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Embrace the Uniqueness
In Monstrously Clever, a young witch and her friends set out to create harmony between the monsters and mortals of their little town. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I had several goals with this book. 1) Make a wonderful Halloween tale. 2) Embrace the uniqueness of every person. It doesn’t matter what you look like or how different you are – it’s what is inside that counts. 3) In the times we are living in, I want children to embrace their differences and not have those traits used against them in a negative way.
Is there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in this book?
A) Well, Joe was actually based off a friend I had in first grade. She hated her name and her short hair. B) I love fairies. The book is about magic, and fairies have plenty of that. C) I’ve always seemed a little weird to my family because I embrace the unusual and strange. I actually had an uncle who “jokingly” called me a witch, so why not a witch in this book?
I find the artwork in Monstrously Clever to be quite mesmerizing; it really brings your story to life. Can you tell us a little about the collaboration you have with illustrator Christina Cartwright?
Monstrously Clever is my fourth children’s book collaboration with Christina Cartwright. I suspect that this was her favorite one to do because she has a very creative imagination, and I gave her a lot more leeway to let that imagination run free in this book. Fantasy is one of her favorite themes. I just LOVE how she envisions the world. As you stated, some of her work is just absolutely gorgeous. As a writer, I give her an idea of what I would like to see on the page, but I also am comfortable letting her loose to “imagine” wonderful worlds. I’m truly thankful that I found her website online and took a chance on her. I’ve not regretted it once. I can see us working harmoniously together for years, and with each book we do, the partnership becomes more seamless.
Can fans expect to see Book 4 in the series soon? What are you currently working on?
Christina and I are currently working on the 4th book in the Happy Tails series. It will be available within the next 7 days. It is a Christmas story about a very naughty elf who’s mad at Santa and goes out of his way to make the big guy’s life miserable. Thankfully, he has a change of heart at the end and embraces the true meaning of Christmas!
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It soon becomes clear, though, that other people’s goals are solely focused upon making sure some of her monstrous friends don’t enjoy this most spooktacular time of the year.
Monsters have always existed – in real life and in people’s imaginations, but they hadn’t always revealed themselves to humans because they knew that fear was a powerful motivator for many mortals. Monster Point is a town filled with monsters who have always lived together peacefully. Now that the supernatural population have become a reality to the mortal realm, the townsfolk have encouraged humans to come live amongst them and combine the best of both realms into a world that embraces the differences of everyone and still is capable of shining with the light of friendship, understanding, and compassion for all.
Change is hard for some people, though. Sometimes it is easier to embrace fear than it is to embrace hope. With a little magic and some clever manipulations, Mori and her friends set out to bring the town together to enjoy their Halloween and each inhabitant’s unique contribution to this great celebration of life.
Horror Often Gets a Bad Rap
A Ghoulish Good Time: Tales to Make You Scream is a short story collection centered around horror, good vs. evil, and the supernatural. Where did the idea for this anthology come from?
I have always loved horror. The story goes that my mother never liked horror, but the entire time she was pregnant with me, she watched horror movies. After I was born, she never watched them again, but I did. Several of these stories were first conceived of when I was a nanny and looking after kids. Soul Stones was conceived when the two kids I looked after were considered like a devil and angel to their family. The kids used to goof around on the steps to the point that I thought someone would get hurt one day. In the story, they do.
Do you have a favorite short story in the collection? A character you especially enjoyed writing for?
I think my favorite was the bad sister in Soul Stones. She’s snarky, she’s clever, and she can’t help being bad. It’s one of the funniest stories in the book.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
I think horror often gets a bad rap. After all, there isn’t one person upon this planet who hasn’t had a nightmare at some point in our lives. Horror is part of the human collective unconscious. I’d much rather a reader satisfy any violent tendencies they have by reading about them rather than acting upon them. Our world is also filled with the paranormal. We don’t know everything about how our world interacts with the universe. As long as there are mysteries to solve, the human soul will always gravitate towards darkness.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next book I’m working on is a children’s book about a very naughty elf who almost succeeds in destroying Christmas. It will be available just before Christmas this year. It has a lovely ending and my illustrator, Christina Cartwright, has designed some very beautiful artwork that I know everyone will enjoy. Her illustrations are truly inspired. This will be our fifth book together and the fourth one in the Happy Tails series.
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Soul Stones: How do you live with the consequences of a death when you, in some small way, helped contribute to its passing? That is the dilemma that Chris Whitaker faces as she remembers the events that led to the death of her best friend, Maggie Malone, and almost to her own.
