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TJ Michaels, erotic romance author
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TJ Michaels is a career woman who knows how to write a hot sexy romance book with a twist. When she's not working with computers and resolving high-tech problems, she's busy writing her next successful erotic romance novel. I was able to catch up with her for a brief moment and asked her some of those burning questions readers always want to know about their favorite authors.
Interview with TJ Michaels
Sally: “When did you first start writing romance?”
TJ: “I started writing romance almost fifteen years ago, but I never did anything with it. I was busy raising kids, building my career and simply set it aside never thinking I would actually pursue publishing.
“Then 2 years ago I looked around my house and noticed some things were quite different. It was like an 'aha' moment. I said, "Self, your kids are almost ready for college. Why don't you pick up some things you've had on hold for awhile?" I pulled out that ancient manuscript, started working on it again and finished it. Then I discovered erotic romance! Boy, what a 'light turn-er on-er' that was. I'd discovered the genre that really appealed to me. So began my adventure into publishing.
“I joined RWA (I'm not a member anymore, but that's another story) and found other writers who did paranormal and multicultural stuff. I ended up hooking up with a new author who had just released her first novel. She was a great inspiration to me to go for it. She even took the time to tell me what was wrong with my first book though I hadn't yet submitted it to anyone. After that I wrote my first book at a whirlwind pace and subbed it to Ellora's Cave. They bought it!
“Shortly after, I met Lauren Dane (my god, that woman is a firebrand and an all out genius!) who always took the time to answer any questions I had as a new author. I've been spinning the tales ever since with nine books released in two years, some have won awards and others have been nominated. Kinda cool.”
Sally: “That’s quite a road to success. Congratulations. What was it about this genre that appealed to you?
TJ: “With paranormal erotic romance I like the fact that I can write just about anything I want, create any world I want, put a spin or a twist on a new idea if I want to - for example, my Vampire Council of Ethics books is a new spin on vampires based on what I do for a living, which is work with biotech manufacturers. So I put a lot of science behind these vamps to give them vampire traits without having to be 'dead'. Then there's the sex part - I can write it as hot without worry that someone is going to reject a book idea because of it.”Sally: “Your series sounds very different and I love vampires, especially those that have a new kind of spin to their world. Writing is a lone endeavor but occasionally we meet up with a like soul who influences us in some way. Was there someone in your life who had an impact on your writing?
TJ: “ A friend of mine named Joan Dunning, waaaaayyy back in the day. She and I were reading a romance novel one afternoon and we looked at each other and said, "Hey, I can do that." And I started working on that first book that afternoon. She encouraged me to keep going, gave me ideas and helped me wrap my head around the story.”
Sally: “We owe a lot to Joan then. <g> What do you think is unique about your books that set them apart from others?
TJ: “I would have to say that what sets my books apart is that they combine a number of REAL issues that are dealt with gracefully, yet boldly, in the stories. Some of them are things that have truly happened to me.
“For example, in my book Primed To Pounce my ex-husband really did send me an e-mail to let me know he was leaving me. Now how the hell does a person deal with that? Well, the heroine dealt with that real-world situation with grace, though her feelings about it were made well known to the reader - she was pissed off, but moving on.
“Then there's the issue of race given that my books tend to be multicultural. Then there's the science aspect that I mentioned before, while vampires are considered non-existent my spin on them makes them 'do-able', maybe even possible.”
Sally: “You mentioned you have an interest in the Japanese culture. Can you share that with readers?”
TJ: “I am totally obsessed with Japan though I am a black and native american female who has never set foot in that country. I've been to Switzerland, Ireland, England, Amsterdam, Belgium, the Caribbean and all over the U.S.,
but have never been to Japan. Yet I'm so into that culture it's ridiculous.
but have never been to Japan. Yet I'm so into that culture it's ridiculous. “I'm now learning the Japanese language and trying to help my daughter get into a college program where she can do an internship over there. The hero in my current WIP is a hunkalicious man with Japanese roots that would like nothing more than to shower the heroine with all kinds of erotic paranormal goodness!”
Sally: “Considering you have a full-time job, two kids with one in college and the other on the way to college, plus writing, what do you do in your spare time...if there is any?”
TJ: “Believe it or not, I'm a GAMER! I never thought I would say it, but I play a video game called World of WarCraft. Thanks to my son, I'm totally hooked on it. I've never been into games, ever! I wouldn't even play them with my kids when they were growing up, but let them play together instead.
“My son had been bugging me for at least six months to play WoW with him. I told him I was simply not interested. Then right before Christmas of 2007 he looked at me with those big brown eyes and said the words that sealed my fate. "Mom, it's something that we can do together. Please?" And that did it. I buckled like a Pinto in a car wreck. We started playing that afternoon and I've been addicted ever since! All his fault, dang it.”
*I want to thank TJ Michaels for visiting with us today. I hope you’ll visit her website and read some of her great books.
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