Interview with Michelle Connell and a Giveaway!

Welcome to Readers Write to Know! I asked you, my readers, what questions they would ask their favorite authors if given the chance, and the authors visiting my blog answered them! This week, I am so pleased to bring you Michelle Connell! I’m always impressed when a homeschool mom is actively writing — I tend to take school breaks off from writing because my kids mess with my chi so much! But Michelle does it with four kids! So impressive! As a military wife, I love that she has a military inspirational romance. Read on to learn more about her and find out how you can enter to win a copy of her book Heir Force!

Tell us a little about yourself: Michelle Connell is a wife, homeschool mom and new author. She is a former book reviewer for several markets including Christian Home & School and CBA’s Retailers + Resources Magazine. She is a member of CSPA, RWA and the FHL chapter of RWA. She lives in southern Illinois with her husband and four children and a Poodle mix, Ripley. She is the author of two inspirational romance novels. For more information and to sign up for her mailing list, visit https://MichelleConnellWrites.net

Tell us about your current release: My second book, Heir Force: A Military Inspirational Romance came out in 2017, a stand alone novel about Kate’s most challenging assignment has nothing to do with the military. When tragedy strikes, she can barely function. But when a secret is revealed that affects the rest of her life, she seeks help from her military family. In this inspirational story, journey along with Kate as she overcomes the changes in her life and her heart.

My next book coming out is Accident Encounter, the 2nd book in my Chance Encounter Series.

What inspired you to start writing, or did you always want to write? I never intended to write novels, if you can believe it! I didn’t think I had the time or gumption to write them, with three young children at the time. (I now have 4). It wasn’t until my writer’s group encouraged me to try National Novel Writing Month (NANO) back in 2006 that I even attempted. That November, I wrote 50k words of what is now my novel, Correspondence Encounter, which is in the editing phase. The following year, I wrote the bulk of Cookie Encounter, which has garnered great reviews.

Have you always wanted to write a book? According to my parents, I wanted a typewriter when I was two. When I asked my dad why, he thinks it was because I thought it could write words. I was an early reader and have always loved books and reading. I am also a huge fan of libraries, and went often through my growing up years.

How did you determine whether to self-publish or seek a traditional publisher? After doing Nano a few times and leaving the books aside, I began to learn more about self publishing and had a friend publish a middle grade book, so I knew if she could do it, she could help me. I feel like I’ve been in school for ten years, learning blogging, Create Space, Kindle, etc, but I enjoy having control of putting out my books on my schedule. I only wish I could write faster or more often, but around homeschooling, this is difficult.

What do you think is lacking in Christian Fiction? I think Christian fiction is getting better. One reason I chose to self publish is because I want to write more realistic books that readers who don’t go into Christian bookstores might pick up. My books are more inspirational than Christian and probably would not be accepted by the CBA.

Who were some of your favorite authors as a child? Some of my favorite authors as a child were Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, Gertrude Chandler Warner, Carolyn Keene, Donald Sobol and the authors of Trixie Belden. Because I was a voracious reader as a child, I thought someday I would write children’s books. Alas, I don’t have an idea in my head!

Here is where you can find Michelle online:

https://michelleconnellwrites.net/

https://twitter.com/@MCromancewriter/

Michelle is giving away a copy of her book Heir Force to a reader! See below how you can enter to win:
a Rafflecopter giveaway