ℚ♫ Mirror Image - Michele Pariza Wacek

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Michele Pariza Wacek to talk about Mirror Image (27 May 2016, Love-Based Publishing, 274 pages), a Psychological Thriller.

Praise for Mirror Image:

"There are moments in Wacek's novel with just enough hints and clues where if you blink or read too quickly, you'll miss them. On the surface, Wacek teases with information and red herrings to throw you off course, but hidden within the layered and complex history of Linda's past lies the answers. Mirror Image, her second novel to date, has all the prime elements you might expect from a psychological thriller: mystery, high tension, family secrets, murder, and an evocative villain whose silver eyes and supernatural-like manipulations personify evil. This well plotted and unsettling tale is reminiscent of Basic Instinct (which Wacek coyly references in her novel) and satisfying for mystery and crime novel readers." - US Review of Books

Author Q&A | Synopsis | Teaser | About the Author | Giveaways & Tour Stops

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A very warm welcome to Michele Pariza Wacek; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

We love music; do you have a music playlist that you used in Mirror Image, or which inspired you whilst you were writing it?

"I would bounce back and forth from classical music (Mozart, Beethoven, Dvorak, etc.) to some movie soundtracks and Pink Floyd. A LOT of Pink Floyd. I especially would listen to the tracks below."

What was the inspiration for Mirror Image?

"When I was a teenager, my parents took us on a family vacation to New Hampshire. While there, we took an afternoon lake cruise, and it was on that cruise where the idea first came to me. However, I wrote it as a short story and with Elizabeth as the main character. Linda popped up in it, and I remember I couldn't shake her. For years I kept thinking about Linda and mulling about her until one day I realized this was actually Linda's story and it started after Elizabeth's death.

(If you want to read a version of the short story that started it all, it's in the novel in one of the Elizabeth chapters.)"

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Well, there's nothing in the plot that actually reflects anything that has happened to me (other than going on the lake cruise in New Hampshire -- but I certainly didn't have the same experience as I wrote about in the book). But in terms of the emotional themes that run through the book -- yeah, I think that's something a lot of us can relate too. When you peel back the psychological thriller/mystery/suspense element, what the book is really about is redemption. And who doesn't feel like they could use a little redemption in at least one area in their life?"

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Mirror Image - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"I personally didn't do anything other than hire a very talented designer named Erin Ferree Stratton to come up the cover. She took the time to read the book and she definitely captured the emotional themes and plot in the cover."

Why should we read Mirror Image and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"I am an avid reader and personally love all sorts of genres -- mystery, romance, suspense, chick lit, science fiction, fantasy, horror, etc. -- so the books I end up writing are actually a bit of a mix of a lot of different genres. They're predominantly psychological thrillers/mystery/suspense novels but I always have a strong romantic component plus I have dashes of horror/paranormal. The feedback I've gotten from readers for both this novel and my first one "The Stolen Twin" is they've never read anything quite like these books. So if you like a good page turner that's doesn't really fit in any one mold, you'll be right at home with my books."

Can you tell us something quirky about Mirror Image, its story and characters?

"This book haunted me. It started as a short story with Elizabeth as the main character and then I turned it into a novella with Elizabeth as the main character and it still never felt right. I couldn't figure out why. When I finally realized it was Linda's story and it started after Elizabeth's death, it started to come together, but it still took a long time to shape it. In comparison, my other novel "The Stolen Twin" I wrote in 9 months and didn't agonize much about at all -- it pretty much just flowed out. But this one was a longer, far more intense birthing process."

Who would you recommend Mirror Image to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"It's definitely got a dark edge to it, so if you don't like any darkness in your stories (for instance you prefer very light mysteries or cozies) you probably won't like this."

If you could / wished to turn Mirror Image into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"Stanley Kubrick would have been an awesome director for this movie. Tim Burton would probably be my second choice as a director."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"This is probably my favorite genre to read and to write, but as I switch around genres I have ideas in multiple genres. (Haven't quite figured out how to reconcile all of that yet.)"

What is your writing process?

"I personally need to "live" in the characters' world. For me, the writing process takes the least amount of time. I need to walk around in the characters' world and really live in it. That can be difficult to balance with all my other life commitments but I'm getting better at it."

What is in store next?

"I'm working on another book in the same genre -- this next one centers around a haunted house (although, like my first two, I would call it more a psychological thriller/mystery/suspense novel -- but yeah, there's a haunted house in it, too). I have a glimmering of an idea for a mystery/suspense series -- it hasn't landed fully yet but I'm hoping after I finish this current book it will decide to reveal itself. "

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

Thank you for sharing Cassie "The Hunter" with us :-)  She is gorgeous.
I would also like to share a picture of sweet Nick, who was your companion until last month when he passed.  Run free, Nick x

Mirror Image
Available NOW!

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