Interview with author M.Y.Zeman
Michelle Y. Zeman is a New York-based author. Her current work is
“The Chronicles of a Wererabbit series”, where we follow Snow the
heroine in the books. M.Y. Zeman is currently working on her third book in the series. I had a chat with her about her work, her inspirations, how
she overcame doubt and how she would advise others to follow their dreams.
Tell us a bit about your background, like how old you were when you first showed an
interest in writing and at what point you realized you absolutely wanted to
become an author?
I have wanted to be an author ever since I can remember. Even
before I was old enough to write, I would make up stories about my stuffed
animals, my Mom would write them down for me in little booklets and I would
draw the pictures with my crayons. I read constantly, all kinds of books with
my favorite being fantasy and science fiction. I wrote my first 'novel', a 30-page
typewritten story when I was ten. It was called, “Tex the Talking Parrot.” I
sent it to a publisher and got my first rejection letter. I continued writing
and got a lot of encouragement from my Mom and teachers.
Did you ever
go through periods of doubt that you would ever publish a book and, if so, what
encouraged you to overcome your doubts?
Many times and I still do. In fact, I gave up my dream of being a
writer for many years. When I entered college, I had a creative writing teacher
who told my class on the first day that if we hadn't been published yet— we did
not belong in the class. I had entered as English major and after that, I
switched to Math and entered the computer field when I graduated. I was going
through a lot in my personal life at that time but looking back now, I realize
that I should never have let that one teacher's comment mean so much.
I continued writing articles, short stories and poetry for myself,
friends, family and most of my jobs. But I convinced myself that I would never
be an author of novels.
Years later, I was teaching math. I was cut down to part-time and
then laid off entirely the next term. As devastated as I was, I begin
writing again. My cousin, Craig, who has written novels, gave me a lot of help
and advice. My mom also greatly encouraged me and I finally did write my first
book, Running into the Black.
What
inspired you to write the first book about Snow in “The Chronicles of a Wererabbit”?
Running
into the Black is an adult novel that deals with many serious
issues, including the need for prison reform, PTSD and rape trauma syndrome.
I'm very proud of the book but it took a lot out of me.
Then Mom said that I should write something fun, something that I
would want to read. I began writing about vampires and what they would be like
if they existed in our modern society. I was trying to come up with a character
that I hadn't seen before and I looked at my rabbits (I have three) and jotted
down, Snow- Girl/Rabbit. As I would describe the story to my mother and cousin,
they would always say that Snow was their favorite character. Craig suggested I
make her the center of the story. At first, I was reluctant but once I did begin
writing from her point of view, I fell in love with her character and
story. It was the story I should have been writing all along.
Did you
know from the start that you would write a series of books?
Yes. I wanted to write a series like Chronicles of Narnia or Harry
Potter. Also, the story and universe that I created was much too large to fit
in one book. There will be a total of seven.
Explain to
us the difference between writing the first and the second book in the series
of Snow. The experience you gained from writing the first, did that make it
easier writing the second book or did you feel a pressure on yourself?
The second was both easier and more difficult. I had more
confidence because people liked the first one so much. But I also was very
afraid of it not living up to the first.
Most of the first is about establishing the world and characters.
I knew my characters very well by the second book so that part was easier.
How much
time do you spend creating your characters?
I spend a great deal of time creating my characters. Most of the
first book is about establishing Snow and her dads. I also spend a lot of time
on Josh in book two. Each subsequent book will include more action but I want
to make sure people know and care about them first.
I am also interested in character relationships in general. As
Snow’s father, John says, I believe that
we are all connected and I like to explore who we interact and affect one
another and the world in general.
Your
books feature both heroes and villains, who is most difficult to create, heroes
or villains?
Most people probably say heroes, but I find villains more difficult.
I enjoy creating my heroes. I love them with all their flaws, good and bad
traits, obstacles to overcome etc. I just don’t have as much fun with my
villains.
You are
currently working on your third book about Snow, what can we
expect?
I'm very excited about book three because it has much more action
and the themes are more serious. Snow is enjoying being in love and
feeling very good about her relationship with Josh. That is; until; she goes to
a fortune teller, who gives her a disturbing prediction. She then goes (with
Josh, her dads and friends David and Charlene) to investigate a mysterious
island filled with mythical and endangered animals. There is much more to the
island than it seems and, she encounters greater dangers than she’s faced
before.
What
advice can you pass on to others who are sitting around with heads full of ideas
for books, stories etc but just don’t know how to get started?
First, have confidence in yourself and don't ever give up.
Next, Read and write as much as you can. Reading is important
because it will inspire you, increase your vocabulary and give you a sense of
structure.
One of the best pieces of advice I got was from my cousin. When I
began writing my first book, he suggested writing it as a screenplay first.
This allowed me to concentrate on dialogue and keep descriptions of places and
events to a minimum. I was then able to go back and fill in the details.
Are you currently
involved in other writing projects?
Yes, I'm very happy to be working on a Children's book about a
disabled rabbit named Mumford. He was such an inspiration because he never gave
up even though his back legs were paralyzed. Yollie Boag, an amazing artist, is
illustrating. Mumford's mom, Michelle Bosse is also working with us.
Sadly, Mumford, crossed OTRB not long after we began. But his spirit will live
on in the book.
For more
information and how to purchase the first 2 books in the “Chronicles of a
Wererabbit” series go to:
On Amazon:
Snowball: Chronicles of a Wererabbit
Snow Bunny: Chronicles
of a Wererabbit book two
By Bente Jokumsen
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