Interview & Book Giveaway with Author Michelle Griep

A big welcome to author Michelle Griep. Make sure to leave a comment on today's post for a chance to win a copy of her new novel, Undercurrent.

Q:  Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A:  Yes, except for a short season when I kicked around the idea of becoming an astronaut. Two problems with that, though. First off, I hate science and math, both of which you should at least have a mild interest in to be successful in a space career. Secondly, when I found out that astronauts don’t actually wear cool Lt. Uhura uniforms, it was a deal breaker.

Q:  What’s your favorite part of the writing business? What’s your least favorite?
A:  Getting paid for penning down my daydreams is my fave. Least is marketing. There’s a reason I’m not a salesman. I stink at it.

Q:  After becoming a published author, what surprised you the most?
A:  The freak magnet effect. When people hear you’re a published author, you will be blown away by the connection that others instantly feel toward you. I’m convinced that 99.9% of the population are wannabe-writers with not only novel ideas, but entire epic trilogy tales. These people will corner you and tell you every detail of their story, then expect you to help them get it published.

Q:  If you weren’t a writer, what would you be doing?
A:  I’d be running a B&B in England. Near a castle. On a moor. With Mr. Rochester as my neighbor. Wow. Did I mention I’m an out-of-the-closet Charlotte Bronte fan-a-maniac?

Q:  What event, writer, or book has most impacted your writing life?
A:  My critique partners. These gals are ruthless. They’re cute when they wear their cheerleader costumes but my-oh-my…my head’s been on a platter many times over for lazy writing or a sagging plot. These writing buddies are always there for me whether I’m riding the crest of victory or weeping from rejection. I couldn’t play this game without them.

Q:  What does your family think about your crazy career?
A:  My husband knew I was certifiably insane when he married me, so no problem there. As for my kids… My oldest son thinks it’s great but only reads audio/technical textbooks. My second son reads my rough drafts, cutting out scenes that are too sissy and/or adding in some sweet moves to my fight scenes. My oldest daughter is too busy fixing her hair to notice that I write. And my youngest daughter is pretty sure Hollywood will make blockbuster movies of my stories, and can I please get her into a starring role?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes…except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. Find out more at www.mmgriep.com

ABOUT THE BOOK - Undercurrent
People go missing every day. Many meet with foul play, some leave the social grid by choice, but others are never accounted for. Such is the fate of successful linguistics professor Cassie Larson. She leads a life her undergrad students hope to attain, until she tumbles into the North Sea and is sucked into a swirling vortex…and a different century.

Alarik, son of a Viking chieftain, is blamed for a murder he didn’t commit—or did he? He can’t remember. On the run, saving a half-drowned foreign woman wasn’t in his plans.

Ragnar is a converted pagan shunned by many but determined to prove his Cousin Alarik’s innocence. He didn’t count on falling in love with Cassie or the deadly presence of evil that threatens his village in Alarik’s absence.



WIN THE BOOK
If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of Undercurrent, just leave a comment on this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on Friday, May 13th. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.)

Good luck!