Emma Michaels, author of The Thirteenth Chime and Anasaszi, lives in Washington State and writes with the support of her fiancé and Chihuahua. Her fiancé is her sounding board for ideas and research and she knows she is writing something wonderful when her Chihuahua, who likes to sit on her shoulders and stare at the screen, moves her head from side to side as though reading. She wants to make the New York Times Best Sellers list in her lifetime and wants to show that there is no stopping someone who truly puts their heart and soul into what they do.
1. What came first, blogging or writing?
Blogging. Well, in terms of which I shared. I wrote tidbits in secret but I had never written a full novel before TTC. I had been blogging for about a year before it came out. I really think that blogging is actually what game me the courage to share my work with others and realize how many other people out there love reading as much as I do!
2. The Thirteenth Chime is set on the coast, and Anasazi in New Mexico. Have you visited these places, and what made you chose such different locations for your novels?
No. Well, Washington I have visited and even the city but I have never been to the area Anasazi is set in. I did do a lot of online research or interviews over the phone but I have it as a future goal of mine to get to see the actual rock city one day. I will take pictures when I do!
3.In Anasazi, Megan rides a BMW motorcycle. Is this something you do yourself, or is it just wishful thinking?
This is where I confuse people. I do not ride a motorcycle and actually refuse to even get on one. I don’t think I ever want to either but it just suited Megan and her character. She is so emotionally raw and so powerful in her own way and it reminded me of what I would imagine riding a motorcycle would feel like. Not much between you and the elements but still steering straight on into the wind and taking the power into your own hands to control it.
4. Your novels are pretty clean and strike me as great crossover stories for YA to Adult. Did you set out to write 'clean' novels?
Yes and no. I love having clean material that is great for all ages and do feel that the series is YA to adult cross over but it was really more about the characters. It just didn’t need it so I didn’t see a point in adding it in.
5 There is a very slight supernatural element in your novels. Have you plans to continue in this style, or are you thinking of branching out into other genres?
Probably continuing. I love to write in genres where anything is possible. I think my future books will be more YA and less cross over but I think I will be sticking to Paranormal, Fantasy or Sci-fi. There is just something so wonderful about opening a book and knowing that anything would be possible inside of it. I want to keep that and those possibilities. Though I will warn, the series gets more and more paranormal as it goes on!
6 What gave you the inspiration for Anasazi?
The inspiration for Anasazi wasn’t as straightforward as my inspiration for The Thirteenth Chime. There was a moment with The Thirteenth Chime when I just knew what I wanted to write and even had a decent idea for what would happen through the first novel and parts of the series but Anasazi was more gradual. I knew who I wanted the main character to be and that it wouldn’t be David. (Spoiler: Yes, Megan is being set up to split the spotlight in later novels. She had to be the lead for this novel because she plays a role in the series that is very important to David’s future:) After that it was more about his thesis and how he would have reacted. I figured out what he would have been doing and then, what it would mean would happen to him.
7. Can we expect to see another book from you and will it feature David or Megan?
Yes. Both. I knew the first novel should introduce you to David and what type of person he is. Then I knew I wanted to bring Megan in and what David would be doing at the time to lead up to the last two novels. The future novels will have both of them in it. Though you might be in for a few surprises!
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions Emma.
Published: August 5th, 2011
Publisher: Bokheim
Copy: Received for review
Summary: Back Cover
One year ago, something happened to David. Following the only clue he had he headed out into the desert. Now he has asked me to come see him. But when I arrived, he was gone. The people in town claim they have never heard of him and everyone wants me to leave.
But I know he was here and he is in trouble.
He can't survive out there for long.
Can he?
David. I will find you.
Anasazi re-introduces us to David, who was the main protagonist in The Thirteenth Chime, but he is not a part of the story in the way I was expecting. Sorry, but to tell you more would be a major spoiler. The main protagonist this time around is Megan, a kick-ass, bike riding graduate, who arrives in New Mexico after responding to a request from David to join him at an archaeological dig.
Megan has the kind of attitude that we all secretly wish we had, but we discover that her life has not been all chocolate and roses. When she gets to the desert and discovers that David is missing, and no-one admits to ever having seen him, she decides to enlist the help of some younger locals to help try and solve David's disappearance. There is some wonderful information about the Hopi/Anasazi/Navajo legends that will interest any history fans, and there are mysteries withing mysteries waiting to delved into. Some day I would just love to visit that cave city. Another clean read from Ms Michaels, with some snappy dialogue to keep things interesting.
I look forward to finding out more about David and Megan in future books.
You can contact Emma at any one of the following:
Blog: http://EmmaMichaels.Blogspot.com
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Vum_DAYFw
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SincerelyEmmaM
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EmmaMichaels
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000677626402
Great interview. I've never heard of these books before, but will have to look them up. I like what Emma said about the transition from blogging to writing.
ReplyDelete