#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Michelle Prosser

I’d like to welcome author Michelle Prosser to the blog today!

A few of your favorite things: Expensive chocolate, Champaign, books, my Kindle, and my yoga mat

Things you need to throw out: Skunky wine, cheap chocolate, much of my freezer.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Solitude, quiet, nature and a calm mind

Things that hamper your writing: Interruptions, people talking to me, loud music, worry and anxiety.

Things you love about writing: Being in the flow

Things you hate about writing: Too much sitting

Things you never want to run out of: Comfortable shoes

Things you wish you’d never bought: Shoes that looked comfortable but are torture devices

Words that describe you: Deep thinker, bubbly, positive, and loving

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Bossy, anxious, caretaker, family matriarch (I’m TOO young but that is what everyone calls me)

Favorite foods: Lobster, shrimp, Brussel sprouts, filet mignon, tiramisu, brownies

Things that make you want to gag: Blue cheese, dill pickles

Favorite music or song: Bridge Over Troubled Waters (my Dad used to play it on the piano when I was going to sleep as a kid)

Music that drives you crazy: Heavy metal

Something you like to do: Climb Machu Picchu in Peru

Something you wish you’d never done: White water rafting on the Gauley River in Class 5 rapids. Boat hit a rock and broke a passenger’s leg. Was positive I would orphan my 3 little kids.

Things to say to an author: Beautiful turn of phrase, you took me there, your prose shimmered

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: You are a hack,

Favorite books (or genre): Magical Realism

Books you wouldn’t buy: Mean gossip and lies whether Hollywood or politics

People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): Oprah Winfrey

People you’d cancel dinner on: Tucker Carlson

Things that make you happy: Dancing, writing, hiking, yoga, hanging with my family

Things that drive you crazy: Being stuck with certain family members

Most embarrassing moment: Two of them: As a junior in high school my halter dress fell down at a Homecoming dance. As an adult being asked to be the executive coach for the man who was my date when my dress fell down. I knew at that point he was gay and was probably over it but I wasn’t!

Proudest moment: I was a speaker at the Virginia Festival of the Book and many of my coaching clients, friends and Festival participants came to support me. The room was overflowing with 200 people and my children and family sat in the front row.  The bookseller sold out of my books, and I spent an hour autographing books for both loved ones and strangers. People I barely knew came and videotaped it to put it online.  I was so touched!

The coolest person you’ve ever met: Rosa Parks

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: Daryl Hannah

The nicest thing a reader said to you: You changed my life

The craziest thing a reader said to you: Your book is not based on Scripture

About Michelle:

Michelle Epiphany Prosser, is Director of Talent Development and Learning for the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA). Previously she served as Assistant Vice President/Learning Manager at Union Bank & Trust and as Director of Employee Development & Engagement for Lumos Networks.

Since 2001 she has been President of Energy Focus Coaching and Consulting either as a full-time or part-time consultant. In 2011 she established the Leadership program at Virginia Military Institute for staff and faculty which she continues to lead through the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE). She holds an M.A. in communication studies from the University of Virginia and is a trained executive coach. Prosser is working towards Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation at Marymount University.

Prosser is a published author of Team Medicine, Coaching Your Team to Success with Native American Wisdom by Maven House in 2019 which is the first team-building book to draw upon the wisdom of the Native American tradition for a philosophy and tools for strengthening teams. Team Medicine is for leaders who work in organizations that value collaborative teams. It focuses on how teams progress through the stages of the Medicine Wheel (similar to forming, storming, norming, and performing) and the key concepts of working together in a Sacred Circle. She is also the author of the coaching/spiritual book Excuse Me, Your God is Waiting, Love Your God, Create Your Life, Find Your True Self published by Hampton Roads Publishing Company in 2008. She is completing a book that uses Native American archetypes as models for leadership energy entitled Leadership Medicine.

 Before becoming a coach, Prosser worked for twenty years in government and politics, including leadership positions for three Virginia governors and a congressman.

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Behind the Scenes - Roller Derby

When I was little, I would watch roller derby on TV on Sunday mornings before church. Probably not the peaceful introspection my mom would have wanted, but I was fascinated with the game and the women athletes. I loved to roller skate in the seventies and eighties and thought it would have been so cool to try it. I’ve never been to an in-person jam, but it’s still on my bucket list after all these years. We have a local team, River City Roller Derby, and it’s definitely on my things-to-do-after-the-pandemic list.

