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 2nd
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.
Q. How can people connect with you?
Q. Please give us your website?
Character
Interview About Right Before My Eyes
Q. Please tell the readers who are the main
characters?
A.
Journee Bell, Jordyn Bell, Derrick Long, Chelsea Hendricks, Najah Joseph and
Kalena Martin.
Q. What
is the conflict in the story?
A.
Relationships
Q. Which
characters in “are you most like?
A. Journee, her mother, Derrick, Pops & Chelsea.
Q. Take us inside “Right Before My Eyes” What are two major events
taking
place?
A. A wedding & Journee discovering who really is
her Mr. Right
Q. Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
A. Two of them are & some are a
combination of many people in one character.
Order your copy
Michelle
can be reached at:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mrob.robinson
Twitter: @BooksbyMichelle
