Micheal Rivers, born in 1953, is an American author. His writing genres include fiction, horror, thriller and paranormal. Micheal has been writing for several years. In the past he concentrated on romantic poetry. In recent years he has focused on writing fiction and paranormal stories.
His book titled Ghosts of the North Carolina Shores has been published by Schiffer Publishing Ltd. Micheal also published the eBooks, The Black Witch, which is the first of a series on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and Moonlight on the Nantahala.
Micheal has for over thirty years investigated and collected stories of the paranormal. He is the lead investigator for the Smokey Mountain Ghost Trackers of Western North Carolina. www.facebook.com/SmokeyMtnGhostTrackers
He served his country as a United States Marine during Vietnam and is a native North Carolinian. Micheal lived in the Chicago area in the past and furthered his education there. He served the community as an Emergency Medical Technician while living there. Micheal currently resides in the mountains of North Carolina along with his wife and his Boxer he fondly calls Dee Dee. In addition to his writing, Micheal maintains a blog.
I was fortunate that Michael graciously took time from his busy writing schedule to answer the following questions for me:
A: Thanks for having me here. Any time I can spend time with you is a pleasure.
Can you identify a moment when you knew you wanted to be a writer? What was that moment like?
A: I really can’t remember a time when I didn’t like to write. The thrill of getting pulled deep into a story as a child or an adult is an experience to be valued. As far back as I can remember I thought being able to write a book was a grand thing. I think the deciding factor was while reading the books of C. S. Forester and especially tales like The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandra Dumas. The tales of Poe were an even greater enticement.
Did anyone encourage you in your writing? Did that encouragement make a difference?
A: In the beginning just like with the majority of us, nobody really seemed to notice. My English teachers did encourage me to polish my stories and continue to write. Life made the difference. There are things to be said and recorded through the written word that were meant for all to see. It doesn’t matter if it is truth or a work of fiction. It is there for you to read. For every work of fiction there is a grain of truth. The grain of truth may become the spark to seek greater knowledge.
Do you have a “day job” in addition to your career as an author?
A: I write, a day job is great for a multitude of reasons and I have held many jobs. This keyboard seems to be my legacy whether that’s good or bad it’s hard to say. Believe me, when you write full time all the things that go with it will keep you busier than one can imagine.
Describe the self-discipline required to write a book. Do you have any writing rituals?
A: Discipline in this field is a must. Patience is an even greater virtue. You have to be able to wear an assortment of hats and be able to control the world around you as much as possible. I write at night more than any other time. That goes without saying that every waking moment is filled with thoughts of a story line of some kind. Then there are the new stories that hit you from behind to add to the melee. You do have to discipline yourself not to rush the story. Every writer has their own view of disciplinary measures. I run amuck like a bull in a china shop. Do I have a ritual? Aside from voodoo dolls and the occasional sacrifices to the Gods which I gave up because the neighbors were beginning to levitate in their sleep, (relax, and put away the crucifix, just kidding) I have four basic must haves, Pepsi, cigarettes, music and junk food. I have a diet from hell. “Give up the chocolate and I will release the hostages.”
How would you describe your writing style?
A: Tough one, I really don’t know how to describe my style. I just go with what is inside of me.
Give a short summary of each of your books. And how did you come up with the ideas for the plots?
A: The Black Witch is the story born of nightmares from the unexpected. The reality of illusion comes back to face people who were content with their lives and only wanted to fulfill their dreams. The plot in this story was conceived through the old tales from the Outer Banks of North Carolina as well as a combined effort to restore beliefs in a seafaring demon who possessed ships from a variety of places in the world. The demon is based on a figure from a tale out of South Africa.
Moonlight on the Nantahala is a genuine love story of how the old perceive themselves in the later years of life. The gist of it all is true love never dies. When the world of the young and the old meet the lessons begin and a greater understanding for life is realized. I knew a person who lived his life as shrine to a loved one who passed. 35 years later he learned the lessons that the main character in this book discovered. Life doesn’t end with a great loss to you.
Ghosts of the North Carolina Shores, these are true ghost tales with hundreds of witnesses and the history of the places to enhance your experience. Need a little history and the ghostly company? This is the book for you.
Are any of your characters based on yourself?
A: Never, Nuff’ said!
The Black Witch contains rich detail of nautical terms and description of ships. Are you a sailor? Was there really a ship called The Black Witch? How did you research the novel?
A: I was a Marine. Semper Fi! There have been many vessels named the Black Witch through history. Actor Errol Flynn owned a small schooner called the Black Witch. After his death it was reported to be haunted. Schooners run in different sizes. Mine is of a larger nature and designed quite different. Being from the coast I grew up learning the workings of ships and boats. The equipment and everything about sailing the schooner is through personal knowledge. There was not a lot I had to research for this book. Some of the same language mannerisms were still used by older people when I was a child. The accent of the outer banks people is a left over from the Elizabethan period and is still very prominent. Sometimes I laugh when some say we have a brogue. We just smile and say “I like your accent too.”
Your cover of Moonlight on the Nantahala recently won a cover contest on the Wringing Out Words blog spot. Congratulations! Did you take an active role in designing your cover? How did you decide on what elements to include in the cover art?
A: Yes. I discussed what I wanted to see and the fantastic graphics team from CreateSpace designed it for me. I wanted the rose because it conveyed the message from the book I wanted to send to my readers. Whether we admit it or not we are all in search of ‘The Perfect Rose’ at one point in our lives.
You investigate paranormal activities. Have you ever seen a ghost?
A: More than I care to admit. The paranormal is a very intriguing place and not for the easily frightened. There were two full apparitions that stand out more than any other event. One of them was a lady who opened a closed door and half her body could be seen clearly. The other was a full bodied apparition that stood less than fifteen feet in front of me. This lady was so close to being real I actually spoke to her before I realized what I was seeing.
What about upcoming projects? What can your readers look forward to?
A: Very exciting news. “Verliege” This is my latest work and as of this writing it is coming along beautifully. This is a story that has many elements that will please the readers of the paranormal. You will see how a paranormal investigation can become a nightmare. I am also working on the sequel to the Black Witch and another novel which I hold for a surprise. From the other side of the coin I have a book called ‘Appalachia Mountain Folklore’ being released with Schiffer Ltd publishing in the spring. This is a book with stories from Western North Carolina, some of which are rarely spoken of. These tales relate to how the Native Americans and European settlers lived their lives together.
What considerations went into your decision to become an indie author?
A: I am a hybrid. While publishing Indie I am also published through Schiffer Ltd publishing. I love the control as well as the compensation. Not only monetary, but I can be closer to my followers and fellow authors.
Are there any authors whose work has influenced you or whose style you particularly admire?
A: I love them all, God bless them. From the classics to the erotic I wish them all the best. Influence; I am really not able to pinpoint one particular author; there are so many great ones through the years.
Do you have any encouragement or advice for aspiring writers?
A: I would say write what you know and is in your heart. Beware of contracts, know what you are signing. The thrill of publishing a book can become devastating when you realize what you may have given away to achieve your dream. Keep writing. Writers are a family and we have the greatest family in the world. “Be the host to your ghost.”