Welcome to BookEnds, Michelle Barry!

What genres do you write? Read?

I generally write in the Science Fiction or Fantasy genres, though I switch between Middle Grade and Young Adult. The last few years, I’ve been focusing mainly on Science Fantasy Middle Grade projects. I also really enjoy writing retellings and putting a science fiction spin on old classics.

As far as reading goes, I dabble in almost everything. Science Fiction and Fantasy are my go-to, but I really read pretty broadly. Currently, I’m in the middle of Michelle Obama’s BECOMING and Chuck Wendig’s BLIGHTBORN, two wildly different but absolutely wonderful books. Before that, over the course of a month, I blew through every Leigh Bardugo book I could get my hands on and adored every one!

Plotter or pantster?

It varies by project and also by timing and deadlines. For some books, I develop very detailed summaries prior to writing, and others, I just see where the story takes me. The book I signed with, I created over the course of a NaNo month, with little pre-plotting because November crept up on me and I ran out of time.

Synopses, love them or hate ‘em?

I love having them, as they’re useful tools for editing and revising, but I love creating them… a tad less. 

Do you have a writing playlist or a vision board?  If so, what’s on them?

I often create a playlist for the books I’m drafting, or even a specific scene. For my most recent project, I listened to a lot of Halsey, which was fitting because one of her songs, Castle, gave me the initial idea for that book’s main character. 

Drink of choice when writing? When not writing?

Coffee…and coffee. 

Day or Night writer?

I am definitely a day writer (my seven-year-old, while reading these questions over my shoulder, announced “you’re definitely a day writer,” before I even got to this question). I’m usually burnt by the end of the day, and am freshest in the morning, even if that morning is VERY early. My writing alarm is set for 4:35am. 

Twitter or Instagram? Or Facebook? Where can we find you?

I’m relatively active on all three, but I use my Twitter (@MichelleABarry) the most.

If you could meet any author, living or dead, who would you want to meet and why?

JK Rowling, so I could thank her for adding so much magic to my childhood (and now to my children’s childhoods).