To see my recent review of Miski Harris' recent book,
click - Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Author Interview with Miski Harris
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I started writing stories very young so no. I do remember one I wrote about a girl who grew up to become a doctor with magical powers and cured her mother’s puzzling illness. I most remember that one because it made my mother cry when she read it.
Where is your favorite place to write?
My office. I have my desk, my music, and everything I need to settle down and write in peace.
When you develop characters do you already know who they are before you begin writing or do you let them develop as you go?
My main characters are set in my head as I create the outline of my story. This is probably because the story is about them and their experiences. The supporting characters develop as the story develops.
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
AJ Rose wrote a book called The Long Fall of Night. I honestly believed then (and still do) that was a blockbuster movie in the making. As far as I know it’s the only post-apocalyptic story that takes you through the apocalyptic event first.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
The erotic scenes. I work hard to be realistic without being overly graphic. I try to write just enough to stimulate the imagination.
Which of your characters would you most love to have as a friend?
Teddy, from Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. He is actually modeled after a friend of mine who is a drag queen. He is loyal to a fault, smart and sassy. He has the kind of fun-loving personality which can make you mad in one moment but, you’d forgive him the next because you know if you needed a kidney he’d be the first one on line.
What is your favorite childhood book?
I was a huge fan of Nancy Drew Mysteries.
What drink will we find you with when you’re writing?
Coffee, Tea or ginger ale
What drink will we find you with when you’re out with friends?
Wine for sure or on occasion beer.
Do you need silence or music while writing?
It depends on what I am trying to write. I like noise in the background to drown out everything else going on around me so music primarily.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I am an introvert who overcompensates by using extroverted behaviors.
If you could live somewhere else, where would you choose?
I loved my life in Okinawa. I could easily go back there and live.
Favorite Disney movie?
Lion King
Who are your favorite authors?
Oh my. I have so many. AJ Rose, KC Wells, Parker Williams, Edmond Manning, Morticia Knight, Toni Griffith, SJD Peterson, Cardeno C., Steven James, Jonathan Kellerman, John Sandford and may she rest in peace, A.C. Katt.
Oh my. I have so many. AJ Rose, KC Wells, Parker Williams, Edmond Manning, Morticia Knight, Toni Griffith, SJD Peterson, Cardeno C., Steven James, Jonathan Kellerman, John Sandford and may she rest in peace, A.C. Katt.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
I started writing stories very young so no. I do remember one I wrote about a girl who grew up to become a doctor with magical powers and cured her mother’s puzzling illness. I most remember that one because it made my mother cry when she read it.
Where is your favorite place to write?
My office. I have my desk, my music, and everything I need to settle down and write in peace.
When you develop characters do you already know who they are before you begin writing or do you let them develop as you go?
My main characters are set in my head as I create the outline of my story. This is probably because the story is about them and their experiences. The supporting characters develop as the story develops.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Yes. When I am in the zone, I literally run on air while I write but once I stop I find I am beyond tired.
Yes. When I am in the zone, I literally run on air while I write but once I stop I find I am beyond tired.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Stick to it. Don’t let anything take your love of writing away from you.
Stick to it. Don’t let anything take your love of writing away from you.
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
AJ Rose wrote a book called The Long Fall of Night. I honestly believed then (and still do) that was a blockbuster movie in the making. As far as I know it’s the only post-apocalyptic story that takes you through the apocalyptic event first.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
The erotic scenes. I work hard to be realistic without being overly graphic. I try to write just enough to stimulate the imagination.
Which of your characters would you most love to have as a friend?
Teddy, from Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. He is actually modeled after a friend of mine who is a drag queen. He is loyal to a fault, smart and sassy. He has the kind of fun-loving personality which can make you mad in one moment but, you’d forgive him the next because you know if you needed a kidney he’d be the first one on line.
What is your favorite childhood book?
I was a huge fan of Nancy Drew Mysteries.
Favorite snack to indulge on while writing?
Peanut butter and Jelly sandwich with kettle cooked barbeque potato chips.
Peanut butter and Jelly sandwich with kettle cooked barbeque potato chips.
What drink will we find you with when you’re writing?
