Patrice Michelle Interview
Publication Date: January 2, 2008
Patrice Michelle
Patrice Michelle is author of Scions: Resurrection, the first part of the Scions series from
Silhouette Nocturne.
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Upcoming Title or Latest Release
Scions: Resurrection
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2008
Publisher: Silhouette Nocturne
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The Questions
Give us an update on yourself. What’s your latest news?
My latest news is that I’m excited to announce the release of my first mainstream vampire novel Scions: Resurrection. Resurrection is the first book in my Scions trilogy with Silhouette Nocturne.
What’s your upcoming or latest book/story about?
Scions: Resurrection is about a human woman who wrote a fictional novel about vampires, never expecting a dark, seductive vampire to come after her. After all, everyone knew vampires were extinct…
Here’s the official blurb for Scions: Resurrection
Everyone believed vampires were extinct.
Everyone was wrong.
When Ariel Swanson wrote a novel about vampires, she hoped it would exorcise her fear of the creatures that had, not so long ago, terrorized the human population.
Instead, it brought her to their attention.
And to the attention of Jachin Black—a man banished from the Sanguinas, a vampire clan, and forced to hunt among the despised humans. For he clung to the prophecy given years ago, of a better way for his kind to live… a prophecy Ariel unknowingly used as the basis of her novel.
Ariel hates and fears vampires. Jachin despises humanity. But the prophesy—and passion—bind them in ways they could never have imagined. Ways that may heal the past, and change the future…
How did you come up with the title?
The title very much plays into the story. Scion has two dictionary definitions: 1) Descendant 2) A shoot used in grafting plants. In a way, both definitions define the title of my trilogy Scions. Resurrection also plays into the story, because the vampires were long thought extinct, until Ariel’s book about vampires brings the Sanguinas vampires after her.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer, and what inspired you to start writing?
I’ve been an avid reader since I was ten years old, but it was when I was fifteen and I’d just finished reading a book that made me smile that I told my mother, “I want to be the author that makes people think about the story LONG after they’ve finished the book.” To which my mom simply replied, “Then be an author.”
When did you write your first book?
I wrote (and finished) my first book in 2003.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be Wonder Woman. It’s true. Even though my very first book was a historical romance (that I never finished), answering this question made me realize why I ended up writing and selling books about supernatural beings and paranormal happenings. LOL!
What projects are you working on now?
Currently I’m working on the third book in my Scions trilogy and two other projects.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I like to do graphic design. I design all my own bookmarks and banners. I also like to do amateur photography.
What does your family think of your writing?
My family is incredibly supportive of my writing. They always listen patiently to my latest “new idea.”
How long does it take you to write a book?
For a full-length novel, two months for a rough draft and another month or two to smooth it and go through rounds of edits with my critique partners before I send it off to my editor.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I write for about six hours from morning to late afternoon and a couple hours in the evening.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk?
I like to use colorful pens when I edit. Hot pink, bright purple, neon orange, lime green.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
My ideas come from many inspirations; songs, a dream, a snippet in a movie…
What do you think makes a good story?
Compelling characters you learn to care for and twist and turns in the plot you never saw coming!
What was one of the most surprising things you’ve learned in creating your books?
How my muse kind of works on auto-pilot in the background, planting seeds in the storyline with some seeming innocuous item that I didn’t think meant anything at the time when I wrote it in the story, other than to provide a “realistic” feel to a scene. Then while I’m going back through the manuscript that “item” ends up having a huge significance or adding to the plot twist in a story that I had never consciously anticipated. Surprising myself… I LOVE that!
Do you have a specific writing style?
I’m not sure how to describe my writing style. I love to write witty, back and forth banter-style dialogue as well as very intense and emotional sexual tension moments. I enjoy delving deep into the hero’s head while in his point-of-view, and man, I really get into writing a high tension action scene – hmmm – maybe those specific descriptions define my “writing style”.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Sometimes when I’m getting started on a new story I’ll move kind of slow, but once I get going the words just flow—kind of a stream of consciousness style of writing.
How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?
I’ve written thirteen books so far. Before I wrote Scions: Resurrection (my current favorite because Jachin was such a tortured yet sexy hero!), I would say A Taste for Control was my favorite novel. Duncan’s story was a long time in coming, and I really liked how his character grew and changed by the end of the story.
Who or what has influenced your writing?
I’d just finished Judith McNaught’s Kingdom of Dreams and closed the book with a smile saying to my college roommate, “That was a great book.” To which she replied, “You’ve read enough romances. I’ll bet you could write one.” So as for as influences go, I’d say that Judith McNaught’s fantastic historicals inspired me to write my first book, Johanna Lindsey gave me the love of a really great alpha hero, and Christine Feehan showed me how well-drawn paranormal world-building can truly make the world feel “real” to the reader.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I think Marjorie M. Liu has a phenomenal voice.
Who designs the covers of your books?
In the past I worked closely with the artists such as Dawn Seewer, Syneca and Scott Carpenter to come up with covers that I thought represented my stories well, but with my first NY novel’s cover, which I’m very happy with, I had very little influence on the final product.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I do get email from readers, sometimes emails in other languages even.
Most of the emails are from readers who’ve enjoyed my past books. They are usually emailing to ask me when the next Kendrian vampire novel or the next Bad in Boots cowboy novel will be released. I hope that readers enjoy my Scions world just as much.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Just to say thank you to the readers who’ve followed me from book to book and that I appreciate all your support.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
NEVER give up! The writing business can be tough at times, so always believe in yourself and your writing. Get out there and learn the industry. Go to conferences and make contacts, but most importantly always continue to work on improving your craft. I think the best writers are the ones who feel they are constantly learning and evolving.
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