From Headlines to Dystopia: Michelle Park Lazette on Journalism, Caregiving & Crafting The Descended

In this compelling episode of Literary Lines, host GiGi Meier sits down with debut author Michelle Park Lazette to discuss her gripping dystopian novel, The Descended—a must-add to your TBR list! Michelle opens up about her unique journey from journalist and social media strategist to novelist, revealing how the "domino effect" of life events during COVID-19 ignited her creative spark and led her to craft a world where survival and humanity collide.Michelle shares the challenges of writing after long days and navigating caregiver guilt, while leveraging feedback from alpha and beta readers to refine her work. She delves into the transition from journalism’s fact-based reporting to novel writing’s emotional depth, and how she learned to explore her characters’ interior lives. Listeners will also get an exclusive sneak peek at her next project—a sci-fi romance set in Cleveland, Ohio, titled 34 Overbrook, slated for a potential 2026 release.From book signings and ads to engaging with book clubs, Michelle offers practical advice for fellow debut authors. Tune in to discover where to find The Descended online and why Michelle’s storytelling journey is just beginning. Find Michelle here:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/michellelazette/ How to find GiGi:Website: https://www.gigimeier.com/ Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes: https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier Substack: https://gigimeier.substack.com The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier