Interview with Fern Michaels

by Gayle Trent

Ever prolific, Ms. Michaels launched her fourth series with Kentucky Rich and has numerous single titles besides. This New Jersey Literary Hall of Famer firmly believes that if she overcame all the obstacles in her way to become a best-selling author, you can overcome yours.

You note that For All Their Lives is the favorite of your books. I loved it, too; and though it didn't have the traditional happily-ever-after ending, it ended the way it had to end. What is it about For All Their Lives makes it your favorite?

For All Their Lives has always been my own personal favorite, and you're right, it ended the way it had to end. I guess it is special to me because there really is a Casey and a Mac. It was based in part on a true story. I am a romantic at heart like most of my readers and this story just tugged at my heart.

In Plain Jane, the character is aided by a friendly spirit. Did the inspiration for this come from your own friendly spirit, Mary Margaret?

My 'friendly spirit' and all the other spirits that appear in my books from time to time have a little to do with 'Mary Margaret'. Plain Jane just sort of evolved. My grandchildren have always asked me over the years what happens to pets when they die. At first I was just going to have a ghost dog and then, Mary Margaret went on a sort of rampage here in the house. I took that as my cue and ran with it. I do want to stress that she is a friendly, just mischievous.

Mary Margaret lives with you in your 300-year-old plantation house. Have you done any research to determine who she is and what story(ies) she might have to tell?

No, I haven't but only because I haven't had the time. The previous owners documented her. Researching her and this house is # 1 on my To Do list at some point in time. The truth is, I'm not sure I want to know. My own imagination allows me to create a life for her and I think it might be more interesting than her actual one.

How do you construct your books; i.e., do you work up an outline and go from that; do you prepare extensive character sketches?

I do an outline. One for my editor that is skimpy at best and reads more like a book report. My own outline, the one I work from is more detailed, maybe twenty or so pages. My character sketches usually run to two or three pages.

What does a typical workday for you entail?

Wow! There's never been anything typical about my work days. I go by mood. If I'm on a roll, I literally work round the clock. If it's just routine, my hours are from about eight to four with lots of breaks. I mean lots. Having said that, let me say this, my writing goal is 5000 words a day. If I goof off because I want to go out with the dogs or plant flowers, I work into the evening or through the night. It's only on rare occasions that I don't reach the 5000 word goal. I.e. an emergency or company comes by, I'm needed at the day care because someone didn't show up, etc.

I know you have been inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame. Would you consider that one of your greatest writing achievements? What other writing accomplishments do you consider the best? What are your greatest writing disappointments?

Yep, being inducted into the New Jersey Literary Hall of Fame was a biggie for me. I felt that I had 'arrived' for want of a better word. As far as accomplishments go just finishing a book will do it for me. Because. . . I started with zip and wallah, I end up with 450 pages of a story. Going on the New York Times is another one. The best, though, is getting a letter from a fan who says all these wonderful things about your writing and ends her letters with, "Please don't ever stop writing." I can't say I have or had any writing disappointments.

What has the publishing of The Future Scrolls meant to you after having it "lie dormant" for so long?

I am delighted that Severn House decided to publish The Future Scrolls. for their libraries. It was one of those books that fell through the cracks when my editor moved on and the company gave it back. At that time, I just shoved it in a box and forgot about it. I updated it a little but not much. It is what it is, an old book with a charming story.

If you weren't a writer, what would you be?

I'd probably be a 24/7 grandmother to my kid's horror. Seriously, I think I would have been a dog breeder. I love animals. I have six. I had five but I just got a rescued Boykin Spaniel that almost drove me nuts. He's a pure love now.

What are you currently working on?

Well, I just turned in the last of the Kentucky series. I'm working now on a novel that is almost finished and titled The Real Deal. It's about a young female FBI agent who goes into the Secret Service to guard the First Lady. In some ways it is a romp. I'm also working on a seven book series that is being considered by two separate media groups for a television series. It's all about women getting revenge.

What single piece of advice can you offer fellow writers?

Don't ever give up. I didn't. Believe in yourself. My mantra has and always will be, if you persevere, you will prevail. If I could make it happen, so can they.

Visit Fern Michael's web page at http://www.fernmichaels.com.

Subscribe to our Free Monthly Newsletter!