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| Visit author Michelle Smith's website. |
We are
so thrilled and honored to feature writer, critique group member, mental health advocate, and all-around awesome
human, Michelle Smith.
Michelle’s debut novel YA novel, PLAY ON, is now available as an e-book and will be out in print on April
21st.
First, an intro to PLAY ON:
PLAY ON
In the small town of
Lewis Creek, baseball is everything. Especially for all-star pitcher Austin
Braxton, who has a one-way ticket out of town with his scholarship to a top
university. All that stands between him and a new start is one final season.
But when Austin starts flunking Chemistry, his picture-perfect future is in
jeopardy. A failing grade means zero playing time, and zero playing time means
no scholarship.
Enter Marisa Marlowe,
the new girl in town who gets a job at his momma’s flower shop. Not only is
Marisa some home-schooled super-genius, she’s also a baseball fanatic and more
than willing to help Austin study. As the two grow closer, there’s something
about Marisa that makes Austin want more than just baseball and out of Lewis
Creek–he wants a future with her. But Marisa has a past that still haunts her,
one that she ran all the way to South Carolina to escape.
As Austin starts to
peel back the layers of Marisa s pain, it forces him to look beyond the facade
of himself and everyone he thought he knew in his town. What he sees instead is
that in a small town like Lewis Creek, maybe baseball isn’t everything–maybe it
is just the thing that ties them all together.
RW: We have so many questions for you! But, we also
know you are crazy busy with your release day (!!!) so we’ll try to keep it
together. Let’s talk about your debut! You’ve mentioned PLAY ON is the
book of your heart. Could you share what makes this story so dear to you?
MS: I think
because it comes from such a personal place. It probably sounds cheesy, but so much of my heart and soul went into
those pages. There are thoughts that I never thought I should share—thoughts
that I didn’t know I could share. The
idea for this book was in the works for a long time, until I finally worked up
the nerve to start writing it. And I’m really glad I did!
RW: I think
many writers feel a sense of vulnerability putting their words out into the
world. Not only have you jumped that hurdle, you’ve gone a leap further and
opened up about yourself, authoring posts for outstanding sites like To Write Love on Her Arms and, don’t bleed. breathe. Can you tell us about the decision
to share your personal experiences?
MS: The
primary reason is so others will realize that they’re not alone.
When I was
going through the thick of depression, I was convinced that no one could possibly
understand what my head was doing. That I was broken, that I was scarred, that
I was beyond reaching. That there was no possibility for this to go anywhere
but down. Depression is a very convincing liar, and it’s easy to believe those
lies. So I want others to know that, while depression is so very dark and
painful, there is hope, and the
darkness doesn’t last forever.
RW: As
critique partner, we’re all constantly amazed by your voice. Your characters always ring true, so vivid and
memorable. Can you share a little about your character development process? Character
sketches? Channeling spirits? How do you do it?!
MS: Good
gracious, I adore you guys.
I just…write
people? Haha! My stories are always characters first, and I love to dive into
their heads, to feel what they’re feeling, to say what they’re thinking. I will
say that some characters are a little more difficult to connect with at first. In
my most recent WIP, I was called out for boxing myself and my characters in,
which was completely justified (I kind of realized I was doing it while writing). So my editor sent me a
character development worksheet that was 8 pages long (I am not even kidding),
and I just went to work. I was able to dig into them a little deeper, and it
helped immensely.
RW: We’ve
got a great thing going here at RW: a blogging platform with a built-in
critique group (often times support group!). But joining a critique group can
be a daunting endeavor. Can you share what made you decide to reach out to the
writing community?
MS: My first
experience ever working with a beta reader was back in my fan fiction days. She
nitpicked my grammar, let me know when my characters were being waaaaay too
unrealistic, and told me when I could do so much more with a story when I tried
to play it safe.
I loved her
for it. And five years later, she’s still one of my closest friends. She’s also
the one who talked me into writing my first book.
Critique
makes you a better writer—it’s really that simple. Yes, critique can be
difficult to handle in the beginning, especially if you have paper-thin skin,
but it’s a necessity. Sometimes we nail a scene. Sometimes our chapters need
work. And sometimes our entire book need a re-write. As writers, we often get
too close to a story, and we’re unable to see the things that just aren’t
working. Outside eyes help.
All that
said, it is important to find a critique group that matches your style—some
readers are brutally honest, and some are more gentle guiders. The one
necessity is that you find a group that’s honest.
We absolutely need cheerleaders; we also need people who’ll give it to us
straight, and won’t let us get away with anything less than our best.
Needless to
say, I’m so happy I found you guys.
RW: Can you
share any deets about upcoming projects?
MS: Very,
very little deets at this time. But I will
say that we haven’t seen the last of Lewis Creek and its baseball boys. ;)
RW: More from Lewis Creek? YES! Okay, final
question—and this is incredibly important—what is it that makes Dean
Winchester so damn compelling? *pause for moment of reflective sighing*
MS: *cracks
knuckles* Now you’re speaking my language.
We have pie.
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We have the
Impala.
We have his
love for Sam…
And Castiel.
We have the
heartbreaking moments.
And we have
general badassery.
All that to
say:
RW: You’re
the best Michelle!!!
MS: YOU are.
About Michelle:
Michelle Smith was born and raised in North Carolina, where she developed a healthy appreciation for college football, sweet tea, front porches, and a well-placed “y’all.” She’s a lover of all things happy, laughs way too much, and fully believes that a little bit of kindness goes a long way.Michelle lives near the Carolina coast with her family.
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