Interview With a Writer: Michele Vrouvas
Michele Vrouvas is a StoryTerrace writer with experience writing about history, law, education and food. Read more about her work with StoryTerrace here.
Senior Writer
As a former history teacher, Michele Vrouvas knows how to tell compelling stories of the past.
Michele began her writing career as a beat reporter for a major New Jersey publisher in the United States, where she was assigned to cover local politics and education in nearly a dozen towns at once. She has also worked as a litigation paralegal for over 20 years. Michele brings her keen eye for the human experience and serious writing chops to all of her work with StoryTerrace clients.
Michele lives in Pine Brook, New Jersey, where she can be found reading, writing, and practicing her cooking skills.
Photo of Michele in second grade at a Catholic school.
ST: What is the most memorable story you’ve told as a writer?
It was the story of a man who overcame decades of addiction by remembering his father’s dying words. He was in his forties and realizing that life isn’t so bad.
ST: Why do you enjoy writing for StoryTerrace?
It gives me the chance to write the books I’ve most enjoyed reading: Biographies were a favorite since childhood. I enjoy listening to clients as they slowly unfold their life stories.
ST: What surprised you most about working for StoryTerrace?
How quickly the interview time goes by! Especially when a client, like the one I have now, is for the first time sifting through old family documents and feels as though she’s “discovering” the people she’d known for years.
ST: What is your biggest fear?
Putting a loaf of bread in the oven to bake and realizing I forgot to add the salt.
ST: What's something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I used to sell Electrolux vacuums and absolutely loved it!
ST: What trait do you admire most in others?
Courage, because it strengthens you to think for yourself, tell the truth, and avoid corruption.
ST: If you hadn't become a writer, what career would you have right now?
I would’ve stayed a teacher, preferably a reading specialist.
ST: Who are your favorite writers?
Ernest Hemingway, Elizabeth Strout, Abigail Thomas, Rick Bragg, Larry McMurtry.
ST: What is your motto?
Winston Churchill said that we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
ST: What bit of writing advice has helped you most as a StoryTerrace writer?
It was in a book by Adair Lara: “Writing is turning your thoughts, abstractions, generalizations, and opinions back into the experiences you got them from.”
The Lightning Round!
ST: Salty or sweet?
Salty.
ST: Morning lark or night owl?
Morning lark.
ST: Paperback or e-reader?
Paperback.
ST: City or country?
City.
ST: Summer or winter?
Summer.
If you’d like to work with a professional writer like Michele to write your life story, contact StoryTerrace to get started now, or sign up for our newsletter to read more about our writers and client stories.
Senior Writer
As a former history teacher, Michele Vrouvas knows how to tell compelling stories of the past.
Michele began her writing career as a beat reporter for a major New Jersey publisher in the United States, where she was assigned to cover local politics and education in nearly a dozen towns at once. She has also worked as a litigation paralegal for over 20 years. Michele brings her keen eye for the human experience and serious writing chops to all of her work with StoryTerrace clients.
Michele lives in Pine Brook, New Jersey, where she can be found reading, writing, and practicing her cooking skills.
Photo of Michele in second grade at a Catholic school.
ST: What is the most memorable story you’ve told as a writer?
It was the story of a man who overcame decades of addiction by remembering his father’s dying words. He was in his forties and realizing that life isn’t so bad.
ST: Why do you enjoy writing for StoryTerrace?
It gives me the chance to write the books I’ve most enjoyed reading: Biographies were a favorite since childhood. I enjoy listening to clients as they slowly unfold their life stories.
ST: What surprised you most about working for StoryTerrace?
How quickly the interview time goes by! Especially when a client, like the one I have now, is for the first time sifting through old family documents and feels as though she’s “discovering” the people she’d known for years.
ST: What is your biggest fear?
Putting a loaf of bread in the oven to bake and realizing I forgot to add the salt.
ST: What's something that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I used to sell Electrolux vacuums and absolutely loved it!
ST: What trait do you admire most in others?
Courage, because it strengthens you to think for yourself, tell the truth, and avoid corruption.
ST: If you hadn't become a writer, what career would you have right now?
I would’ve stayed a teacher, preferably a reading specialist.
ST: Who are your favorite writers?
Ernest Hemingway, Elizabeth Strout, Abigail Thomas, Rick Bragg, Larry McMurtry.
ST: What is your motto?
Winston Churchill said that we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
ST: What bit of writing advice has helped you most as a StoryTerrace writer?
It was in a book by Adair Lara: “Writing is turning your thoughts, abstractions, generalizations, and opinions back into the experiences you got them from.”
The Lightning Round!
ST: Salty or sweet?
Salty.
ST: Morning lark or night owl?
Morning lark.
ST: Paperback or e-reader?
Paperback.
ST: City or country?
City.
ST: Summer or winter?
Summer.
If you’d like to work with a professional writer like Michele to write your life story, contact StoryTerrace to get started now, or sign up for our newsletter to read more about our writers and client stories.
