Michelle Griep {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Michelle...

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. Her latest release is OUT OF THE FRYING PAN, but historical romance is her usual haunt. THE CAPTIVE HEART releases in October.

Connect with Michelle...

Website: www.michellegriep.com or www.writerofftheleash.blogspot.com

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleGriep
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mmgriep/
Purchase: Out of the Frying Pan

Get to know Michelle...

You and Writing


-->I started writing when I first discovered Crayolas and a blank wall. Yeah. My mom wasn’t too happy about that. But I did eventually grow up and now a MacBook Air is my utensil of choice.
I write to figure out the world. As an author, I’m the god of my storyworld and can work out all the what if’s and how come’s in a safe environment . . . for me, that is. It’s never save for my poor characters.

Your Writing

Out of the Frying Pan is a zany romantic mystery.

Here’s a blurb:

Murder in Paradise whips life into a froth for FERN and ZULA HOPKINS. When the retirement center’s chef is found dead, the two ladies get folded in with the case. Their zany attempts to track down the killer land them in hot water with Detective JARED FLYNN. Should he be concerned about their safety—or the criminal’s?

But there are deadly ingredients none of them expect. Drugs. Extortion. International cartels. And worst of all…broken hearts, especially when the Hopkins sisters’ niece KC arrives on the scene.

Life at Sunset Paradise Retirement Village will never be the same.

Why are you/did you write it?
My writerly buddy, Kelly Klepfer, snagged me by the collar one day and asked me if I’d like to co-author this crazy story idea that she had. I said, “Why the heck not?” And the rest is history.
Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?

Detective Flynn. The man is positively dreamy. Kelly wrote his perspective and let me tell ya, this girl can write the male point of view like none other. He’s strong and handsome but he’s also considerate, compassionate and ultra caring.

What was a challenge you faced while writing it?
Kelly stopped writing when we were only halfway through the story. Yep. Just like that. She was poke-a-fork-in-her done, done, done. I think it was a combination of things going on in her life, but I was persistent, kind of like a toenail fungus gone bad. I nudged her until she was black and blue, but she finally got her second wind—and wrote better than ever.
What's the most random thing you had to Google for the story?

I don’t know how random it is, but this is certainly gruesome. Because there’s a drug cartel involved in the story, I checked into the Mexican drug scene. Here’s a warning for you . . . do NOT Google image that. Eew.

Writing

How long did you write before you got published?
8 eternal years. It seemed like forever.

What’s your encouragement for younger writers aside from “keep writing”?
Rejection is going to happen. You will fail. But (and I’ve always got a big but) that does not mean that you are a failure. What you did failed. Not you. So change the way you’re doing things until you hit upon a writing style that’s successful. That takes time and a whole lot of perseverance.

How many rejection letters did you get before being accepted by a publisher?
Oh sweet mercy, at least a bajillion. Okay, realistically, probably at least 25-30 rejections before one took a chance on me.

What does your writing process look like?
I usually have a vague idea of setting and characters in mind, but before I start writing the synopsis, I figure out what the goals, motivations, and conflicts are for each of the main characters. Then I pen a synopsis, and finally plot out each scene just by writing a general idea on a sticky note. The sticky notes go on a huge canvas and I can move them around or change them as needed.

Do you listen to music when you write? If so, have a favorite artist or playlist to share?
Absolutely. I make a play list for each of my books. Whenever I come across a song that I think might work as inspiration, then I put that on my inspirational playlist. When I’ve got a new book to write, I go to that playlist and pull off songs that will fit. Spotify is awesome.

You

When you get an idea for a novel, what is the first thing that you do? 
I write down a sentence or two and save it in my “New Story Idea” file on Word.

September is Classical Music Month (who knew?). In keeping with that theme, do you have a favorite character from a classical novel?
Jane Eyre, the main character in Charlotte Bronte’s classic.

What is your favorite fall snack food?
Maple Walnut Scones with Apple Butter and a steaming hot Chai on the side.

What are you currently reading?
The King’s Folly by Jill Williamson

Emilie here: Thank you so much for being my guest Michelle! You're hilarious and I always enjoy having you on the blog :) 

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Write to the Market or Your Heart? by Michelle Griep

Sometimes there’s a fine line between writing what you love and writing what sells. Sometimes a chasm the size of the Grand Canyon.

Let’s say you spend a year constructing a story. It's somewhat of an intricate plot. The characters are flavorful and well developed. Your voice is strong. The writing is as well. You know all this because of feedback you've received from editors. All is good—except your story is more Dickens than Austen. It's a little edgier, a little darker, spending more time on the streets of London than in the ballrooms and dining halls. There is a publisher willing to pick it up—if you completely change the plot and focus on high society instead of the vulgar commoners.

