Author Interview - Michele Cameron

Michele, it’s been quite a while since your last book, EYES THAT LIE. I am sure your fans have been waiting impatiently. Welcome back to the publishing world.

Thank you. I’ve really missed this….

Michele, tell us a bit about THE RISE AND FALL OF JACOBY and SKELETONS IN MY CLOSET.

THE FALL AND RISE OF JACOBY is about deception. The main character’s life is turned upside down because of family secrets. In her haste to get away from emotional torture she falls into a relationship that is unrewarding and dangerous. While in this mess, she meets the man of her dreams. He is EVERYTHING a woman could hope for. But Jacoby has to grow in maturity, realize that sometimes you have to save yourself and not others, and learn to forgive your loved one’s mistakes and move on in order to be truly happy. The novel also has an allusion from the bible. (No spoiler alert! You have to read the book to find out what it is!)

SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET deals with the modelling world. It’s hard out there for black women. We have butt, and breasts. (Don’t men like that?) I watched the latest Victoria Secret modelling show. Those chicks looked hungry! But the crux of the book is about Justice Fairchild and Sterling Hart. They have a love in their hearts for each other that people long for. But, they also have drama from past lives that they can’t shake. I think one of the saddest things that couples go through is if they know that they’re perfect for each other, but can’t be together. It’s almost better to have never met that other person because you can’t miss what you never had. SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET is about a man, who decides, that he deserves to be happy. And he goes for it!

To date, how many books have you written?
I’ve written seven contemporary romance novels.

If you had to choose a favorite which would it be?
I can’t really pick a favorite. I ask my fans, and editors, and they can’t pick one either except to say that the last three made them not want to put the novel down. In EYES THAT LIE the main character went through a traumatic experience. In order to deal with it and move on she had to reinvent herself. That’s a common psychological practice for people. I think that SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET touches close to home for many women. We have a tendency to fall back on old relationships that didn’t work in the first place. It’s because so many of us don’t like change. And THE FALL AND RISE OF JACOBY makes a person understand how so many women get drawn into abusive relationships and struggle to find a way out. Because they’re so very different, well, I can’t pick a favorite.

How do you think you have changed as a writer since your first book, was released?
I’m a lot older. Besides that, I understand the process better. Once I’m done with my first draft, I know exactly what I need to do to polish it.

What do you like most about being a published author?
I absolutely love seeing the finished product. I love seeing my name in print. And in my mind, I imagine someone reading my book. And after they’ve completed it, they feel a catharsis, or purging of their soul. I want my readers to relate to the problems that the main characters have. I want them to know it’s okay if they’ve messed up. It’s okay if their life isn’t perfect. I want them to feel and know that they’re not alone.

And what do you like least about being published?
Sometimes the business side is cutthroat. Being a successful author is not only about talent. Contacts mean a lot in this world. And being in the right place at the right time.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?
Sit down and write it. Once the novel is completed do your research. See what publishing house publishes books that fit your genre. PLEASE do your research on the publishing house before you give them your manuscript. Google them! If they seem on the level, follow all of their rules and submit your book. And then be patient….

Tell us a bit about the process you use when you write a novel.
I watch the news. I pay a lot of attention to politics. When something going on in the news truly irks me, I try to think of a way to weave it into my novel as a subplot. But it’s all about the characters. I want to make the couple that end up together in the novel, (you know that they will because I write romance) to be perfect for each other. But there needs to be a process. I don’t believe in love at first sight. I believe in lust at first sight. But if they have the same moral standards and goals, well, that’s a match made in heaven. Then I pick their fatal flaw. That’s the thing that drives the suspense. Can they overcome their weaknesses in order to live happily ever after? Then, I simply jot down a list of things in sequence that I want to occur. Next, I write it. And I’m done….

Agent or not?
Nope. But maybe I’ll try and find one for my next novel. I want my books on the big screen. I pretty much think that an agent is the best avenue in order to make that happen.

What’s next for Michele Cameron?
I went to Europe last summer. I did Paris, Florence, Rome, Austria, and Munich. I’m going back to Paris this summer and including London. I’m taking pictures and writing things down. I want to use every country that I visit as the setting for my next series of novels.

What is your opinion on the “segregation of African-American books?
I see the good and the bad. When I go to the bookstore I automatically head to the African-American section. But then I’m African-American. If there’s a certain Caucasian writer that I read, I know how to find his/her books. A lot of authors aren’t putting people on their book covers. I haven’t done that because there’s so many beautiful black models, I want to showcase them. I guess I better keep my day job.

If there was one thing you could tell your readers what would it be?
Don’t let anyone tell you that you work isn’t good. There are a lot of published books out there that don’t appeal to me. But I’m only one person. For example, I was warned by one person before I wrote THE FALL AND RISE OF JACOBY that women don’t want to read about any kind of abuse in a romance novel. I went ahead and wrote it anyway and the reviews have been amazing. But let me say, that abuse isn’t the focus of the novel. It doesn’t take over the script and you won’t cringe. I don’t like that kind of stuff myself. It’s about Jacoby, the heroine, finding herself. That’s why she rises….

