Hello Hearts Through History members, today I’m talking with HTH member Minerva (Michelle Liggons). Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you’ve been working on?

 

Do you write full-time or part-time?

I write part-time and work full-time. I write in the evening and on my weekends as often as possible. Even though I work full-time, writing is my other joy and my second profession.
What’s the hardest part of writing? 

I think editing is the hardest. I enjoy crafting my ideas and writing the first drafts, but it can be difficult to make revisions like cutting chapters, dialogue, or characters I enjoy.
What’s your favorite historical movie?

Pride and Prejudice is my favorite. I love the chemistry between Elizabeth and Darcy and the romance between Jane and Bingley.

 

Who’s your favorite historical figure?

It would be interesting to meet Cleopatra and Marie Antoinette. I think they lived fascinating lives and I would love to meet them and interview them.

 

If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be? 

Besides Jane Austen, I like William Shakespeare. I think I would want to meet Jane Austen and William Shakespeare because the created so many fascinating characters.

 

If you could time travel, what era would you visit?

I would probably like to visit Renaissance England.

 

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

To keep writing: it’s important to write every day, to work on craft, and to be persistent to keep writing after rejection.

 

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I have always been writing stories since I was a child. I would write stories and poetry for my family.

 

Are there specific books or authors who have influenced you as a writer?

Persuasion by Jane Austen and The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas for characters, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald for the descriptions, and Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca for the plot twists and symbolism.

 

Give us a brief rundown of your process. Are you a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in the middle?

I like to plot out my idea, characters, and outline, then I tend to be a pantser for the first draft or two before careful revisions. I tend to revise a lot after the initial draft.

 

Can you tell us a bit about your journey to publication? 

I am unpublished and my stories, novellas, and novels have been finalists in some contests.

 

Tell us about your latest release and what’s coming next for you. 

I am working on a historical romance set in early 20th century California.

 

Please include author website, and a few images (book covers, author photos, etc.), social media links.

Website: www.MichelleLiggons.com

Instagram: mliggonsstories

Twitter: @mliggonsstories