Advice to Writers: Michael Michalko

Creativity is Paradoxical

Creativity is paradoxical. To create, a person must have knowledge but forget the knowledge, must see unexpected connections in things but not have a mental disorder, must work hard but spend time doing nothing as information incubates, must create many ideas yet most of them are useless, must look at the same thing as everyone else, yet see something different, must desire success but embrace failure, must be persistent but not stubborn, and must listen to experts but know how to disregard them.

-MICHAEL MICHALKO

Creativity is the most important part of the novel. Some like to have their novels so close to realism while others just like being creative and making things up. I am one of those writers where I simply like to make things up. Writing a strong character is something that will make your novel different than others. It's important to make the characters unique so that the book can stand out from all the others on the book shelf. You need to think like your character.

Sherlock Holmes

I want to see this movie! So much action, so much adventure. I wanted to see Rachel McAdams in it.

Here's the trailer.

Started Writing Again

I started writing something. It's actually really short it's about 25,000 words. Maybe one day I can make it into a novel length. It's a young adult contemporary. I've been reading lots of books in young adult mostly because I am a young adult. I wanted to write something different. I'm currently reading some paranormal romance books after being disappointed from the Twilight series, so maybe I'll find something I like.

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

One moment June Nealon was happily looking forward to years full of laughter and adventure with her family, and the next, she was staring into a future that was as empty as her heart. Now her life is a waiting game. Waiting for time to heal her wounds, waiting for justice. In short, waiting for a miracle to happen. For Shay Bourne, life holds no more surprises. The world has given him nothing, and he has nothing to offer the world. In a heartbeat, though, something happens that changes everything for him. Now, he has one last chance for salvation, and it lies with June's eleven-year-old daughter, Claire. But between Shay and Claire stretches an ocean of bitter regrets, past crimes, and the rage of a mother who has lost her child. Would you give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love? Would you want your dreams to come true if it meant granting your enemy's dying wish?

The story is written in five point of views. One of the main points of view was June, who was a single mother and married to the town's most respected police officer, and thinks her life was filled with bliss after her husband takes in her little girl and treats her as his own daughter. She was pregnant with her second child when she came home to find her husband and daughter pregnant. Shay was a repair man who would come over to the house and he is the one who is accused of the murder. Maggie is a lawyer who has always been insecure about her body image, but is one of the most successful lawyers a person could ever meet. June's daughter Claire has a heart condition, and is close to dying, while dealing with all of that June wants Shay to pay for killing her husband and daughter, but June doesn't know the whole truth about the whole incidence.


I was so happy to pick up another one of Jodi's books. Another court case. I like the attorney in this book, Maggie always felt insecure because of her body image. It made me happy when someone decided they wanted to date her. There was a lot of curiosity because of why Shane was put into jail, and when you read it, the plot twist of the truth is going to stun you! I don't want to reveal what happens in the book for those who It really upsets me that it takes her two years to have every book published but if a person really paid attention, the writing is simply beautiful.