How can readers contact you?
My website: http://michelecameronauthor.com
Facebook: aggieauthor@cff.rr.com
Instagram: michelecameron_16
Twitter: michele.cameron16 @ gmail.com (delete spaces)

Michele Cameron 'Living the Dream' by Wayne Jordan Birthday: May 17 Occupation: High School English teacher/Author Favorite Color: Yellow Favorite Food: Collard Greens and chitlins’ and rice. Yes, I love chitlins! Favorite Music: Old school R & B Favorite Author: Beverly Jenkins. Favorite Movie: The Godfather (Can you believe that?)
Michele Cameron, a native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a graduate of North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro with a B.S. degree in professional Writing and English Education. Ms. Cameron currently teaches high school English in Orlando, Florida. Cameron's first novel NEVER SAY NEVER (Genesis-Press, Inc., January, 2008) was given a four star rating. Romance in Color named her the New Face among African-American writers.
Michele, it’s been quite a while since your last book, EYES THAT LIE. I am sure your fans have been waiting impatiently. Welcome back to the publishing world. Thank you. I’ve really missed this…. Michele, tell us a bit about THE RISE AND FALL OF JACOBY and SKELETONS IN MY CLOSET. THE FALL AND RISE OF JACOBY is about deception. The main character’s life is turned upside down because of family secrets. In her haste to get away from emotional torture she falls into a relationship that is unrewarding and dangerous. While in this mess, she meets the man of her dreams. He is EVERYTHING a woman could hope for. But Jacoby has to grow in maturity, realize that sometimes you have to save yourself and not others, and learn to forgive your loved one’s mistakes and move on in order to be truly happy. The novel also has an allusion from the bible. (No spoiler alert! You have to read the book to find out what it is!) SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET deals with the modelling world. It’s hard out there for black women. We have butt, and breasts. (Don’t men like that?) I watched the latest Victoria Secret modelling show. Those chicks looked hungry! But the crux of the book is about Justice Fairchild and Sterling Hart. They have a love in their hearts for each other that people long for. But, they also have drama from past lives that they can’t shake. I think one of the saddest things that couples go through is if they know that they’re perfect for each other, but can’t be together. It’s almost better to have never met that other person because you can’t miss what you never had. SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET is about a man, who decides, that he deserves to be happy. And he goes for it! To date, how many books have you written? I’ve written seven contemporary romance novels. If you had to choose a favorite which would it be? I can’t really pick a favorite. I ask my fans, and editors, and they can’t pick one either except to say that the last three made them not want to put the novel down. In EYES THAT LIE the main character went through a traumatic experience. In order to deal with it and move on she had to reinvent herself. That’s a common psychological practice for people. I think that SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET touches close to home for many women. We have a tendency to fall back on old relationships that didn’t work in the first place. It’s because so many of us don’t like change. And THE FALL AND RISE OF JACOBY makes a person understand how so many women get drawn into abusive relationships and struggle to find a way out. Because they’re so very different, well, I can’t pick a favorite. How do you think you have changed as a writer since your first book, was released? I’m a lot older. Besides that, I understand the process better. Once I’m done with my first draft, I know exactly what I need to do to polish it. What do you like most about being a published author? I absolutely love seeing the finished product. I love seeing my name in print. And in my mind, I imagine someone reading my book. And after they’ve completed it, they feel a catharsis, or purging of their soul. I want my readers to relate to the problems that the main characters have. I want them to know it’s okay if they’ve messed up. It’s okay if their life isn’t perfect. I want them to feel and know that they’re not alone. And what do you like least about being published? Sometimes the business side is cutthroat. Being a successful author is not only about talent. Contacts mean a lot in this world. And being in the right place at the right time. What advice would you give an aspiring author? Sit down and write it. Once the novel is completed do your research. See what publishing house publishes books that fit your genre. PLEASE do your research on the publishing house before you give them your manuscript. Google them! If they seem on the level, follow all of their rules and submit your book. And then be patient…. Tell us a bit about the process you use when you write a novel. I watch the news. I pay a lot of attention to politics. When something going on in the news truly irks me, I try to think of a way to weave it into my novel as a subplot. But it’s all about the characters. I want to make the couple that end up together in the novel, (you know that they will because I write romance) to be perfect for each other. But there needs to be a process. I don’t believe in love at first sight. I believe in lust at first sight. But if they have the same moral standards and goals, well, that’s a match made in heaven. Then I pick their fatal flaw. That’s the thing that drives the suspense. Can they overcome their weaknesses in order to live happily ever after? Then, I simply jot down a list of things in sequence that I want to occur. Next, I write it. And I’m done…. Agent or not? Nope. But maybe I’ll try and find one for my next novel. I want my books on the big screen. I pretty much think that an agent is the best avenue in order to make that happen. What’s next for Michele Cameron? I went to Europe last summer. I did Paris, Florence, Rome, Austria, and Munich. I’m going back to Paris this summer and including London. I’m taking pictures and writing things down. I want to use every country that I visit as the setting for my next series of novels. What is your opinion on the “segregation of African-American books? I see the good and the bad. When I go to the bookstore I automatically head to the African-American section. But then I’m African-American. If there’s a certain Caucasian writer that I read, I know how to find his/her books. A lot of authors aren’t putting people on their book covers. I haven’t done that because there’s so many beautiful black models, I want to showcase them. I guess I better keep my day job. If there was one thing you could tell your readers what would it be? Don’t let anyone tell you that you work isn’t good. There are a lot of published books out there that don’t appeal to me. But I’m only one person. For example, I was warned by one person before I wrote THE FALL AND RISE OF JACOBY that women don’t want to read about any kind of abuse in a romance novel. I went ahead and wrote it anyway and the reviews have been amazing. But let me say, that abuse isn’t the focus of the novel. It doesn’t take over the script and you won’t cringe. I don’t like that kind of stuff myself. It’s about Jacoby, the heroine, finding herself. That’s why she rises…. How can readers contact you? My website: http://michelecameronauthor.com Facebook: aggieauthor@cff.rr.com Instagram: michelecameron_16 Twitter: michele.cameron16 @ gmail.com (delete spaces)