Michelle Dennis Evans is my critique partner and writerly friend from the Gold Coast hinterland of Australia. I’ve met Michelle a couple of times at writers’ conferences and sat in on a marketing panel she participated in. She’s a bundle of energy and positive vibes. Her faith, enthusiasm for life and writing combine to make her a great critique partner and author. I hope you enjoy getting to know Michelle a little better.
Michelle kindly visited me recently to give me some insight into the author of the YA contemporary novels Spiralling Out of Control and Spiralling Out of the Shadow, and book of poetry, Life Inspired.
Michelle writes picture books, chapter books, young adult contemporary novels and also enjoy dabbling in free verse poetry. Her debut novel, Spiralling Out of Control, and poetry collection, Life Inspired, both reached #1 in sub-categories on Amazon in their first week of release. Michelle lives with her husband and four super active, super fun and super time consuming children. (Her words-not mine!)
1. Is there a quote that sums up how you feel about writing?
This quote sums up why I’ve written the Spiralling trilogy:
‘I actually love writing for teens best. I had such an awful time in my own teen years – I love having the chance to relive them through my fiction.’ Meg Cabot
The poet in me says, “To me, the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the music the words make.” Truman Capote
2. What was your process of becoming a writer? Was this something you set out to do?
I wrote my first book when I was eleven which I dismally self-illustrated. I so desperately wanted to become an author and wrote stories every chance I had during school—until a high school teacher told me my stories were immature and I basically had no writing ability.
I was crushed, and didn’t pursue writing again until I was in my thirties. I enrolled in a Comprehensive Writing course as I was no longer sure which genre I wanted to write. A couple of papers in, I was back to dreaming about becoming a novelist.
3. The writing life requires the ‘Three C’s’ — Craft, Community and Conversation. Where do you go for these things in your own writing practice?
Craft:
I attend at least one face-to-face writer’s conference each year. At the moment I find online conferences easier to access. There are so many podcasts, blogs and books on craft, I find I have to limit how much time I spend in this area as the learning can take away from the doing.
Community:
The John 3:16 Marketing network and Omega Writers are great communities to be part of.
Conversation:
Because I home school my girls, and I’m involved in my church I don’t have a whole lot of time to join in with local writing groups – but thank the Lord, there are a plethora of online chats available to join.
One of my favourites is MBT (My Book Therapy) They have a chat every Tuesday at around10am Qld, Aus time. If I have time, I hang out on the Twitterchats #YAlitchat, #kidlitchat #indiechat
4. Was there ever a book that inspired you to become a writer?
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl. I remember wanting to know the story behind the story and then I wanted to write similar adventures.
5. What is your favourite environment for writing?
I love to write with a view – but that happens rarely as I punch out most of my words after the kids have gone to sleep. A few years back I sat outside a motel room overlooking Queenstown, New Zealand. It truly was awesome and I wrote with the incredible view of snow-capped mountains and a gorgeous lake until it was too dark to see.
Here a photo of Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown—it’s absolutely beautiful and definitely an inspirational place to write. (Elaine)
Final comments:
I was first a reader and without readers what would be the point in writing? For those of you who love a good story, thank you for being willing to read what we writerly folk create.
Thank you so much for having me in your library, Elaine. I would love to invite your readers to pop over and visit at www.michelledennisevans.com to become a VIP reader and receive a free book.
It’s been a pleasure to have you in my library Michelle, and I hope one day to have you here in person. Look out for the print versions of Michelle’s books in July.
See you in the library next time,
Elaine
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