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1.
Urban
Reviews: Tell our readers about Deadly
Tease.
Michelle McGriff:
Deadly Tease is a story of
deception, greed, hypocrisy, and retribution. Although some
of the main characters are gay and Deadly Tease shows
the dark side of the gay lifestyle, it’s not a gay bashing
book. Often as a society we show a lifestyle different from
our own in an unfavorable light to make a bigger message,
one that says, “if you are not like me, something is wrong
with you.” This is not the case of with Deadly Tease.
The characters in Deadly Tease could be any race or
orientation because the story deals with lingering feelings
of abuse and when not dealt with how they can fester and
grow until the abused can see no way from under their pain
but to destroy their abuser. Deadly Tease is about
such a person. Abused in their youth this pained individual
feels appointed by God to avenge himself upon the gay and
clergy population…this would seem like a huge task, except
what the reader quickly learns is that the two populations
meet.
2. Urban
Reviews: Where did you come up with the idea
for this story?
Michelle McGriff:
In my head, where I usually
come up with all my stories (smile). I grew up in an
extremely diverse environment, heavily entrenched in
religion, culture, drugs, crime, and alternative living. My
upbringing was one that left each person in my world to
decide on their own which way they would live and for those
that love them to simply ‘accept’ that decision whether you
condoned it or not. I had many relatives and friends who
were gay and would share their ups and downs of the gay life
with me as if it was just another day in the hood. I decided
to tell a story of a group of folks who until now lived
their lives the way they wanted too…until someone came along
and disturbed them.
Urban Reviews: Can you give us a
glimpse at your next novel?
Michelle McGriff:
My next story will take the
two cops featured in Deadly Tease (Lawrence Miller
and Jim Beam) and put them on another homicide case dealing
with the mysterious accidental death of a Porn Star.
Accidental? But they are
homicide detectives, so the two cops have to wonder how the
file ended up on their desk? Was it truly an accident, or
was it murder? Again, I will bring in a wonderful host of
memorable characters to feed clues to the two detectives as
they again bumble their way to discovery. Once again, you’ll
have to stay up on who done it…or you’ll miss it.
Urban Reviews: Tell us how you
started your literary career and what led you to your
current book deal.
Michelle McGriff:
I started my literary
career when I realized that I wanted nothing more than to
have work read by more than just my friends and family. I
began to self publish in 1997-1998. From there I got into
many online groups, meeting many wonderful online people
until my work finally started ended up in the right hands.
At first it was a lot of 50/50 effort. People liked me and
therefore read my work. But soon, I believe my work began to
stand its own ground without me. This was especially true
since I came offline in 2004 (meaning that I signed out of
the online groups and book clubs and began working more on
my physical presence with readers than a virtual one) and my
work has continued to grab the attention of readers who have
contact me (as you have.) I so LOVE that, as it’s not about
me. It’s about the stories I tell. I want to always thrill
readers with my books and stories. I write for readers.
Urban Reviews: You also have another
venture called The Wet August Company. Can you tell us more
about this?
Michelle McGriff:
Well the Wet August Company
was what was to be the name of my publishing/marketing
company. I wanted to promote other new writers who needed to
get heard and read. I knew the struggles they were having
and I wanted to help, however, I decided not to go that
route early on as it was hard to get a following and/or
support for that effort and I really needed to get going on
my own books. However, living here in Portland, Oregon, the
name stuck and many still know me by that identity. The site
went down this year and more than likely will not come back,
although I do run most of the mosambasbookshelf and
wetaugustbook information on my MYSPACE page. And I do still
get hits from new or aspiring writers looking for tips and
things and I try to answer everyone who contacts me.
Urban Reviews: What books have most
influenced your life?
Michelle McGriff:
I always enjoyed a good
mystery, both in books and movies. I like books and movies
that oddly moved people and stuck with them...ones that made
them go "wow, that was wickedly good and surprisingly
layered" Some examples would be To Kill a Mockingbird,
The Birds, Dog Day Afternoon, The Affect on
Man in the Moon Marigolds, Lightening,
Chances. But the most influential writers for me
were Ed McBain and Jackie Collins. I liked their use of
multiple characters to move the storyline and scenes that
jump from one point of view to another…just the way a movie
would.
Urban Reviews: If you could give any
advice to new writers, what would it be?
Michelle McGriff:
To keep writing (of course)
and be open to advice even if you don’t think it’s truly
advice. Sometimes someone says something really mean or rude
to us and we think to ourselves, WOW, that was so mean,
but once we get past that… look deeper into what they might
have really been trying to say and usually we can find
something that helps us grow as writers. If I was
permanently bruised by every mean thing ever said to me, I
would have never written past my first book, Majestic
Secret.
Urban Reviews: Name the one thing
that the world does not know about Michelle McGriff-the
person?
Michelle McGriff:
My first question is…which
world am I addressing? (wink). I have so few secrets
but let me think…I’m back in school and really close to
writing my dissertation for my PhD in Business
Administration. I’m a chubby Vegetarian (smile), single (for
now) but actively seeking the perfect male partner. I’m
addicted to iTunes and trivia and have a strange draw to
conspiracy theory. |
