Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.
Let's get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?
Hello, and thank you for this opportunity. My name is Kristy Mickelsen and I am 41 years old.
Fiona: Where are you from?
I was raised in Riverside California, but currently reside in Apple Valley California.
Fiona: A little about your self (ie, your education, family life, etc.).
I attended college at Victorvalley Community College where I earned several certificates and my associate of science degree in 2008 with a major in Child Development.
From 2004 to 2012 I was a state Preschool teacher, until I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia as well as other medical issues and found it hard to keep up with the children.
I now spend my time at home with my husband and two young adult children Joshua and Cassie who are both on the Autism Spectrum.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news.
Well right now I am currently working on two different manuscripts both in the contemporary romance genre.
The first is titled Lady for hire and the second is titled A Christmas to Remember.
The release dates are scheduled for February 2020, but I am striving to finish and get them launched a little sooner.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I have been writing short stories since high school mainly for the enjoyment of my friends. They used to tell me that I should try to do it professionally. I used to laugh and tell them I wasn't good enough for that. Then two years ago, My son saw me writing a story in my journal. He said the same thing that I should try to write professionally. Again, I laughed and told him I wasn't good enough. He then looked at me and told me that he guessed he should just give up on his dream because he wasn't good enough. He told me if I could give up my dreams then he should too. That's when I decided I had to at least try my hand at professional writing.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Two years ago when I wrote my First Novella, Nine months to Autism.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
I wrote my first Novella after my son convinced me to follow my dreams and I submitted it to covenet books. They offered me a publishing contract but with the agreement that I paid them $3,000 dollars for editors, cover designers, and press releases. I couldn't afford such a high amount and felt that something sounded fishy, so I self published my first book through Amazon. I got great feedback about the story it self, but I made many rookie mistakes one of them being I got excited that I finished my story and published it without editing. But I have now learned through my mistakes and am applying all that I have learned in my new novels. My first Novella can still be bought on Amazon.com. Eventually I need to pull it and revise it and fix the mistakes.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
The title of my Novella is Nine Months to Autism. It is my story of being a young Christian mother with two children on the Autism Spectrum and the Challenges we have faced as a family. I chose the title Nine Months to Autism because a woman is pregnant for nine months, and my children were born with autism. It was just my play on the words I guess.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
As I am still fairly new to the writing world I feel I am still finding my writing style and figuring out what works for me.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
My first Novella Nine Months to Autism was based on a true story. But my Two new books Lady for hire and A Christmas to Remember, soon to be released are fiction with just a few of my own life experiences mixed in.
Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process? I haven't had to travel as of yet, although I get a lot of inspiration from the places I travel to on family trips. I plan on traveling for marketing purposes starting next year.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
The cover for Nine Months to Autism was designed by myself, but my other two books were created from the help of different apps and Ideas that I had in my head. I am hoping to hire a book designer soon.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
It depends on which book. In nine months to autism I want readers to gain a new understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorders. For my other two books coming in 2020, I want readers to sit back and enjoy the heartwarming tales of Love, Hardship, and New beginnings.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
My Favorite writer is Danielle Steel. I feel she can connect her stories to her readers by using real life scenarios and emotions.
As far as a new author that has caught my eyes, I would say there are too many to list. There are many Indie Authors such as myself trying to get their books out there and their names in front of people. I applaud each and everyone of them. Writing, marketing, and networking is a lot of work that most people would get tired of doing daily. But those of us that are Indie Authors spend day and night hoping to build a fan base, and get our books sold. So I applaud every Indie Author out there.
Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
Besides family members I have several friends that have encouraged me to pursue a writing career.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, I do. It may take time to build my fan base, and time to build my career, but this is my dream, and I WILL achieve it.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Well since my latest books are not finished yet, I can not answer that question at this time.
Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I learned I get emotionally connected to my characters. When one of my characters in A Christmas to remember was crying, I myself was crying.
Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
For Nine Months to Autism I think I would want Sandra Bullock to play the lead. I feel she would embrace the part of being a mother and advocate for two Autistics.
For my book Lady for hire I would want the Lead to be played by Natalie Portman as she has that young beautiful look that is close to my lead in the book.
For A Christmas to Remember I would Want Julia Roberts as she could embrace the lead due to her acting experience as well as her ability to connect to the emotions that need to be portrayed in this one.
Fiona: Any advice for other writers?
Yes, take your time. Don't rush your writing. When you rush you are more than likely going to make some big mistakes like I did when I got to excited and didn't edit my book before publishing.
Success doesn't happen over night, so relax and just enjoy the experience. Learn from it and grow from it. Soon your dreams will all come true.
Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Yes, I want to say thank you for all your encouragement and support. I couldn't work on accomplishing my dreams with out you.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Currently I am reading The Cast by Danielle Steel
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
My first book I read was the sweet valley twins books in elementary school.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
I cry over stories that I can connect my real life too. I have lost loved ones to cancer, so anything cancer related I seem to cry a lot. As far as what makes me laugh I love a good Adam sandler movie or I like to listen to comedian Jeff Dunham.
Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?
I would love to meet a lot of people actually from the past I would have loved to have met Lucille Ball because people told her she couldn't accomplish her dreams but she proved them all wrong.
Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?
Yes, besides writing I do some sewing and a little singing. I love to sing even though I may not sing well. Haha.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I enjoy the tv show ink masters as well as other reality tv shows.
Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?
I love Mexican food. Give me a carne asada taco and I am a happy camper! As far as my favorite music, I love all Genres but I am addicted to 80s hair bands.
Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
Oh wow! That is a hard question. I think I would probably spend my time traveling though. I love to experience new adventures.
Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?
I would spend my last 24 hours on this earth doing as many crazy things as I could with anyone crazy enough to do them with me. Sky diving, bungee jumping, parasailing, diving with sharks whatever I could do. Life itself is an adventure and I would want to spend my last hours on earth doing everything I possibly could.
Fiona: What do you want written on your headstone?
Kristy Mickelsen, loving wife, mother, and friend who's passion in life was to make a difference in the lives of others.
Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?
My website is currently under construction but people can find me on twitter @kristybooks as well as Facebook under Kristy Kerns Mickelsen
You can also find me on Amazon.com