By Arielle Whitaker | Observer Contributor
MWCC student and mother of two, Michele Smith Walsky, took her adolescent hobby and turned it into professional work.
Under her penname, Chele Pedersen Smith, Walsky published her first book in March 2017. Behind Frenemy Lines is a mystery involving crime, romance, and scandal. Walsky began writing scattered chapters for her husband to read, knowing he is a mystery novel buff, and soon constructed a story line and title.
For Walsky, her passion for writing goes back to the third grade. Her inspiration stemmed from a visit with her grandmother, who showed up to the house with a three-hole punch. This planted the idea in Walsky’s head to build a book with paper and string, and therefore write a story.
Walsky often collaborated with friends that could illustrate, wanting to match her storylines with vivid imagery. In fifth grade, Walsky and a friend entered their story into a talent contest. Although she was weary about the results, the following week’s newspaper announced Walsky’s story had won. This gave Walsky the writing confidence to continue her hobby.
Walsky’s interest in mystery stories started in middle school when she read Trixie Belden, a series revolving around a girl detective named Trixie. This influenced Walsky to write her own mystery series, Sherri Whitman. She continuously wrote this series throughout high school.
For Walsky the publication process was a long and “hair pulling” experience. Behind Frenemy Lines was not her first attempt at getting her work published. At the age of twenty-one she tried to publish a story from Sherri Whitman, but was rejected. The rejection continued when she periodically entered short story contests with various magazines. Finally, she succeeded, Behind Frenemy Lines was set to be published. After correcting typos and setting up the format, her book was ready and Walsky was relieved.
Walsky shows no signs of slowing down with her writing, in fact she wants to commit more to the craft. Her second book, The Pearly Gates Phone Company, a collection of spiritual, non-fiction stories inspired by the death of her father is almost completed. It includes a story where Walsky explains the rejection process and how it has made her a better writer, forcing her to “improve, tighten, and give the works a splash more life”. Walsky has plans to publish this book as well.
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