What happens when you write a book you don't want to write? Well, if you're paranormal author, Michelle Muto, you become an international best-selling author, land an agent, and have inquires from major movie studios in regards to the film rights of your story.
Sound like a dream job? There's a lot more to it than just bashing out a 50k word New Adult ghost story. Muto, a southern girl from Georgia, knows where of she writes. When asked how did you do it? "Do what?" she would reply.
"Write a bestseller, get an agent, a deal with Skyscape?" She would smile politely, and take a drink from her favorite author's coffee mug and tell you very candidly. "I failed until I could fail anymore. I failed at failing."
Sounds rough doesn't it? One thing is for certain; writing ain't for sissies, a wise author once told me, and Muto, certainly has developed her share of battle scars whle at the word processor. But, to speak with her, you'd never know it. She's humble, genuinely caring, and always taking time to reach out and help fellow indie authors who still find themselves struggling in what can only be described as floundering in an ocean of books.
Muto knows only too well that indie writing is tough. Far tougher than being traditionally published. "The Haunting Season" is her third published novel, and her first in the reletively new, NA genre. (New Adult) for you newbies. Her first two novels were written fo the YA market. (Young Adult) Having tried everything from blog tours, to book blasts, she will be the first to tell you, you cannot rely on social media to sell your books, you still have to interact with people, and in spite of being connected to everyone on the planet, via, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, LinkedIN, word of mouth still rules when it comes to selling.
When it came time to find inspiration, she looked no further than her own back yard. The Sorrel-Weed Manion stood in for Siler House. The amazing thing about Georgia is, it still looks like it did during the Civil War in some areas. So, it would be easy to imagine a former plantation house as it was during its heyday. Or a house with a dark past, like Sorrel-Weed. Muto has been to the actual house twice and came away both times with enough memories to not want to return. If you love great ghost stories, then treat yourself to "The Haunting Season" Available now on Amazon.
MICHELLE MUTO
GHOST - WRITER