The Vanishing: One of the most dangerous things a person can do when driving a car is fall asleep at the wheel. Just ask Leta Tyler – she crashed her car into a tree and managed to walk away from it. Her luck runs out, though, when she gets to the eerie little town of Wakefield where the residents are not what they appear to be and no soul is ever safe.
The Change: Sara Crew has done one of the worst things a person can do – she has just managed to wipe every living being off the face of the Earth with a wish. Even though it was made in anger against her sister, she had no idea when she made the wish how horribly it would backfire upon herself. When we unleash our inner monsters upon the world – how many of us are strong enough to survive them coming after us?
Pumpkin Parts: There are moments in Charlie’s life when she wished that she could just start the day over again . . . or skip it altogether. Anything would be preferable to experiencing a brother’s betrayal of his sister’s trust or having one’s eyes opened to the realization that true monsters exist in the world.
All Hallows’ Eve: Sam Monroe is having a bad day – a verybad day. As if starting high school in a new town wasn’t bad enough, now he’s being hunted down in unfamiliar woods and a creepy old cemetery by a bully who’s lost his mind. It’s all enough to make anyone lose their mental marbles, especially when you add the dead into the mix.
Monsters Adeep: Humankind thinks that we are at the top of the food chain. Charles Devereaux is about to find out that isn’t the truth. Some things in the universe are older than us and don’t have a tolerance for humanity’s inhuman treatment for the world around them.
Monstrously Clever (Happy Tails)
Monstrously Clever, by Michele L. Sayre, part of the Happy Tails Series, presents an engaging narrative set in Monster Point, a unique town where humans and monsters coexist peacefully. This children’s book centers on Mori, a young witch, who, along with her diverse group of friends including Daffodil the Fairy and Joe the Human, orchestrates the Halloween festivities. The story cleverly explores themes of acceptance and friendship in a world where not everyone embraces the idea of humans and monsters mingling.
Sayre’s writing effectively portrays the interactions between the magical and human realms, offering a narrative that champions diversity and inclusivity. These memorable characters, crafted with charm, navigate challenges and demonstrate that differences are not just to be tolerated but celebrated as strengths. This message is subtly yet powerfully interwoven throughout the book, emphasizing that true friendship can transcend any obstacle.
The illustrations add depth and vibrancy to the narrative, with each page radiating life and emotion. The book also playfully nods to popular culture, as evidenced by a subtle reference to Stargate: SG-1, adding an additional layer of engagement for readers. The book culminates in a resonant message: individual choices and actions are pivotal in shaping a better world. Emphasizing the strength of friendship and the importance of embracing diversity, Monstrously Clever imparts a poignant and lasting impression.
Ideal for readers of all ages, this book is particularly well-suited for home reading or educational settings. It not only entertains but also imparts a meaningful lesson about the impact of tolerance and the beauty of diversity. Monstrously Clever invites readers to reflect on the significance of personal choice and the power of unity in creating a more accepting and inclusive world, possibly finding that the essence of Monster Point isn’t so far from our own reality.
Pages: 101 | ASIN : B0CN5BZ335
A Ghoulish Good Time – Tales to Make You Scream
Dive into the spine-tingling world of A Ghoulish Good Time: Tales to Make You Scream, a standout installment in the Daerk Cemetery series. This enthralling anthology brings together six short horror stories, each masterfully crafted to captivate and send shivers down the spines of its readers. The collection weaves a tapestry of tales that traverse the shadowy realms of fear, guilt, and the supernatural, offering an array of narratives rich in suspense and intrigue. “Soul Stones” chronicles the emotional turmoil of Chris Whitaker, haunted by her role in her best friend’s tragic death. “The Vanishing” follows Leta Tyler’s eerie encounter in the mysterious town of Wakefield after a car accident. “The Change” depicts Sara Crew’s devastating realization after her wish inadvertently wipes out humanity. “Pumpkin Parts” explores themes of betrayal and the existence of true evil through Charlie’s harrowing experiences. “All Hallows’ Eve” describes Sam Monroe’s terrifying ordeal of being hunted in a strange new town on his first day of high school. “Monsters Adeep” reveals the chilling revelation to Charles Devereaux that humanity is not at the top of the food chain.
