My special guest today is author, Michelle Pillow. Michelle and I started writing with the same publisher at around the same time back in 2004. I’ve enjoyed Michelle’s books for a long time, and I’m thrilled to have her visit today.
NB: There’s a contest for one lucky visitor to win one of Michelle’s downloads so make sure you leave a comment to enter the draw.
Over to Michelle!
As I was dancing in my kitchen, singing a song that shouldn’t have even been written, it struck me: I’m a little different. No, this rock star moment wasn’t the first time this realization has struck me. That might have been as I danced my own rendition of the nutcracker in my living room. Or, perhaps, after watching a marathon of Ghost Hunters and declaring that I, too, would someday hunt ghosts—just as soon as TAPS calls me up from the trenches to join them. (Hum, turning in that application might be a good first step).
My point is, as fiction writers, we tend to be excused for any eccentric behavior. We have private moments in very public situations, often scribbling down ideas on notebooks and napkins. We develop strange addictions to research material and the smell of books. We pace in our pajamas into the wee hours of the morning obsessing over which exact shade of red toe nail polish to… What? That last one just me? LOL
We’re responsible for making up strange and fascinating worlds, creating myths and legends, bringing about pretend governments, building lives and sometimes immortalities. I think it’s this everyday craziness that allows me to write what I do. From the Realm Immortal (3 Book relaunch, Samhain Publishing, March 6th) world of goblins and faeries to the alternate reality jumping heroines of Divinity Warrior (Ellora’s Cave, March 25th) and everything in between.
CONTEST: So, bloglanders, what’s your everyday craziness? Confess it here and be entered for a chance to win one of the Realm Immortal ebooks!
Thank you so much for having me on your blog.
Happy Reading!
Michelle
About the Author
Michelle M. Pillow is a multi-published romance author. Her 3 Book relaunch, Realm Immortal is at Samhain March 6th. And her newest book, Divinity Warrior: Lilith Enraptured releases March 25th from Ellora’s Cave. Check out her website for more details.
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March 23rd, 2009 at 3:30 am · Link
LOL Michelle, your post made me laugh!! If you asked my family, they’d say I was crazy just because I spend hours pounding away on the computer (but that’s not crazy, that’s normal, right?!)
Before I found so many like minded writer friends I thought I was crazy for hearing voices in my head, slipping into my own alternate reality at odd moments and not realising I managed to burn dinner more often than not. Thankfully I now know I’m not alone, so therefore I’m perfectly normal!! (for a writer…
)
March 23rd, 2009 at 3:43 am · Link
I guess my greatest eccentricity is like Christina’s – I tend to talk about my characters as though they’re real people, i.e., “Davide said that…” or “Emily is thinking that…”
The hubby is used to it, but I don’t think my family would be too happy. I’ve never really talked about this stuff with them, in the past. Now, though, my mother is reading the story as I write it – and she’s totally into it, which never happened before. I don’t know what the switch is (maybe the fact that I’m halfway around the world, now – more or less?)
Anyway – who knows what she’ll deal with when I visit this year. LOL! Hopefully I’ll have a completed manuscript, this time around!
I’m just glad to know that I’m not alone… ;)
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:15 am · Link
Crazy? Who are you calling crazy?
Most of my craziness is internal – which often causes me to laugh to myself for no apparent reason. My kids are used to it by now…
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:24 am · Link
Crazy, we all must be crazy.
I think my craziness is in knowing that I’m going to keep doing this writing thing. There really is no end in sight for me. I’m done for.
:)
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:25 am · Link
POUNCE!!! ~muwah!~
eccentric? different? ummm…. i would know nothing about those. :P
hope you’re doing good Shell – miss ya. xxxx
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:18 am · Link
Some degree of being ‘off-balance’ is required, I think, to handle our creativity. It would be so stifling to not be a little off and still manage with the different characters we create and who dictate what story we tell. And no, it’s not insane at all that I have yards of fabric and a pattern to make the colonial dress I want to wear while writing to inspire me as I go. (although I’m not good at sewing…any takers?)
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:30 am · Link
I think all of us can remember the …ah! moment when we found our personal tribe of co-creators. For me the first time came when I joined the line-up at university to get my cage card (like a library card for film equipment.) All the women in the line-up were exactly like me! My second sigh moment came when I joined my local chapter of RWA. Does it say something that I’ve never missed a meeting in 5 years (except when I was out of the city?) I need my peeps fix.
My most obvious eccentricity is my musical obsessions which I play while writing. I get into a groove with a certain artist and listen to his or her CD constantly for weeks, then shift over to another one.
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:30 am · Link
My everyday craziness is dealing with all my critters. We have one horse, 4 dogs, approx. 15 cats, and approx. 26 chickens. Plus spending at least 8 hours on the computer, reading, cleaning, laundry, cooking, dishes, etc. Plus when I can find the time, I make afghans. This has been on the back burner for a while now and I need to get busy doing them soon. I guess this is about it. Have a great day.
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:32 am · Link
LOL!! I’ve had many crazy moments like that.
I wring my hands often with glee when I get a good idea. Much like a pantomime villain. If I had a mustache I would twirl it.
I daydream and live a lot in my head. It’s crazy, but it’s why I write.
