 Author
Michelle De Leon, penned Missed
Conceptions to be released by Strebor Books International. Thanks for
your participation.
-The SCBC, Inc.
Q. Where are you from?
A. I was born in The Bronx. I moved from NYC to Atlanta in 2001
Q. When and why did you begin writing?
A. I've always been an avid reader. I think my love of writing
stemmed from my love of books in general. I remember my first short story
was an assignment in sixth grade. It was a piece about Pegasus (LOL).
Q. What inspired you to write your first novel?
A. In the beginning, I only wrote short stories. Then I decided to
try my hand at a full length novel. It was different, but not as difficult
as I had anticipated. I was anxious to tell the kind of story that I
wanted to read. I admire many writers in multiple genres, but I realized
other people may have the same interest in certain plots that I do. Maybe
mine is the voice to tell them.
Q. How has your environment/upbringing colored
your writing?
A. Growing up in NYC brings a certain flavor to your life anyway. I
attended City College of NY which also gave me an education in different
cultures since the student body was so diverse. And growing up in the
80's, you know I'm hip hop influenced as well. It's all good and all those
experiences come through in my writing.
Q. Do you have a specific writing style?
A. I don't know what style you'd call it, but I love "real"
dialogue and "real" people. Sometimes you read a novel and have to wonder
who talks or acts like that? Naturally, there are stories where things are
supposed to be far fetched or science fiction (and I'd like to explore
that, as well), but for now I'm just being real.
Q. Is there a message in your novel that you want
readers to grasp?
A. A good friend once told me my books give chaos reason. I thought
she'd hit it right on the head.
Q. Are experiences based on someone you know or
events in your life?
A. I take tidbits of things that have happened to me and others I
know and just magnify them. I just let my imagination go where it will.
Q. What are you reading now?
A. T. D. Jakes - Woman Thou Art Loosed Holy Bible
Q. What are your current projects?
A. Missed Conceptions is due out in December (2003). Love
to the Third (and other triangles) will be in stores May 2004 and my
first self published novel, Once Upon a Family Tree will be
re-released by Strebor in October 2004. I've completed a young adult novel
called Evangie's Fortune. I'm also collaborating with friends on a
short story collection and an inspirational book.
Q. Bestselling
author, Zane is your publisher. What can you tell us about Strebor?
A. Zane (founder) has down a magnificent job in making her authors
feel like they belong and are not just contracted writers. We support one
another and that feels great especially when you're first starting out.
There are so many exciting plans for the future of the company, I know
Strebor will be a major literary force. She told me once that she was
interested in telling the stories that other houses wouldn't touch. And
she's been true to her word.
Q. Do you feel
the boom in African American writers is a fad or another renaissance?
A. It is truly another renaissance. We have branched out into so
many different genres, I don't know how we can call it anything else.
African Americans have always loved to read and not just the same old kind
of books. I think the world has finally gotten that!
Q. Do you see writing as a long or short term
career?
A. I pray it's a long long term career (LOL). It's all I ever
wanted to do (although you wouldn't know it from looking at my resume!). I
just don't see any reason why I shouldn't go for it all the way.
 Q.
If you had it all to do over again would you change anything?
A. I only wish I'd started novel writing earlier. But things happen
the way they do for a reason. I'm where I'm supposed to be for this season
of my life.
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