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Sci-Fi Encounters: Interview with Michelle Howard

Veronica Scott
Special for USA TODAY
Torkel's Chosen by Michelle Howard.

This week it's my pleasure to chat with Michelle Howard about her book Torkel's Chosen, A World Beyond book one. I'd read snippets of the novel prior to release and loved the idea of a mighty warrior who has to wait to be chosen by a woman, rather than do the choosing. And then, of course, complications ensue! The only time I've ever personally seen this idea was in Andre Norton's classic Witch World novel Year of the Unicorn, one of my favorite books. But Ms. Norton's story was fantasy, with magic involved, and Michelle's book is pure science-fiction romance.

One of the best parts of reading Torkel's Chosen was knowing it's only the beginning of a new series from Michelle. I love discovering new-to-me series.

A bit about the author: She enjoys a crazy life that involves wild kids, a loud dog and a husband who tolerates the madness. Like many authors, she's dreamed of writing since reading her first romance novel many years ago.

About Torkel's Chosen (courtesy of the author):

What would you do if Earth didn't have enough men?

Would you take a chance and leave the only world you knew behind?

This is the decision Faith Reid faces. Placing all her hope in a new government program, she seizes the opportunity that offers a chance for the women of Earth to find love among the stars, on a world beyond the one they know.

How many times can one man risk rejection?

Would you give up on your dreams?

Torkel Alonson has had enough of being ignored and looked over by females on his adopted home world of Enotia. His pride has suffered and he must accept the painful truth. Females will never choose a male with his evil lineage despite his honorable service to his government's military.

Can two people looking for the same thing find not just what they want but what they need in one another?

INTERVIEW

Veronica: What influenced you most in writing this book?

Michelle: NaNo and Lynn Viehl. Hmmm, that's only two words, but they're the most important and go hand in hand. I started following the blog of one of my favorite paranormal/sci-fi authors, Lynn Viehl, about 10 years ago. (Mainly I lurked, too afraid to ever comment. LOL) I was an avid reader of her romances and I loved the things she shared on her blog from crafting to writing and NaNo. I had no idea what NaNo was at the time, but she posted about a 50k writing challenge and tracked how she did through the month.

(Note from Veronica: NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month, is an annual writing project that brings together professional and amateur writers from all over the world. Participating authors aim to complete a 50,000-word novel during the month.)

I was amazed at this inside look at a writer's process. She talked about the ups, the downs, the emotional crashes in the middle and I was in awe. Anyway fast-forward to 2014 and I was doing my second NaNo challenge and I blogged about it throughout the month a la Lynn Viehl. The book ended up being Torkel's Chosen, though at the time it had another name. By the end of November and after I typed "the end," I knew I wanted to follow the other characters I'd created and that the previous title wouldn't do at all because Torkel is the center of the book and the story that follows.

NaNo is an awesome opportunity to stretch your writing muscles and gives you permission to write in a way you probably wouldn't do in a normal circumstance. Some of the scenes I created were because NaNo encourages you to step out of your comfort zone or try something different. There's so much support in the community when you participate in such an intense writing experience. That pretty much explains what influenced my writing this book. : )

Veronica: I know quite a few authors who've gone on to publish the novel they wrote for NaNo, so it certainly can be an excellent experience. I don't do it myself because I don't write well in response to pressure to produce so many words by specific deadlines, but I admire everyone who does get involved. If the technique works for you, all the better!

Which character was the biggest challenge to write and why?

Michelle: Probably Torkel. As the leader of the Jutak Warriors and an alpha male, one expects him to be very strong and in charge, but he's also been rejected by women and denied a chance at love. This would have an obvious impact on anyone so I had to find a way to keep him sensitive and open to love while still having him be a hero readers would connect with and not think of him as weak. How many of us have had our hearts broken for whatever reason yet find the courage to continue to reach out for love. Emotional vulnerability is true strength to me.

Veronica: I was very drawn to him right away, because of the way he was dealing with his past disappointments. I was on his side from the first page! Do you have a favorite quote or short scene from the book you'd like to share?

Michelle: This is one of my favorite lines from the book because I think it says it all about the love between the hero and the heroine.

Faye forced herself to walk not run toward him. Her hand reached out and covered his. "I choose you, Torkel Alonson. Always."

Veronica: What's next for you?

Michelle: Next in the series in Arak's story, one of Torkel's team mates, tentatively scheduled for this spring.

Veronica: What's on your to-be-read list?

Michelle: I've recently discovered D.B. Reynolds' Vampires in America series from a recommendation and have been devouring the series. LOL. There's a new release out this month and I'm ready.

You can learn more about Michelle and her books at michellehowardwrites.com.

Amazon best-seller Veronica Scott is a three-time recipient of the SFR Galaxy Award and has written a number of science-fiction and paranormal romances. Her latest is Mission to Mahjundar . You can find out more about her and her books at veronicascott.wordpress.com. Please e-mail Veronica at scifiencounters@gmail.com about content related to this column. Due to the volume of mail, e-mails may not be answered personally, but all will be read.

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