I recently had the chance to interview the award winning author Michelle Bellon about her writing, life, and novel Rogue Alliance. Check out everything she had to say!
1. Rogue Alliance isn't your first book. Tell us about what you've written so far.
The first book I wrote is a YA, coming of age story, titled Embracing You, Embracing Me. It was not the first to be published however. It’s about a young girl learning about self-discovery through tragedy and loss. It won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for its category in 2012.
The Complexity of a Soldier is a story that follows Rory and Emily, two high school sweethearts, through the heartache and trials of his multiple deployments to Iraq as they also try to start their young family. This book spurned me to write an article on PTSD among our troops that was published nationally. You can currently read it on my blog http://www.michellebellon.com/u-s-must-rally-support-for-vets-with-ptsd/
His Salvation is a fast-paced romance suspense. Seth and Krista were best friends as teenagers, forming a bond like no other until one day Seth disappears without a trace. Ten years later, he finds himself in a conspiracy too deep to tackle on his own and he seeks help from the only person he has ever trusted- Krista.
2. You write in many different genres. Is it hard to jump from genre to genre? How do you keep them straight?
This is a good question. No, it’s not hard for me to jump from genre to genre. When characters and a plot come to me I don’t think of it in terms of what genre it will fit into. I simply see the story that needs written and I start writing. Later, during rewrites, I start thinking of who my target audience will be and edit with that in mind.
3. What is your favorite genre to write in and why?
Even though it’s harder, I really enjoying writing suspense. It forces me to keep every chapter moving at a challenging pace, which means digging deeper into the plot and subplots, and honing the dialogue.
4. Rogue Alliance is part of a series. Do you have all the books written? Did you know exactly how the series would end when you first began writing? If so, did that make it harder or easier to write?
I had absolutely no intention of writing a series. I didn’t want that kind of pressure. (laughs) However, when I finished writing the book I knew that there was still a lot of Brennan’s and Shyla’s story to be told. Then when readers began to reach out to me with such strong, positive responses to the book and to the characters they also demanded a sequel. I had to start writing the next book. At this point it’s about half finished and the screenplay is nearly done as well.
5. Shyla is an amazingly complex character. Did she come to you fully formed, or did she grow and change as you crafted the plot?
She and Brennan both presented themselves as fully formed characters with pasts, fears, strengths, and, yes, flaws. Plenty of them. The entire book was born of one scene that came to me while driving one day. In that single scene it was clear to me who these people were and what their motivations were.
6. You write all sorts of different books. What do you prefer to read when you have the chance?
Ooh, that’s a tough one. I find magic in so many different genres. My favorite book of all time is Outlander, an epic historical fiction novel. I tend to like those quite a bit. I love suspense and thrillers so I’ve read my fair share of Koontz and Grisham. Also, last but not least, I love a good romance whether it be contemporary, suspense, or young adult. I like to swoon just as much as anyone else.
7. Let my readers know where to find you. Give us your links!
First just let me say thank you for having me on your blog Alisse. It’s been fun!
http://www.michellebellon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Bellon-Author/544448685599147
https://www.facebook.com/michelle.authorpage
https://twitter.com/MichelleBellon
The first book I wrote is a YA, coming of age story, titled Embracing You, Embracing Me. It was not the first to be published however. It’s about a young girl learning about self-discovery through tragedy and loss. It won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for its category in 2012.
The Complexity of a Soldier is a story that follows Rory and Emily, two high school sweethearts, through the heartache and trials of his multiple deployments to Iraq as they also try to start their young family. This book spurned me to write an article on PTSD among our troops that was published nationally. You can currently read it on my blog http://www.michellebellon.com/u-s-must-rally-support-for-vets-with-ptsd/
His Salvation is a fast-paced romance suspense. Seth and Krista were best friends as teenagers, forming a bond like no other until one day Seth disappears without a trace. Ten years later, he finds himself in a conspiracy too deep to tackle on his own and he seeks help from the only person he has ever trusted- Krista.
2. You write in many different genres. Is it hard to jump from genre to genre? How do you keep them straight?
This is a good question. No, it’s not hard for me to jump from genre to genre. When characters and a plot come to me I don’t think of it in terms of what genre it will fit into. I simply see the story that needs written and I start writing. Later, during rewrites, I start thinking of who my target audience will be and edit with that in mind.
3. What is your favorite genre to write in and why?
Even though it’s harder, I really enjoying writing suspense. It forces me to keep every chapter moving at a challenging pace, which means digging deeper into the plot and subplots, and honing the dialogue.
4. Rogue Alliance is part of a series. Do you have all the books written? Did you know exactly how the series would end when you first began writing? If so, did that make it harder or easier to write?
I had absolutely no intention of writing a series. I didn’t want that kind of pressure. (laughs) However, when I finished writing the book I knew that there was still a lot of Brennan’s and Shyla’s story to be told. Then when readers began to reach out to me with such strong, positive responses to the book and to the characters they also demanded a sequel. I had to start writing the next book. At this point it’s about half finished and the screenplay is nearly done as well.
5. Shyla is an amazingly complex character. Did she come to you fully formed, or did she grow and change as you crafted the plot?
She and Brennan both presented themselves as fully formed characters with pasts, fears, strengths, and, yes, flaws. Plenty of them. The entire book was born of one scene that came to me while driving one day. In that single scene it was clear to me who these people were and what their motivations were.
6. You write all sorts of different books. What do you prefer to read when you have the chance?
Ooh, that’s a tough one. I find magic in so many different genres. My favorite book of all time is Outlander, an epic historical fiction novel. I tend to like those quite a bit. I love suspense and thrillers so I’ve read my fair share of Koontz and Grisham. Also, last but not least, I love a good romance whether it be contemporary, suspense, or young adult. I like to swoon just as much as anyone else.
7. Let my readers know where to find you. Give us your links!
First just let me say thank you for having me on your blog Alisse. It’s been fun!
http://www.michellebellon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Bellon-Author/544448685599147
https://www.facebook.com/michelle.authorpage
https://twitter.com/MichelleBellon
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