Twenty Questions with C. Michaels

Author C. Michaels was here last month to talk about her new book, Bill of Human Wrongs. She's back today to accept my challenge to answer Twenty Questions. First, a little bit about her:

C. Michaels is from the Pacific NW but now lives in Mexico with her Chow Chow, Rani. In her previous life, she taught programming languages at a community college near Seattle, and later taught in the java programming group for Oracle Corp. She has always had a love for the arts, in both writing and painting, finding Mazatlan's Paradise the perfect place to work. Her books are character driven, and will easily draw you into their crazy zany world, a place where for some, there are no scruples or decency. And, as much as you may think you have things figured out, the twisty plots keep the guessing alive, in both Cross Roads and NO FEAR! These two books are part of an ongoing sequel, with an undetermined end in sight. However, each book is independent enough to enjoy out of sequential order. 

Michaels is proud to announce the release of her new political thriller, Bill of Human Wrongs, now on available on Amazon.

 Please visit www.cmichaelsbooks.com.

Twenty Questions

1.     Love or money?

       At this point in my life, money.

2.     Plain or peanut?

       Peanut, must spice it up.

3.     Beef or chicken?

       Really?!  The combo dish sounds so good. Ok, beef. No…
       chicken. Arg! Chicken.

4.     Coffee or tea?

       Coffee, espresso. Black only, please.

5.     Oxford comma: yes or no?

       You had me here, I had to google it. As it turns out, I’ve always been an Oxford
       lady.

6.     Hardback or Kindle?

       Kindle!

7.     Salty or sweet?

       Salty, but in the spirit of health, I now use a pinch (well, maybe several pinches)
       of salsa.

8.     City or country?

       City… for peats, or is that  pete’s, sake! I live in Mazatlán.

9.     Dog or cat?

       Dog, she is my best friend.

10.    Fame or fortune?

       Fame so I can obtain a small fortune.

11.    Laptop or desktop?

       Laptop, so important to be portable.

12.    Health food or junk food?

       Guilty… junk food.

13.    Mountains or beach?

       Beach, my dog and I start each day with a walk, sand between our combined six sets
       of toes.

14.    Gourmet or diner?

       Diner.

15.    Sweet or unsweet? (Tea of course.)

       Unsweet.

16.    Humor or drama?

       Drama.

17.    Dr. Seuss or Mr. Spock?

       Hmmm, Mr. Spock.

18.    Halloween or Christmas?

       Christmas.

19.    Spring or fall?

       Spring, love watching the birds, other creatures fight for
       female attentions.

20.    Morning or night?

       My mornings are also my nights, wake up early. So, morning.


Thank you, Cynthia for accepting the Twenty Questions challenge!

To read my interview with C. Michaels, go here.

About the book:

Claire Winslow has nightmares nearly every night, reliving the event when her sister killed a man, and then shot herself. The man had been a prominent CEO of an electronics company, a powerhouse citizen in their small town, her sister’s rapist. 

Twenty years later, Claire Winslow, now a US Republican Senator from the state of Washington is an advocate for women’s rights. Her national platform gives her the power to be heard and make a difference in protecting women against unfair practices.



Claire is about to be tested.



Senate Bill 1257 is set to be released with only a week to read before the vote. This bill attempts to modify the constitution in a way that could change the future lives of not only women, but all non-white citizens in the country. 

The Senate is dominated by the Republican Party. The authors of the bill have every Republican on board to sign the bill. Except for Claire Winslow.



And they need her vote.



This thriller leads us through the life of Claire Winslow during a time when the people around her will stop at nothing to win her vote. The bill is full of changes that Claire cannot vote for. But her re-election is coming up. Is she more help to women as a Senator? Does she keep her position by voting for this horrendous bill?



Then Claire meets Eve Hart.



Eve lives in a different world from Claire’s, a place that might be the creation of SB 1257. Eve could be a product, a futuristic outcome from this SB 1257. 

Claire is having her nocturnal nightmares depicting the last moments of her sister’s life, her Party’s pressures, nasty tricks are taking a toll on her. There are only a few days left before the vote, when Claire learns something so dreadful, so unthinkable. 

What will Claire do with this knowledge?



