Michelle Buckley - Author of Trippin
Monday, May 22, 2006
Shelia Goss: Please introduce yourself to the readers.
Michelle Buckley: I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a kid. I like to write books that hopefully leave women feeling empowered. I want to tell entertaining stories that celebrate women, our strength and our ability to bounce back. Trippin’ which comes out in July is my second novel. Both this book and my first, Bulletproof Soul, were released by Carl Weber’s Urban Books. As a result of my debut writing effort, Black Issues Book Review Magazine included me in the July/August 2005 issue as an up and coming African American author — a “fresh breeze.” And during the summer of 2005, my debut, Bulletproof Soul, was selected as a Blackexpressions.com “Editor’s Pick” and “Summer Favorite.” Prior to my fictional writing, I’ve done freelance writing for publications like Black Enterprise Magazine and I was included in the #1 Essence bestseller, Souls of My Sisters (Kensington, 2000).
Shelia: Do you listen to music while you’re writing?
Michelle: As a writer, I believe when I write, I’m sharing my soul on paper and music stirs my soul. I love to have music playing in the background as I create my stories. While I wrote Trippin’ I listened to folks like Lizz Wright, Vivian Greene, Kindred the Family Soul, Leela James, Raheem DeVaughn, Anthony Hamilton, and Kem to name a few.
Shelia: I know with other obligations it can be a struggle finding time to write. Do you have a set writing schedule?
Michelle: When I was writing Trippin’, I did try to make myself write every day and sometimes I was more successful than others. I was most productive on the weekends -- and I got a lot done in the morning before the stressful workday began. When the words truly flowed, I had to learn to get out of my own way. That’s when I realized I was just a vessel, an instrument, and God was really the one at work. That was when I found the writing process most enjoyable.
Shelia: How did you come up with your storyline?
Michelle: I think I must have needed a vacation when I started writing Trippin’ because it’s all about a travel club going buck wild. I came up with the storyline because I just wanted to do something crazy and totally different from my first book. In this one -- the people who start off good become bad and vice versa. Plus, I wanted to tackle real issues like stalking, sexual harassment and infertility. Also, as a writer, I noticed I like killing folks off -- so I had a field day with that. It’s all there among the pages -- a literary trip that won’t disappoint.
Shelia: What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Michelle: To be a successful writer, you have to be passionate about the written word and you have to have a vivid imagination. You also have to be self-motivated and you can’t be afraid of a little (or a lot) of rejection. Beyond that, you of course have to hone your craft and WRITE, WRITE, WRITE! Also, you should hang out with other writers and get to know the business and folks in the industry. As with any goal, remember . . . 100% of the shots you DON’T take, WON’T go in. If you really want to be a writer, you have to go all out for your dream. That’s true, whether you’re talking about writing or anything else you want in life.
Shelia: There are a lot of reality shows on now. If your life was a Reality TV show, what would it be called and why?
Michelle: I’d have to say Dreams Realized, because in the past year I’ve been blessed to have several dreams in both my personal and professional lives become reality. Another possibility: Beyond the Bull, because as I get older, I notice my tolerance for bs (people lying to me, themselves, or anyone else) is proportionately decreasing (lol).
Shelia: How can you be reached and where can we purchase your books?
Michelle: I can be emailed at prgalkc@hotmail.com. My website is: http://www.michellebuckley.com/ and my blog is http://www.michellebuckleyblog.blogspot.com/. My books Trippin’ and Bulletproof Soul can be ordered online at sites like Cushcity.com, Amazon.com, and Barnes & Noble.com. They can also be purchased everywhere in local bookstores.
Read an excerpt of Trippin'.
