Ask the Author: Michelle Moran
Answered Questions (28)
Michelle Moran
Before writing each book, I visit the country where the book is set and try to speak with any experts of that particular era (either in that country or here in the US). I spend a great deal of time with my nose buried in research books as well. I have editors who check for accuracy, as well as beta-readers who are historians. At the end of each book I talk about places where I made cuts, usually for dramatic effect or because the book would be too long or unwieldy otherwise.
Michelle Moran
Including research, about a year and a half to two years.
Michelle Moran
There really isn't. I love Colonial America. It's one of my favorites. I love any time period in France. And, of course, Egypt. The women who came before us fascinate me wherever they're from.
Michelle Moran
I try to find someone with a really compelling story-someone whose name might be familiar but the details of their life have largely been forgotten. Madame Tussaud, for example. We all know about her wax museum, but how many of us realize that this same wax museum was running during the French Revolution and that she knew not only the major Revolutionaries but Queen Marie Antoinette as well!?
Michelle Moran
Gosh, there are so many! One I really liked recently was by Kara Cooney called THE WOMAN WHO WOULD BE KING. A great read!
Michelle Moran
Thank you Haricha! My advice would be to read. It's the only way to become a better writer, and the only way to understand the genre!
Michelle Moran
I can't say just yet who my main characters are going to be, but I would definitely consider writing about a lesser known figure. I enjoyed doing that with Mutnodjmet, Nefertiti's sister. Even lesser known figures would also be fun!
Michelle Moran
I do! But with two kids under two, I have to carefully pick and choose my events. Now, I usually do only one a year. It'll probably be this way for the next four or five years.
Michelle Moran
Thank you so much! I can't talk just yet about specifics, but I'll once again be focusing on Egypt's most powerful and enigmatic queens.
Michelle Moran
Yes! Unfortunately, I'm not at liberty to say until the deal is made, hopefully in the next six months. But I'll announce it on FB and on my website as soon as the contract is made!
Michelle Moran
Thank you! Definitely Marie Tussaud, only because of the time she lived in, when governments in France came and went like the tide. Things changed so rapidly during the Revolution that it was incredibly difficult to keep track of all of the political parties and their leaders.
Michelle Moran
No. Not unless I self-publish. Biblical fiction is a tough sell right now.... Maybe in a few years!
Michelle Moran
I would LOVE to-but no plans as of yet. Maybe a few books from now?!
Michelle Moran
Yes! My eighth book will be set there :)
Michelle Moran
Absolutely! I just turned in my seventh book (about Mata Hari) but after that I'll be returning to ancient Egypt to write several (long overdue) novels! I miss the ancient world--Egypt in particular.
Michelle Moran
Blogs. Bloggers are one of the greatest things that ever happened to writers (and readers imo).
Michelle Moran
I try to remain as close as possible to history, and anything I change I note in my Afterword.
Michelle Moran
Hi Billy,
If you mean the stories strangers tell you, those are gems I just file away. I don't actually base any characters on people I've met. Of course, in order to be a writer you have to understand people and what motivates/drives them. Talking with others helps to do that. So when I hear other peoples' stories, I think about them in terms of generalizations. What do they say about people in general.... Humankind's greed, potential for change, kindness, etc.
If you mean the stories strangers tell you, those are gems I just file away. I don't actually base any characters on people I've met. Of course, in order to be a writer you have to understand people and what motivates/drives them. Talking with others helps to do that. So when I hear other peoples' stories, I think about them in terms of generalizations. What do they say about people in general.... Humankind's greed, potential for change, kindness, etc.
Michelle Moran
I have so many! I really love White Oleander, Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea, The Song of Achilles... just to name a few!
Michelle Moran
Actually, no. It's very hard to sell historical fiction written from a male perspective right now.
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