Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was raised in the not so wild lands of Sparks, Nevada before moving to a small town in Northern California just before my twenty-first birthday.
A year ago I packed up everything I owned and made the trek across the country to sunny Orlando, Florida, where, when I am not working my day job for a large non-profit, I can be found playing among the roller coasters of Universal Studios and Disney World.
I live with my massively large house panther, Riker,Ok, he’s not really a panther, just a very large black cat, and his not so identical twin sister, Deanna Troi.
More Than a Reflection is my first book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
More Than a Reflection is my debut novel and was inspired by my own journey with learning to like myself exactly the way I am, and not listening to what others say is beautiful.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I love modern technology and how with the invention of Google docs I can now write from anywhere. I can switch from my desktop, to my laptop and even my smart phone. I have been known to write while waiting in line at Disney or Universal Studios.The most unusual place I have found myself accomplishing my best writing is actually in the bathtub. Who needs to sing in the shower when you can write in the bath! I have found that K-pop (Korean Pop Music) helps me to stay focused on my writing and not get distracted by the world around me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
C.L. Stone, the author of The Academy Ghost Bird series was the one who told me to just stop talking about writing a book and just do it. Without her kick in the rear end I would probably still be talking about possibly writing a book one day. Her advice and encouragement was invaluable.
Reading the Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn when I was a teenager put me on the path to realizing that my value could be found in God’s eyes and not from what the world deems beautiful.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on the second book in my True Beauty series, the sequel to More than a Reflection.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth is a great tool for promotion. Whenever I truly love a book, I want everyone I know to fall in love with it also. For a website, Awesome Gang, and Armadillo eBooks are great tools.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing, even if it is just for a few minutes a day. Make it a habit so you feel like you are forgetting something if you don’t write anything.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming. I know that Dory didn’t mean it as advice, but really, just keep swimming, eventually you will get to the other side of whatever trials you are facing if you just keep swimming.
What are you reading now?
Love’s Cruel Redemption by C.L. Stone and the audiobook of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am constantly striving to learn to grow and develop my craft. I’ll keep plugging away at these stories that are floating around in my head so I can share them with you.
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?
My goodness, how can you choose???
The Bible
Runaway Girl by Anne Eliot
Can the Harry Potter series count as one book?
Author Websites and Profiles
Michelle Craddock Website
Michelle Craddock Amazon Profile
Michelle Craddock’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account