In THE TULIP SHIRT MURDERS, sassy PI, Delanie Fitzgerald, tracks down a lead who is part of the roller derby scene. The skater agrees to answer Delanie’s questions if she’ll suit up and help the team out at practice when they are short a few members. And Delanie is braver than I am. After surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon, I may be relegated to the audience.

I had a lot of fun researching the sport. The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) site has a great overview (and anything you ever wanted to know about the rules). There’s a neat infographic and links to Roller Derby 101 videos.

I am fascinated with the jammers and the blockers. The jammers are the only ones who can score for their team, and they have the cool star on their helmets.

Check out the adventures of Delanie, Duncan, Margaret, and Chaz in The Tulip Shirt Murders.

What I Learned about the Writing Life from the Wizard of Oz

The 1939 MGM version of THE WIZARD OF OZ is my all-time favorite movie. It used to be a once-a-year treat when it aired on TV, but when technology changed, I bought the VHS tape and DVD for “on demand” viewing. I even took a two-week fun course on it as an undergrad. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen it, but it still find surprises each time I watch it. Here’s what I learned as an author from it.

You Had the Power All Along - You do. You have the grit and determination to fulfill your writing dreams. It’s there. You just need to harness it and figure out your plan. Make a plan and follow it. Don’t give up!

Use Your Assets - You have the tools to be a writer. You will need to put in the time and energy to hone them, but you have the brain, heart, and courage to do it.

Everyone Needs Friends - The writing journey is a long (often solitary one), you need friends, mentors, coaches, and cheerleaders. Find your crew and support each other.

People (or Scarecrows, Tinmen, and Cowardly Lions) Are Willing to Help - The Writing Community is full of authors at different stages who are gracious with their time and advice. Find your writing allies and cherish them.

Be Part of The Group - Make sure that you’re an active participant with the writing community. You don’t have to do everything, but you need to do something. Share ideas, experiences, and contacts. Provide feedback and guidance. Support other writers with comments, shares, and reviews.

Sometimes It’s Scary - The witch’s flying monkeys scared me so badly as a kid. (And when I was little, I found it hard to fathom that the lady in the Maxwell House coffee commercials was really the Wicked Witch. But that’s another story.) There are some rough patches and scary stuff along the writing journey. Rejections, bad critiques, and nasty reviews aren’t pleasant. Learn what you can from them and keep going.

Be Flexible - You are going to run into all kinds of roadblocks and dead ends. Figure out ways to move forward and to advance your goals. Use your gifts. Be creative and find your way out of the haunted forest.

And one pair of shoes can change your life.

#ThisorThatThursday Interview with Caramel Lucas

I’d like to welcome author, Caramel Lucas to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

A few of your favorite things: I like Green Tea, Clothes and Wigs

Things you need to throw out: All of my old shoes and clothes. I keep everything because I am afraid I will need it later.

Things you love about writing: Writing gives me the opportunity to become any character I choose to be.

Things you hate about writing: I hate when I have writers block. When I am writing I want to be able to focus on what I am writing.

Hardest thing about being a writer: The hardest thing for me is getting started to writing and what I am going to write about.

Easiest thing about being a writer: The easy for me is when I have started writing it becomes a easy flow.

Words that describe you: I am a person who always keeps it real. I am a person who is loyal and have a lot of respect for people until they crossed me with disrespect. I have a heart of gold and I would do anything for people who needs my help.

Favorite foods: Seafood - Crabs, Fish, Shrimp

Favorite music or song: R&B . I don't have a favorite song because I love music and I love meaningful  music.

Music that drives you crazy: Metal music drives me completely crazy because I never know what they are saying.

Things you always put in your books: I love putting romance in my books. I am a huge fan of love and romance.

Things to say to an author: Being an author you have to love writing and what it means to write. Writing becomes your life and you must have the passion for writing for the reading to have a passion for your writing.

