Some Fun Facts About Michelle Chouinard

I love all animals.

I happen to have furry, four-legged ones at home, but I’d happily have an iguana, bird, or even a tarantula if the opportunity arose. I currently have four cats and a dog, which sounds like a lot—because it is. We intended to have two cats only, but when we went to adopt there were three fluffy little siblings together at the animal shelter, and I couldn’t bear to leave one alone. So, that made three. Then we found a tiny kitten abandoned by its mother in our backyard, which brought us to four. Then my husband found an abandoned dog on the way to work one morning and voila—I’ll never have a clean house again.

Wild animals love me.

I also attract animals when I go on vacation and always end up feeding some sort of new friend. It’s never intentional, but it always happens—reindeer and salmon in Alaska, feral iguanas in Mexico, feral chickens in Kauai, sparrows and goats in Paris (yes, goats in Paris. Long story). I wonder what would happen if I ever went on safari…

One more thing about animals…

Last one, I promise. The Tasmanian Devil is my spirit animal, and if I could have a little Tazzy as a pet, I totally would. There’s just something that speaks to me about a critter who looks like the cuddliest teddy bear you’ve ever seen, but who, if you come too close, will chew off your face. There’s a life lesson in there, I think. Especially for a crime-fiction writer.

I’m a caffeine addict.

I prefer my caffeine in the form of mochas (like Jo Fournier), although I’ll often have lattes or regular coffee to cut back on the sugar. I also love to try different teas. When I need something cold, my favorite is Diet Coke, although I’ve been known to sneak a sugar-free Rockstar (like Christine Lopez) as a special treat. My doctor says they’re poison, but I’m not giving them up completely until I see the studies on that.

Speaking of studies…

I have a PhD in research psychology and was one of the founding faculty members when the University of California opened their tenth campus, U.C. Merced. I’ve always been fascinated by what makes people tick—I picked up an issue of Psychology Today when I was in grammar school. My area of expertise is in developmental psychology, how children learn and remember. My training has come in very handy in life, and in my books. My fascination with memory in particular was part of the driving force behind Her Daughter’s Cry.

I’ve climbed a volcano.

I’ve climbed both a volcano and a glacier. In both cases, I figured the hike would be better exercise than just flying up in a helicopter. I’m so glad I did both because I learned so much about the landscapes and natural formations that result from these wonders. But, I almost burned my foot off in a flow of lava, and my husband almost slipped into a crevice in the glacier. Next time we’ll take the helicopter. 

I have zombie apocalypse survival skills.

I know how to open cans without can openers, how to start a fire without matches, and how to weaponize a zombie. I have excellent aim and training in both archery and knife-throwing. 

I’m related to Charlemagne.

I’ve traced my family genealogy back to Charlemagne. I only actually had to trace my line back ten generations, and at that point I discovered one of my ancestors was a documented, legitimate descendant of Charlemagne (the work had been done by professional genealogists and was published in journals, so I can’t take credit for it). He’s my 42X great-grandfather, which I’m thinking means I should go get myself some kind of rhinestone tiara to wear while I vacuum the house.

I’m obsessed with Halloween.

I start planning my costume months in advance, and I love decorating for the neighborhood kids. I love a good scare, and I love an excuse to be whatever/whoever I want for a day. But, the thing I love most of all about it is the trick-or-treating—not going trick-or-treating, but handing out candy. I love that one night a year there’s a social contract that we’ll give a piece of candy to any child who asks for it, and we keep the streets safe that night for strangers’ children as well as our own. I’d love to see more of that community spirit and generosity throughout the year. 

I break out in figurative hives if I don’t have a book with me.

Luckily, thanks to digital books, anytime I have my Kindle or my smart phone, I don’t just have a single book, I now have access to all the books. Now, if I just had more time to read them…