Do you know Michelle Warren?
If not you should. I was lucky enough to read an ARC of He + She and I was hooked. Her new serial, Miami Hush Club just released and it’s hot. I asked Michelle if she would mind me picking her brain and she was kind enough to say yes. Here is what she had to say.
Tell us a little bit about your writing process.
Usually a story idea develops from a few sentences that I jot down. I have a long list of ideas. When one idea really starts speaking to me, I construct a one page, seven-point outline for that idea, which defines the key plot points, character arcs, and secondary plots. After I know those points, I write organically. It’s kinda like I’m on a car trip and I know my destination, but I just don’t know the roads I’m taking to get there. After a first draft, I go through as many as ten rounds of editing for content. Some of this fills out the story and details but other changes are made based on beta-reader feedback. When I have a final draft, I send it to my amazing editor, Pam, for additional content editing and finally line editing.
If we had an inside view of your writing cave, what would it look like?
A mess. lol. I live in a high rise in Chicago and my desk looks out at the city, which is wonderful and inspiring. But if you saw my desk, you might be horrified at how messy it is. Between running a design and illustration business and writing, I have little time to be organized.
Do you write with a play list or do you prefer silence?
If I have the unusual long span of writing and I can sink into the work, I’ll listen to music. Often they’re instrumental soundtracks that reflect the scenes that I’m writing. But usually, I write in silence because I write in quick sessions.
Ok, Miami Hush Club! Serials have become very popular. Do you think you will write more stories that follow this same formal?
Yes, I definitely will! I actually love writing and reading in serial form. As a reader, I’m stretched for time. I like the idea of sitting down and reading something quick between tasks during my busy day. I feel accomplished! And it may be cheating but I love counting each novella as one book on my TBR goals for the year. The same idea expands to writing serials. I love writing in short sections. The little goals help me write faster.
Where did the idea for MHC come from?
Oh gosh, I’ve been working on this book for a really long time. It’s hard to remember every inspiration, but I have notes on this story reaching back four years. I’m often influenced by places that I’ve lived and traveled and this is no exception. I lived in South Beach, Miami for six years and a lot of the atmosphere in the book is from my time there.
Who was your favorite character to write in MHC?
Hands down, my favorite character to write for is Alex. She is so raw and unfiltered. I’m writing her book now and I love writing edgy material because it so different from who I am. It’s like living someone else’s life.
For someone that is on the fence about MHC what would you tell them?
This is a dark book with dark themes and I realize that it may not be for everyone. But if you are on the fence, I say, give it a try. The first two ebooks in the series are free, so you have nothing to lose.
I loved this serial. It was hot and steamy and was a 180 from He + She (which I also LOVED). I love when an author has variety of titles. Was it intentional? Do you start new WIPs looking for variety? Are you more comfortable with a certain style?
I know that a lot of authors stick to one genre and writing one type of book, but I can’t. For some reason that’s just how my brain works. First and foremost, I write for myself so I need to be completed invested in the story to finish, which means I have to love whatever I’m working on. For me, that means variety—different types of characters and even different worlds. The only link between my books seems to be the intricate plots. They’re crazy. Take everything else away and I’m a plot junkie at the core.
Your graphics and covers are beautiful and eye catching. I can tell you put a lot of thought into both. Do you plan out these items just as you do with your stories?
Thank you! I do! In all cases, except the first book, the cover designs came near the beginning of the process. Usually, I have several designs that don’t make the cut or they morph into the final product.
What’s next?
I have three projects that I’m working on. The spinoff of Miami Hush Club, a sweet romantic comedy based in Chicago, and finally an awesome dystopian. It’s something completely different and nothing like anything out there. I’m really excited about all of them!
Buy the titles
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
About Michelle Warren
Michelle Warren didn’t travel the road to writer immediately. First, she spent over a decade as professional illustrator and designer. Her artistic creativity combined with her love of science fiction, paranormal, and fantasy led her to write her first YA novel. Michelle loves reading and traveling to places that inspire her to create. She resides in Chicago, IL.
