Today I’m pleased to be interviewing author Michele Lang. Welcome to FAR Michele! Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions for us today!

I’d like to begin by asking you how you got into writing paranormal romance?

My favorite books as a child all had elements of the fantastic to them. I loved fairy tales, Greek myths and the legends of King Arthur and Robin Hood, and the stories of Ursula LeGuin, Roald Dahl, and Madeleine L’Engle. As I grew up, I gravitated to stories like Watership Down, the Mists of Avalon, and the Lord of the Rings. So when it came time for me to write my own stories, I felt right at home in the paranormal world. I also think my coping mechanisms for life suit me well for writing paranormals…I was a dreamy kid, and never lost that, as I got older. I write about this at length in the bio section of my website: www.michelelang.com

Your first book, FAINNE NAOFA, received 5 Angels and a Recommended Read here at FARr. Can you tell readers, who haven’t read it yet, more about it?

This book is a retelling of the Arthurian legends. Fainne Naofa tells the story of Gwen, a stressed-out NYC lawyer who finds out that she’s a reincarnation of Queen Guinevere. Merlin summons her back to Camelot to fulfill her destiny, but can she save Camelot, New York and herself? While resisting the evil Mordred, Gwen has to deal with the implications of her past with Camelot, Lancelot – and Arthur.

Where did your inspiration for FAINNE NAOFA come from?

In January 2005, I was lucky enough to take an online workshop with Terey Ramin from Triskelion Publishing. That workshop, arranged by the marvelous Betty Hanawa, changed my life. I pitched the idea for the story during the workshop, and Terey encouraged me to write the book. Fainne Naofa is Gaelic for “Sacred Circle,” and this story is about the links between the past and the present, and the Celtic concepts of the eternal circle of life and of the sacred aspects of womanhood – maiden, lover, mother, wise woman. The Triskel symbol also conveys this idea, so I’d have to say Triskelion Publishing itself helped to inspire some of the themes in the book!

How did you celebrate selling your first book?

My kids and I did this crazy screaming dance in my living room when I opened up the email telling me Triskelion wanted to publish Fainne Naofa. They didn’t understand why Mommy was so happy, but they wanted to dance around too! Later on, my husband and I celebrated grown-up style by going out to a very romantic dinner…

While writing, how does the story develop for you? Do you go from start to finish or create scenes as they come to you?

I usually start with a “what if” or a dream of a place or a person. Then I find out more about the characters running around in this place. Once I understand what makes them tick, I draw out a road map for the story and follow it straight through to the end. After the dust settles, I dig deeper to see what the story is about, and to make sure I didn’t miss any plot points as I powered through the draft. If I need to, I add depth to the story with additional scenes, to make sure the characters’ journeys are complete.

You have a new book The Devil Inside coming out in April from Triskelion Publishing. Can you tell us a little about this story?

This book was a total blast to write. It’s the story of a reluctant demon slayer in Brooklyn who falls in love with Cybele, the sexy astral spirit who haunts his dreams. Alex, the hero, has to deal with vengeful demons, his disapproving rabbi uncle, and Cybele’s vampire sister, who hates him and wants to suck his blood. Needless to say, Alex and Cybele prevail, but at a great cost.

We all have one, so tell us yours. What is your favorite comfort food?

If I have to pick just one -- toasted marshmallows. I cook them on the burners of my gas stove when I’m desperate. Of course, chocolate always helps too…

What are some of your hobbies besides writing?

I love dancing…I just started taking ballet lessons again after a very, very long hiatus. I also enjoy theatre, and I love everything about New York City and go there as much as possible.

You have a book in progress called Watermoon, which won first place in the 2005 Wallflower Contest for a paranormal. Could you give us a taste of what it is about?

This one is a futuristic/urban fantasy. Victory Swann is a defense lawyer in New Haven, the most dangerous backwater in the galaxy. After divorcing her crooked ex-husband, a judge on the offworlders’ payroll, she doesn’t plan on sacrificing her safety for a man ever again. But then she represents AC, a seven-foot tall alien empath who is on Earth to steal a hidden treasure and save his world. Neither Vic nor AC want to fall in love, but the full moon intervenes…

Vic is a kick-butt heroine with a heart of gold. And AC is seriously sexy…I’m having a very good time with this story!

Can you tell us a little about your other upcoming works?

I am working next on a sequel to Fainne Naofa, tentatively titled Mists of Manhattan. After that, I want to work on another urban futuristic that’s been on my mind for a long time.

Do you have any indulgent behaviors one might find surprising?

What a delicious question! I have many conventional ones, like a love of bubble baths and pedicures. But I also love to travel with my senses wide open, and absorb everything around me. I’ve been to Greece, Turkey, Spain, England, Canada, Barbados, France, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, and have also traveled around the United States. My favorite thing to do when I travel is walk around, listen…and of course sample the local cuisines.

Like most writers, I also am a reading freak. So a favorite Sunday afternoon activity involves me, a sofa, sleeping cats, hot beverages, and the biggest, fattest book I can get my hands on. Bliss…

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I’d like to share my gratitude for the people who enjoy reading my books, and for this writing life. Please visit me on the web at www.michelelang.com and feel free to drop me a line about stories you love to read. I get such a kick from my readers’ letters.

Thank you so much for answering my questions today Michele!

You are very welcome!

Interviewed by: Tammy