The coolest person you’ve ever met: Oprah Winfrey

Caramel is a motivated entrepreneur and continues to reach for the stars. Caramel is a Podcaster  Host with her own show called Keepin It Real w/Caramel "As We Say 100" on Anchor.fm which has  a very wide digital platform. She interviews entrepreneurs who want to be heard and give her listeners inspirational and motivational messages as well as give the entrepreneurs a chance to let  the world know the impact they are making in the world.

In 2018, Caramel became a Published Poet with Eber & Wein Publishing and Poetry Nation. She  was published in the Upon Arrival Edition and Quarantine Edition. Caramel’s novel is  "In Love With The Other Man with Authorhouse.

She has been in  many music videos, magazines hardcopy/online and have won many modeling competitions. She  has directed many music videos & commercials. Caramel never stops in her acting career she has  been in many acting gigs such as an extra "News Reporter" on the movie "Recount" with John  Travolta on HBO Productions, Room 236, The Kupid Killer, The Gathering, Dead Con, Logistics, etc.  She has her IMDB credits for her acting. Meanwhile, she had a great opportunity to auditions for the  TV shows "She Got The Look," "Bad Girls Club" and “America's Got Talent” which they all were  great experiences. Caramel was in two National Commercials for Sports Authority and Dick  Sporting Goods.

In 2010 Caramel was Ms On Air Personality for Hot1079, myblockradio.net &myblocktv.net out of  Charlotte, NC (704djs). She had her own shows "Grown and Sexy" every Sunday and on Tuesday  and Thursday "Silk Music."

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Twitter: Ms__Caramel

Facebook: Caramel Lucas 

Linkedin: Caramel Lucas 

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Behind the Scenes - The Big 80s

I am Generation X. We were first generation “Sesame Street” and “M-TV.” Television, movies, music, and the mall scene were part of formative years, and we grew up with ever-changing technology. So, it was a natural fit for pop culture to play a key role in my mysteries and characters’ lives.

In the first Delanie Fitzgerald mystery, Secret Lives and Private Eyes, the sassy Private Eye is hired by a tell-all author to look into the rumors that 80s rock star, Johnny Velvet of the Vibes, faked his death and was living incognito on a small farm in Amelia, Virginia. Delanie’s whisked back to the era of boom boxes, teen mags, mix tapes, and other pop culture memories from the decade of excess as she searches for what happened to the members of the Vibes. Could the handsome John Bailey really be the Johnny Velvet?

My mix tapes were full of Duran Duran, Culture Club, the Cure, Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, and A-ha. And my closet doors were covered in pictures of C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio, Llmahl, and George Michael. I sported blue eye shadow, banana clips, braces, and shoulder pads. Delanie is a bit younger, but she experienced the Big 80s in elementary school.

Check out how it all began for Delanie and Duncan (and Margaret, the English bulldog) in Secret Lives and Private Eyes.

Writing Advice I'd Give to a Younger Me

Someone asked me on a panel recently what advice I would give to a younger version of myself. Here’s a longer answer to that question…

• Write every day. I know there are so many other interesting things in this world, but if you want to be published, you need to put in the time. And the more time that passes between writing sessions, the harder it is to get back to work.

• Start now.

• Find a group of supportive writers. These folks will be there to help you celebrate and to move on after disappointments.

• Decide what you want to write and read everything in that genre you can get your hands on.

• Pick a few writing books to read. Don’t get so bogged down in the self-help reading that you don’t actually write.

• Perfect your craft. The writing part is fun and easy. The work comes during the revisions. And there will be many of them.

• Don’t let every little comment bother you. Learn what you can from the feedback and don’t dwell on the negative ones.

• Know that the first manuscript you’ve worked on for so long may not ever be published. Many authors have two to three manuscripts in a drawer. I have two abandoned ones.

• Writing is a business. Agents and publishers are looking for books they can sell.

• You will need to do A LOT of book marketing. Be prepared. Be creative.

• Find a schedule that works with your life and try to stick to it. I am more productive if I write every day.

• There are going to be set backs and disappointments. This is a tough business. If you want to see your name on that cover, you need the grit and determination to keep moving toward your goal.

• Find a critique group or writing partner who will give you honest feedback about your writing.

• Don’t rush it. Make sure you are prepared and that your manuscript is ready for the world before you start to query it.

