Q&A With Michelle Miles 

Once Upon a Time there lives an author named Michelle Miles. Michelle is a storyteller of fantasy and paranormal romance full of magic, daring heroes, strong women, & epic love. In these tales there are beings such as angels, elves, dragons and time travelers. Michelle’s series are Dream Walkers, Five Towers Duology, The Dragon Protectors, Realm of Honor, & her current series Enchanted Realms with the 4^th book in the series coming out on May 30^th on kindle Once Upon An Enchanted Castle. As a love of everything magic and fairy tales, I can’t wait to read Once Upon An Enchanted Castle!

Q: Michelle what drew you into becoming an author, specifically a fantasy and paranormal romance author?

A: When I was in high school, I made a conscious decision that I wanted to write books. That was all I wanted to do from that moment on. I wrote short stories at first and then, eventually, novels. But it wasn’t until I joined RWA in 2004 that I really decided to get serious and make a go of it. 

I started writing contemporary romance. My first book was published in that genre in 2006. But I really wanted to write fantasy. At that time, I didn’t think I was developed enough as a writer to do that. But I kept going. I took classes and courses. I learned. I have a love of magical things. And castles! I love castles. The first fantasy I wrote (which is hidden away forever) was about a girl with a magical amulet. It was awful. But I learned from that how to world build and how to really craft a long, immersive story. I think that’s what I love about fantasy—being able to build these incredible worlds full of fantastical beings, (fairies, elves, dragons) and magic. There is always some form of magic and adventure within the pages of my books. That’s what makes me happiest.

Q: Once Upon An Enchanted Castle is a Beauty and the Beast fairytale retelling! Would you please give a brief description & talk about how you made it into your own story? 

A: Sure! Who doesn’t love Beauty and the Beast? It’s got everything. Enchantment. A slow burn romance. A curse. And a fantastic library! 

Here’s a brief description of my retelling: In a race against time, Bella must unlock the secrets of an ancient text to free the cursed Prince Leopold before his beastly fate becomes permanent.

My twist on this was I really wanted the heroine, Bella, to be more involved in the curse and actively trying to help him. While falling in love, of course! She’s a scribe with a magical talent of reading ancient languages. Her merchant father gives her a book with an odd language she is unable to read. She’s brilliant, brave, and determined to break the curse.

For Leopold, the hero, I wanted him to be a shifter, so when the full moon comes, he transforms. He lives in this enchanted (obviously!) castle with an unusual library. He’s the embodiment of the brooding, reluctant hero. He’s lonely, he’s a bit of a recluse and has been trapped in his cavernous castle for years. But he’s deeply loyal and fiercely protective of those he loves. He’s romantic. He’s masking deep sorrow and regret for the things he did in his past. He doesn’t believe he deserves love. Plus, he has a fantastic wardrobe. Also, he just makes me swoon.

Q: How many more books can we expect in the Enchanted Realms Series? There Are so many fairytales well known and lesser known that deserve a retelling! 

A: Lots! I initially planned a 10-book series, but things are quickly getting out of hand with these story ideas. I’m currently working on a Rapunzel novella, and I have plans for a Poe’s The Raven retelling that’s a gothic romance (hopefully coming this fall) as well as Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Right now, there are at least 15 books planned. I already have all the covers. I’m sure there will be more to come.

You’re right – there are a lot of lesser-known tales that deserve a retelling! But I also want to do some retellings of familiar stories (like The Raven). I’m so fortunate to have a cover artist who gets me and really captures the essence of the stories. 

Q: What lessons do you hope readers learn after they read your books? What emotions do you want your readers to feel after they read your stories? Fairytales to me (as well as their retellings) always have a moral and they are reminders we can have happy endings. 

A: I think, ultimately, I want people to realize there is still hope even in the darkest hour. To me, that’s what fairy tales are. Hope and love and magic. A world without those things is dark and dreary. Who wants that? I really want them to have a feeling of deep satisfaction. That love conquers all. There is still hope. Because right now in today’s climate, we need that.

The moral for Beauty and the Beast is beauty is more than skin deep, right? I like to play with different themes, too. Love conquers all, good will triumph over evil, true beauty comes from within. I don’t write them with a moral in mind; but I think the lessons are there within the pages because they are fairy tales. I hope that makes sense.

Q: Does Hollywood have the rights to your series? I could see The Enchanted Realms series becoming a great fantasy series. It would be better than the fairytale series Once Upon A Time that was on television some years back!

A: I wish! I would love to see these books transferred to films somehow. I was inspired by that show. I loved the way they spun some of the fairy tales. Regina was the perfect Evil Queen. Her outfits alone were to die for! I really think there needs to be more shows like it.

Thanks for having me!