Michelle Muto | Author interview

Hello everyone! I'm happy to announce that my first author interview will be with the amazing Michelle Muto, author of the YA novels The Book of Lost Souls , Don't Fear the Reaper, and The Haunting Season.

Writer of urban fantasy, the paranormal, and all things eerie and curious.

Michelle has always loved storytelling. When she was a child, her favorite stories were of monsters and things that lurked in the dark. Telling stories often frightened her classmates and got her into a lot of trouble with her teachers. They had no sense of humor.

As an adult, Michelle traded her love of writing for the corporate life where she was an IT professional. Today, she’s doing what she loves best – writing and storytelling.

She loves scary books, funny movies, sports cars, dogs, chocolate, old cemeteries, and changes of season. Michelle even loves photography. One day, maybe she’ll upload a better photo – one that wasn’t taken in late afternoon with Photobooth. Or, maybe not.

Michelle writes on a Mac and is a true geek at heart. She agrees with her dogs who think cheese and bacon should be in their own food group. But most of all, she believes everyone should trust their imagination, have a kind heart, and should definitely have a sense of humor.

Awesome :) Thank you so much! I hope your doing great Michelle!

 Thank YOU! I’m doing well, thanks for asking. I hope you are as well, Cindy.

Here are the questions :) Since this isn't an in-person interview, feel free to be open to any answers or comments you may have!

1. So you like to write in the genre of paranormal and urban fantasy. Why does this genre intrigue you and why did you decide to write books on these topics?

 I've always been fascinated with campfire tales and scary movies, so writing creepy stories just seemed a natural way to go. It’s also extreme escapism. We know there are no such things as werewolves or dragons, but it’s fun to read books that contain them. It’s nothing like our own world.

2. Why do you write fiction and why did you want to become an author? Who/what inspires you to write?

 I used to also write how-to tech manuals for a living. While I didn’t mind writing manuals, fiction is so much more fun. Fiction is limited only by our imagination. It’s not black and white. We each play this little movie in our heads when we read fiction. 

I wanted to be an author probably ever since my teens. My inspiration? My mom used to read to me when I was very little. Her love of books rubbed off on me. To me, books were always magic. Today, they still are.

3. Assuming that you've written other stories before, how did your published novels (The Book of Lost Souls, Don't Dear the Reaper, The Haunting Season)

 stand out to you and why did you decide to go through with those stories?

 Each book is a different side of me. They’re all different writing styles. Don't Fear the Reaper is dark, dystopian, emotional. It’s also written in first person. The Haunting Season is the haunted house story I’ve just always wanted to write for myself. The Book of Lost Souls is the ying to Reaper’s yang - it’s light and fun, with a certain amount of comedy. Each style helped me grow as a writer, to explore different aspects of writing: atmosphere, suspense, literary, emotional, comedy, characters. 

I’m always looking for ways to challenge myself as an author. 

4. Can we be expecting another book from you anytime soon? What are you working on now? I heard that your writing a sequel to "The Book of Lost Souls" and to "Don't Fear the Reaper" as well as a new urban fantasy!

 The newest book is with my editor at Amazon Skyscape as we speak. It’s a dark fantasy. Since so many readers wanted a multiple point of view book, I decided to write one. It is scheduled for late 2014 or January 2015.

Meanwhile, I will be coming out with a novella based on The Haunting Season this year. It’s the number one request I get. As for The Book of Lost Souls and Don't Fear the Reaper, I have sequels planned for them as well. But it’ll be up to my publisher and agent as to what book I write next. 

5. What was the hardest part of becoming an author? Was it coming up with a story idea and writing the book? Or was it finding an agent and/or publisher?

 The hardest part about becoming an author was writing entire novels. It takes a long time. I have more ideas than I know what to do with. In fact, I’ll be going over them with my agent and editor soon. 

As for the publisher, Amazon approached me, so I was lucky. Not long afterward, I researched and queried three agents, two of which were interested. I decided on my awesome agent, Scott Miller at Trident Media and the rest is history, as they say.

6. I know that this question gets asked a lot, but what are your main tips for any writers? Other than to read and write a lot that is.

 Always look for your weakest ability and work to improve on that. Read books on writing.

7. Reading or Writing?

 Both.

8. Typing or Hand Writing?

 Typing. I’d never be able to read my handwriting.

9. Hardcover or Paperback?

 Depends on the author. If it’s a favorite or classic, I prefer the hardcover.

10. What book did you just finish reading? And what are you reading currently?

 Just finished John Connolly’s Every Dead Thing. Next up: Dean Koontz’s Odd Hours.

11. Do you have a specific playlist you listen to while you write?

 I generally don’t listen to music while writing the first or second drafts. But once I’m done, I tend to make playlists that fit the mood of the book.

12. This might be hard, but list your top 5 favorite books of all time.

 Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone, J.K. Rowling

The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson

The Shining, Stephen King

The Stand, Stephen King

When You Are Engulfed in Flames, David Sedaris

13. And lastly, if you had to get a tattoo right now, what would it be?

 A gargoyle.

Thank you so much for answering these questions Michelle :) Also, congrats on having "The Haunting Season" on the Amazon top 100 list recently!

 Thank you so much for having me as a guest, Cindy! And thanks for the congrats on hitting the top 100!

 Michelle's novels can be bought on Amazon  HERE

For more information on Michelle and her novels, check out her website where you'll find all her social media links as well! : http://michellemuto.wordpress.com/