Recently I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Fiona McVie from the blog – Authors Interviews
A little piece of me…
Hope you enjoy it.
Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.
Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?
Hello everyone, My name is Michelle, otherwise known as M. L. Tompsett. As for my age, 47! Even though I feel a lot older.
Fiona: Where are you from?
I am born and raised in Victoria, Australia. And I still live in Victoria with my family. If you have any historians out there, the little town I lived in since arriving home from the hospital is known as Bass. Named after one of the British explorers who travelled up the local river in his little whaleboat, landed and decided to name the area after himself – as they did back in the day.
Fiona: A little about your self (i.e., your education, family life, etc.).
After completing secondary education, I went on and completed my Diploma in Business Studies. I have undertaken many different online courses in the writing area, including how to create and publish eBooks!
Plus a few other certificate courses over the years, including in the area of Tourism and hospitality. I also have my certificate in Real Estate as an agents rep.
I have been with my partner and husband for over twenty-eight years, we have two adult sons. My background is in computers – in front of the screen.
Over the years I have worked in different aspects in the business industry, from reception, secretarial, accounts, design and layout/advertising, manager’s assistant, sales, parent taxi, basketball coach and football team manager. To business owner and also published indie author.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news.
At the moment I am busy with edits on my new shifter PNR book. And also designing the new covers.
I am excited and cannot wait for the book to be completed, because book two, is trying to escape and spread like wildfire across my laptop.
Also, I have started writing the next book, in my first series, Sex, Lies And Family Secrets – book four. And of course book five is determined to make an appearance!
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I have always loved writing. In the beginning, it was something I used to do with my school best friend and see if we were able to make our old English teacher blush, especial his bald head.
He encouraged our writing, the sad part to the story, by the time I was in year 12 or grade 12, the English teacher I had at the time, commented badly on a piece I had written. Part of it had been written from fact. (What happened at my friend’s funeral)
Anyway, this English teacher stated, what I had written is completely false and would never happen in real life! My friend had been in the air force and was killed in a road accident. Part of his squad had attended his funeral and also did the gun salute – firing their long arm weapons in the air.
I had been that annoyed and angry, at this teacher, I turned my back on writing.
Fast forward, many years later after the birth of both my boys – I had been listening to a song – Stay, by Shakespear Sister. From that one song, a teenage girl with kick arse talent, formed in my head. Including her relationship with her next-door neighbour and a place far away, another realm of mystical vampires appeared.
Well, as they say, the rest is history.
Plus, I find writing helps, to escape some very dark times I found myself in. And no I am not going to write about my life, even though, I have had plenty of friends comment, I should!
Living it the first time and followed up with the police and courts is far too many times, for anyone to deal with.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I still don’t know if I do, or I would. I am just a woman who loves creating strange and wonderful worlds full of steamy action and kick arse females.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
My first book is still sitting on my hard drive, waiting to be reworked into something fitting for the public! Don’t get me wrong, it will be revised and published, it is just a matter of when?
My first published book – The Guy Next Door, was originally longer. In the end, I split the book into two and created, both The Guy Next Door and Dark Surprises. Again from previously mentioned, the song Stay is what inspired me to create and write this book.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
When I was trying to work out a name, it was originally Sex, Lies And Family Secrets, which the book has plenty through its pages. Because I decided to split the first book and create two new books and follow on with others, the original title became the name for the series and the actual book title came from – Drake. As he is the guy next door!
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
Paranormal Fantasy Romance – All I can say is, you require a good imagination. As for I have never met a vampire (that I know of) who would be able to demonstrate and explain how they feed. Also, how do you really know how one can change into an animal or an animal turn into a human?
Then there are the sex scenes, yes… How one can blush and turn scarlet. I can write it, but never try to attempt me to speak it out loud. And again as my husband has asked, ‘where I am getting my information from???’ I keep informing him – it comes down to my imagination!
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
How do I answer this question… All I will say is – If I ever write anything based on fact or on a person I know, I will never tell! You will have to read my books and see if anything amongst the words might be based on fact.
Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?
Apart from travelling to author events and conferences…
The only travel I might encounter might be an unexpected family holiday, taking lots of photos and allow your mind to run wild.
Otherwise, no. If I require anything, I use the internet. If my mind goes blank, I usually start reading someone else’s book and forget what I was initially writing.
Hoping when I remember I am meant to be writing, my characters come back to me with the next scene.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
Me.
With assistance from my talented sons. They know how to use the software.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Even though – I don’t think I have one. But if you look at Alexia and Alex, they are two strong independent women who can look after themselves.
