Hanging Out With Michael Chulsky

I had the pleasure of meeting Michael at this year's Liberty States conference. He was there as a reader and over our shared love of the color purple, our friendship began.. I truly do adore this man and I hope you all will give his first published work, The Descending Darkness, a look. 

1. Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a writer. I love cats, every kind of cat. I enjoy video games and watching anime. I enjoy anything Pina Colada flavored. And I like cheesecake. A lot.

2. When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I first knew that I wanted to be a writer in the fourth grade. I was a very wild kid and most teachers didn’t understand me. I was switched into a classroom, and the teacher belonging to that classroom was Mrs. Becker. She helped me channel my creative energy into a sort of mini-class newspaper. It was just something that I did for fun but she gave me pointers and what not. I saw how much my classmates enjoyed my writing and I realized it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

3. Tell us about your upcoming work?
The Descending Darkness is the story of Shadow and his attempt at saving the world. He isn’t Dean Winchester or anything, so he needs help. He recruits several teenagers with special powers/abilities like himself. It’s his belief that if they stick together, they’ll succeed.

4. Do you have any mentors? Heroes?
Anybody who believes in themselves is my hero. And as for mentors, I feel that most of my fellow-authors are like mentors. Cody Kennedy for one.

5. Can you tell us your favorite character from your books so far and why?
This is a very difficult question. I think if I had to pick a character from TDD, It would have to be Maedara. I love silly villains like her. She was extremely fun to write.

6. Was it difficult for you to get published?
I think everyone has some difficulty getting published for the first time. I wouldn’t necessarily call it difficult so much as a trial, so to speak. I definitely think that trying to get published tests your patience and sanity.

7. Who are your favorite authors/reads?
My favorite male author is Lemony Snicket and my favorite female author is Laurell K. Hamilton.

8. Hobbies?
I don’t think a day goes by where I’m not reading and/or playing video games. So I guess they’re my hobbies. =)

9. What is your dream job?
My dream job is being a magical author with the ability to materialize baked goods with my mind. Unfortunately I’ll have to settle for just the author part.

10. Do you have any favorite TV shows?
Yes I do! I love Once Upon a Time (SwanQueen!), Rupaul’s Drag Race, Supernatural, Adventure Time, and Regular Show. Those shows are the best.

11. What’s next for you?
Next on my agenda is finishing my adult novel and my YA M/M romance. Wish me luck.

12. Where can we find you?
You can find me on Facebook (facebook.com/Michael.chulsky) or Twitter (twitter.com/michaelchulsky) I’d love to hear from you!

13. What would you like readers to know about you?
I’d like readers to know that I write for them. I write because I want to make them smile and enjoy themselves. Giving a smile is one of the greatest gifts of all. =)

THANKS SO MUCH TO MICHAEL CHULSKY FOR SUCH GREAT ANSWERS! WHAT A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR!