The Spotlight: Right Before My Eyes Virtual Book Tour Oct 1-31,2012

Today I Welcome debut author Michelle Robinson

About the Author

Michelle Robinson was born and raised in Oakland, CA. Oakland’s rich culture has laid the fabric for this story. She’s been doing hair for two decades. As a hairstylist, it’s safe to say she has also served as a therapist to her clients. She has heard and witnessed it all right behind her styling chair. From her experiences, she’s given advice to many and has watched people’s lives transition. With this driving force, she has finally penned her first novel.

About the Book

Journee and Jordyn are thirty-something year old twins with two totally different lifestyles. Journee is in love with Drew, her high school sweetheart that’s in prison. A phone call from him changes everything. After a fight, she decides to end their relationship and tries to move on but she has unfinished business with Jason, another ex-boyfriend. As she moves forward, she meets Jules who appears to be Mr. Right until all his baggage shows up.Now Jordyn is living by her own rules but the problem is she hasn’t told anyone, but the drama begins when her secret is leaked on Facebook. She finds herself in a battle with her love life, family, friends and herself. Follow these two as they take their family and friends on a turbulent ride into their lives as they discover they are worlds apart but are forever connected.

The Spotlight Is On You, Michelle

Q. Michelle tell our readers about yourself?

A. I love music. Compassionate. I’m a great friend, daughter, cousin, girlfriend, hairstylist, poet & thinker. I am a humanitarian. My belief is you owe it to life to give to others. I have a high moral background. I am a dreamer. As long as you have a dream, life should keep you busy. I am a believer that all things are possible. I’m also an artist so I creatively think outside the box. I’m a go-getter so I don’t take no as an option for me. I’m organized to the point that I can’t function in confusion. I can be the life of the party & also like spending time alone. I also love taking naps.

Q. What’s the most important lesson that you’ve learned since being in the game?

A. It’s important to have a great editor.

Q. What was your path towards publication like?

A. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had 2 friends that were writing books who I could call on for help, referrals and advice. So I literally had to learn the steps along the way. I prayed a lot, developed more patience & had to lean on my own understand through this process. I had bad luck with 2 different editors. I learned that your editor should have a degree in English not Journalism. I ended up having to proofread my own book twice before I submitted it to my publisher because my 2^nd editor couldn’t spell or take criticism. But he fell in love with the story, gave a lot of compliments about my writing and gave me advice to write in past tense. I had to figure out that in order to get my book cover the way I dreamt of it, I had to hire a photographer & the models, so I did and my vision came to life.

Q. How do you balance your life as an author with your duties as a business person, employee, parent and/or spouse?

A. I go to bed at a reasonable hour. That allows me to wake up a little earlier than I need to so that I have time to myself. I start my day praying and reflecting and then head to the gym or go for a walk. I take a day off during the week dedicated to writing. I run my business on the other 4 days. Weekends are for church, family, friends and fun and if not, then I write!

Q. What can we expect from you in the future?

A. More books, maybe a movie.

Q. What is your best advice for getting past writer's block?

A. Don’t end your writing at the end of a chapter. Stop in the middle of the sentence. That gives you a good jump start and get the creative juices flowing on the next time you begin writing.

Q. What was the best writing-related advice you ever received?

A. To just keep writing.

Q. How did you come up with the idea for your book, Right Before My Eyes?

A. I used some past relationships that were either my own or ones that I’ve experienced with others. I’m a hairstylist, so I hear lots of interesting stories. My creativity just added to them.

Q. What was the most difficult aspect of writing this book?

A. Developing the characters. They each had to have different personalities. I had to weave many characters into one story and make sure they all had a beginning and an ending.

Q. Did you have to do any special research for your book?

A. Yes. I had to research the California State Prison system.

Q. What’s ahead for your writing?

A. The squeal to this book is as far as I can see right now. But I can also see a movie being produced.

Q. What opportunities have opened up because of your writing?

A. The book has been released for 2 months now and people love the book. I think I have another career now.

Q. Where can readers purchase copies of your books?

A. Authorhouse.com. Amazon.com, & BarnesandNoble.com, Author website

Q. What specific situation prompted you to write?

A. I was telling 2 people a story at different times on the same day and they both said that I needed to write a book.

Q. Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?

A. Life’s experiences. Whether my own or those around me.