• Invest your time and money in things that will help you improve your writing.

This is a tough business, and there are as many ups as there are downs. Keep the faith and keep writing.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Kristi Charish

I’d like to welcome author, Kristi Charish, to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday.

A few of your favorite things: Coffee, green tea, Pacific coast rocky shorelines, and my SPF 50 sunscreen.  

 Things you need to throw out: All my old iPhones...seriously, why do I keep finding them in my drawers? AI revolution? Possibly.

Things you need for your writing sessions: hummingbird feeder (best conflict prompts ever!), coffee (caffeine is becoming a theme), a device capable of running Word.

Favorite foods: Basil - I used to make salads out of basil, heavy on the oregano and thyme...there might have been vegetables in there too.

Favorite music or song: I have two bands on my playlist favorites - The Asteroids Galaxy Tour and The Dandy Warhols.

Favorite beverage: Besides coffee? I adore a hoppy, dank, musky west coast hazy IPA. Thankfully British Columbia is famous for both!

Favorite smell: Sandalwood, basil, and old fashioned sunscreen.

Something you’re really bad at: Ok, be honest now, how many other authors on this blog were tempted, sheerly out of principle, to choose writing on this one? ;-) 

Something you wish you could do: Ride a motorbike. I’ve gotten as far as my Cook Island scooter license.

The last thing you ordered online: Second hand clothes! I love reusing and there are some absolute fashion treasures to be found. The depreciation that happens as soon as an item leaves Nordstrom should be a wonder of the world.

The last thing you regret buying: Always lipstick. I hate wearing it and - let’s be honest- rarely does it make anyone look good. Lip balm all the way! Also, I regret this keyboard. PSA: Don’t bargain shop for a keyboard on Amazon. You will be underwhelmed.

Things you’d walk a mile for: My morning coffee. No competition. I’m pretty certain I’ve done it at least twice.

About Kristi:

Kristi Charish is the author of KINCAID STRANGE, a paranormal mystery series about a voodoo practitioner living in Seattle with the ghost of a grunge rocker, and THE ADVENTURES OF OWL, an adventure fantasy about ex-archaeology grad student turned international antiquities thief, Alix— better known now as Owl—a modern-day “Indiana Jane” who reluctantly navigates the hidden supernatural world. 

 Kristi writes what she loves; adventure heavy stories featuring strong, savvy female protagonists, pop culture, and the occasional RPG fantasy game thrown in the mix. Kristi is also a scientist. She has a BSc and MSc from Simon Fraser University in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and a PhD in Zoology from the University of British Columbia. She specializes in genetics, cell biology, and molecular biology and gratuitously uses her expertise throughout her fiction. You can find Kristi with her laptop on Vancouver film sets, getting paid to write while filling in the background. 

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Behind the Scenes - Drag Shows

In Glitter, Glam, and Contraband, sassy Private Eye, Delanie Fitzgerald, is hired to find out who is stealing from the talent at a local drag show.

I had never been to a show before, and my writer friend, Rosemary Shomaker, organized an outing for a group of writers at Godfrey’s in Richmond, Virginia. We had so much fun, and brunch was wonderful. The banana-stuffed French toast tasted like dessert. And the talent was extremely generous with their time before and after the show. They answered a lot of my questions, and everyone wanted to be in a murder mystery.

I made up the club in Glitter, Glam, and Contraband, as well as the entertainers’ names. My characters, Amber Alert, Ana Conda, Ginger Snap, Kiki Jubilee, Cherri Bomb, Nova Cain, Paige Turner, and Tara Byte were a lot of fun to write. I gave each of them a stage persona with props. Ana Conda brought her boa to the show until it scared someone in the audience. Ginger Snap and Cherri Bomb were sexy redheads. Nova Cain was a naughty nurse, Paige Turner was a librarian, and Tara Byte was a computer geek.

While I was writing the book, I did a lot of research on websites like Ru Paul’s Drag Race. There are also a lot of good sites with makeup tips. I always learn interesting stuff while researching books.

The Gang from Godfreys with authors Fiona Quinn, Tina Glasneck, Rosemary Shomaker, and me

Check out all the adventures of Delanie and Duncan (and Margaret the English bulldog).