We chat with author Michelle Major about Wildflower Season, which is the first installment in her new Carolina Girls series! Michelle tells us all about its inspiration and challenges, as well as book recommendations and what’s next!
Hi, Michelle! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m so excited to be talking with you at The Nerd Daily. A bit about me…I’m originally from the Midwest but call Colorado home. I love the mountains – although I’d also love closer access to the beach. My favorite things are my family, my furbabies and Nutella.
How is your 2021 going in comparison to that other year?
As far as writing, it’s much the same – lots of books releasing and even more time at the keyboard. But I do have a senior this year and after school being online most of senior year, suddenly they are opening things a bit so now we’re scrambling to get ready for prom and graduation. It’s all good and also a bit of a shock – feels like drinking from a fire hose after things have been so quiet.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
Anne of Green Gables. I’m not sure it made me want to be an author because at that point I couldn’t have even imagined this life. But Anne and that series was the one that introduced me to the concept of a book binge. She’s still the fictional heroine who I’d like to be. And I should have known I was meant to be a romance author because Anne and Gilbert gave me all the feels!
Your latest novel, Wildflower Season, is out May 25th 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Funny, fierce, tender, emotional and romantic
What can readers expect?
I hope readers expect to be uplifted and swept into the story. Emma Cantrell was a fun character to write – determined to start over and create a life on her terms. She doesn’t expect Cam Arlinghaus or the way he turns her world (and her heart) upside down. I always want readers to walk away from one of my books with a smile – maybe after shedding a few happy tears.
Where did the inspiration for Wildflower Season come from?
Emma was a secondary character in The Last Carolina Sister, the final book of my Magnolia Sisters trilogy. When she jumped off the page in that story, I reached out to my editor and asked about spinning off a second series set in Magnolia. I just knew Emma had a story to tell.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
I’ve been writing on deadline almost nonstop for a while now (which is such a blessing!). But it was not great for my wrists, shoulders and back because I do most of my writing on a laptop. With Wildflower Season, I started dictating some of the first draft and that opened up a new vein of creativity for me.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring that we should keep an eye out for?
The next book in this series, Mistletoe Season, felt like one of those gift stories – the characters and plot just came to me fully formed. That’s a rare gift so I can’t wait for readers to meet Angi and Gabe in October of this year.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
The best is anything Nora Roberts says about writing. I don’t even commit bad advice to memory – just chuck it and move on.
What’s next for you?
I have two more books, Mistletoe Season and Wedding Season, coming in the Carolina Girls series. I’m also working on the next release for my Welcome to Starlight series from Harlequin Special Edition. And taking my son to college at the end of summer – sniff!
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
The most recent book I could not put down was The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. She’s always amazing and this one is no exception. Plus, it gave me a new perspective on the Dust Bowl era and parts of our country’s history.
