A Chattering of Scattered Authors
This is a series of blogs introducing Authors of Tomorrow - these are the ones to keep an eye on. Each week I will deliver a blog with an interview from an author of a different genre.
Michelle Heynen is a warrior. And a very talented grief writer. Together we are going to climb the Storey Bridge in Brisbane on the 27th September to raise money for MS research.
Michelle loves writing poetry and has authored a novel called Reflections of Sandra. A poetry page is also active with the same title.
In her book, Reflections of Sandra, Michelle tells the heart-wrenching story of supporting her mother through a losing battle with cancer. Her raw and emotional account discusses the paralysing grief and personal challenges Michelle faced before and after her mother died in early 2012.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Being a perfectionist and trying to get everything just perfect.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Writing for other people or to please people rather that writing for yourself and what you want to write. Or writing a genre that you are not familiar with.
Does a big ego help or hurt writers?
I think it can help or hurt writers depending on the situation for me because I write in such a specialist field I find myself being a little competitive if that makes sense.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I am friends with Melissa H North, Sam Colbran, Livia York and Ocean Reeve to name a few and they inspire me daily by watching how they are continuing to write and peruse their dreams.
They have a drive and a passion much like my own that I am drawn too and I love to watch their successes.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Not to be afraid to bare my heart and bare my soul in my writing. Not to be afraid to stay true to who I am in the writing process.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Putting yourself in the characters shoes.
What is your favorite childhood book?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
No I don’t.
How many hours a day do you write?
Generally it is at least 2 to 3 hours per day.
Tell us about your latest projects and where we can find them?
I am writing my second book A Walk of Hope Through MS which will tell my journey through my first year of MS and the highs and the lows that followed.
I am also raising money for MS by Climbing for a Cure along with fellow author and friend Melissa North.
I have am hoping to release my children’s book – Mommy’s New Home which is a beautiful story of a dad explaining what heaven is like to his son after mommy passed away.
I have a book of inspirational poems and quotes I am putting together as well.
I will also be learning the ropes as I step my new role as MS Ambassador.