no, would you? MB - Yes. CA - Do you believe in love at first sight? MB - No. CA - Are aliens real? MB - Maybe. CA - If you could vote members off of Gilligan's Island, who would get the boot first? MB - Friggin' Gilligan, that's who. CA - If Godzilla and Superman got into a street fight (no weapons allowed), who would win? MB - Godzilla. CA - What is one thing about you that very few know? MB - I've got one helluva a temper. CA - What is your greatest fear? MB - That my children die before I do. CA - If you could be anyone (dead or alive) who would you be? And why? MB - Gwen Stefani of No Doubt because I love her style and her thinness (and hey, she IS blonde), but mostly because she can sing and I've always wanted to be able to sing. Otherwise, I'd want to be Sandra Bullock or Julia Roberts. They're funny, smart, rich, and movie stars. Oh yeah, thin. CA - The one book I wish I'd written is... MB - Kiss An Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips CA - If I could have a special power, it would be... MB - Unconditional Love. I'd zap the whole world. CA - And finally (and you can take your time on this one:-)), what's next for you? Your next book? Writing venture? Goal? MB - Just living the life. Sometimes life gets so crazy, we forget that we only have the present moment in which to live. Instead of rushing past forward to the next thing and the next and the next, I want to experience all that's available to me. As for my career, I need to finish two books and write others. My hope is that I eventually sell to a major publisher or get featured on Readin' with Ripa or sell a script to Hollywood. Remember to visit Michele's Website |
