Today we meet another fantastic author who has just released her first novel. Addison Michael. I know
you’re going to love her work. Once again, you never know where authors are going to create their tales of adventure, suspense, magic, thrills or mystery. Let’s see what kind of story you can expect from Addison.
Being the oldest of six kids forced Addison to lead by example. Her golden reputation solidified well into her thirties. But every good girl needs to have an outlet. Behind every smile and sweet comment, there is a dark side waiting to emerge. Addison Michael found the outlet for her dark side writing thrillers.
Where do you feel most comfortable writing and what time of day?
I feel most comfortable writing after everyone goes to bed at night. I put my dogs and cats and husband to bed, then I pop out to write. My teenagers are learning a lesson about boundaries because they know not to interrupt me when I start writing. My creative brain comes to life at night. I have learned to take advantage of that time and set it as a daily appointment for me to write.
Do you have a certain routine you follow to get yourself prepared to write?
The only routine I follow is removing my makeup, putting on my glasses, wrapping my jammies around me, and starting my computer. Depending on where I’m at in the writing process, I could be typing on the computer or handwriting in a journal. Yes, I still write and create my story the old-fashioned way—with pen and paper. At least fifty percent of the time I’m handwriting. I find that I become more analytical and less creative when I’m writing on the computer.
There are other, more random times I write during the day but there really isn’t a routine that occurs there. I just get ideas in my head and stop, no matter where I am, and jot them down.
How long do you write before closing up shop?
I start around 10 p.m. and go until I feel done for the night. It might be 11:30 p.m. or midnight. Sometimes I write to the end of a chapter and leave a cliff hanger. Other times I stop in the middle of a paragraph 
without completing the sentence so I can jump right in when I return the next day.
Do you use anything to get you in the mood such as music, Pinterest boards, photos, etc.?
Not usually. One night I did put on headphones and listened to a thunderstorm (shout out to J.D. Barker who does this on the regular) and a ghost showed up in my story. I wasn’t writing a paranormal thriller, so I didn’t continue this practice. I did use the scene though. I find I can work anything into a story. But the lesson for me was music creates an atmosphere that will come out in the story you are writing.
I am considering turning on some sappy love story music so I can write a few love scenes that are necessary to my plot. Romance writing doesn’t come easy to me so I might have to do a deeper dive to make this part of my novel come together.
Describe your writing workspace.
My regular writing space is at my laptop (or journal) sitting on high barstool at the kitchen bar. Boring, but true. It’s uncomfortable but productive. I have to stay awake while I write after all! I do dim the lights in the house which I suppose sets the mood. Mostly, it relaxes me and takes my focus off my immediate surroundings and allows me to drop right into the story.
Sometimes I veer from my workday and plant myself on the front porch in my white rocking chair and listen to the sounds of outside. It inspires me to write, though that’s not a daily practice. There’s something about the wind on a warm day and leaves on trees rustling that inspires me. Time stands still in those moments, and I forget where I’m at and I pick up a pen and write.
In truth, I could write anywhere at any time, and I have. My car while dictating into the phone, my bathroom when I can’t sleep at night, on an airplane, and sitting outside in nature. I cannot write on a boat though. I haven’t mastered that one yet. I do a lot of introspective thinking there that probably inspires me later to take some new direction with writing.
What genre do you write?
I write in the domestic thriller or psychological thriller or murder mystery thriller genre.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was thirteen years old. Truly. Though I have switched the type of writing I do based off different seasons in my life. I started with thriller. I was going to be the next Mary Higgins Clark. Then I had kids and became a mommy blogger for the first four years of my kid’s lives. Then I wrote in college while majoring in technical/professional writing with a minor in creative writing. After I graduated, I was so burned out with both of those types of writing, I went to work as a marketing writer for local businesses. I’ve now circled back to thriller writing.
Where can we find your books?
You can find my debut novel What Comes Before Dawn in the following places and here is a taste of what to expect.
Paige Deffer’s mother has been murdered. Her boyfriend isn’t who she thought he was. The more secrets, lies, and murders that are revealed, the more Paige’s world unravels around her. Paige must delve into her hidden psyche to discover who she really is before she becomes the next target. Paige’s life is turned upside as she discovers the real horrors of What Comes Before Dawn.
ABC Bookstore – 2109 N. Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65803
Social Media Links to find me:
Thank you, Addison for dropping by to share a little about yourself and your work. I see great things ahead for you. Okay folks! Check her out right now and relax with a terrific story.
3 Responses
For some reason I had the Dr. Seuss book in my head. I can write on a plane, I can write in the rain. I can’t write on a boat…. well you get the idea. Great interview. Don’t think I could write on a barstool.
That was a great interview, Addison! Thanks for sharing so much about your writing process. I often listen to music while I write, but I’ve never listened to a thunderstorm. I think I will try that.
Fun introduction to a new author. Thanks for sharing.