It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Autumn and Christmas -Featuring Michelle Wang

What drew you to write your seasonal books? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?
That’s a good question - I’ve never really thought about it that way because (as one of my friends put it) I feel like I’m an “accidental picture book author”. So, I wouldn’t say so much that I was “drawn” to write seasonal books many years ago but rather I was simply looking for a book like this to read to the grade one class I was teaching about autumn to at the time and didn’t find one. I had some pretty specific ideas of what I wanted to see in such a book and being too unmotivated to do a super deep dive into the Dewey decimal system for one, figured it was just easier to write my own instead. When many years later, it became clear that It Must Be Autumn was actually going to be a published book, it only made sense (to someone who has actually created a lost piece from scratch to complete a puzzle) that the other three seasons needed to be written as well: call me Captain Obvious, but the next two titles are It Must Be Winter and It Must Be Spring.

As for the short synopsis, here is the book blurb from the back cover of the first book: It must be autumn…and this book’s fun-loving family out to discover all the wonderful signs of the beautiful fall season. Join in their antics as they shake and rhyme their way to a surprise ending that is sure to delight readers of all ages. There’s even a couple of wisecracking squirrels to keep the laughs coming as the pair frolic through the pages telling jokes that will leaf you fall-ing over into a great big pile of chuckles.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
What AREN’T some of my favourite Christmas traditions? Christmas is just the best time of year: spending time with family, eating delicious food, the laughter and fun, Santa Claus and stockings, and of course, the reason for the season. Pretty much pick up any Hallmark greeting card, and that would be my answer.

What’s next? 
I will be finishing up the last book It Must Be Summer to complete the series. As well, I’ve been working on a bit of a passion project that I’m not entirely sure will be a professionally polished piece of work or just a personal book for some pretty special people in my life. Also, the squirrels have been the real breakout stars from the books for sure, and there is a pretty strong fanbase (i.e. people not even directly related to me 😊) asking for a spin-off series for them. So there seems not to be a shortage of ideas floating around the way too cluttered space between my ears that can only generously be called my brain. Finally, I have some local book signings and author visits lined up (if the super shy 9 year old whose report card always started “Michelle should speak up more…” would stop screaming in terror long enough to do them).

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
Wow, now you’re making me use that brain to think. Okay, best tip? I guess it would have to be the old classic: Just write. If you feel like you have something to say on paper (or screen), just go ahead and start writing. That’s the beauty of writing - as many people as you want or nobody at all can read it. It’s up to you (unless you’re trying to market a book, and then it’s up to an infinite number of factors and variables, and no one, it seems, really knows how to do that exactly right).

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
I’d say everything and nothing. I’ve never been much a planner so things just sort of happen - sometimes to me, around me, and/or because of me. If I had known how much fun AND how much work it was going to be, I may have been more motivated but also more discouraged to even start. Which is why I think things happened exactly as they should have…I have learned so much (marketing is hard) and have so much more to learn (marketing is hard). “And one fine morning - "

Any last words or tips?
I’ve got to be honest here, I’m feeling a little bit “imposter syndrome” going on right now. I’m not sure if I’m qualified to give any last words (oh wait, that’s Last Rites. My bad.), let alone tips! I do think that everyone does have a story (or many) to be told and with the way Indie Publishing is going right now, it has never been easier to do just that. I would encourage everyone who feels that need, to just go for it. But (and there’s always a but) you need to know your purpose for writing and your audience. 

You may not be the best writer, you may not be able to afford professional developing and editing services, and there are others who are and can. When you put your work out into the world, you need to be prepared for people to react to it both positively or negatively or not at all. And if you’re not, and you’re really just writing it for yourself, or someone specific, that should be enough. Writing for the sake of writing is its own reward. (Wow, I guess I did have something to say after all).

Are there any other books that you’d like to tell my readers about?
Look for It Must Be Summer coming out soon!

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Michelle's writing, here are some links to get you started. And here's a chance to win a free eBook. Go to her website, and sign up for her newsletter and you'll be entered into the drawing!

Website: https://itmustbebooks.com/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Wang/e/B099G7TYD1
Facebook: https://www.facebook/mustbebooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram/itmustbebooks