Hooked on Books Promotions: Claddagh Author Interview With Michelle Mc Loughney

Welcome Michelle Mc Loughney and thank you for taking time out to do our questionnaire.

🍀Book Questions🍀

Tell us your latest news?

I am currently finishing Book 2 and 3 in The Gods of Wrath series. I’m co-authoring a book with the fantastic Leigh Stone, an f/f romantic suspense set in New York. You’ve got a diamond heiress and a jewel thief, lots of high jinxes and dirty, dirty girls. I’m also working on a taboo love story set in Africa.

What book are you reading now?

I am always reading a couple of books, I’m re-reading my entire James Herbert (English horror writer) collection and the new John Connolly book.

Your books are so emotional. How long does it take for you to be able to get the characters out of your mind and move on to the next?

I am more moved by scenes rather than characters, I cry when I read certain scenes in my book, I rarely become attached to characters. They serve as more of a vessel, than a defining part of myself.

Are the names of the characters in your novels important?

Very important, it has to feel right. A name is massively important to a person. You might be named after a person, a God, a singer your mother liked. Names are chosen very carefully for the most part. I am adopted, and have had 3 names in various orphanages or places I was cared for before my adoptive parents named me, I also have my original birth cert have the name my first mother gave me. Names are more important to me than features in a character.

What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

I like to keep a distance. My books are not my babies. They are stories, stories I’m immersed in, but just stories nonetheless. I watch crime dramas, read and eat chocolate while drinking copious amounts of wine.

What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?

I’ve had people tell me that they want to write a book, it would be easy since it’s only romance, but they don’t have the time. I work an 11 hour day in my business, then look after my family and then sit down to write. I often forgo nights out with my friends and a good night sleep to write a book. Romance is not easy writing. There is research, plotting, development and time, time and more time etc.

How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?

I get butthurt for ten minutes, throw the death glare to the reviewer, look at their other reviews, feel unloved and a failure. And then, I cop on, I remember that each person buying a product, or reviewing a product is entitled to his or her opinion, and then I forget about it. I don’t use beta readers and I don’t alter my writing because of reviews. People often say bad reviews make you a better writer etc. I disagree. I write what I want for one Alpha..myself. If I’m happy with it I publish it, if it works it works, if it doesn’t I deal with it and move on. I try to be as true to myself as I can. You either get me or you don’t. I respect all reviews and I’m grateful for them all too.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Actually sitting down to do it. The constant feeling that I’m a fraud and my work is crap. Also, sticking to deadlines. I’m the worst!

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I learned the greatest lesson of all, a lesson that I have tried to learn all my life. Not everyone will like you, your writing, or you as a person. This is okay. No one died.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes. Always. People are a product of their childhood. Run from it, deny it, change it, but children are clay, we shape them. Also, I want readers to grasp that women are strong and not always in search of prince Charming. Sometimes princesses slay the dragon all on their own.

Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?

I am the girl in bridesmaids who shits herself in the street. I’d like to pretend I’m kidding….

Describe in 5 words, your writing:

Witty, intelligent, heartfelt, needs editing.

What do you use to write your book?

My trusty Lenovo laptop

Do you listen to music while you write or read?

Yes, I mainly watch telly though. When it comes to music I love indie bands like, The Cure, Joy Division, The Smiths and Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young. Lately, Hozier and The Weeknd

If you could write with any other author(s) who would it be and why?

Leigh Stone because she’s half cracked.

🍀NON- BOOK QUESTIONS🍀

When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a treasure hunter, a private detective and an FBI agent.

Did/Do you have a nickname?

Shell and Bonnie

What are your pet peeves?

Ignorant people. I am quite left wing, liberal. I abhor any kind of homophobia and prejudice. People who don’t smile when introduced to you, please who say ‘Like I said’ in a passive aggressive manner. And people who moan about things you can’t change, like delayed flights etc

What is your favourite coffee shop drink?

Coke zero

What's your favourite tv show?

Law and Order SVU

What is your favourite kind of cookie?

Anything with chocolate

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?

Books Ice pops and TV. I probably should say my family, I’d miss them….I do like my own company though.

Where would you go if you had a time machine?

I would go back to San Francisco in the 1950’s. I am obsessed with the San Fran Beat poets and writers, like Allen Ginsberg and Michael McClure. It was a magical time of freedom of thought and discovery of sexuality and artistic endeavour.

Which is your favorite quote?

“They tried to bury us. They did not know we were seeds.”

If you were an ice cream what flavor would you be?

Rum and raisin

What song best describes you?

Nick Cave and the Bad Seed: Ship Song

🍀THIS OR THAT🍀

Pepsi or Coke

coke

Michael Fassbender or Colin Farrell

Colin Whore Farrell

Cows or Sheep