An Interview with Michelle Campbell
Michelle Campbell is an indie author who was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, but moved to South Carolina with her two children a decade ago. Another Life Lesson is her debut novel. It comes out on February 1.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
I have always been fascinated with past lives and what someone would learn within each one. I had written a version of this story a couple of times that did not have the magical realism aspect, and it never felt right. Once I introduced Celeste, the guardian angel (in training), the story took off.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
Very easy. I have another that I am currently working on that is still titled ‘next book,’ but Another Life Lesson was a fit from the start.
Describe your dream book cover.
The one I have! I worked with a local artist who painted the design before scanning it for the cover, and it turned out so perfectly. I came to her with zero ideas. She read a draft of the story and instantly pulled it all together. I would have never been able to design it the way she did.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
Currently reading The Moorwitch by Jessica Khoury. Writing magical realism is a newfound love for me, so I am reading more of that to get a better feel and understanding.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I’ve always written, at least since the third grade, but I read a lot of John Irving in college and loved the way he wrote. I credit him with inspiring me to want to really dig into the craft of writing.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
Two things. The first is to do it. I shied away from any and all writing classes and groups because I didn’t have the confidence in myself. Everyone needs to start somewhere, and everyone is always learning. Second, find your community. This goes along with the confidence thing. The more you find your people who support you, who you can learn from, you grow your confidence. It was an absolute game-changer when I found my community.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
That even in our heaviest moments, we can find the magic.
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