We were lucky to catch up with Michelle Griep recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Michelle, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I love writing. Always have. But I quickly learned when I first began my journey to becoming a multi-published award-winning author that love does not equal skill. My first two manuscripts were steaming piles of literary manure. But since I really do love writing, I buckled down and read books on the craft. I also joined writing groups and attended conferences and workshops to learn more.
I could have shaved off at least five years from the process if I’d have begun right out of the writerly gate by sitting at the feet of published authors and partaking of their wisdom. For instance, I had no idea showing versus telling was a thing to avoid. I didn’t even know what it was. Had I learned this basic building block of penning a killer story, I’d have not wasted those years on writing subpar material.
There is only one most essential skill to becoming a successful writer and that is to write, to persevere, to plow on through and put down words day after day. And most importantly, to finish what you start!
The greatest obstacle for a writer is fear. Doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie or a rockstar, fear is always hiding in the shadows waiting to pounce. Don’t give in to fear of failure, for behind every success there is going to be failure.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Michelle Griep is an award-winning author known for her captivating historical romances. With a keen eye for detail, she pens tales that transport readers to the past where they’ll experience romance, adventure, and unforgettable characters. When she’s not writing, you can find her in her garden scaring away armadillos.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I never wanted to be on Facebook, but lo and behold, you must go where your customers congregate–and for me, that’s where they’re at. But there are basic principles to growing a following on any social media…
1. For every post that you pitch your service to the public, put up at least 9 other posts that have nothing to with selling, otherwise it’s just white noise.
2. People on social media love to engage so give them a reason to. Include a question in each and every post so that readers can leave comments.
3. Post about what you love because chances are that others love it too and you’ll build your tribe of followers who love the same things you do.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I love that inspiration can literally be found anywhere. My muse has been fully stoked in the strangest of ways and when I least expected it such as watching a children’s animated movie at a drive-in, overhearing a conversation at a coffee shop, spying an interesting character at the DMV impound lot. The sky is the limit for creativity if you keep your eyes and ears open and I love that because essentially that’s just me living my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michellegriep.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellegriep/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellegriep/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-griep-19aba513/
- Twitter: https://x.com/MichelleGriep
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleGriep
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/michellegriep/_saved/
