Michelle Libby Writes Small Town Contemporary Romance
Today I am interviewing Romance writer Michelle Libby. She talks about her inspirations and has a great writing tip for us.
Welcome, Michelle Libby…
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Thanks for having me on your blog, Zara. It’s a crazy time in our lives and keeping things routine is important. I’m Michelle Libby, a trained journalist and author with a variety of books up for sale on Amazon. I write contemporary romance with a hint of snark and sass. I’m social distancing in Maine with my two adult children and my police officer husband, a twelve-year-old yellow lab, who acts three, and a two-year-old Bengal cat.
Is there an event in your life that affected you as a writer?
I’ve always enjoyed writing. When I was a kid, I would spend the weekend with my dad at his office. While he worked, I created my own newspaper with stories and photos. In eighth grade, I wrote an article for The Hartford Courant.
The thing that really got my journalist juices flowing was when I wrote to Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space. She wrote back to us, which we received the day after the space shuttle Challenger exploded. A journalist visited our school that day. When the letter from Christa arrived, she quoted me and a media circus ensued. The day after her article was published two helicopters landed on our sports field to interview me and our class. I was on the nightly news with Dan Rather and the Courant article went out over the Associate Press wire. I received copies of the story from all over the country and friends of ours called my parents to say they saw me on the nightly news.
As far as fiction…I devoured Harlequin Romance novels by the box full. In college, I would get a monthly subscription and read the books in one weekend. Eventually, I told myself that I could write of these books. Who better to write them, since I loved them soooo much. So, I did. And, then I learned about RWA and other writer groups, which helped me learn more. It also introduced me to some of my greatest writer friends.
What interesting jobs have you had? How have these jobs affected your writing?
As the wife of a police officer, I bounced around from job to job, never having the same position for more than four years. I’ve had a daycare, taught reading, worked in eldercare. I’ve been the editor of a newspaper, a staff writer for a few local newspapers and I’ve been a stay-at=home mom.
Every single one of these jobs has taught me something or introduced me to unique individuals. One of the characters in a book I’m going through with my critique partners, is based on a man I worked with for years. He was so interesting and passionate about life, that I knew he would make a great personality in a book.
What project are you working on now or what book will be next?
The project I’m writing right now, is a middle grade pirate time-travel novel. I’m having so much fun with it. I can’t wait to share it with everyone. Since I taught reading, I know the importance of finding books for boys to read. I had to do that with my own son. Creating a book that could be that adventure novel for young readers that gets them hooked on reading, is a dream for me.
The next book that most likely will be published is Annie Get Your Gun. This is an adult romance about a professional pistol shooter, who is determined to be the best, but will it be at all costs?
Writing tip for authors
I’m always looking for tips that work for me from other authors. I’m excited to share with you one of my tricks for writing more, writing faster. and enjoying reaching your goals.
The trick and tip I want to share today is writing sprints. There was an author who said, you can do anything for 20 minutes. Write for 20 minutes every day. If you want to keep going, set the timer for another 20 minutes. I finished two books this way – 20 minutes at a time.
When your write every day, you also start typing faster, which can increase your output. For years, I very rarely wrote more than one 20-minute chunk per day. I was working full time and keeping all the volunteer balls in the air, but the books still got done.
Keep spreadsheets and lists of word totals or check off on a calendar when you do write for 20 minutes. Those types of data trackers can keep you motivated and excited about the work getting completed. Nothing is more satisfying than writing THE END on a novel.
Breaking the Story by Michelle Libby
Seth knows he’s being set up with the darling of Serenity Harbor when he’s asked to be the subject of a story on the fire department. He can’t help but want to get to know Erin as long as they can keep things professional. Hurting her would mean being blackballed from the department, but saving her life becomes a daily habit and he finds himself being drawn to her magnetic personality.
When Erin accuses someone Seth knows of setting all of the fires in town, trouble brews between the couple. She is determined to break the story without Seth’s support, causing a rift between them. Erin wants to do what’s right and Seth has to determine what is more important, the firefighter brotherhood or love.
Thank you for having me. If people want to get in touch with me, I’m on Facebook, mostly, at Author Michelle Libby. I have a website, www.MichelleLibby.com and can
be emailed at AuthorMichelleLibby@gmail.com.
Thanks Deb. You’re so sweet.
Wow, Michelle – love the Christa McAuliffe story. Absolutely amazing. No wonder you loved journalism. I remember exactly where I was that day. There was a snow storm in Maine and I walked and walked in the snow, I was so upset. Here’s to many great sales from your book. I remember reading it when the book first released in the Maine anthology. And 20 minute sprints – great idea!