We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Gaunt and Angelle Gremillion and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle and Angelle, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Twenty years ago, we started a book club and fell in love with the romance novels our group read. Inspired to write, and wanting to work together, we immediately started dreaming up characters. Unlike traditional rom-coms on the market, we wanted side characters that had agency and strong voices. Together, we imagined scenarios involving two lost loves forced together in impossible situations. We all have a “WHAT IF” person from our past, and it’s fun to fantasize about various scenarios. We started a running document of story ideas to dip into for our future books. Luckily, we both have a lot of ideas and quickly the pen name Michelle Angelle was born. Our first book, Wrong Guy, Right Room was written together in 2019. It’s a story of two people being quarantined in a hotel room. And yes, many people ask if we predicted the pandemic. We’re certain we don’t have that much power, but just think of all the good we could cause if we did!
We are suckers for great characters. Before we begin, we sound like an episode of The Actor’s Studio. It’s a method-acting approach. What do the characters desire? Why? What brought them to this place? Once we understand our characters’ backstory and their motivation, the plot and setting follow suit.
We love writing together. Many authors describe their writing process as solitary, but we are lucky to share the experience with one another. When we write, we inhabit a separate plane of reality where only our story and characters exist. We love our job.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
We write modern love stories that always end happily ever after. Our books are fast-paced beach reads that star empowering female protagonists who overcome realistic life obstacles with a sense of humor. And a sense of humor is key.

Between juggling kids, husbands, and part-time jobs, the writing time happens amidst the chaos. Our biggest challenge is trying to do it all. Luckily, we have each other on speed dial and can dive into work the moment we answer the phone. Since we write together, we share docs and emails constantly. Because we don’t have a consistent writing schedule, our superb mind reading powers come in handy.

We are suckers for great characters, so before we begin a new novel, we sound like an episode of The Actor’s Studio. It’s a method acting approach. What do the characters desire? Why? What brought them to this place? Once we understand our characters’ backstory and their motivation, the plot and setting magically comes into place.

We both feel super lucky to have a balanced and creative partnership. We have different skill sets and we complement each other perfectly. We love our work and we hope it comes through on the page.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Make sure you hit up Texas in the Fall. Our first stop will be for coffee and breakfast at Bread Winners. Since the weather is beautiful, we will hit Cedar Ridge Preserve for a morning of hiking before lunch. It’s impossible to pick a great place to eat since there are so many in Dallas, but we will be sure to swing by Klyde Warren park for the row of food trucks and a quick free tour through the Dallas Museum of Art. Since it’s October, we have to hit the Texas State Fair and try a fried concoction or two (pack some Tums). The Dallas Arboretum is also a must. It’s beautiful year round and a great place to catch up with an old friend. For some history, stop by the Sixth Floor museum or the Dallas Holocaust museum. Our last day will take us to a local bookstore, Wild Detectives, and a cool part of town known as Bishop Arts. If you are willing to travel a little north, dinner in McKinney at Harvest and a walk around the square is always fun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Readers often ask us how we dream up our stories. We are inspired by everyday life and have a running list of ideas in a secret Word file. For Dear Roomie, the idea occurred to both of us at the exact same time…like kismet.

A friend of ours told us about this utopian coffee place, La La Land Kind Cafe, where they mentor foster youth aging out of the system. There, kindness is the priority. We visited and were not disappointed by the sunshiny joy that filled the space. https://lalalandkindcafe.com/about/

As we were sipping their signature lavender bloom matcha latte, two college-aged girls sat at the table next to us. Pink sweater said, “I’m dying. I’m in love with Jeremy.” Plaid shirt said, “So? What’s the problem?” Pink sweater answered with the three words that would launch the plot of this book: “He’s my roommate.”

Yes, we are “people watchers” and “coffee shop eavesdroppers.” Don’t judge, we can’t help ourselves!

We won’t recount the rest of their conversation because that’s private. But we knew immediately how to complicate this already complicated love story. It’s all thanks to La La Land Kind Cafe and those great drinks for the inspiration.

Website: https://michelleangellebooks.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/michelleangellebooks

Facebook: www.facebook.com/michelleangellebooks

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@michelleangellebooks https://www.pinterest.com/michelleangellebooks https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20636514.Michelle_Angelle https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Angelle/e/B08GV9ZVSF

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