Michele L. Sayre’s book stands as a monumental achievement in horror literature. Her unique approach to storytelling not only captivates with its suspense and imaginative creations but also enriches the reader’s understanding of life’s uncertainties. Each tale in this collection transcends the typical horror narrative, evolving into powerful allegories that emphasize vigilance and impart profound lessons. The book’s true brilliance is in its ability to weave rich scenes of suspense, masterfully bringing to life monstrous entities that are both terrifying and fascinating. Sayre’s writing is a perfect blend of eloquence and tension, making each story a riveting journey. The depth and complexity of the narratives promise to leave a lasting impact, inviting readers to ponder and reflect long after the last page. The anthology excels in its exploration of the eternal conflict between good and evil, presented in a way that is consistently engaging and thought-provoking. This clear delineation does not simplify the tales; instead, it adds layers of meaning and relevance, demonstrating Sayre’s skill in crafting stories that resonate on multiple levels.
In A Ghoulish Good Time, Michele L. Sayre has not only created a collection of horror stories but has also issued a compelling invitation to delve deeper into the realms of horror and human psychology. Her work is not just a display of narrative excellence but a celebration of the genre itself, offering readers a rich, multifaceted experience that is as enlightening as it is entertaining. This anthology is a must-read for anyone interested in the depths and potential of horror literature, affirming Michele L. Sayre’s place as a masterful storyteller and visionary in the field.
Pages: 252 | ASIN : B0CLJYW34Z
A Lifetime Commitment
The Not So Funny Bunny follows the adventures of a little boy who makes a wish for a pet bunny and learns just how challenging owning a pet can be. What was the inspiration for your story?
I was trying to come up with a story idea for the next holiday, which was Easter. Of course, the natural choice was to write a bunny story. What always struck me about that time of year was that people would get bunnies for pets because of the Easter bunny, and then they would just as quickly return that pet in a few weeks when the reality hit them – bunnies require work to keep them happy and healthy. They are not self-sufficient. Having grown up on a farm with animals, I have a healthy respect for them. All living things deserve happiness. If you cannot give them a life worth living, then I feel you should pass on the idea of owning a pet.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
Not all pets are the same. Some might be easier or require less maintenance to take care of than others, but they all require some kind of effort and intention to give the animals a happy life.
The goal of this book is to make people realize that getting a pet is a lifetime commitment that requires dedication on their part – it should never be decided on a whim or part of an unthought-out decision that leads one down the path to pet ownership. Do your research. Make a true commitment.
Pet ownership is really about them, not about us.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your story?
Yes, having grown up on a farm, we did have rabbits, but they lived outside in their own hutches. It wasn’t until I was older and the nanny for a family that had an indoor rabbit, that I found out that I’m actually extremely allergic to rabbit dander. Being asthmatic, that was a bad thing.
Some of the antics of the rabbit in the story were things I saw my employer’s pet rabbit actually do in the house. Bored rabbits can actually be quite destructive. They chew on everything. Plants? Yes. Carpeting? Yes. Wood? Yes. My employers had a TV with a wood base. That rabbit did some significant destructive inroads to that wood paneling. Even though the section where Yakov, the rabbit in the book, was highly over-exaggerated with the spaghetti in the kitchen, it wasn’t completely made up. I remember one time when I had a plate of spaghetti in the family room, and my employer’s rabbit practically leaped across the room and into my plate and began to inhale my food. Color me surprised. The part where Yakov is outside jumping high in the grass, I based it on that indoor bunny. His space was in a small living room, but he would race around it very fast, building up speed so that he could fly over the child-proof gate that was up to keep him out of the other areas of the house. Rabbits are amazingly smart creatures.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Yes, the entire series, Holiday Tails, will cover several holidays throughout the year. There are so many to choose from, so this series can be continued for years. Next up is Halloween and Christmas after that, but I have every intention of following up on less celebrated holidays as well. I also have plans for sequels for several of the books, so you will get to see some of these characters again – just living their lives in different stories.
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Well, Sascha is about to find out that all kinds of things can go wrong in ways even he could never imagine. Be careful what wishes you put out into the universe. An unthought-out wish can be catastrophic in the long run. Most people don’t think about the consequences of a wish or whether they should have ever asked for that thing in the first place.
Sascha finds out that wanting and actually having something you wish for are completely different things. A wish is always a lovely thought – a real live bunny living in your house is not!
