Michelle Davidson Argyle
Hey folks! We’re lucky to have Michelle Davidson Argyle, author of Cinders, as a guest today at The Asylum. We’ve asked her some questions and I have it on good authority that if you read the answers and comment you’ll be entered into a drawing to win some really awesome stuff!! So, read, comment, and if you win you’d better come back here and brag about it 🙂
If you comment you’ll need to fill out this form in order to be entered into the contest: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFNiQVlrY0RBVXNMT24zaTVUcUg0T2c6MQ
P.S. This was originally scheduled for the 22nd, but I’m hanging out at the beach and I’ve got spotty internet, so just pretend that today is the 22nd and we’ll be good!
2. Is there a character who was more interesting or fun to work with than the others?
For some reason I absolutely love Fortune, the head cook. She was so alive for me, and I had no problems writing her or envisioning her at all. These types of characters are the most fun because it’s like they almost really exist – they are that real in my mind. Fortune isn’t even a secondary character, really, but does serve as a sort of “safe” character for Cinderella.
3. Do you have a favorite? (character)
My favorite character is Cinderella. Usually I love the villain the most, but there isn’t a true villain in Cinders, in my opinion. I love Cinderella the most because she is very complex and real to me. Although she makes mistakes, I can relate to her the most. This may be why the book was easier for me to write than other books I’ve written.
4. What is the biggest challenge facing self-published authors?
I must say the stigmas against self-publishing – at least for me. I constantly find myself comparing myself to others and making myself think that sales are everything. I think most self-published authors think their book’s worth is based on sales. It’s sad when I don’t sell any copies one day and I get gloomy because of it. It’s like I’ve completely forgotten all the great reviews and support of my readers.
5. Do you share your work with friends and family while you are in the writing process or do you limit feedback to beta readers?
When I first started seriously writing again 3 1/2 years ago after a 5 year break, I shared everything with my immediate friends and family. They were the only network I had. Then I discovered blogging and I’ve built up a network of writer friends who are spectacular. I still share my work with immediate friends and family, but not like I used to. I don’t think they’re interested in reading all my rough drafts. I think they’d rather just buy a finished book.
6. Being a mother and an author isn’t easy, what helped you to manage your time?
I am literally stuck at home with no car every single day. This helps me focus on doing things here at home with a loose, but efficient schedule. My daughter is getting older and about to go into preschool, so that is going to help. Mainly I just make sure I do a little of everything every day: play with my daughter, clean the house, do laundry, prepare meals, and write and network and market all in between. My computer is in the living room, right in the hub of everything. That helps to go back and forth.
7. Do you have any writing rituals?
Nope, not really. I’m pretty easy-going when it comes to writing. I do write best when it’s quiet and I have chocolate nearby…
8. Where is your favorite place to write?
In my bed with my netbook.
9. Do you outline a story before beginning or do you wing it?
I used to not outline, or at least I would only outline a little at a time. For Cinders, however, I did a complete outline first. And a synopsis. That sure made things a lot easier. I think I’ll try this with every work from now on. My outlines stay very loose, though. I like to let the story go where it needs to go.
10. What question do you wish that someone would ask you about your book, but nobody has? What’s the answer to that question?
Uhhh, hah! I’d have to say nobody has asked me if I want Cinderella to end up with someone different at the end of the book. I’d have to say my romantic sensibilities would love to have her end up with her elf. He’s just so romantic and sweet and magical and I’d love to see her happy with him, but when I got to that point in the story it felt wrong and I couldn’t do it. Sorry if that spoiled the end for anyone. I’ve worded it as vaguely as I could!
Welcome to the Asylum 
Good interview. Sounds like an interesting book. I’ll definitely pick up a copy. I’d like to know more about the self publishing aspect, and if you have any advice for authors considering self publishing.
Ernie, thanks for stopping by! Yes, I do have advice considering self-publishing. I’m doing a series over at The Literary Lab blog right now if you’d like to check it out: http://literarylab.blogspot.com/search/label/Why%20Self-Publishing%20Is%20Better%20Than%20You%20Think
Love this site! Good stuff, Michelle! Brave and informative.
You seem to have a good sense of yourself as a writer. I know how it feels to get gloomy about book sales and looking for your worth in them. When you think about it or say it out loud you realize that your focus needs to be elsewhere, like on the readers who are enjoying your books or on your family. You’re very lucky to have time to write with such a young one around. I had five children, so couldn’t help but put my writings away. But, as they are won’t to do, they grew up fast and now I have all the time in the world to write. Thanks for sharing this interview!
Warm Regards,
Julie Achterhoff, author of Quantum Earth, Deadly Lucidity, and Earthwalker
I am very lucky to have time to write and market my books. It’s a real blessing. I only have one child so far, so that makes it much more possible. Thanks for stopping by!
As it is the 22nd in Japan, you’re right on time! When you first wrote about Cinders, I was extremely interested. I wrote down the name of the author and book title. Now this interview makes me want to read the book. And I’m very interested in Michelle’s views about self-publishing. The stigma is there but there is some hot debating happening right now too. The future, it seems, may be on the web.
