Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Michael Molisani. During the day I’m a project manager for a third-party grocery labor broker. When I’m not doing that I write, I write, and I write some more. My goal is to become a full-time author. As of right now I’ve written 3 books and published 1; “The Bruja.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The Bruja” is my debut novel. It started 7 years ago when I decided to get serious about my love for writing, and it was inspired by my experiences as a young man in the San Francisco Bay Area. Working retail back then we made our own adventures, exploring abandoned buildings, lost cemeteries, and even a ghost town. This created quite a few creepy adventures that I thought would make a wonderful backdrop for a fictional tale.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m incredibly structured. All of my work is based on a three-act structure. I always write outlines, synopsis, and keep track of the music I listened to when I wrote various scenes. All of this becomes a store of data upon which I end up completing entire works.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
First and foremost are Neil Gaiman & Stephen King. You can laugh at me if you wish, but Gaiman creates worlds both fanciful and disturbing so keenly that you can reach out and taste them. King’s second Dark Tower book, “The Drawing of the Three” is my dream narrative. I always aspire to pull a reader along the way he does in the first act. After that, I’m also influenced by Phillip K. Dick, Tim Powers, and J. Michael Straczynski.
What are you working on now?
With “The Bruja” wrapped up and published I’m focused on the second book in the series called “Mayhem.” If you’re familiar with “The Bruja” at this point you know the title refers to Maggi Lopez’s student & adopted daughter, Margaret. I’m keen to tell her story, as well as develop the Collapse universe further.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Sadly, it’s Facebook. I’m not a big Facebook fan, but the reach is undeniable. That’s your best method right there — but I much prefer Goodreads because it appeals directly to readers. I don’t want “likes,” (even if I need them,) I want to reach my audience and inspire them.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t do it. Seriously.
Spend some real time considering if this is what will make you happy. And then realize that it will absolutely make you miserable. You’ll be torn up in the gut by your work, you’ll be exhausted and cross-eyed. You’ll be driven mad by dreams and nightmares that define your worlds. You’ll be angry when your friends won’t read your drafts. You’ll be hurt when someone makes excuses for why they haven’t given you feedback. When someone finally does help you, you’ll be even more upset that this didn’t happen sooner. Publishers will jerk with you, social media will ignore you, and you’ll ultimately look up at the night sky and wonder why you bothered. If you’re cool with that, then I guess you’ll be embarking on the journey of a lifetime. Don’t give up and don’t make excuses. Don’t slow down. You’ll only “make it” if you’re a locomotive. And never, ever, EVER, let them see how sad you are.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For a writer? “Never compromise.” J. Michael Straczynski has a lot of stories about this. You’ll be offered chances to write something you don’t believe in. You’ll be asked to dumb it down. If you never compromise, you won’t be making millions. You will, however, be proud of every word you type.
What are you reading now?
Reading? When do I have time to read? Seriously, I haven’t read a book in 6 months, between my day job and “The Bruja” going to publication. The last book I read was Danielle J. Dorn’s “Devil’s Call.” She’s a newly minted author like me, got her start on Inkshares. I’m in love with that book and I can’t recommend it enough.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to press “The Bruja” into more popularity, hand-in-hand with my publisher. I want to get “Mayhem” ready for content editing, and I want to start working on other projects that I have. I’d love to partner with another writer in the same boat as me too. Produce a book with them and pool our social media reach to sell it.
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 first 4 books of King’s “Dark Tower” series.
I didn’t even have to think about that one.
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