Interview With Author Michael Heil
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Michael Heil. I spent several years scrounging the streets as an addict before I was radically saved from my addictions. After that I spent several years as a missionary, living in a tent or van, showering with a water bottle, and helping start food distribution programs and services for struggling children. Pursued is my first book but I have two more Memoirs in the works and one more non-fiction book on wrestling with addiction.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Pursued: God’s relentless pursuit and a drug addicts journey to finding purpose. I’ve known for well over twelve years that I needed to write this book. I had a radical snowboarding accident where I shattered my femur in the backcountry. I was a selfish drug addict and turd at the time. When I was up there on the cliff I realized I was going to meet God soon. I was going to die. Even though I didn’t believe in Him, the realization was so powerful the only thing in the world i could do was set straight my accounts. I prayed and He intervened. Instead of letting me die, He sent three clear and concrete miracles. Without each of them, I would be dead. If God could have left anyone up there to die, it should have been me, but He didn’t.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Once I sit behind my keyboard, I can’t stop! I will go for eight hours straight if I don’t force myself to take breaks. I realized after several years of this that my brain was rotting to mush. Now I force myself to take breaks and write in ninety minute intervals. I also use blue light glasses to help with the brain pain. I use a standing keyboard. I often find myself editing while writing. It is the bane of my existence. I so thoroughly enjoy writing and I so passionately dislike editing, and yet I often drift towards the latter. I have found it is much easier on my brain if I can keep my writing sessions full of just writing and my editing sessions full of just editing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The book Tweak and the book Beautiful Boy. I read them when I was a struggling addict. They didn’t give me any hope or concrete help, but they showed me that I wasn’t alone out there. They showed me that there were other people who struggled just as much as I did, and who were just as messed up and broken. I wrote my book for the same reason, so other people wouldn’t have to face their deepest, darkest pains and trials alone.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a companion guide to go along with my memoir. Studies have shown that one responsible adult who invests in a struggling youth can increase their resilience up to 80% The companion guide will help any adult who wants to help any youth who is struggling to build that type of relationship.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use facebook! I actually use facebook groups. I have spent years building relationships and although it is a lot of effort, it’s where I get the most results. One on one messaging, posting to different groups and following up to every single person who likes or comments with a personal message. It’s a ton of work but it’s worth it. I direct traffic to amazon to pick up my book and direct people to my own website to book speaking engagements https://michaeljheil.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep going, never give up, and after your third draft or so, find five or six beta readers from your target audience or who enjoy reading your genre of book! Create a detailed feedback form so that they know what to do and what kind of feedback you are looking for. For me, I needed help cutting words, so I really explained to them how to do that. Their feedback can be more helpful than an editors and they don’t cost you $3,000 a piece.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn.”- John Wesley
What are you reading now?
The George Verwer Collection
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep plucking away every day at those keyboards, meeting my goals, and trying not to get burnt out. It is exhausting work, but I’m learning to be much more intentional about creating a better work/life balance.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, Educated, Glass Castles, and the complete works of C.S. Lewis.
Author Websites and Profiles
Michael Heil’s Social Media Links