Michelle’s love affair with speculative fiction began between the pages of a hand-me-down copy of Frank Herbert's Dune. After reading the entire multi-book series, she knew she'd found my literary niche. In addition to narrative fiction, she scripts commercials, music videos, and short and feature films. Her flash fiction piece, The Promise, won a Straitjackets award, and her fantasy novel, Minstrels’ Daughter, took First Runner Up in Mele Publishing’s Starving Writers Reprieve. A believer in supporting fellow writers, she facilitates critique groups, speaks on panels, and hosts retreats, as well as participates as a member of Writers Coffeehouse (San Diego), Temecula Valley Writers and Illustrators, and Diamond Valley Writers’ Guild.  In her private life, Michelle is an avid reader, role-play enthusiast, and life-long skier. Writing under the name M. B. Bruce, she resides in Southern California with her husband, children, seven chickens, four goats, four cats, and one very spoiled rescue dog.