Author Mikhaila Stettler is an artist-a writer, producer and dancer. Her artist career was born of an epiphany. She found herself moving forward, away from a thriving career in medicine, to follow the call of arts and new media. Mikhaila’s focus has been on creativity, spirituality, empowering women, and sexuality. PINK DIAMONDS is her debut book; it follows the story of newly divorced Alexis and her journey of self reflection and reinvention. Today, we’re happy to have Mikhaila to answer some of our questions, and to learn a little more about the steamy romance story that is PINK DIAMONDS.
Favorite quote from your book?
“Rafael pulls me into close embrace. I think I hear him growl. Something coils around my waist. Is that a tail? I’m in the arms of a jaguar man, black and shiny pelt, fierce and wild. I feel out of control and it scares me, especially after Dario. I don’t even know this guy and I’m ready for him to take me right there on the crowded dance floor, to rip off my panties and ravish me. We slide across the floor, my skin hot under his touch. He’s making me dizzy. I feel him stalking me and smell the damp jungle floor. My ruby toes wink in the dark, flashing gold pencil heels skim above the ground.”
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
First I wanted to be a physicist, then an anthropologist, then a dancer/choreographer.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
This IS my first book. Written at age 58.
How did you begin writing? Did you intend to become an author, or do you have a specific reason or reasons for writing each book?
About 11 years ago, I left my successful medical career to pursue my life as an artist. I took a creative sabbatical to explore my many creative interests (writing, visual arts, filmmaking, choreography). And I began working on my writing at that time. I never really had the ambition to write novels, but to write for dance theater and film.
I’m a very intuitive person and listen for and follow my inner guidance, but one particular message I ignored for several years – the idea to write smart, sexy romance novels. Earlier in 2015 I had taken up Argentine tango, fallen head-over-heels in love with it, and joined the international cult of obsessed aficionados. It is a sub-culture full of passion, driven to seek perfection and the magic of connection, ruled by strict etiquette, often gossipy and cliquey. By November, I had written a few pieces in my writing group, episodes inspired by events I observed and people I met.
The inner guidance to write a sexy romance novel came knocking again, louder than ever, over Thanksgiving. I took those short episodes and began working on the novel over the holiday, then put it aside. Then New Year’s 2016, I made a promise to a dearly beloved ex-boyfriend as I took care of him while he lay dying in hospice, that I would finish the novel. But it was a daunting prospect. I’d never written anything that long, and besides, how would I find time for writing while dealing with the attention-sucking demands of commercial production (I’m a writer and producer of web videos)?
I met with a coach who specializes in artists. She proposed I take a month off and put myself in a self-imposed writing boot camp. A surge of energy and excitement rose up inside me. I loved the idea. So I did it. I took five weeks off and did nothing but write. I set the insane target of 2000 words a day and sat down and wrote until I came to the end.
This is not a method I can recommend, but it worked for me. I entered an extended altered state, day after day spent attuned to another reality, immersing myself in the world of my characters, surprised and amazed as they took over, demanding I respect their will and desires. When I got stuck or bored, I used method writing exercises to elevate the use of language, deepen the character development, and create tonal dynamics. As the book took shape, I realized that although I would faithfully follow all the tropes of a romance novel, I wanted to elevate the genre and broaden the appeal. From the beginning, I was full of love and appreciation for my future readers. My desire was to bring them pleasure and enjoyment, to entertain and delight them, to turn them on.
At times, I wanted to stop, put it aside, or just quit, but the book had a life of its own and I couldn’t leave it unborn. There was a current of intent that propelled and carried me along whenever I faltered. It was an unforgettable, life-changing experience to channel so much concentrated creative energy in that sustained burst of writing.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I listen to music my characters would listen to as I write. And drink endless cups of matcha tea or kukicha tea. In terms of style and technique, hmm… maybe the way I move between straight talk colloquial vernacular and higher language, spiced up with surrealistic altered reality elements.
