Interview with M.D. LaBelle

Published 2022-06-21.
What are you working on next?
I have numerous novels I am always working on. Currently, I have about 16 on the back burner that vary from horror, to fantasy, to erotica and more children's literature. There are always stories popping up in my head so I am adding to it constantly.
Who are your favorite authors?
Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Anne Rice, Danielle Steele, to name a few. Ever since I was a child, I loved horror novels and then when I was a teen, I replaced a few books with romance novels too. However, I still read both genres.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
For one thing, my children and husband. Without them, I doubt I would even be living right now. For a while, I suffered from extensive depression that postponed my writing career for 20 plus years. When I remarried, my new husband found out that I wrote a novel and immediately backed me and pushed me to publish it.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I enjoy being with my family, while also I need to sometimes get away to play my violin or draw. The outside frequently calls to me as well.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I have tons of author friends so there is never an issue with that. I have a facebook account with over 4k followers and much of them are other authors who are always showing off their talents.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes. I was 12. Before that I had wrote a couple paragraphs of things, but nothing much. One day I heard that their was a contest and being competitive, I jumped on it right away. As it turns out I won and then it went to state and I won a place there too. It was a horror story about a vampire and I absolutely nailed it.
What is your writing process?
I have dreams and things just pop in my head. I will be sitting here writing another novel and just something my husband says, triggers a memory or my creativity and then i quickly have to write it down. Once I have it, I hurry and make a cover and then go from there. Sometimes i will make a cover and then make a story to match. It all depends what kind of mood i am in.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Well, the very first story was a carebear book. But when I was a bit older, I read Stephen King's It and that put me over the edge. I quickly fell in love with words and the creative side of it.
How do you approach cover design?
I have an image in my head, so I delve through thousands of pics until I get just the right one. It takes me hours to design it all, but in the end it usually comes out just as I had pictured it.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
It, because it reminds me of when I was young and first fell in love with horror. Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles because I can specifically remember lying on my bed and reading them until the wee hours of the morning. My mom would come in and yell at me because I had school the next day. Dean Koontz Phantoms. I read it several times and then when they came out with the movie, I thought it was so strange that they never completely get it right. Needful Things. I remember reading it and I always had such a creepy feeling throughout the whole thing and then of course, Ray Bradbury Something wicked this way comes because he takes a normal quiet little town and turns it into a horrific carnival of souls where everyone wants something but when they get it they wish they had never set eyes on those who gave it to them.
What do you read for pleasure?
Horror of course, Romance, and Erotica. Lately, I have been giving Fantasy a chance and that is why I tried my hand at writing it as well at the gentle push of my husband. He loves fantasy and hates to see me writing smut. Lol.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I prefer to read on my phone. The others are just too bulky.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
I belong to extensive groups on Facebook, also I have a professional account on Instagram and TikTok.
Describe your desk
Actually, it is my lap as I sit on the couch with my feet up. Depending on the weather, I may or may not have a blanket on. I hate sitting in stuffy old chairs, typing away. It is so conventional. Lol
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in a little tiny town called White Cloud, Michigan. Ever since I was little, I tried to leave and made sure as I was growing up that I did. However, oddly enough I found myself marrying a man from my childhood and often more than not, I visit back home with my remaining parent, my mother. After high school, I purposely went to a school that was hours away so I couldn't live at home.
When did you first start writing?
When I was very young. Like I said, I won a competition when I was 12. A young author award competition.
What's the story behind your latest book?
The one I am about to finish is the second in a series of erotica. It is about a girl who has to grow up quickly and finds herself working as a stripper. She meets Mr. Knight and falls head over heals in love with him but wishes later on that things didn't have to be quite so difficult.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
My husband. I tried a couple times submitting to traditional authors to no avail and then sat on the novel for about a year before I finally had someone point out KDP to me.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
I have just started my career here. I am hoping that as I expand, they can help me achieve my goals.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I love creating and knowing that readers enjoy what I create.
What do your fans mean to you?
Everything, because without them, what is the point?
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

Steamy Shower Tales
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 31,630. Language: English. Published: August 30, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Erotica » Erotica Anthologies
Steamy Shower Tales is part of an anthology series made for those moments when you don't have a lot of time but want a quickie.
Craving Mr. Knight Book 2 of the Lusting After Mr. Knight Series
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 41,470. Language: English. Published: June 27, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Erotica » Contemporary
Please read Lusting After Mr. Knight first and then you will understand what happens in Book 2. In the second book of the series, Brandon and Dani are back as they discover that it takes more than just great sex and lots of love to make a relationship last. Especially, when there are so many women lusting after Mr. Knight.
Lusting After Mr. Knight
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 36,730. Language: English. Published: June 21, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Erotica » Contemporary
Dani as her family calls her lovingly, has always been the quiet mousy type.  She is always watching the world around her, never quite able to command the attention of anyone except for her friends and family.  When she finds out that she has to get a job to survive, she goes to the city and ends up working under Mr. knight.  Getting more than she bargains for, in the end is she naughty or nice?