This month, we’re connecting with Michelle Hardesty, who just released her first novel, Honk If You’ve Been Married to Me — a wry, heartfelt, and deeply honest story about friendship, healing, self-discovery, and the messy, magical road to finding a love that finally fits.

Tell us about yourself. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing? 

I wear a few different hats. Professionally, I work in philanthropy and spend much of my time helping nonprofit organizations create meaningful impact in their communities. Personally, I’m a mother, grandmother, lifelong learner, and someone who is deeply curious about personal growth and human behavior.

When I’m not writing, you’ll likely find me traveling, attending live music events, practicing yoga or meditation, reading, spending time with family and friends, or exploring new experiences that help me better understand myself and the world around me.

What inspired you to write fiction, and how did you choose your genre? 

I’ve always loved stories, but I didn’t initially set out to write fiction. I started with a desire to share some of the lessons I’d learned through relationships, recovery, personal growth, and life’s unexpected twists.

As I began writing, I realized fiction gave me the freedom to explore emotional truths without being limited by the exact details of real events. Women’s fiction felt like the perfect fit because it allowed me to combine humor, heartache, self-discovery, romance, and personal transformation into one story.

What’s your book about?

My debut novel, Honk If You’ve Been Married to Me, follows Shelly Green, a successful woman who seems to have everything except a lasting relationship. After a transformative retreat and a series of unexpected experiences, she’s forced to confront old patterns, rethink what love really means, and ultimately learn that the most important relationship she can build is the one with herself.

The book blends humor, heartbreak, spirituality, friendship, and romance while exploring themes of healing, self-worth, and second chances.

Your book is inspired by real life. How did you balance telling the truth with creating a story that’s fictional?

That was probably one of the most interesting parts of the process. Rather than trying to recreate real events exactly as they happened, I focused on emotional truth.

Many experiences in the book were inspired by real moments, but characters were combined, timelines were altered, conversations were imagined, and situations were fictionalized. I also leaned into familiar tropes and storytelling devices that readers enjoy, using them as a framework to explore universal themes of love, loss, self-discovery, and personal growth.

My goal wasn’t to write a memoir. It was to create a compelling novel that captured the feelings, lessons, and transformations that often come from real life while still giving readers an entertaining and satisfying story.

What has been the most challenging part of being an indie author? How have you tackled that challenge? 

The biggest challenge has been learning how many hats an indie author has to wear. Writing the book is only the beginning. Suddenly you’re learning about editing, cover design, formatting, distribution, marketing, social media, launch planning, and a hundred other things you never anticipated.

I’ve tackled that challenge by surrounding myself with professionals and other writers who know what they’re doing, asking lots of questions, and accepting that I don’t have to figure everything out alone.

What has been the most fulfilling part of being an author? 

Without question, it’s hearing from readers who see themselves in the story. Nothing compares to having someone tell you that a character made them feel understood, helped them process something in their own life, or encouraged them to look at a situation differently.

Tell us about your process. What helped you move from idea to finished book?

I wrote every week when I could. I work and have a busy life, but I really loved writing. The editing was much more tedious for me.

The truth is that this book poured out of me. Once I started, the story and the characters seemed to take on a life of their own. There were many revisions, multiple rewrites, and moments when I had to step back and reflect, but I never struggled to find material. If anything, I struggled to keep up with it.

My boyfriend described it as a calling of art and heart, and I think that’s exactly right. The story allowed me to blend imagination with life experience. What helped me move from idea to finished book was trusting the process and taking advice constructively.

What tips do you have for other authors working on their books?

First, finish the book. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to exist.

Second, be willing to receive feedback. Editing isn’t about losing your voice; it’s about helping readers hear it more clearly.

Finally, remember that comparison is the enemy of creativity. Every author has a different timeline, process, and journey. Focus on your story and keep moving forward.

What was it like working with Two Birds Author Services?  

Working with Two Birds Author Services was the best decisions I made during the publishing process. They provided both expertise and encouragement when I needed it most.

They challenged me to dig deeper, strengthened the manuscript, and helped me stay focused on creating the best possible experience for readers. I always felt like they genuinely cared about both the book and my success as an author.

How did you choose to work with us? What would you suggest for other authors who want to find the right editor or book coach? 

I chose Two Birds because I felt an immediate connection with Michele and Andrea. From the beginning, they understood what I was trying to accomplish and offered thoughtful guidance without trying to turn my book into someone else’s vision.

One thing I learned during this process is that not all editors, coaches, and publishing professionals are created equal. There are some wonderful people in the industry, and there are also people who charge a lot of money without delivering much value. As a first-time author, that can be difficult to navigate.

What I appreciated most about Michele and Andrea was that they were reliable, honest, responsive, and genuinely invested in helping me create the best book possible. They were easy to work with, quick to answer questions, and always made me feel supported throughout the process.

My advice to other authors is to find people who respect your voice while also being honest enough to challenge you. A good editor or book coach should help you become a stronger writer, not simply tell you what you want to hear.

Where can readers connect with you and find your books?

Readers can learn more about me, connect with me, and find information about my books at my website, MichelleHardestyBooks.com or on Facebook: Honk If You’ve Been Married to Me.

Books are available through Amazon, Magic City Books, Barnes & Noble, and other major online retailers.

Is there anything we haven’t asked but that you’d like to add? 

One thing I’ve learned through this process is that stories create connection. We may come from different backgrounds and have very different life experiences, but we all understand love, loss, hope, disappointment, and growth.

If readers take anything away from my book, I hope it’s the reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite your story, heal old wounds, and choose a different path forward.