Please help me welcome author Michelle Jester to PNR & More today for an INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY! Read on below for our interview, and to learn more about her novel The Funeral Flower.
Hi! Would you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a hopeless romantic (I
always say this is the most important thing to know about me: LOVE COMES FIRST). It helps that I am
married to my high school sweetheart! When people talk about how silly it is to
be connected to someone at first sight, I laugh because that was us. The moment
we saw each other, whether it was lust or whatever, we were drawn to one
another so strongly that we couldn’t ignore it. I have two adult children, four
dogs, a “pet” wild squirrel and his sibling that live in our backyard, and a
wonderful group of family and friends. I try to fall in love with as much of
this life as I can. I believe everyone has been through horrible experiences
and each one of us has a story to tell. If we share with one another, none of
us will ever feel quite as alone.
Do you have anything you would like to say to your
readers?
Writing is not only
enjoyable to me it is also unavoidable, as is photography. I’m so excited to be
on this journey and thankful to each of you for sharing it with me!
What do you do when you are not writing?
I am in public relations, media
and marketing as well as a photographer, graphic designer and volunteer. I read
all the time!
Do you write an outline before starting a book or
just write?
I actually start with
writing the basic story in three to four pages, extremely generalized. Then, I
fill in the outline as I write the book. I don’t want to become constricted on
certain things and although most of it is already in my head, I like the details
and elements to evolve naturally.
I know authors get asked this a lot but do you have
any advice that you would give to aspiring writers?
Write your own way. Remember
that everyone has different writing styles, just like we all have different
fashion styles. We may be influenced by designers or other people who wear
clothing we like, but we don’t mirror them fully. I’ve received a bit of
negative feedback on the way I started The Funeral Flower, but once readers
made it past Kelly’s childhood they embrace the style for the very reason I
wrote it that way. Keep in mind, we each have our own place in this world, not
just in writing but in the world overall. BE YOURSELF and let your work reflect
that.
When did you realize that you would like to write and
publish a book?
I realized at an early age
writing was the best creative outlet for me and have written poems and stories
ever since I can remember. One day my daughter, when she was around 13, had
gone into the study to look for a new book to read. I found her later reading
one of my manuscripts and crying. Immediately she asked why I had never
published it. The truth was I love to write down all the stories in my head and
it just never got that far. She asked me to please just submit to a few
publishers, if nothing comes of it, then I haven’t lost anything. Once I
received the interest from a few agents I really started feeling the desire
grow.
Can you tell us, in your own words not the book
description, a little about your book?
The Funeral Flower is about
growing through the good and bad into the person you are meant to be. It’s
about using all of it to help others around you. It’s about understanding loss
and the way you deal with loss and how other people around you deal with it as
well. I’ve had several reviewers make the comment that it is preachy and I get
that, even expected it, but if you’ll look at it through Kelly’s (MC) eyes and
not your own, I think you’ll see it the way I wrote it. Keep in mind, I wrote
The Funeral Flower just for me, never intending to ever publish it and I
certainly wasn’t preaching to myself. So, when you read…read it through Kelly’s
eyes.
Where can we purchase this book?
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ryuP1j
iBooks: http://apple.co/2s1GRUh
Nook: http://bit.ly/2sUxnIN
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2rq8a9O
Can we expect more novels from you in 2017/2018?
I am in the process of
finishing Love, Cutter (sneak peek at the end of The Funeral Flower).
Originally it was projected to come out summer of 2018; however it is going so
smoothly that I will be releasing it early. Not sure the exact date yet, but definitely
late 2017 or early 2018.
How much of you or people you know do you think make
it into the characters in your novel(s)?
While my novels are all
fiction, I, like most authors, draw from real life experiences in order to
relate and write. The characters are fictional; however they are strongly
influenced by real people and experiences in my life. All of my writing is
influenced that way. The sister, the sweet backyard neighbor lady, the boy
between the fence, the bullies, and yes, the friendships and love are all
heavily influence by real people. Also, many of the poems I included in the
book were written when I was a child, teenager and young adult.
Do you think you will have a follow up book to this
novel or is it just a stand-alone novel?
It is a standalone novel,
but so many readers have contacted me about
writing Dillion and Ana’s story. So, who knows maybe…
writing Dillion and Ana’s story. So, who knows maybe…
Can you tell us a few do’s and don’ts for aspiring
authors?
Do:
Be yourself
Write what you relate to
Draw on real experiences
Set a writing schedule
Listen to constructive,
positive criticism
Don’t:
Stop writing
Listen to others negativity
Write only when you “feel”
like it
Try to write like someone
else
If you are self-published,
why did you decide to take this route of publishing?
What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?
“A long time ago I learned
not to explain things to people. It misleads them into thinking they’re
entitled to know everything I do.” –Lisa
Kleypas, Dreaming of you
I believe this is one of the
most basic truths about people. No one is entitled to explanations about how
you live your life or make the decisions you do, unless it directly has a
consequence for them, such as a spouse or parent. Others will earn that place
in your life through trust, but no one is entitled to it.
Random Quickies!
Please answer 5-7
Pepsi or coke? Root beer
Favorite kind of chocolate? Milk Chocolate
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Do you read more than you write? Yes
Hardback/Paperback or eReader? Both, even though I read more books on my phones, I often
buy the paperback or hardcopy as well.
Right now in your line of site, how many books can
you see? 237
What book are you reading today? Right Behind
You by Lisa Gardner
The Funeral FlowerMichelle Jester
Publication date: June 20th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult
Devastated by the death of her grandfather, six-year-old Kelly Rodgers barely manages to cope with the profound loss. Already facing issues at school, she finds herself spiraling deeper into despair, when a fateful interaction through the fence in her backyard gives her hope. In the years following, Kelly realizes that life’s tragedies can be dealt with through acceptance; until another series of agonizing events leaves her heart in pieces.
Finding herself thrown into new surroundings, Kelly embraces her life and resolves to never fall in love. That decision is easy to keep until her junior year when she is drawn by an unavoidable attraction to the new guy, tormented James Delaney. The moment he looks up at her and smiles, her body betrays her. And he notices. She is determined to avoid him, but soon Kelly is forced to face the inevitable truth: She doesn’t want to avoid James… and he won’t let her.
Even though tragedy always follows love.
—
This book is intended for mature audiences due to critical subject matter.
Note: Due to mature content recommended for Ages 17+
Author Bio:
I am a hopeless romantic (I think this is the most important thing to know about me). In addition, I live in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana with my husband and high school sweetheart. Together we have a son and daughter.
Throughout my life writing and photography have been my main creative outlets. Especially when I am stressed, I know I can go to either of those things and pour out that anxiety into something good and productive.
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