Would you rewrite the book? Should you?

This dilemma is one of the most common predicaments facing writers, and in fact, one I faced in my recent release Brentwood’s Ward. Should an author write to fit the market or stay true to her inner self? This isn't a problem for those who are Austen or Amish or a zombie on the inside (or whatever the current trend is), but for the rebel at heart, this issue is a constant demon to battle.

I contend unless you write a story you're passionate about, one you really love, then your lackluster attitude is going to show through. While it’s tempting to pen something to get your foot in the door at a publishing house, jumping on the current bandwagon isn’t necessarily the best way to go. Writing about a topic you don’t have a passion for is going to show up in your voice, kind of like a white-bread country singer attempting some hoodrat rap. It’s hard to disguise. And honestly, who's got time to read a milquetoast novel? Who would even want to?

It’s tricky to find a marketable niche where you feel comfortable. How in the world does one accomplish this?

Focus on a theme and/or truth that fires you up.
If your central message falls flat, it doesn't matter what genre you've chosen to write in. It will fail. Does the act of forgiveness make your heart beat faster? Unconditional love? Conformity? The injustice of throwing away a perfectly good grilled cheese sandwich just because it’s a little burnt on one side? Enthusiasm about a message has a way of getting your creative juices flowing.

Think about traditional mainstream genres that could work with your theme.
Don’t worry. You’re only brainstorming at this stage. You're not making any vows here, but simply exercising your authorly flexibility—which is way easier than contorting your body into a forearm-stand scorpion pose. (Go ahead and Google it. You know you want to.)

Ponder some of your favorite stories.
The tales that have stuck with you throughout the years. What are the plots of the novels you love? Imagine those plots in a different genre. Same story, just different trappings.

Write down a two to three sentence story idea in one of those mainstream genres.
Such as: romance, mystery, contemporary, historical, etc.

That's all. Now set that piece of paper aside. Pick it up next week and see how you feel about it. Either that idea will have grown on you by then, or chuck it aside and repeat the process. Eventually you will land on a story that resonates with you on the inside while being something more marketable than Regency Amish Zombie Aliens. Run that story idea by an agent or editor before you commit to writing the entire manuscript. If their eyes light up, you've got a winner that just might sell and a story that's coming from your heart.

Like what you read? There’s more. WRITER OFF THE LEASH: GROWING IN THE WRITING CRAFT is a kick in the pants for anyone who wants to write but is stymied by fear, doubt, or simply doesn’t know how to take their writing to the next level.

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. Follow her adventures and find out about upcoming new releases at her blog, Writer Off the Leash, or stop by her website. You can also find her at the usual haunts of Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

*Check out my review of Writer Off The Leash!

Writer Off The Leash by Michelle Griep | RE:View

Hilarious. Refreshing. Honest.

I love the combination of humor and truth that Michelle has combined in Writer Off The Leash. You'll be smiling from the minute you pick this book up until the minute you put it down. I personally I found many "tweet-able" truths contained within the pages here (and we all know that's an important thing!).

As you dig deeper into Writer Off The Leash, you see the harsh reality of what it means to be a writer. Michelle doesn't shy away from "telling it like it is" nor does she make excuses. Though she sympathizes with the desire to make those excuses. Writing is hard work and you've got to be up to the challenge.

I would recommend this book in a couple of ways. First, I'd recommend it to people who are considering the idea of being a writer. You may be asking yourself, "Is writing something I really want to get in to?" or "What is it like to submit myself to the 'writing life'." This book would be for you. Secondly, I'd recommend it to those who are writers and need a kick-start (or a kick in the pants). Maybe you've been relaxing (dare I say 'laying down on the job'?) and need to be reminded of what it means to be called to be a writer. This book is for you too!

So, do yourself a favor and take a few days to read through Writer Off The Leash. Use a highlighter to make note of her amazing nuggets of truth, and springboard forward from reading it right into your next manuscript.

Rating: 4*
Purchase: Writer Off The Leash

Book Description
(from Amazon)

Are you a writer at heart? How can you tell? And if you are, how do you go about composing and selling the next Great American Novel? WRITER OFF THE LEASH answers these questions and more--all in an easy to understand, tongue-in-cheek style. This is more than a how-to book. It's a kick in the pants for anyone who wants to write but is stymied by fear, doubt, or simply doesn't know how to take their writing to the next level. Award-winning author MICHELLE GRIEP blows the lid off stodgy old-school rulebooks and makes it clear that writing can--and should--be fun.

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.