How I Became A Writer

by Michelle Miles

Before I get started, here’s a little about me. I’m Michelle Miles and I write contemporary erotic romance as well as a bunch of other stuff. *wink* I have four books published with Samhain Publishing (two contemporary/two time travel) and two with Cobblestone Press (contemporary).

For some people, the need to write stories started at a very young age. Some when they picked up their first crayon. But for me, it was a little later in life when I wrote fanfiction for fun in high school. I decided I loved writing stories so much that I started telling my own. When I was 16, I subscribed for the first time to Writer’s Digest magazine, hoping to learn and hone and someday become a writer. It was my Big Dream.

And then life happened. I forgot about writing until many years later when I decided to pick it up again. I discovered this great writing organization (RWA®) and couldn’t wait to join. I knew this was my calling and what I wanted to do. I began writing seriously again almost nine years ago—when I was home on maternity leave with my son. I joined a couple of chapters, volunteered, became a board member. It’s been the greatest experience.

Deep down, I wanted to write fantasy but I knew I had to start somewhere. I had a knack, it seemed, for writing hot stuff so that’s how I got started. My first book (Talk Dirty To Me) released with Samhain in July 2006 and is still selling well. A series was then born. Three more novellas followed as well as a two-book time travel series.

But with the contemporary books, I’ve managed to tie them all together and set them around one specific place: a coffee house called The Bitter End. In each book, the characters end up at The Bitter End for one reason or another. They either meet someone new or rekindle old flames. They reconcile with each other or enjoy a first date. It’s been a lot of fun to write.

My next release is another short novella with this same setting. The hero is the brother from the second book, Nice Girls Do. David and Lilly create some serious steam in The Bitter End. Its release date is this December entitled The Coffee Wars.

But the fantasy bug is still there. I’m working on a time travel with paranormal elements and I have another fantasy I’ve been getting ready for submission. Those won’t be the last. I have more to come.

And I’m sure I haven’t visited The Bitter End for the last time, either. :)

Michelle Miles writes romance, drinks coffee, buys shoes and is a contributing member of Pop Culture Divas. For more information about her books, visit her website.