Meet Michele Olson | Author, speaker, artist, and voicepro

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michele Olson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michele, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Like most people, I had a career that fell into the “normal” column- a marketing and advertising writer. As a writer and media personality, I was able to enjoy creativity but always through the “filter” of someone else’s vision. My second act has allowed me to have my own publishing company (LakeGirlPublishing.com) and pursue writing novels set on Mackinac Island on my own terms. I still do freelance corporate writing and voicework for a variety of projects, but I do it on my schedule now, and I love that! I’ve also had more leeway in pursuing artistic endeavors and making my art available on places like etsy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love that everyone is an artist, and part of what I speak about is opening that door for everyone! Every child colors and draws until at some point, someone gives them the impression “they aren’t any good” and they stop! Travesty! It causes people to stop using that right part of their brain and limits creativity that is useful for good health and having great ideas. I teach doodling and sketchnoting for notetaking along with doing watercolor and mixed media. I love teaching adults that they are stil the artist and how to kill the inner critic. Business people can go further when doodling at a meeting and a brainstorm. I give them the tools like the “doodle alphabet” and tools to open up to so much more through art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would encourage everyone to visit Mackinac Island and the area at least once. It truly is Somewhere in Time as the iconic movie says, Whether you stay at the Grand Hotel or an of the other many wonderful hotels and inns, you’ll want to spend your time exploring the beauty of a place filled with history and where no cars are allowed. You simply have to relax and enjoy the scenery and the ambiance. There’s shopping, nature, and elegance on this tiny island where the upper peninsula and lower peninsula of Michigan meet. See the forts in the area, ride a bike around the island, and just sit and breathe in pure beauty. There is not a bad day on Mackinac Island!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m thankful for my husband, Ray, for joining me in my creative imprint company. He formats my novels and helps with the business side like taxes, which is not my favorite! I’d also like to thank independent bookstores, especially The Island Bookstore on Mackinac Island and their incredible team. Since my novels are set on Mackinac Island, it was always my dream to have my books on their shelves, and that dream has come true.

Website: https://www.LakeGirlPublishing.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakegirlpublishing

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakegirlpublishing/

Twitter: @modawnwriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lakegirlpublishing