Genre Chick Interview: Michelle Willingham

Today the Month of Writers Blog Festival brings you an interview by my fabulous roommate from the recent Washington Romance Writers Retreat here in Leesburg — the stunning and effervescent Michelle Willingham.

If you’re into medieval romance–particularly of the Highlands UK version–Michelle is definitely your girl.

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Mac or PC?
Definitely a PC. A Mac ate one of my disks in college and reformatted it, erasing everything. I was so traumatized, I haven’t used a Mac since.

Coffee or Tea?
Both. I love flavored coffees and warm gingerbread-smelling cups of tea.

Travel the World or Travel Outer Space?
Travel the world. There’s that little risk of dying in outer space that I have a problem with. J And there’s so much to see on earth!

Fantasy or Science Fiction?
I love fantasy. It’s very similar to the medieval world I write, and books with Arthurian legends are my favorites.

Music or Silence (while you write)?
Always music. I love listening to sound tracks such as “The Tudors,” “Last of the Mohicans,” and “Braveheart,” to name a few.

What weird food do you like?
I’m not sure if it’s weird, but I love Sour Patch Kids.

What is one of your most irrational fears?
I hate being dropped. I won’t ride any amusement park ride that involves a free fall (shudder).

Did you watch the Royal Wedding? Why or why not?
I DVR-ed it and enjoyed seeing Kate’s gown. My favorite part was watching the romance between Will and Kate, guessing what each one was thinking on their special day.

How many novels/short stories/screenplays/poems/etc have you published?
I’ve published ten books (book #10 comes out July 19), two anthologies, six novellas, and three short stories.

How much do you write every day?
I try for 1500 words (about 6 pages), but there are good days and bad days.

How much do you WISH you could write every day?
I’d love to write 2,000 words a day consistently.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a proposal for my next Scottish medieval, Callum MacKinloch’s story.

If you could write like one author, who would it be?
LaVyrle Spencer. Her characters were amazing.

If you could be one superhero, or have one superpower, who/what would it be?
I would be Hermione Granger so I could wave a magic wand that would clean my house without me lifting a finger.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done?
I got Prince Charles’s autograph when I was ten years old and got my picture in the Bury St. Edmonds press, since he didn’t usually give autographs.

What’s the coolest thing you’re about to do?
One day I hope to be a bestselling author, but that’s entirely up to the readers. Already, I’m so grateful to them for making it possible for me to live my dream of being a full-time author.

Name three things on your List of Things to Do Before You Die.
1. Visit Australia & New Zealand.
2. Take a cruise of the Mediterranean.
3. Make the people around me happy.

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2010 Rita® Award Finalist Michelle Willingham has published over a dozen books and novellas. Currently, she lives in southeastern Virginia with her husband and children and is working on more historical romance novels. When she’s not writing, Michelle enjoys baking, playing piano, and avoiding exercise at all costs. Visit her website at: www.michellewillingham.com or interact with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michellewillinghamfans.