Today we welcome Michelle Dalton as we travel to Brisbane Australia and learn how horses, trolls, being dyslexic, and She-Ra come together to form the romantic herd of Michelle’s life. Grab your saddle ….
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am originally from Pretoria, South Africa. My family and I fled the rising violence taking over my beloved country and I now live near Brisbane, Australia with my husband and triplet sons. While also juggling a nursing career and teenage sons, I love to escape into my fictional world.
I have a deep love of horses and enjoy weaving them into dramatic stories with honourable men and strong women. My other hobbies are gardening (usually trying to save my precious herbs and bulbs from an overactive miniature Jack Russell), painting, and reading. I’m also a huge Star Trek and Marvel Comics fan, and as of recently a wee fan of DC too.
In which genre do you write?
Hmmm… *sigh* Not sure, well there’s always romance involved but I tend to dabble in a little paranormal/fantasy and probs a lot more women’s fiction and always African, no matter where the book plays out, there is a lot of South Africa involved. And Steampunk!
How many published books do you have?
As of today one – Epona. But there’ll be a second coming out in August this year – Simple Truths, oh yes and then a third under another pen name in November.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer and what ignited your author’s flame?
I didn’t realize it. I’ve always loved story telling – it’s in my blood but after I read Fifty Shades (Yes yes I did and I loved it, okay! You know these days confessing to having read Fifty Shades is like confessing to having had sex before marriage twenty years ago) I sat back and thought to myself. I can do better than this – and so I did. ?
What is an interesting writing quirk you have, that we wouldn’t know by reading your biography?
I’m boring love. I save all the interesting for my books. ?
What would you choose as your mascot, spirit animal, or avatar and why?
A horse – read Epona. ?
What does your ideal writing space look like?
A bloody mess! Nothing like all those awesome bookstagram posts on Insta – gosh I wish! See I live with four philistines – that’s my triplet teenage boys and the hubster. Nothing is ever in it’s place! Drives me nuts but I love them so I just go with the smelly boy flow.
What are you currently reading?
The Three Musketeers – an old fave, and, Jasmine Sea by Phillipa Nefri Clark.
What do you do when not writing or marketing your books?
Picking up after teenagers and threatening them with the apocalypse if they don’t start acting like human beings instead of trolls. I paint/draw. Play with my mini Jack Russell chat with the hubster, and garden and do the washing and remind the hubster that he’ll have no clean clothes if he doesn’t hang it up and the usual suburban bliss kinda stuff… oh I also nurse. ?
If you could have a fantasy tea or coffee date with an author or famous person from the past or present, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Diana Gabaldon. I’ve already sat down with T M Clark. ?
What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through writing?
That I can. I’m dyslexic and was always told by teachers I’d never amount to much – showed them eh!
Do you journal write or keep a personal diary? Has this helped with your published writings? If so, how?
Nup and Nup. I don’t like the idea of my thoughts being in a place where people can easily access them. I’m cheeky enough in my writing. ?
What is the most amusing, crazy or inspiring thing that has ever happened to you?
I had triplet boys – nuff said. ?
You are about to speak publicly to a group and read from your latest book. What song do you listen to before speaking? Or, what do you do to prepare yourself?
Drink wine. The soundtrack from my book trailer or Linkinpark. Drink Wine.
What do you miss about being a kid?
The freedom to simply be……..
If you were trapped in a cartoon world from your childhood, which one would you choose and why?
She-Ra!
If you could turn into one of your characters for a day, which one would it be and why, what would you do?
I can’t choose one. Basically it would be a mish mash of Sadie Munro (Epona) and Rochelle Le Roux (Simple Truths due for pub in August) Both these chicks rock. They are trend setters with balls of vibranium. They have seen the worst the world has to offer but still manage to beat the odds.
What’s the last movie you watched and why did you choose to watch it?
Shazaam (DC) and End Game (Marvel) – love me my comics and DC is getting better at it wouldn’t you say?
A penguin knocks on your door and is wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he there?
Trying to take over the world – “Smile and wave boys, smile and wave.”
Do you believe things happen for a reason? Do you have an example from your own life to share why you believe this?
Yes! Epona got shot down by 3 big publishers. I was heartbroken until I got picked up by a friend who self pubs. I have loads of success and 2 of the 3 trad publishers who shot me down came back and made an offer – was SO fudging cool to say “No thank you!”
PS Epona has hit the bestseller list on Zon.
If you could ask your pet three questions, what would they be?
Why my shoes? Why the socks? Why the undies?
Which of your personality traits has been most useful and why?
My internal BS detector. Need I say more???
What’s your favorite place to visit in your country and why?
The beach! It’s Oz, no explanation needed.
Describe the perfect solo date you’d take yourself on … where, time of day, weather, place, etc.
Backyard. Sunset. Kids and hubster away. Bottle of wine. Dark chocolate. Bliss ?
Thank you Michelle for stopping by Meeting the Authors. It was incredibly interesting (and cheeky fun … heehee) chatting with you about the things that come together to create your life. – Camilla
Epona
After a horrendous attack on her family farm in South Africa takes the lives of her loved ones and leaves her wounded, her only escape is to leave the country of her birth for the highlands of Scotland and her last living relatives.
But Sadie’s life may still be in danger.
Blane Buchan is an Englishmen living in the small highland town of Lairg, seeking a life away from the emptiness of London society and a past he’d rather forget.
When Sadie finds a mysterious blue roan mare, she must use the gift given to her from Epona; Protector of horses. But the mare just might be the one who saves her.
From the mountains of South Africa to the wintry Highland Moors this is a story of redemption, love and the powerful connection between humans and horses.
Find out more about Michelle and her books:
Book Trailer: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDaltonAuthor/videos/771981623172852/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelleDaltonAuthor/
Website: https://michelledaltonauthor.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelledaltonauthor_/
bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/michelle-dalton-53ea0323-296f-4400-93d3-dd88b4150295
News Letter sign up: https://mcdalton76.us16.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=aa0ac495c7bfb8fb3314e252a&id=f975bfe782
US Kindle: https://amzn.to/2X3SgCU
US Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Wvk97f
UK Kindle: https://amzn.to/2XJsEIc
UK Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZaWkhK
And NOW available on…
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/epona-2#ratings-and-reviews
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If it feels right and you are inspired to do so, I would be deeply grateful if you’d like to “Buy Me a Coffee” here … Camilla – Host of Meeting the Authors …