Do you like to create books for adults, youth and/or children? Why?
Right now, I am focused on writing commercial fiction for adults, although I have written two unpublished magical children’s books that began as bedtime stories for my son when he was young.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
This is my first published novel, so right now, it’s my favorite child!!
How long does it take you to write a book?
Hah! See above. Short answer about 6 weeks for a first draft in an insanely concentrated burst.
How many hours a day to you devote to writing? Do you write a draft on paper or at a keyboard (typewriter or computer)?
My writing schedule for this book was crazy- a true boot camp endeavor of 6-7 days a week for five and half weeks straight. I often wrote late into the wee hours of the night to meet my word count goal, after procrastinating until the afternoon. The book started with a few short pieces based on episodes I experienced or observed in tango. The first half of the book flowed pretty easily because I had something from real life to draw on for each of the men with whom Alexis got entangled. The second half was a bit more challenging because I had to pull it out of the ethers, but then the characters took over and had a mind and will of their own. I didn’t outline or plot ahead really, except for a bit about Alexis and Nico’s relationship progress to get me to the ending.
I never used to write first drafts on a computer- always freehand- because it felt like the computer interface impeded my creative flow. But then I found it too tedious and time-consuming to transcribe it to my writing software, so I trained myself to write original material on my laptop. I like to sit in a big comfy chair or sofa to write- never at a desk, except to edit.
What does your family think of your writing?
My son says it makes him proud and is a great example of overcoming limiting beliefs about what is possible, that it inspires for him as a creative person and budding filmmaker. He’s also proud of me for committing to something and consistently working to achieve it without any guarantees of an outcome or even knowing all it would take to publish and be successful ahead of time.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I love to dance! I was into salsa for a few years, then wanted something more elegant and sophisticated, so I took up tango. Seriously. That part is true.
I’m physically adventurous – love skiing and water sports, actually anything in or on the water (but prefer it warm and tropical!)
Yoga: I’m an advanced yogini, been practicing for over 35 years, taught for 20 years, personally trained with K. Pattabhi Jois (the founder of the original vinyāsa style of yoga Ashtanga Yoga) in India.
Love to cook for family and friends- organic gourmet feasts. Had dreams of becoming a professional chef and starting my own restaurant. A short stint as a chef at the Golden Door Spa permanently cured me of that dream. Professional cooking was physically grueling, exhausting, made my feet swell and I gained weight. Ugh.
I practice what I preach, and am a passionate advocate of all things organic, non-toxic and ecologically sound. My idea of heaven is two weeks at a luxury eco-resort on a tropical island.
What do you think makes a good story?
Character, character, character! I think we are all wired to invest in characters who go through some sort of journey or transformational process. And tonal dynamics that create interest and variety.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating/writing your books?
So much! First, that I can write long form fiction, to keep going in the face of doubts, difficulties and negative self-talk. I learned how to apply the creative process to my writing, to take risks, and be willing to dump a day’s writing if it didn’t work, and not wig out about lost time and wasted words. I learned to tune into my characters and allow them their own way.
What authors do you like to read? What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?
Isabel Allende, Amy Tan, Deborah Harkness, Jane Smiley, Elizabeth Gilbert.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Since book is not officially released yet, I know all my readers personally. It fills my heart with love and joy to hear that they get so much pleasure and enjoyment from PINK DIAMONDS, and find it a fun exciting turn-on, especially as every one of them is educated, well-read and professionally accomplished. A few favorite reader quotes…
“So much fun. Sexy but not vulgar. I want a man to f*ck me like that!”
“Holy hot! I’m hooked. Couldn’t put it down.”
“I loved it. I read it on my iPad and even though I knew it was over, I kept trying to turn the page to find out what happens next.”
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Don’t hate me, but stories just pour out of me. Anything can inspire a character and then an entire narrative unspools like it was just waiting for me. In the case of PINK DIAMONDS, it was inspired by real life events I witnessed or experienced. I did have to do some research for certain aspects of the book. Google is my friend.