March 23rd, 2009 at 7:25 am · Link
Wow, That’s so cool about the two of you, Shelley and Michelle! Your books look great too. And if you are anything like Shelley, I can’t wait to read them.
My crazed obsession is still trying to do ballet! I use to be in a dance company, but when you stop that craziness, your body still wants it!
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:25 am · Link
Hummm… lets see, crazy obsession? I do sing in the shower! And when no one is home… I really let ‘er rip! Good thing my neighbors are really far away… hehe
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 am · Link
Oh boy. My everyday craziness? That can get extreme. I’ve learned not to walk by myself too often because I tend to also talk to myself. Even if I’m actually able to keep my mouth shut, I’ll still have a variety of facial expressions. I’ve been known to cry for no apparent reason. Of course, in my head the hero nearly died, but no one sees that.
March 23rd, 2009 at 12:16 pm · Link
My daily craziness is from living in a household with all men. I mean, if I didn’t have a sense of the ridiculous, I would be insane by now. Sense of humor is key to my survival, lol.
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:38 pm · Link
Hi Michelle! The nice thing about knowing other writers is knowing most of the stuff I do isn’t really all that strange. My everyday craziness has to be running scenes in the car. I’ll be busy talking to myself and my characters at a stop light and realize the other drivers can probably see me. Now that people are always on the phone in the car, I suppose I have an excuse. They can assume I’m actually talking to someone else, but years ago before cell phones, I was just some nut yammering away to an empty back seat.
March 23rd, 2009 at 3:41 pm · Link
Hi Shelly and Michelle,
Michelle, your post made me smile..recently, I’ve had many, many special moments in my attempt to learn how to cook. I love food..i mean actively love trying different foods. So I’ve been trying to learn how to cook, everyday meals, international foods, and deserts. Even though once in a while I’ve had moments of creative brilliance, most of the time I end up in the kitchen with loud music, ingredients everywhere, lots of dirty dishes, open cookbooks, ‘interesting’ food, and an amused boyfriend :)
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm · Link
NICE Cover!
March 23rd, 2009 at 10:34 pm · Link
Thanks for the post today, Michelle! It seems that as an author, you have a fabulous outlet for any real-world craziness! As a reader, I think my insanity just makes me a wacko ;) Why can’t I just walk past any display of books without buying at least one? I already have more books that I can likely read in several years… Probably part of that packrat mentality–if it’s useful to someone (never mind that it isn’t immediately useful to me!), I can’t possibly throw it away! Eeek! My longsuffering husband doesn’t always find this endearing ;p
March 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 pm · Link
LOL – I hear you about the dancing. I go out with my iPod on and forget I’m in public. My husband refuses to walk with me when I start to sing or dance or do both in public.
I tend to blurt out totally random questions to my husband, and since I write a lot of erotic romance they can be fairly risque questions. It’s always important that I know the answers straight away.
It makes life interesting, that’s for sure.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:22 pm · Link
Thank you so much for having me Shelley!!
Christina — LOL I burn dinner ALL the time. Yeah, there are times I’m banned from even entering the kitchen.
Ms M — I didn’t really tell too many people I was writing novels until I had the first contract. Then I had to confess to everyone, lol. I guess I thought if it didn’t go anywhere, I didn’t want people asking and pointing it out.
Jenyfer — LOL. I used to have this really bad habit of renaming people in my head and then forgetting thier real name, because I thought my name fit them better personality wise. Oops.
JK — LMAO Yep, sounds like you’re lost to it.
HI Lakota! :)
Leigh — Just for working? I want a dress like that just to wear around. *giggle*
Julia — It is great when you find like minded people, isn’t it? It can be very lonely otherwise. I can’t say how many times people have looked at me like I’m crazy when i talk about work. I mean, doesn’t everyone fight ninjas in the morning and dance the waltz before bed?
Roberta — That’s awesome. I love animals. Don’t have quite as many as you, but I love having them around. :)
To do list: Find twirling mustache for Amy. LOL
Kaye — That’s awesome. It must have been so much fun to dance like that. Yeah, my nutcracker rendition wasn’t backed by dance training, lol.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:35 pm · Link
Catherine — OMG, too funny. I sing in the shower, too, and when I’m alone in the car. Let’s hope that’s one album that never releases. LOL
Alice — LOL I think it’s great. We’re all more alike in your eccentricities than I thought.
Cathy. OMG You poor thing. lol
Jennifer — HAHAHAHAHA I remember when those bluetooth headset things first came out and everyone was walking around, talking but not holding a phone.
Eshani — I wish I could cook, just like I wish I could garden. Nothing ever comes out right, though, LOL. That’s awesome that you’re learning. :)
Thanks Sandra!
LOL Fedora — It’s ok until you start buying several copies of the same book because you forgot you had it.
That’s too funny, Shelley! I’ve been known to call people out of the blue with a random question. Even things like, What’s another word for ___? Ok, thanks. hang up. LOL
March 24th, 2009 at 6:39 pm · Link
Thanks again for having me and thank you everyone for stopping by to hang out today! I loved hearing your craziness.
And, by random draw, the winner of one of the Realm Immortal Ebooks — either King of the Unblessed, Faery Queen or Stone Queen — is Comment Number 10:
by Kaye Manro March 23rd, 2009 at 7:25 am
Email me at michelle_pillow AT yahoo DOT com with your ebook and format choice. :)