Buy the books:
Cross Roads / No FEAR! / Bill of Human Wrongs

Connect with Cynthia:
Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter

Excerpt from Bill of Human Wrongs

About the book:

What would happen if you could see how your actions today could influence the future?
In this fast—paced thriller, this is exactly what happens.
Senator Claire Winslow is expected to vote on a bill that will change the Constitution, changes that could ruin many lives in the future.
When she meets a strange woman, and is convinced that she is a product of the bill’s passage, she needs to determine what she will do.
This story shows the parallel lives of two distinct times for the citizens of the US, and lets the reader to become close to characters in both the present and future.
Can Claire stop the future devastation and still vote for the bill to save her position as a Senator?
And what about Eve, the woman from a future time? Is there anything she can do to put an end to her country’s ways?

Excerpt

“This talk is crazy, Claire. You actually believe that this intersection...” She looked around the room. “This intersection between two epochs is happening so we can see what could happen based on… based on what? Political decisions that are implemented today? That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it? This bill is driving you crazy, so crazy that you’re seeing things that aren’t there.”

Claire listened to Rachel while her mind wandered. Yes, the bill. Its changes could influence so many people, the possibility that it was enough to cause hideous results to their lives, a bill that could wrong so many. Her breathing increased with intensity, her body began shaking again, her face flushed. Rachel’s voice kept going on and on. Claire felt as though she was ready to burst. She thought back to Tony’s reaction. She’d never seen him like that. Her fingers dug into the table, Rachel’s voice still ringing in her head. She really needed Tony with her. He might help to ground her. He might help her to believe in the impossible. She needed his enthusiasm, his outrageous delight. Her head felt light, Rachel’s face seemed blurred. Then, something cleared her thoughts. A calm sensation filled her senses. She knew she believed it, it was the explanation for Eve’s stories, she had concrete proof. A euphoric awareness took over her.

She looked across the table, her voice was steady and cool when the words came out, “Just say it, Rachel. SB 1257 could have created Eve’s world!” Her expression was gripping, sturdy. “Eve’s Bill of Wrongs!”

About the author:

C. Michaels is from the Pacific NW but now lives in Mexico with her Chow Chow, Rani. In her previous life, she taught programming languages at a community college near Seattle, and later taught in the java programming group for Oracle Corp. She has always had a love for the arts, in both writing and painting, finding Mazatlan's Paradise the perfect place to work. Her books are character driven, and will easily draw you into their crazy zany world, a place where for some, there are no scruples or decency. And, as much as you may think you have things figured out, the twisty plots keep the guessing alive, in both Cross Roads and NO FEAR! These two books are part of an ongoing sequel, with an undetermined end in sight. However, each book is independent enough to enjoy out of sequential order.


Connect with Cynthia:

Website
Blog
Facebook page
Goodreads author page
Twitter
Amazon

Talking with Author C. Michaels

About the book:

What would happen if you could see how your actions today could influence the future?
In this fast—paced thriller, this is exactly what happens.
Senator Claire Winslow is expected to vote on a bill that will change the Constitution, changes that could ruin many lives in the future.
When she meets a strange woman, and is convinced that she is a product of the bill’s passage, she needs to determine what she will do.
This story shows the parallel lives of two distinct times for the citizens of the US, and lets the reader become close to characters in both the present and future.
Can Claire stop the future devastation and still vote for the bill to save her position as a senator?
And what about Eve, the woman from a future time? Is there anything she can do to put an end to her country’s ways?

Welcome, Cynthia. How long have you been writing, and how did you start?

Three years. It was a job I could do and live at my villa in Mazatlán, Mexico. Now, all I have to do is make my books visible and that plan will work.

What do you like best about writing?

I get to use my imagination, the sky is the limit. However, I have found as many writers will tell you, after I give birth to my characters, they seem to take on a life of their own.

What’s your least favorite thing?
Promoting the book. How do you get your book noticed? There is a lot to learn, a process necessary in order to make my dream come true.

How did you come up with the title of your book?

The title was obvious because of the story’s theme. However, the first title was Bill of Wrongs. After realizing there was already a book with that title, a good friend suggested slipping Human into the tile. The title, Bill of Human Wrongs, was born.

How would you describe your book in a tweet? (140 characters or less.)

