ClaireMichaels

Who kindled your passion to write? How did it become an important part of your life?

When I was in elementary school, during a rainy day our homeroom teacher asked us all to write poems. I was one of those kids that didn't think she was good at anything.

We turned it in and the next day I saw my poem underneath her glass desk cover. She told me it was good, very good. That she was going to keep it because one day I was going to be a famous writer. Needless to say I was flabbergasted.

But I remembered how much I loved writing the poem. I went onto short stories and the rest is history.

Your first novel, Between Dreams and Darkness, is a paranormal romance set in New Orleans. What happens in Gabrielle James' life that has her turning to Trey Fairfax for help? Tell us about Trey's gift.

Gabi's beloved Grandmother's death opened her eyes to the kind of life she was living. It wasn't a bad one. Just one that was crafted by her then fiancee'. She decided she wanted to go back to her grandmother's hometown sans the fiancee'. She takes up residence at the James family home and suddenly she is hearing voices. At first she brushed it off then she started seeing people that weren't there. Cold caresses in her sleep and such.

Trey is a paranormal psychologist. They met and were instantly smitten with each other. However, Trey has gotten a lot of slack from non-believers about his line of work. He did not think he stood a chance with Gabi. By a series of coincidences, he is the one standing on her doorstep when Gabi finally seeks help for her problem.

Trey's gift is more a sense of awareness. His belief and his analytical mind enable him to hone in on apparitions. He was a fun character to write. Dare I say, I fell a bit in love with him myself LOL. It made me proud when my editor said the same. LOL.

How did you keep your readers at the edge of their seats?

I try to get the readers to have an emotional investment with my characters. I take my time crafting them. That way when the action happens you actually care about the characters.

What was more important to you, character development or keeping the book at a fast-pace?

Both helps, but as I said before I take the time to develop my characters. So the readers cheer or jeer for them.

Samhain will publish your SF Romance Tears of Myhu this month. The book begins with the comet Myhu bringing on excessive rains on earth in the year 2307. It is so devastating, that every country struggles to rebuild. Were you thinking about a futuristic Noah's Ark and the human race's extreme challenge to rebuild? Or did you just want to focus on two people? Who are the protagonists and do they find themselves on opposite sides of the battle?

Honestly, Tears started as a writing exercise. I wanted to try something new and different. As a child I was addicted to the Mad Max movies. So that's where the whole earthly devastation aspect came from.

The protagonists are Daniel Barrows and Nya. Daniel was raised in what is deemed "Civilization" while Nya was raised in the outer tribes. So, yes, they are as opposite as one can get. However, Daniel was born in the tribes and later taken to Civilized Society.

You have quite a few books in production or will be written in the near future. Is there one you can't wait to write?

Believe it or not the majority of them have already started. Shooting Stars is the only one that is still in the planning stages. Opus is nearly done, though, so cross your fingers.

How are you promoting your books?

I am fortunate to be acquainted with people connected to some great review sites. (waves to Denise). I do my promotions through them.

Have you joined any writer's organizations?

Not yet but I have been to a few RWA meetings and LARA meetings so I plan to join those.

Thanks for your time, Claire. It was wonderful meeting you!

--interview conducted by ©Denise Fleischer
March 10, 2007