Fighting Prose Interview with Michelle Monárrez!

Welcome to my in-depth writers series Fighting Prose. Where I talk to authors in the industry on what their process is like and what it takes for them to keep on creating, through all the odds.

Michelle Monárrez

is my interview this week!

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing since I was a teenager, so aroud 14 years. I have only been writing seriously for about 5 years.

If you've written several books, which is your favorite?

I think my favorite is still my debut novel, Refurbished: The Clover Initiative. This was the first book I ever contemplated getting published and I think it will always hold a special place in my heart. We've been through some growing pains together.

What's your favorite genre to read? Write?

I love to read all sorts of Fiction, but my favorites are thrillers and psychological thrillers with authors like Gillian Flynn and John Katzenbach being my favorites. As for writing, I love writing Speculative Fiction and Magical Realism.

How do you get in the mood to write?

I'm a ritualistic writer, so my mood to write depends on a routine. I do my best writing in the morning, so if I want to have a productive writing session, I got to make sure that I wake up early, shower and get dressed in regular clothes, and have a cup of coffee. I realized that if I stayed in my PJs, my brain wouldn't know it was time to get writing. When I started treating my writing routine as if I were ready to go to work, I saw a big improvement in my process.

How do your characters come together?

My characters come together by exploring real human qualities. I like to write about flawed characters who might be looking for their place in life. I think their flaws and their longing for growth is what makes them come alive.

How do you get your ideas?

I get my ideas by letting my brain get bored. When I spend time away from devices and the incessant need of having to be busy, I'm able to get inspired and think of story ideas.

Who do you admire in the writing world?

I admire lots of other authors, but if I had to choose one, I would say Silvia Moreno-Garcia is who I admire the most. I admire her beautiful magical prose, her ideas, and her career as an author.

If you're not busy writing, what are you busy doing?

When I'm not stressing over my next manuscript, I can be found playing video games with my husband or baking sourdough bread.

Have you always been creative?

I've always had a creative side. Since I was little I looked for creative outlets, but nothing ever stuck. I tried jazz dancing, singing, drawing, playing guitar, and even acting, but I wasn't really good at any of these disciplines. I stuck with Fiction writing because I liked it enough to dedicate all my time to learn about it.

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, how did you get out of it?

Oh, yes. I encounter short spells of writer's block now and then. The best way I've been able to deal with it is by shutting down the internal editor. I force myself to write without editing anything. It's liberating to write without judging myself or my prose. I learned how to turn off the internal editor by participating in National Novel Writing Month.

When you sit down to write, is it easy or hard? If it's hard, what makes you keep showing up?

It depends. Most of the time writing is enjoyable, but sometimes the words won't come. When that happens, I try to remind myself why I write or I brainstorm with my husband or with a friend. Sometimes talking about the story with someone else gets me excited and getting back to writing is a lot more enjoyable.

For a writer starting out what advice would you give them?

The best advice I can give to a starting author is: Know when to ask for help from other writers. The best thing you can do is find a critique group and an editor that will help you take your story to the next level.

What is your dream writing location?

I'd love to get a chance to write at a castle, preferebly in Germany.

In reference to your books, what question do you get asked the most?

I also get asked a lot about why did I choose to write primarily in English instead of Spanish, which is my native language. The answer to that question is: Spanish will always have a special place in my heart because of its richness and complexity, but I feel like English allows me to be more playful, and it expands my creativity to new levels.

If you could bring one of your characters to life who would it be? Why?

No one. A recurring dream I have is about my characters coming to life and being really angry with me. I wouldn't like to actually face them in real life.

What do you think makes a good story?

Strong, relatable characters. I find that readers are very forgiving of plot holes, inconsistencies, and other issues if they relate to the story's characters and their journeys.