Coffee, Tea or ginger ale
What drink will we find you with when you’re out with friends?
Wine for sure or on occasion beer.
If you could co-write with anyone, who would you choose?
It’s a four-way toss up so here goes. If I am going to blow stuff up AJ Rose. She writes action like nobody else. I would love to collaborate with Amy Wasp Winberger on anything involving our military characters. I often think I would like to attempt a bdsm story and for that I would love to co-write with Shawn Michael or K.C. Wells.
It’s a four-way toss up so here goes. If I am going to blow stuff up AJ Rose. She writes action like nobody else. I would love to collaborate with Amy Wasp Winberger on anything involving our military characters. I often think I would like to attempt a bdsm story and for that I would love to co-write with Shawn Michael or K.C. Wells.
Do you need silence or music while writing?
It depends on what I am trying to write. I like noise in the background to drown out everything else going on around me so music primarily.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I am an introvert who overcompensates by using extroverted behaviors.
What is the first thing you check on your phone or computer in the morning?
I belong to the beta group of an author who lives in the U.K. so, I check Facebook Messenger for the latest conversation and/or chapter work.
I belong to the beta group of an author who lives in the U.K. so, I check Facebook Messenger for the latest conversation and/or chapter work.
What country/state/territory do you live in?
I live in Odenton, Maryland, USA
I live in Odenton, Maryland, USA
How many places have you lived?
Five states within the United States and Two countries outside the United States
Five states within the United States and Two countries outside the United States
If you could live somewhere else, where would you choose?
I loved my life in Okinawa. I could easily go back there and live.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Become a parent. Raising children is like walking a tightrope. It’s hard work and scary as hell but, what a rush!
Become a parent. Raising children is like walking a tightrope. It’s hard work and scary as hell but, what a rush!
If you could pick a new first name, what would it be?
I already did. It’s Miski. When I decided to be serious about writing and publish I wanted to do something to honor some pivotal people in my life. Harris is my maiden name. Miski translates into the same meaning as the pet name my father, who was Seminole, used to call me.
I already did. It’s Miski. When I decided to be serious about writing and publish I wanted to do something to honor some pivotal people in my life. Harris is my maiden name. Miski translates into the same meaning as the pet name my father, who was Seminole, used to call me.
How many shoes do you own?
Way too many to count. I belong to one of those sites where you get a new pair every month. I am such a shoe hog I still buy shoes in between. Every year I donate between twelve and twenty pairs of shoes to clothing bins and charities.
Way too many to count. I belong to one of those sites where you get a new pair every month. I am such a shoe hog I still buy shoes in between. Every year I donate between twelve and twenty pairs of shoes to clothing bins and charities.
Favorite movies?
Black Panther, Star Wars (all of them), and Twilight (all of them)
Black Panther, Star Wars (all of them), and Twilight (all of them)
Favorite Disney movie?
Lion King
Lake, Beach, or mountain?
Yes
Yes
Favorite comfort food?
Chocolate and wine
Chocolate and wine
About The Author
Miski Harris was born and raised in New York City with her younger brother and sister. She became and worked as a critical care nurse, served in the military, raised five amazing sons and traveled to other countries, sometimes, all at the same time. When Miski sets her mind to achieve something there is no force on earth that can stop her.
Through all the organized chaos that has often defined her life her one constant has been her love of books. Reading has always been a mainstay in her life and she is rarely seen without her Nook on which she has reportedly downloaded over 2,000 books. A woman of boundless imagination, she has always desired to give life to the characters who maintained residence in her imagination. With that in mind, she has finally put pen in hand to fulfill a lifelong desire to write books of her own.
Ask anyone who knows Miski to use one word to describe her and they would say fierce. A prior military commander once defined her as a “tender warrior”. Friends, patients, and associates have always found a strong advocate in this woman who is not afraid to speak her mind.
Miski believes three things: challenge is just another word to define worlds to conquer and lines to cross; love and faith are the most powerful forces in the universe, and the only thing that hinders success is to fail to try. With that in mind, she invites you to join her in a world where love is second to nothing and life is the greatest adventure of all.
Where To Find Miski
Facebook: miski.harris
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/
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