"She sat, staring at him, speechless for some time." @cmichaelsbooks #bookbubble http://bit.ly/XVAXPe  via @BublishMe

One hundred eighteen characters. Well done! How did you create the plot for this book?

I was disturbed by the extremists in politics today. It was a story in my head, the message that our country was designed to appeal to the masses by negotiating laws to the middle. Everyone wins in some way, as opposed to one side winning it all, leaving the others out in the cold.

Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants, or let your characters tell you what to write?

All of the above. I begin with a premise, write a killer first chapter, and plan its ending. Then, the seat of my pants kicks in. After I’ve developed my characters, they tell me what to write.

Did you have any say in your cover art?

Sure. My niece is a graphic designer for a company in Dublin. She was kind enough to design it for me. She is a magnificent artist.

What books have you read more than once or want to read again?

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

What’s your favorite line from a book?

"Who is John Galt?"

What do you do to market your book?

Social Networks
Interviews
Blogging
Book Reviews

Do you have imaginary friends? When do they talk to you? Do they tell you what to write or do you poke them with a Q-tip?

I do. They have conversations with me on the sidelines. They let me know what they think my novels need. Most of the time, they are correct.

How do you get to know your characters?

They become more sophisticated as the story develops, and, since it is my fingers that are doing the typing, I end up spending an enormous amount time with them.

Sophie’s choice: Do you have a favorite of your characters?

Eve.

I’m constantly on the lookout for new names. How do you name your characters?

Honestly? Most of them come to me when in a conversation with friends.

What would your main character say about you?

“Welcome to our circle, thanks for creating us.”

Are any of your characters inspired by real people? Who?

Not anymore, I only did that for Cross Roads, my first novel. Wait, one character is real, Rachel Ross is based on a popular news lady.

Are you like any of your characters? How so?

I am a combination of all three women in my book.

I like writing characters who do and say things I never would, as well as characters who do and say things I wish I could. Do you have characters who fit into one of those categories? Who, and in what category do they fall?

Gloria is in my first two novels. She is outspoken and sexy. Love her!

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

When Tony tells Claire that Eve’s newspaper is authentic.

Who are your favorite authors?

Phillip Wylie, Rod Serling.

Which author would you most like to invite to dinner, and what would you fix him?

Rod Serling. I would make him tacos.

What book are you currently reading, and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

E-book format: Destinies, by an author friend, Karleene Morrow.

How do you handle criticism of your work?

I love it, it helps me to write a better story.


Do you have a routine for writing? Do you work better at night, in the afternoon, or in the morning?

Yes, I work best at night.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

In my villa at night time.

Where’s home for you?

Mazatlán, Mexico.

Tell us one weird thing, one nice thing, and one fact about where you live.

Weird: Year-round warm weather
Nice:  Palm trees
Fact:  It is a southern paradise

Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do when it happens?

Sure. Pacing helps me, and getting away from the computer.

Is there anything in particular that you do to help the writing flow? Music? Acting out the scene? Long showers?

Thunderstorm CD.

What three books have you read recently and would recommend?

L. Leander’s Inzared, Joss Landry’s Mirror Deep, and Stephen Cody’s Peasant Prince.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Paint, read, walk, dance.

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Ireland, to visit my niece who lives in Dublin.

What are you working on now?

Urban Star, a thriller that takes place in Seattle.

About the author:

C. Michaels is from the Pacific NW but now lives in Mexico with her Chow Chow, Rani. In her previous life, she taught programming languages at a community college near Seattle and later taught in the java programming group for Oracle Corp. She has always had a love for the arts, in both writing and painting, finding Mazatlan's Paradise the perfect place to work. Her books are character driven and will easily draw you into their crazy zany world, a place where for some, there are no scruples or decency. And, as much as you may think you have things figured out, the twisty plots keep the guessing alive, in both Cross Roads and NO FEAR! These two books are part of an ongoing sequel, with an undetermined end in sight. However, each book is independent enough to enjoy out of sequential order. 

Michaels is proud to announce the release of her new political thriller, Bill of Human Wrongs, now on available on Amazon.



Connect with C. Michaels:

Website
Blog
Facebook page
Goodreads author page
Twitter
Amazon

                                Other books by C. Michaels: