Spotted: Emma Michaels + The Thirteenth Chime

As you all know, Emma Michaels, once a blogger, now an author, wrote The Thirteenth Chime. I'm fortunate to be given the chance to ask her a few questions. This is the interview:

What or who inspired you to write The Thirteenth Chime? How were you inspired?

A) It was from an experienced one night during a storm in the area I live. It knocked out the power and we had retreated to our neighbor's house to share a few candles. As the storm raged outside, there was a moment of silence in the house. In that moment, the antique grandfather clock that was in the hallway began to chime. The sound echoed throughout the house and made my heart leap into my throat as I turned to stare at it amid the flashes of lightning and the sound of the thunder shaking the house. I unconsciously reached out for the hand of another, wanting to feel a bond as I faced this event. It was in that moment that "The Thirteenth Chime" was born for me.

What lessons would readers pick up from your novel?

A) There are so many lessons. With any novel you can read it once and find one moral or lesson and then read it again and you may be surprised to find another completely different one! It is the same with my novel and I hope everyone might be able to take something important away from it!

Tell us about the relationship of Destiny and David.

A) It is a complicated and yet simple relationship. I think Destiny was looking for something different, and when she met David, she definitely found something different. She was pulled towards him in a way she couldn't fathom. For David, he had been looking for something different and unique also, but it was different for him. Their relationship didn't last for too long, but I think they found and formed a connection between one another that was something not many of us get to experience in our lives.

Did you include or base any part of the novel on your real-life experiences?

A) Mostly impressions I felt as I visited locations or experienced events, like the moment with the clock that I had mentioned earlier in the interview. I did a lot of research on the book and I paid close attention to all of my emotional reactions. When I visited the town of Steilacoom, which is a very real place, I walked through the town just as David and Destiny did in the book. I stood at the pier as I stared off at the island in the distance. I have also conducted a number of interviews with various people from different walks of life to help me understand what each character would be going through during specific moments of the book.

If The Thirteenth Chime would be made into a movie, who would you like to play the role of Destiny and David? Why?

A) I played with ideas on this one! So far, considering how important the chemistry between them would need to be, the only ones I feel might match it is Tom Welling and Kristin Kreuk (Smallville cast). You can't help but 'feel it' when you see them together.

In four words, describe what you’re feeling about the upcoming release of The Thirteenth Chime.

A) "I am so excited!!"

Nervous, but excited! To know I have come so far and now have a chance to share this wonderful story with the world is an amazing feeling. It is my hope that readers will enjoy reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it.

What is your writing style?

A) I'm not completely sure. My writing style has been compared to several well-known authors and I know I have a feminine writing-style (obviously), but I also feel that it will really be up to the readers to decide.

How does your mood affect your writing?

A) All of the time. Mood and emotions are essential when writing. For instance, if you are writing an emotional scene where the characters are terrified because of a clock, how can you write the scene correctly if you don't get how they would feel? This is also true for romantic scenes, fight scenes, and those awkward moments between two people where they stare at one another and don't know what to say or do.

What was the transition from blogger to author like?

A) Actually, this may sound a bit odd but I don't view it as a transition from one to the other. Yes, I started writing my book about the same time as I began blogging, but I'm still a blogger. I hope I will continue blogging ad reading the blogs of others the full length of my literary career. I think being a blogger has really helped because it puts me in touch with my audience in a way that many authors don't get to experience. We can communicate directly and share thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams. I think this is very important for both sides and I count myself very fortunate at having met and talked with the people I have on Blogger and to have all of my amazing followers and readers!

What tips can you give to aspiring writers?

A) Please don't give up! You know, I received over a hundred standard form rejections from agents who didn't even request to see an actual sample of my writing. Now, I'm published and I'm hopeful that everyone who reads "The Thirteenth Chime" will enjoy it. The usual industry standard says you should quit after forty or so rejections. Yeah, I don't think so. Over 100 rejections later, look where I am! Publishing is a business and I know that people who work in the field want to make money. We all do. But we're also in this to share our stories with the world and I hope everyone who wants to bring his or her novel out will not give up, just as I didn't give up. I still don't have an agent, but I'm published, content and I will get to the top of the "New York Times Bestseller's List" - just everyone watch me! :-) As long as we all work together we can make this a reality!

Thank you so much for having me here for this interview and to everyone reading!!!! Your support means so much to me!!!!

Thank you Emma!
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Book Description:

No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.


In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.
The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.

With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago.

Hatred never dies.

Out on August 13th!