Hello all :) I'm today's stop on Michael's "Poe's Mother" Blog Tour. I've asked him a few questions, so sit back, relax, and get to know Michael a little better :)
About the Book:
Give me the blurb for the book in 140 characters or less:
1975. A 15-year-old young woman. A small, dusty town. A family that worships the great American author Edgar Allan Poe, and carries his surname.
Poe's Mother is a startling new novel of dark family secrets, the lure of the supernatural, the claustrophobic isolation of a dying town and a cautionary tale of the power of words.This is the story of Sissy Baxter and her strange relationship with Edgar and Madeline Poe - two people who claim they love her. What Sissy discovers will change her life forever, and love will never be the same.
Do you have a favorite character? Why is he/she/it your favorite?
I love all the major characters in this book; however, if I had to pick one, I would say Madeline Poe. She is the driving force behind the narrative and is the picture of sublime evil.
What do you hope readers will get from your book?
When I wrote the book, I had a specific theme I hoped the reader would take away. Edgar tells Sissy early on in the novel that she will soon find out about love. That was the theme I gave to the reader. Often, events occur in our lives that are not good for us, but they are presented under the guise of love. Later, I realized the book was also about the great price paid to be a blind follower of any doctrine. Madeline, in her way, is a dictator.
About the Author:
What/Who inspires you?
I am inspired by all the authors who have gone before me and particularly those that have brought great joy to my life through reading. I love Poe, Oscar Wilde, the Brontë sisters, Flaubert, Faulkner and too many living authors to mention. I was an avid reader at an early age and loved the page-turning aspect, the world building, of the novel.
Hardest aspect of writing? Best/Easiest?
Every writer’s journey is different, but for me the hardest aspect of writing has been the struggle to get published. Thanks to the new technologies, I have been able to do so and the response has been good. I love that readers are now able to purchase and review my work. I’m not sure that any part of writing is easy – you can’t be in it for the money, but putting a royalty check in the bank is nice. The real fun for me is the creative rush that comes from a blockbuster idea and the production of the first draft. That beats Disney World any day.
Who is your writing hero?
I would say I admire any writer who breaks ground. Several come to mind: Flaubert, Anne Brontë, Poe, Salinger, Burroughs. These writers have had the raw courage to find their voice and put the work out there despite the difficulties they faced in public acceptance and censored subject matter.
About the Future:
What’s next for you?
More books are next for me. I am working on a suspense murder mystery called THE COMBAT ZONE, set in Boston’s notorious former red-light district. It was my first novel, but needed some reworking. It takes place in the mid-1990s, but its themes still apply today. I have several other books in the works and one going out to a New York agent. Cross your fingers!
One outrageous goal for the future?
A New York Times, best-selling author. Who wouldn’t want that?
Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other aspiring writers?
Perseverance certainly has its rewards; I’ve been pursuing this goal for years. However, I think the best advice any writer can get is to learn your craft to the fullest extent of your abilities. You never stop learning, which is one of the best rewards of writing. And, in this new age of instant publishing, having a book that is a cut above your competition helps. Find your voice and hone it.
Randomness:
Sweet or salty?
Both – chocolate covered pretzels are delicious!
Beach, plains or mountains?
All three – I’m from the plains, live now near the beach and love to visit the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. All have their beauties.
Online, letters or in person?
In-person works for me.
Ebook or print?
A qualified both; however, I’m rapidly falling in love with e-books after years of collecting paper.
You can stalk Michael on his Website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
You can purchase Michael's books on Amazon.
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