Seven Story Publishing

Written Author Interview

1. Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do outside of writing. What is a day in the life like for you?

My name is Michelle Campbell. I do work a “day job” in IT Governance and Compliance (very creative). I also have two kids, one in high school and one in college. I spend most of my time with my kids and my fiance. I meet with my amazing writing group regularly, and they keep me going! Of course I am an avid reader, in my free time and I do my best to stay active. Greenville is a great place to be outdoors. 

2. What inspired your first novel? What was the thing that got you into writing in the first place?

It’s hard to say what got me into writing. I’ve been writing, and have wanted to be an author, since before I can remember. For this book, Another Life Lesson, I have been drawn to past lives since I was young. I read a nonfiction book in my early teens about past lives and the things that you carry with you. I am unsure if that has since been debunked in any way, but it was something that always fascinated and stuck with me. 

One of the main characters, Norah, is also dealing with a lot of grief. I, like so many of us, have certainly dealt with grief in many different ways. I’m sure many of us wish to not be defined by what we do in our toughest times and I like the idea of giving people a little grace in those moments.  

3. How do you come up with characters? Are they spontaneous or meticulously planned?

I wish I was more of a planner. I am trying to be a little more with my current work in progress, but still I am not great at it. It’s genuinely true when writers talk about their characters telling them who they are and what the story is. I do love watching a character unfolded, and then in draft 2+ getting to really shape them. Most of my ideas do start with internal character conflict that I then have to build a plot around. 

4. What are some of your favorite genres to read? Are there any books you’d recommend to first time readers or people looking for something new?

I used to read a lot of very sad books such as The Kite Runner, A History of Loneliness, I Know This Much is True. The Beartown series is one of my favorites and I’ve read a good bit of Fredrik Buckmann. If you like family history and stories where the home feels a part of the story, Kate Morton books are wonderful. My work in progress has a feel of the family history/home element, but with magic. Now that I am writing magical realism I am realizing how much of it I’ve loved. The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, even classics like The Green Mile and 11/22/63 I believe could be considered magical realism. 

5. What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer? 

Imposter syndrome. It took me a long time to actually call myself a writer. It’s hard not to compare your work to others or believe that there are people who actually want to read your work. It’s beyond rewarding to have a reader genuinely express how much they’ve enjoyed something I’ve written. 

6. What is your process to completing a novel from outline to final product?

I’ve typically just sat down at a blank page and wrote. I am getting a little better at planning, as I mentioned, but what that really means for me is I am tracking my plot points better as I go and noting more what I will need to do for drafts 2+. That has helped me focus much more and have more clarity as I go. 

7. What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve written in your novel? Don’t worry, we don’t judge here.

For Another Life Lesson, it must be what opens the story, which is unhinged for the character Celeste to defy the Council and go down to Earth. This question is making me think I need to add more unhinged moments to my stories. 

8. What’s one thing about being a writer that absolutely drives you up the wall?

Needing to market! I love the writing process more overall and it gets easier the more you do it (I’m sure some day I’ll have a slow point). It is after the book is done. All the social media and self promoting is tough. 

9. What does being a successful writer look like for you? What type of life do you want to live as a writer?

I’d love to be able to simply live off of my earnings and be able to quit my day job to write full time. I don’t need to change my current lifestyle, I don’t need to be famous, just enough to earn a living. That’s one thing (among many, I think) social media has changed about being a writer. In my opinion, it’s made it more about the writer as a person and not the work they are producing. I would be perfectly happy if no one knew who I was, but enjoyed my books. 

10. Describe your writing journey. If you had to write a story centered around it, do you think you could pull it off?

I don’t know if my own writing journey would make a great book. Like a lot of us, I started young, I have a stack of hand written books in my attic, lost files on every computer I ever owned. I self published many years ago but took it down right away as it wasn’t good enough (truly). Took a break from writing due to self-doubt for longer than I should have. Found a great writing group in my area and have been back at it ever since. I have written nonfiction articles, but I love the imagination that goes into fiction and I don’t think I’ll ever venture far from it. 

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About

Michelle Campbell was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and now lives in Greenville, SC. When not writing, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family. Another Life Lesson is her debut novel.

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