Author Bio:
Mike was born in California and has lived in multiple states from the west coast to the east coast. He cannot remember a time when he wasn’t reading a book. At school, home, on vacation, at work at lunch time, and yes even a few pages in the car (at times when he just couldn’t put that great book down).
Other than reading, Mike enjoys the outdoors, hiking, and spending time with his family. He has worked in corporate finance for most of his career, publishing his first books in 2016. He has now published 15 YA fantasy books full of adventure, magic, and wizards!
What inspires you to write?
I always loved reading growing up. I would immerse myself into new experiences or new worlds. This love of reading eventually turned into a love for writing. Specifically, I was at times disenchanted by the needs of some authors to include bad language or sexual content. So when I began writing, one of my goals was to write fun, exciting, fantasy adventures without any bad language or any sexual situations or gory violence. A lot of my inspiration comes when I am hiking out in the forest, near waterfalls and towering trees.
Tell us about your writing process.
I have used different methods in writing my books. However, I usually know the beginning and end, then I develop a short outline by chapter (one or two sentences) on how it gets from "here" to "there". But usually by chapter three or so my characters start making their own decisions and new characters pop up and I rely on my outline less and less and start "Pantsing" it. Sometimes I will re-do an outline, but not often. For my characters, I find it helpful to find a picture somewhere that closely represents what they look like. I write a brief description about them and keep it next to me as I write. I know I should do better here and be more organized, but I just get so excited to write!
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I don't really talk to my characters, but I do let them make decisions. Many times I will be writing according to some plan I have and a character does something totally unexpected–it just happens–I don't know how! Sometimes I steer him or her back on track, but many times I'll just run with it and let them go where they are going.
Who are your favorite authors?
Historically, some of my favorite authors were Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, Raymond Feist, Katherine Kurtz, Robin Hobb, and Weiss and Hickman. In the last few years I have discovered some great newer authors like Jeff Wheeler and DK Holmberg.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I had been writing for many years before I decided to publish. The opportunities for self-publishing grew and I had some extra money available and so I jumped in in 2016 and published my first series on my own. It's a lot of work, with marketing being something that you have to stay on top of. But it was so great to hold that first book in my hand–a lifelong dream!
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Honesty, I don't keep up much on the publishing trends. I enjoy what I do and I'll keep writing. If things change, I'll try to change with it.
What genres do you write?
Fantasy, YA fantasy, Teen fantasy
What formats are your books in?
eBook, Print, Audiobook
Website(s)
Mike Shelton Home Page Link
Follow Mike Shelton On Amazon
Author’s Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
All information is provided by the author and is presented as it was submitted so you the reader get to hear the author’s own “voice” in their interview.