Bookpleasures.com welcomes as our guest author Michelle Dim-St. Pierre. Michelle was born in Tel-Aviv, Israel where she spent half of her life before relocating to the USA.

She lived through four wars and served in the Israel Defense Forces for two years. Unlike her first year of service in an armored division in the Golan Heights, she spent her second year serving in the medical corps where she interacted directly with the injured soldiers of the Peace of Galilee war and their families. This interaction, along with the exposure to the hospital atmosphere, fascinated Michelle and further touched her heart.

After graduating from nursing school with a BS in Nursing in Tel-Aviv, she practiced internationally for 32 years in various positions in the surgical field and quickly advanced into health care administration.

During her career she worked in the Operating Room, Recovery Room, and CCU—along with many other duties.

Michelle has published her first novel Pinnacle Lust, which starts the Pinnacle trilogy.

Norm: Good day Michelle and thanks for participating in our interview.

Why have you been drawn to writing fiction and why do you believe people like to read fiction?

Michelle: Fiction takes readers to places that they normally would not or could not go.

Norm: What helps you focus when you write and do you find it easy reading back your own work?

Michelle: The quiet helps me focus, especially at night. I do find it easy to read my own work. I’m actually enjoying it. I can’t tell you how many scenes I read just for myself. I’m really enjoying it.

Norm: How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?

Michelle: Every minute of my life is another brush stroke to my writing—military service, nursing school, work, social, news, gossip, and even the grocery store—you name it.

Norm: What served as the primary inspiration for Pinnacle Lust and how much real-life did you put into the book? Is there much “you” in there?

Michelle: There are many things which I hear, see and know but can’t share, so I write about it and call it fiction. Whether I committed the sin or someone else, it’s irrelevant—it’s a sin—I can’t talk about it.

Norm: What was the most difficult part of writing your book and did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

Michelle: I would say the publishing and marketing process was the most difficult—and they probably still are. The outcome of exposure, meaning being out there in public, is not exactly me. I’m more of a private person.

Norm: How did you develop the plot and characters? Did you use any set formula? As a follow up, did you engage a professional content editor to review your manuscript?

Michelle: Again, as I alluded to earlier, the plot and characters, or parts of them, are out there—you just have to look. To answer your question about an editor, absolutely, I have a fantastic editor, Sherry Wilson—I’m thankful every day for finding her. She pushes me beyond what I ever believed I could do.

Norm: What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good fiction writing?

Michelle: A very strong plot, fast paced and showing the story instead of telling it.

Norm: Can you tell us how you found representation for your book? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish?

Michelle: I started out with the intent of self-publishing. However, once I established a relationship with BookLogix and they read the manuscript they offered to publish it under their name. I did not pitch it to an agent or to a large publishing company, as the industry is difficult to break into for a first time author. Still, I would not eliminate this option down the road.

Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and Pinnacle Lust?

Michelle: My website, FB, twitter, Amazon, BookLogix, B&N, iBook, Kobo

Norm: What is next for Michelle Dim-St. Pierre?

Michelle: The next book in the Pinnacle Trilogy is already in the making and is scheduled to be released in 2016. The last book in the Pinnacle Trilogy is to be released in 2017. I’m also working on unique recipe book.

Norm: As this interview draws to a close what one question would you have liked me to ask you? Please share your answer.

Michelle: Who is the target audience for Pinnacle Lust? Most people, based on the title of the book, associate it with romance, females and sex. Though there are graphic scenes in this book and an affair, there is much more. I find the book to be an intellectual read that takes you to places that many have not visited before. It is also a unique look into Israeli culture during Operation Desert Storm—a powerful firsthand look at what everyday life was like in Israel when most Americans were watching Shock and Awe on the 24-hour news channels. I hope that readers, including men, will look beyond the title and cover and will enjoy reading the book.

Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors