As always Michael, thanks for making One Life to Live a joy to watch. I was wondering if there has been any news about a third printing of “Eighteen Straight Whiskeys?” I would love to get a copy but not sure where I can look for it. Also, is there any chance you may come to Jacksonville, FL anytime soon? The weather is perfect and it just seems weird that I won't get to see you in Orlando in November.

ME: Will miss seeing you all in November as well. Thank you for inquiring about, "Eighteen Straight Whiskeys." I am working with the publisher on printing a third edition of the book that will include new poems. Any updates will be posted on this site as they are confirmed.

Hi Michael. Love your work as both a writer and an actor. Am wondering when we can expect the graphic novel you are working on with Peter Straub, TALES OF THE GREEN WOMAN? I haven't heard anything about it recently. Thanks for always taking the time for what must sometimes seem like silly questions. Believe me, some of us look forward to these Q&A's more than you know!

ME: Principal art for "Tales of The Green Woman" was finished by Mr. John Bolton just last week and is fantastic. We are looking forward to the book being out in the Fall of 2010.

Christopher's artwork is so incredible and the story of “Soul Stealer” is so engrossing on its own. How did you decide that Chris should be the one to illustrate it? I have a tough time showing my writing to even my closest friends. I can't imagine giving another person a story that means as much to me as I'm assuming “Soul Stealer” means to you and saying "bring this to life." I would think that takes an immense amount of trust. What made you decide that he was the right person?

ME: By chance I found an art book called, "Ronin: The Art of Christopher Shy" at a bookstore in Los Angeles and knew immediately that this was the look I wanted for “Soul Stealer.” The publisher at the time was unfamiliar with Chris and kept suggesting other artists that I just didn't respond to. It took a year (and my wife's prompting) to finally contact Chris with an email asking him to do some art for the book. I was half expecting to never hear from him but he responded the next day and we started working on the twenty-six page comic book that became the "Soul Stealer" trilogy. Looking back now it's strange to think we worked on the project for another ten months before actually meeting face to face. I guess it's like Shakespeare said, "Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid".

I have just finished reading the second volume of the “Soul Stealer” triology. I can't believe I have to wait a year for the next one. Oh well, good things are worth waiting for. Personally I don’t know how it can get any better. I have one question. Is the love story based on yours and Ginerva's love? I try and pretend that it is and it makes the story so good.

ME: It makes me very happy to hear you enjoyed "Blood and Rain." The third book truly brings everything together in a wonderful, final climax. All I can say regarding my wife and her relationship to the story is she taught me what love is.

I was wondering what your first job was growing up. Did you do the typical fast food gig like most of us or growing up in California, did you find something more interesting.

ME: I worked in an old-fashioned movie theater that had two screens and ran the same movie for a month. I saw "Officer And a Gentlemen" fifty-five times.

I've been working on a story that I wanted to submit to a competition. Everything was flowing well and then...SCREECH! Crash! Bang! Nothing. I am now smack in the middle of one of the worst and longest cases of writers block I have ever had. I've tried all my usual "tricks": rereading favorite authors, free writing, shots of Crown Royal, etc. and yet my creative landscape is filled only with the sound of chirping crickets. Have you ever had a really bad case of writers block and if so, how did you get past it?

ME: Shots of Crown Royal usually do the trick. Not really. There are a couple of good books that have helped me through writers' block. Stephen Kings' "On Writing" often inspires me through a bad patch. I also like a book by Steven Pressfield called "The War of Art" that just gets you thinking differently about words. When that doesn't work, I go to the movies.

Hi Michael, I was so blessed to see you again at the “Blood And Rain” booksigning in Chicago and the event after. Words cannot express how kind and thoughtful you always are. Sooooo enjoyed the book!!! My question is how do you choose the characters names? Also, do you have a certain place that you find helpful for writing? Thanks again for entertaining us and for all you do.

ME: I keep a writing journal with me and many of these names have just existed within the pages of that book for years waiting to be born. On a trip to Ireland ten years ago a bartender told me the name "Kalan" loosely translates to "Warrior" in Gaelic. I remember thinking, I'm going to use that some day.

Michael, I was wondering if you ever struggled with a class despite the fact that you knew you had a gift for it, like writing? I love writing, and have been told numerous times that it's a gift, yet when it comes to the class I'm having a difficult time because it's not my own writing. When it comes to using context clues I struggle, and it's really frustrating since I'm really good with the essay part, if I could figure out how to cram my answer on a single page. Did you struggle with any of these issues?

ME: I wish I had a good answer but I struggled with almost every aspect of school. All I wanted to do was get out and live and write but I guess it all becomes part of the process. Life is a kind of uphill battle and these are just the things we have to overcome.

Hello. I have to say I have been a big fan of yours for a long time since the TV show "Two". I have been searching everywhere for those old episodes and was wondering if you could tell me where I could find them. Also I have read your poetry book “Eighteen Straight Whiskeys” as I happened to see it at a library by accident actually because at the time I didn't know you wrote poetry. Anyways I'm rambling. I was wondering if you plan on doing another printing of it because I want to purchase the book for my collection and I have looked everywhere for it. Well I thank you for your time. I can’t wait to purchase “Soul Stealer” and now the second book.

ME: Thank you for the kind words. I wouldn't mind seeing those old "TWO" episodes myself. We worked so hard on that show I don't think I ever had a time to stop and watch. I'll try to round up some episodes and post them on the web site.

Hi Michael. I have heard that you used to be a smoker. If it is not too personal, can I ask how you were able to quit? My friend is a heavy smoker and no matter what she tries, she always goes back to smoking as she says she just enjoys it. We both love you on OLTL. Keep up the awesome work!

ME: It's a monster but has to be done. I did a poor man's version of detox. Bought a pack, threw out one cigarette and smoked the rest. The next pack you buy you throw out two cigarettes and so on and so on. At the end of the month you take out one cigarette and throw out the rest of the pack. This becomes your last cigarette.

Hey, I was wondering if you have ever done a "country boy" role? As opposite from the norm as it may seem, I can totally visualize it, and it gives me goose bumps! LOL I love watching you!

ME: Or a Western. I'm with you.