They are not going to be a victim.
The two women love and care for their family and will do anything to protect them.
A woman can stand on her own two feet.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
There are far too many to name.
Since last year, I have met – via the internet and good old social media, two women who stand out from the USA are Nikki Landis, and Angelique S. Anderson, these two fabulous and talented authors have introduced me to different writing styles and genre. Especially Angelique who writes steampunk.
Then there are all the multi-talented Aussie authors.
From poetry to horror – Joanne Van Leerdam.
J A Low introduced me to the lifestyle of the rock and roll bands.
K M Golland, to her funny and witty humour and characters, which will bound to steam your windows.
Then there is Keri Arthur, who I had been reading for a very long time and finally got to meet her! – Only to clam up and I never asked her to sign one of her books I had taken with me.
Just to name a few.
Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
I think my close friends are the ones who encouraged me along my journey so far. Once the family realised my writing is more than just a passing fancy or hobby they become interested.
My first run in many years ago, was with the talented and lovely author Alli Sinclair, she suggested I join RWA and gave me a lot of helpful tips. Alli was probably the person who encouraged me to complete my book, she was like my personal mentor.
We usually catch up at the different author events, otherwise via social media.
The last time I had seen her, she had to post a picture of my foot, I had been wearing toeless pantyhose. She had not seen them before and thought they were interesting. So did her followers!
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
I do not know if I would see it as a career, but I would like to think it will, one day.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No. I don’t think I would.
Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
The struggle to focus on the ones you love. Even when family lie to you when they think they are helping. Covering up with lies does not always help the situation, it just prevents us from moving forward.
Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Oh wow. I really do not know. Whoever they are, they need to be strong and athletic. And the lead male actor will require to have an extremely muscled sexy physique, with a panty-dropping smile.
Fiona: Any advice for other writers?
Never give up. Write your manuscript and put it away. Write another one and continue. Eventually take the old one out, go back over it and rewrite it, then go from there.
Oh and don’t rush.
Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Sorry – There will be more!
LOL
I just hope everyone enjoys my books, and travel along the journey with Alexia and Drake.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Paranormal of course! But I also have a few others ready, including historical romance.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
I remember reading at a very early age, my much older sisters book, – The Wishing Chair. I don’t remember much of it, but the cover is still stuck in my head.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
An excellent story with plenty of emotion and humour. So you can be laughing one minute and tearing up the next.
Oh, and my son’s medical results, he might be an adult, but he will always be my baby. I have been with him, at every doctor, specialist and hospital visit this year. It has been a long journey. I had to give him injections this year, twice daily, I was crying on the inside, knowing I am hurting my son, but it had to be done. Fingers crossed we might be starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?
Oh, my. Now you got me. I really do not know? I would love to see my brother again and find out what he has managed to get up to, since his death. Who has met and the adventures he has taken.
Otherwise – To do with family, probably past family members from back in the 1900’s, 1800’s and 1700’s and ask, “what were they thinking?”
If I were to meet a famous actor or singer, I would most likely clam up and not speak and stand there like an idiot.
At least when I was a kid, one of my best friends has a much older sister who was T.V soap royalty, I got to see her a couple times a year with my friend. Kids handle meeting new people than adults, no foot in mouth syndrome.
Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?
I love reading.
Listening to my old music collection – nothing like rehashing the 80’ and 90’s music and maybe a few 70’s songs to get you in the mood for writing.
I used to enjoy fishing, now I am writing when the boys go out for a day out on the water.
And writing of course.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
Sci-fi
TV – Bitten, Dark Matter, Flash, Arrow, Game of Thrones, Outlander, Lost Girl, Moonlight, Lucifer, StarGate, Shadow Hunters just to name a few.
Movies – Underworld, Marvel movies, romance, comedy.
Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?
Colours change, but I still wear mainly black.
Music, I prefer the older stuff.
Foods – as long it is not hot and spicy and also seafood, I tend to eat it.
Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
If I was not able to write or I did not write, I would be creating websites and running an office somewhere.
Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?
With my family, somewhere warm and safe. – Beach paradise with plenty of food, drinks, and entertainment, – and for me, a few sexy-looking males to admire!
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?
With one of my sisters, we had discussed this many years ago, after the death of our brother.
We came up with some funny lines.
I am no longer sure, what I would like to have written?
“I was here, and now I am there, life on the other side is but an adventure.”
Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?
My website is – https://mltompsett.com/
My blog – https://mltompsett.com/blog-today/
I also have a newsletter! Only if you sign up.
All my ebooks are available at all good ebook stores.
M. L. Tompsett - Author 