Do you have any suggestions to help one become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Learn to develop tonal dynamics in your writing and avoid over-using adverbs, adjectives and prepositional phrases. Keep going until you finish the piece, whether novel or shorter. There’s nothing like the thrill of completion, crossing that threshold to done. You can always refine and improve with a great editor, but get it completed. Keep your purpose in mind- why are you writing the book, who is it for, what do you want your reader to feel.
Do you meet your readers at book signings, conventions, or similar events?
I hope so! Looking forward to connecting with readers as they are why I wrote the book. I feel so much love for my readers and want to give them pleasure, entertainment and turn them on.
Tell us about your most recent book.
PINK DIAMONDS is a smart, sexy, edgy tango-themed love story. It began as a series of episodes inspired by my experiences and observations diving headfirst into the world of tango, an international cult of obsessed devotees.
Alexis Rycof, newly divorced transplant to Los Angeles, takes up Argentine tango as a way to meet people, but really to resuscitate her comatose sexuality from the deep freeze that was her marriage.
She knew she was a goner right after that first tangasm*, a fabled phenomenon and here she is having multiples right out the gate. Tango sets something loose in her, something wild and hungry. She enters a series of romantic misadventures with the men who give her tangasms on the dance floor. Her usual good judgment is confused by shape-shifting lovers and past-life scenes bleeding through into present reality. When her recklessness puts her life in danger, it’s a wake-up call. She resolves to focus on work and put romance aside, at least until she can heal and trust herself again. (* Tangasm: a tango-induced total body orgasm on the dance floor)
Then Nico Aquilo enters Alexis’s life and rocks her world. It’s the biggest opportunity of her career. She can’t blow it by getting romantically entangled with the client. Yet, if her dreams are true, this isn’t the first time they’ve met. When a former self from a past life barges in, things come to a head. From the sexy milongas of Los Angeles to stylish Milan and sultry Rio, Alexis ignites a passion she never knew existed and discovers the power of reinvention.
How do books get published?
With a lot of courage and commitment! This is my first novel and as a first time novelist, I decided I had the best chance of success going the self-publishing route, so I formed a publishing company. The learning curve has been practically vertical, but it’s so worth it.
Do you write every single day?
No. But now that I have discovered intense bouts of concentrated writing work best for me, as soon as I can start on the sequel, I plan to write 6 days a week.
Ballpoint, uniball or fountain pen?
I do like a fine point Uniball.
Any writing rituals?
First, procrastinate as long as I can. Then hunker down with tea. My guilty confession is eating sugar while I write (natural versions, but still, it’s sugar) Or chomping on nuts and seeds. I gained about 10 pounds with PINK DIAMONDS, so I’m going to see if xylitol chewing gum will do the trick for the next book.
What’s the worst job you’ve had?
Hmm, I’ve always had my own business so not really relevant. I did work for a couple of months at a cheap department store when I was sixteen, in the lingerie department-which stocked mostly giant sized ugly bras and panties. That was pretty awful.
Tell us some more about your book.
Although the ending to PINK DIAMONDS is satisfying, it definitely leaves you wanting more. I have a sequel planned, I have to find out what happens with Nico and Alexis and if they make it. I’ve also planned a spin-off based on the romantic adventures of Alexis’ best friend, Cheryl, titled YELLOW DIAMONDS. Katja, Alexis’ past life as a Russian gypsy ballerina with the Imperial Ballet in the 1700’s, might get her own book, too, if she has anything to say about it!
Are you planning to adapt any of your stories to the screen?
Absolutely! PINK DIAMONDS is very cinematic. Actually all my writing is, including the children’s stories. I definitely want them to be adapted to film or television series.
How hard is it to establish and maintain a career in writing?
Can I let you know next year?
Any last thoughts for our readers?
I hope you enjoy PINK DIAMONDS, that it gives you pleasure, turns you and maybe even inspires you in some way.
