“Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Sometimes unplanned events are the most cherished, and no one knows this better than me. Writing a novel was never in my life plan. If you had told the younger me that I was going to write a book (or two, or more), I would have immediately laughed at you. As a child, I rarely ever read without a fight. I have dyslexia and struggled with reading through my child and teen years. It wasn’t until after college that I discovered a love for reading. (Thanks, Grandma!) Fast forward thirteen years and a thousand novels later, I watched a very inspirational interview with an author. She mentioned that to escape her everyday world, she made up stories in her head. As a designer and illustrator, this idea fascinated me. I’m sure that this is no breakthrough to a writer. To me, it seemed like a fun idea, a new way to release my creativity. So I started playing with story ideas in my mind and found myself lost in the world of WANDER DUST. Occasionally, I sketched the magical-induced steampunk scenes in a notebook. I did this for almost a year, but not long after, the recession hit my home. With the new stress, I found myself needing even more of an escape, so I started doing something I never imagined that I would: I started writing. When I wrote, I acted out the characters, sketched surroundings, and used photos of my previous travels as inspiration. (Yes, my husband thought I had lost my mind.) Even then, I didn’t consider publishing until my sister, Tabitha, read WANDER DUST and loved it. She spent almost a year convincing me to publish. And I’m so glad that I took her advice and shared my story. Though I never planned this path, this is one experience that has truly changed my life and has made it richer in so many incredible ways: from the authors, bloggers, and fans that I meet, to the imaginary worlds that I find myself drifting to each day. As it turns out, my box of chocolates is full of novels. Who knew? Brandee, thanks so much for hosting me!
Here are some of Michelle’s sketches:
ABOUT MICHELLE:
Michelle Warren is the author of Wander Dust, the first book in The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy. She 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 Maryland, in a historic Baltimore row-home, with her wonderful husband.
I have Wander Dust waiting for me on my nook. After reading this, I’m going to have to move it up higher on the TBR! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story, Michelle.
Michelle Warren is the author of Wander Dust, the first book in The Seraphina Parrish Trilogy. She 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 Maryland, in a historic Baltimore row-home, with her wonderful husband.
Bookworm Brandee
I have Wander Dust waiting for me on my nook. After reading this, I’m going to have to move it up higher on the TBR! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story, Michelle.