The Journey Through Which We Find Joy
A Heart Full of Joy: Daily Perceptions on Life is a book with a year of daily reflections to help people see how they can make the world a better place for themselves and others. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I have always loved reading daily inspirations and reflections. One day, I just got it into my mind that I had something to say based on my own experiences and my unique view of the world, so why not share that with whomever was interested in reading it? About sixty percent of this book was written during my mother’s deteriorating health, death, and dealing with her estate. It gave me something more positive to focus upon and I wanted people to know that sadness and pain are part of the journey through which we find joy. Feel the emotions and let them go. These are the things that remind us how great it is to be alive.
How hard was it to come up with 365 separate perceptions to fill the book?
Actually, it wasn’t too hard to come up with topics to discuss. I would pull from my life, my feelings, the news – everything. What I did find a little hard was trying to not repeat the same messages or wording. I had to really think about the topic and why it was important to discuss, and how to go about it in a way that would open hearts and minds to lasting change.
What perception or reflection has the most meaning to you and why?
“Mommy Dearest” (May 20). That was my mother’s birthday. Our mothers are our teachers – they teach us how to behave or how not to behave. Good or bad, their lives are the parameters we set our own lives to live by.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have two projects that I’ll be starting this summer and hope to have completed by the end of the year. One is an account of how we can help our aging parents and some of the trials and tribulations that may result based on my own experiences with my mother’s prolonged illness and death. The other project is a play based on some of the unbelievable things my family went through during my mother’s illness and our interactions with doctors and facilities. The phrase that truth is stranger than fiction would be applicable here.
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Each entry is a new thought for the day about the human condition. Each day leaves you with a one-word mantra to focus upon to help you take steps towards a positive and permanent change for your life.
Stop Running And Accept Ourselves
Darke Realms – The In-between follows a woman with magical powers as she spends years on the run, only to find a place she belongs just when she may lose everything. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
To be honest, I never gave it conscious thought, but in some ways Rue is running away from who she can become. I believe all of us are inherently intuitive and we have the potential to be remarkable, but we also fear that part of ourselves that can create an amazing world for everyone. We can either spend a lifetime turning away from whom we can become or we can finally stop running and accept ourselves as we truly were meant to be, which is what the character eventually does in the end.
Rue starts off alone and unsure if she will ever find where she belongs, eventually finding the people that accept who she is and take her in. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
My mother, who had been my anchor my whole life, died four years ago this month. Since her death, I’ve felt anchorless – adrift. I’ve had to redefine my ideals of family and come up with new traditions that hold meaning for me without my mother here to help define them anymore. Family isn’t always about blood. Sometimes it’s the connections we establish with others to make our lives whole – it is willing to open yourself to happiness and accept it any form that it comes to you. Life is too short to wait. If you wait too long, then you might miss out on the most amazing opportunities out there to love and be loved in return.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
- Fear. You can let it rule you and make you unhappy or you can face it down and take way the power you thought it had over you.
- Courage. Bad things are going to happen. Are you going to let them break you or are you going to take action that will get you out of that dark place?
- Acceptance. To many people suffer because they cannot accept how the universe intended us to be. I’ve had my struggles with it myself, but not accepting your true nature only makes you miserable. Truth of whom we are is the light we gravitate towards to embrace true happiness.
- Self Sacrifice. My mother always put her family first. If she had doubts, I never saw it. We have to be willing to give our all towards anything we do. Half measures only give half rewards. Being all in, often gives us the ability to change ourselves and our circumstances for the better.
- Family. Family truly is the soul connections we make with each other. Whether by blood or by choice, the love is still there and uplifts us and gives us a sense of belonging and peace.
- Love. It’s the one thing no one can do without. No matter how good or bad a person’s actions are – at the deepest level, every action is a cry out for love.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
For the Darke Realm series, the follow up to this book should be done by August this year. I am currently working on a short horror story collection for teenagers that should be published at the end of May. If you haven’t guessed, I am often working on several projects at once. The variety keeps me from growing stagnate in my writing.
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I escaped with my life . . . barely. For fifteen years the Dark one has pursued me. I’ve evaded him all this time by never settling down . . . until now.
All those years on the run, I was always alone. Now I’m surrounded by the paranormal – wolves, witches, and monsters that dwell deep in the dark.
I’ve met my alpha wolf mate, Michael, and it’s hard to get close. I still live with the things the Dark one did to me.
How can I open myself up to the possibility of a never-ending love and a happily ever after when I can see the Dark coming? It’s hard to imagine finally living my life when I was born to fight a war I might not survive. The universe has a cruel sense of humor that I’ve never appreciated, especially now that I stand to lose everything I’ve ever wanted or will ever love.
LITERARY TITAN 