Interview with Emma Michaels, author of The Thirteenth Chime

Emma Michaels, author of The Thirteenth Chime graciously agreed to an interview with me regarding her debut novel.

THE THIRTEENTH CHIME BY EMMA MICHAELS

August 13th 2010 by Bokheim Publishing

No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.

In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock ha ...more No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.

In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.

The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.

With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago.

Hatred never dies.

The Thirteenth Chime is a thriller which centers on an antique clock with the power to change lives. Can you tell us a little more about the book and share with us a favorite line, scene or passage?

The book has many underlying themes to it. It speaks of the past and present, and it hints at the future. For David and Destiny, their past is unresolved but they must come to an understanding if they are going to survive the events within the book. It is only together that the riddle within The Thirteenth Chime will be solved.

Although it is not a part of the center of my story my dedication at the beginning of the book is my favorite line. It reads, “To all those who have supported and encouraged me along the way – Thank you”.

What three words would you say best describe The Thirteenth Chime?

Never give up.

What do you love most about the main characters of The Thirteenth Chime?

No matter what is going on around them they continue to have good hearts.

Do you remember the first words you ever wrote for The Thirteenth Chime, and are they still in the novel today?

When I first began writing The Thirteenth Chime, it started out only as an idea. The original concept is still in the book and I am very pleased with the result.

If you had to attach a musical score to your novel, what songs do you imagine playing during prominent scenes?

Murray Gold – he was the composer for the new seasons of Doctor Who. He has made many amazing compositions. I would feel honored if I could use some of his scores (or better yet, ask him to compose some!) for prominent scenes.

If you could inhabit the life of one literary character (your own included) and dive into their world for just one day, who would you choose and why?

Hermione Granger – I think it would be a fun day filled with learning experiences! I also would just love to have that time-turner for one day… just imagine the mischief – err, good things I could do with it!

In addition to being an author, you have a strong presence as a book blogger. What sort of feedback have you gotten from fellow bloggers and readers in general regarding your upcoming novel?

I have received a lot of encouragement and support. I am very grateful to my fellow bloggers and readers as they have encouraged me along the way and they have really become my ‘literary family’.

What would you say is the best advice you’ve been given as an author?

“Just write the silly book!” *laughs* In many ways, just being told to go for it and not hesitate is by far the best advice I have ever received.

Sometimes no matter how strong and determined a person is he or she still needs someone to believe in him or her. My fiance was able to do that for me. He knew I always wrote in secret and I was always stashing my notebooks away under the mattress where ever I went or hiding them in the bottom of my purse. Once he encouraged me and I started writing more openly, it just felt so right and suddenly I never understood why I was so shy about it or kept it a secret.

(Especially when I found out after telling my family the great news about getting published that almost everyone had known.) I am just so happy to finally be doing what I love.

Can you share with us some of the challenges you faced on the road to publication? Is there anything about the process that you would do differently, knowing what you do now?

No, I don’t think I would do anything differently. Although I did receive over a hundred rejections from agents, I think that even this part of the struggle was a learning process for me, even though I still do not have an agent. For instance, I might not have had my manuscript submitted to Bokheim and as a result, The Thirteenth Chime might never have ended up with such an amazing cover. I do want to share what I have learned though, so that it might help others during the process so am trying to set up a new weekly meme for my blog called "From Project to Published".

What can we look forward to from you next? Any new series or other upcoming projects in the works?

I have a new series that I am working on in addition to a stand-alone novel and the sequel to The Thirteenth Chime. I was planning to hold off doing a sequel for a bit, but after seeing preliminary sales and all of the messages I have been receiving from fans, I definitely will be writing more. My thanks to everyone for their kind words and hope you will love what I have coming next!!!

Thank you so much for the interview and to everyone reading!!! Your support means so much to me!!!!!

As a Book Blogger turned author Emma Michaels started her blog in December of 2009. Emma Michaels was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, until she moved at eighteen to Washington State. Suddenly, the world was a new place filled with tall green trees that reached further for the sky with every moment, making her want to do the same. Ever since, she has tried to make her life something new and different from what it was before, pursuing her future career, setting high goals and reaching for them with every moment. With the support of her fiance, chihuahua and her amazing blog followers and fellow bloggers she was able to not only write her first completed novel but start off a new career as an author.

With her Debut novel, The Thirteenth Chime being released August 13th 2010 and future releases planned Emma Michaels aspires to one day make it to the top ten of the New York Times Best Sellers List. With her fiancé at her side and her small white Chihuahua, Hope, she writes, reads, reviews and tries to live everyday to its fullest, whether in the pages of a good book or reaching out to others through her words.

Keep up with Emma Michaels:
Official Blog & Website
Twitter
Facebook