Michelle is one creative person and a busy reader. On her blogspot you can get updated about almost every fiction book published in the Christian market place. PLUS, when she finishes reviewing them, she GIVES THEM AWAY. So if you are looking for a book, plug into her book giveaways and check back often.
As if all the other things she does isn't enough, she is the American Christian Fiction Writers' Volunteer Officer, too.
She has an agent who believes in her edgy inspirational stories that she writes, so expect one day to see her own books in print. Now, let's see what Michelle's childhood was like and how it made her into the woman who has plenty of stories to tell:
Where Did You Grow Up?
Syracuse, New York
Childhood Ambition:
Early childhood - to be a mom full-time, and in adolescence - to be a social worker.
Fondest Memory:
Personal achievement: Winning the spelling bee in 5th grade (for the whole school) and also getting a cash prize for runner up in the energy conservation contest in NY for my picture.
Family Related: When my brother graduated from the Coast Guard boot camp I sobbed my eyes out.
Proudest Moment:
Every time I won something as a kid whether it was a softball game, water polo tournament, I placed in Synchro for my routine, or aced a hard test. I was an achiever. One year I sold so many Girl Scout cookies, I only had to pay $2 to go to camp for a week. I used to also win trips to amusement parks by selling newspaper subscriptions and I took my baby sister on several of those trips with me.
Biggest Challenge as a Child:
Having to deal with a chronically ill mother, which meant in many ways, I had to take care of myself. As the oldest daughter I also got the extra chores. I learned to cook at a very young age and do all of the laundry (is it any wonder I dislike those activities so much now?) Also, having to pay my way through college was very hard, but I was determined to graduate! Thankfully I did!
My First Job:
Delivering newspapers at 5 a.m. every day from when I was 11 to age 16. Then I got my first real job, which was as a library page for the Syracuse Public library system. I worked at the Carnegie building in downtown Syracuse.
Childhood Indulgence:
Chocolate. I also loved to mix flour, sugar and butter (stuff to make raw cookie dough mix) and ate that by the bowl full.
Favorite Outfit as a Child:
My Holly Hobbie summer jumpsuit. The very first time I wore it I wiped out on my bike and broke my thigh so the EMT's had to cut my Holly Hobby outfit to get to my leg. I was SOOO upset about that.
Favorite Childhood Movie:
Probably Bambi. I really adored the Little House on the Prairie series, too. I wanted to be Mary, Laura's oldest sister.
Favorite Childhood Book:
I loved all of the Beverly Cleary books.
Childhood Hero:
Probably my mom, with teachers as close runners up.
Favorite Childhood Activity or Toys:
My Baby Alive and my Barbies, of course. It never bothered me that Barbie had a perfect bod!
Anything else? I hope to sell a book very soon as I have plenty of proposals "out there" at a variety of publishing houses both ABA and CBA.Here's Michelle's childhood photos:
Be sure to check out more about her on Shout Life and her web page.
AND FOR FREE BOOK GIVEAWAYS check her blog, as well as reviews to see what books she tells about.