There really is some hot debate out there! I think it’s important to look at both sides of the coin. Hope you get a copy!
Thank you, Breanne, and to everyone who stops by to comment!
I loved this interview! Can’t wait to read Cinders.
Christine, I can’t wait to see what you think!
I’ll be honest. I would have been disappointed with any other ending. I think the ending of the book is perfect and it was essentially what I was rooting for. That said, I think my wife was hoping for another ending altogether. lol
I think many women are baffled by the ending because it comes out of nowhere if you’re not paying attention. Still, it suits the novel I think. 🙂
My copy of Cinders is supposed to arrive today! I’m very impatiently waiting for the FedEx guy. 🙂
Janel, that’s exciting!!! Hope I get to hear what you think!
I always enjoy that sort of “Behind the Scenes” view of why an author did certain things with their book and how they feel about their characters. I suppose its almost like getting to see the extra features on a DVD, which I always love :). Thanks Michelle for giving us a neat little glimpse behind the stage curtains!
Hehe, I love extra features! I always love these kinds of interviews, too, and they are fun to do as well! Thanks for stopping by!
Excellent exchange, you two! When Cinders arrived, my wife grabbed it, because I’m deep into Son of Ereubus. When I saw this interview, I had to go check her bookmark. We’ll be trading books soon!
Ien, thank you! I hopeyour wife finishes soon so you get to read it! My next book is Son of Ereubus. 🙂
Cinders is everything I love in a book.
Of course, my favorite movie is Gladiator. There are interesting opposite comparisons between the two.
In Gladiator, nothing good happens to the main character, nothing at all. It’s all bad, but in the end, a little bit of light is let through in the expression of spirituality (the movie is deeply, deeply spiritual).
In Cinders, everything that is good happened to the main character, but only when darkness creeps in (starting at the beginning of the book), does the character move forward. Cinders also is a spiritual book (if you can’t spot the thematic, read it again!), but here, it’s also flipped. Rather than ascending to the fields of Elysium, Cinderella brings a little slice of it to her.
Thanks, Anthony! I love how you explain things here. My husband loves Gladiator, and it’s one I’ve enjoyed as well. I love the music, especially.
Loved this interview and really enjoying the blog tour 🙂
Bethany, I’m so glad! Thank you for stopping by!
This is such fun, following Michelle around on the blog tour. It’s great instruction for how to use a blog tour for book promotion. I think she’ll end up being a role model for a lot of writers who want to take the self-publishing plunge.
Interesting questions. I didn’t know Michelle writes on a netbook. I don’t know if I could do that on such a little keyboard.
Anne, haha. It took some getting used to writing on my netbook. Now it’s usually the only place I can get my creativity going!
great interview michelle. i love the way you can take your readers into a far away world without us having to leave our couch. i loved cinders it had a wonderful twist to the original that i loved. it was completly unqiue and i loved it
Thank you, Alice! I like twisting things up, that’s for sure. 🙂
Lovely post and great interview! I have to say, I so appreciated Ms Argyle’s decision regarding Cinderella’s romance (I’m trying to be non-spoiler-y, too!). As I wrote in my review, the real bittersweet tone of the book is what hooked me. The story was so reminiscent of the original fairy tale, and yet, fleshed out deliciously!
Audra, it’s great to hear you say that! That’s exactly what I was after!
This is one great interview. Some very original questions that I haven’t seen or considered and the answers were enjoyable to read. I love following the blog tour and it really makes me want to read the book.
Breanne is so great at asking different questions! This was a lot of fun to do. I hope you get to read the book soon!
Our lives sound a bit similar, although I’m not an author. I’m a mom of young children, frequently at home all day with no car (like today). I feel like I’ve had a “good day” when I’ve done like you– a bit of house work, a bit of my subcontracting work on the computer (a netbook), maybe a workout, that kind of thing.
And as far as those sales numbers are concerned– as a reader, I don’t care if it’s self-published and only bought by 100 people. If it’s a good story that I’ve enjoyed, that’s all that matters to me! But of course I’m always happy when the author does get good sales, just because I’m a fan of their work.
Laura
Yes, I’m trying to get to a point where sales don’t matter to me, but I think they always will because that’s part of sharing. Still, it is wonderful to come here and see people supporting me. Good luck in your stay at home life! I know exactly how much work it really is. 🙂
Good interview. You know I’m coming to really respect self-published authors. It takes so much work and dedication.
That really makes my day to see you say that. 🙂
Seems like you have everything balanced really well. And I agree…chocolate makes everything better!
I’m REALLY REALLY hoping to win a copy of Cinders…just sayin’ =)
Angelique, I’m so sorry you didn’t win a copy! But keep your eye out! There are some more Cinders giveaways coming up from some reviewers, I do believe. I think Zoe Winters will be doing one soon. 🙂