Welcome back to another episode of Eternally Amy, and today we have an inspiring voyage from rock bottom to the peaks of recovery with our esteemed guest, Michele W. Miller (@michelewmiller).
Michele candidly opens up about her unique writing process, revealing how half-hour morning sessions keep her focused, yet flexible enough to extend when she’s in the zone (2:15). She dives into the details of working amidst the chaos of a bustling household, complete with kids and dogs, painting a vivid picture of her creative space (4:05).
In expressing her gratitude for joining us on the show, Michele voices her hopes that her books provide joy or a fright to her readers, as well as a beacon of encouragement for anyone walking the long path of recovery (8:40). Her story arc from lawyer to felon to public interest lawyer is a testament to her resilience and determination (12:55).
Co-host Alysse Bryson (@alyssebryson) and I delve into the necessity for more nuanced narratives around addiction recovery, moving beyond the clichéd depictions we so often see (16:20), while mentioning a thought-provoking film about the lingering impact of past traumas on a character 13 years sober (18:50).
Michele doesn’t shy away from discussing her potential future works, including spinning a series from her book “The Lower Power” and teasing a sequel to her zombie recovery novel (27:30). The passion is palpable as she emphasizes her focus on impact over applause or profit (29:45).
Our candid conversation then transitions to Michele’s efforts to expand the reach of addiction fiction, highlighting other authors like Lawrence Block who’ve paved the way with recovery-oriented characters (33:10), and Alysse shares her own experiences with seeing herself reflected in characters battling sobriety (36:10).
Michele shares insights into her character development and her organic, faith-driven writing approach where her characters take on lives of their own, often integrating aspects of her own past (41:20). Our chat twists through the ways recovery themes merge with fantastical elements like the zombie apocalypse in Michele’s “13th Step” (48:40).
With Michele’s openness about her personal journey—from the lows of battling cocaine addiction to the highs of obtaining her law license after incarceration (51:10)—listeners are sure to find a linchpin of hope in this episode. Fellow co-host Alysse Bryson celebrates the parallels in their pasts as former drug dealers (54:30).
Michele now works with organizations aiding individuals’ reentry into society post-prison, sharing these experiences through her writing, capturing not just her voice but the collective stories of recovery (57:00).
Stay with us as Michele reflects on the evolution of her characters from self-mirroring to incorporating her own backstory, especially seen in ‘The Lower Power’, using her Rikers Island stint as raw material (1:02:20).
Michele’s reflection on her continuous recovery journey, alongside her pivotal role as a public interest lawyer and chief government ethics prosecutor for New York City, accentuates her multifaceted life (1:08:55).
We wrap up with Michele’s infectious aspiration to inspire not just fellow recoverees but a broad audience with her critically acclaimed novels, which are representative of her unparalleled trek across the depths and triumphs of life (1:11:35).
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Quick Facts About This Interview with Michele W. Miller
– Michele is an attorney and author of four published novels.
– She is 34 years sober after battling a cocaine and heroin addiction that led her to jails, institutions, and near-death experiences.
– Michele graduated from NYU Law School and became a lawyer at 22, facing a 15-to-life sentence for drug possession by age 25 under New York’s Rockefeller Law. Despite avoiding prison in that case, she was disbarred for nine years due to a felony conviction.
– In recovery, she regained her law license and worked as a public interest lawyer, later serving as NYC’s chief government ethics prosecutor.
– Currently, she is the General Counsel for The Fortune Society, helping the formerly incarcerated with re-entry services.
– Michele continues to attend meetings and assist others in overcoming addiction.
– She resides in Upper Manhattan, where her novels are often set, with her husband, twin sons, two cats, and a large dog.
– Represented by Writers House, her novels have been published by Blackstone Publishing and Crooked Lane Books.
– Her books have received accolades such as being named “Best of 2019” by Strand Magazine and a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards.
– Publishers Weekly praises her latest novel, “THE LOWER POWER,” as a “superbly written tale of urban survivors fighting to save themselves once more.”
ADDICTION FICTION: Addiction Fiction Review by Will Thatcher – The Thirteenth Step: Zombie Recovery
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