#12 Michele Miles Gardiner “Craving Normal”

20 minute read

Did you ever have that feeling as a child that you just didn’t fit in?

I know I did, and if I’m completely honest I’ve felt it as an adult too. It’s that feeling where you try to be a part of something while knowing you really belong someplace else.

It can be easy to believe that you’re alone with this, and so when you come across other people that have felt this way too, there’s an instant connection which feels both comforting and reassuring.

And so when I first discovered Michele Miles Gardiner on Instagram, her page stood out a mile. Amongst the photographs and anecdotes were hints of a life that had been full of adventure, fuelled by an intense wanderlust and unquenchable zest for life.

And then I saw that Michele was writing a book in which she would share the stories that accompanied these social media posts, and I was intrigued beyond measure.

I made contact with Michele, we kept in touch, and I eagerly awaited the release of Craving Normal.

Months later when the book was finally with me, I sat down and nailed it from cover to cover. As a person that has always had a passion for life, travel, and the random experiences that can accompany both, it left a significant mark on me.

Despite having lived different lives I could still relate intensely to a lot of what Michele had written; the awkward moments, the crazy tales, and the craving for normality despite having a soul that aches for adventure.

And if her book is the blue-touch-paper, then this interview is the match that lights it; because if there’s one thing that corresponding with Michele has reminded me about, it’s that we should never forget how to really live.

Elliot – Hi Michele and welcome to Lossul.com. I’m absolutely stoked to begin this interview with you.

As somebody that is fascinated by hearing people’s life stories, your book ‘Craving Normal’ was something that appealed to me straight away. After waiting months for its release, when it finally landed on my doorstep I was eager to begin reading straight away; and it did not disappoint.

Could you please start by giving us an overview of your book and its central themes? And could you also tell us what inspired you to write it?

Michele – Hi, Elliot. Yes, as a child I experienced the massive cultural transformations of the revolutionary 1960’s counterculture movement. By the age of four, I went from a stable and routine suburban California existence to a nomadic life, traveling the world with my family in a trailer, when my parents were inspired by the bohemian vibe of the day.

Everything changed. Not only did my surroundings change in a flash of time, but so did my parents, their friends, and the city I knew, San Francisco, before the so called Summer of Love arrived. The adults I knew went from clean-cut to long-haired, tossing out groovies and far-outs, while toking joints. Who are these people? I asked myself, again and again.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, those cultural changes had direct impacts on my friends and me. Divorce rates were rising. Many kids were fending for ourselves, while adults were “doing their thing”, work, school, partying. 

All my life, I’d been bombarded by media fascination with “flower children” and their impact on society: movies, TV shows, books, documentaries, educators. All about the Woodstock generation. So I wondered whatever happened to my peers, people like me – raised in the counterculture or alternative families. Did they grow to continue living that way? Did they rebel and live counter to their countercultural childhoods?

When I was first able to go online, way back in the late ‘90s, I searched for those stories. My initial book idea was to interview people raised in not “normal” families (commune-dwellers, punk rockers, artists, political activists, and so on). 

I invited Kevin Starr, a prolific California historian and author (my mom’s cousin), to dinner at my home. I wanted to get Kevin’s advice on starting this book idea.

He shrugged, not finding the concept interesting.

“Write your own stories.”

And so I did.

In my search for similar childhood experiences, I found a lack of humor from the now adult writers or in documentaries. In my life, I almost always find humor even in the most scary, awkward and uncomfortable situations. I guess it’s my way of controlling my life – where I focus my flashlight, is what dwells in my mind.

Negative thoughts and stories, really get me down. I prefer to focus on the humor and positive aspects of my life. But I also share stories about growing up beyond the flower children’s shadow, too, to make my own way in the world… always trying to fit in, a lifelong quest.

Elliot – I absolutely love that outlook on life, being able to find humour in some of the scariest and darkest moments. There’s so much outside of ourselves that we can’t control, but the one freedom that we do always have is the ability to choose how we process our thoughts and feelings. There’s so much in that final paragraph that I can relate to.

I also love how the book idea came together and Kevin’s advice has proved to be priceless.

It’s quite appropriate that you should mention the impact that the cultural changes had upon the children of that time. This particularly hit me in one of my favourite chapters from the book, Kid Libbers of Gatorville. It felt as though as children you were observing all that was happening with the adults in your societies and then filtering that through your own minds and figuring life out for yourselves. In many ways it’s a real testament to the resilience and strength of a child’s mind.

What are your thoughts on this? And having been caught somewhere between conformist society and non-conformist ‘flower children’, do you find yourself believing that one outlook is better than the other? Or is it a case of finding a healthy balance between the two?

Michele – Wow, Elliot, I am so grateful for this question. That story, “Kid Libbers of Gatorville,” and “My Barbie, the Slut,” were important for me – pivotal parts of my childhood. I thought they really represent issues we were dealing with. We 1970’s kids – most specifically, kids being raised in the counterculture – were being exposed to so many new things and dealing with issues previous generations really hadn’t dealt with.

Cindy, the friend I shared many of those experiences with in those stories, and I had lunch two days after she read “Craving Normal”. We both realized something HUGE: we raised our own children (she has a daughter and two sons. I have one daughter.) 180 degrees differently than we were raised because of our experiences. Meaning, our kids didn’t come home to empty houses; our kids were supervised as to not be exposed to all the things (sex, porn, perverts) we were exposed to.

Funny, when my little girl was 8 years old, another parent said to me, “Your daughter is so innocent,” a rarity these days. I was proud of that. But, Cindy and I both wonder if we didn’t swing to the other extreme and overprotect our kids. We both think we might have. 

Someone who read my book and reviewed it online referred to how I was raised as “benign neglect”. I like to focus on the word benign. Allowing kids freedom, as many kids had in previous generations compared to today, can be wonderful. Cindy and I agree on this. Sure, we had some alarming experiences, but we also learned how to protect ourselves, how to entertain ourselves, how to be creative… our curious little minds thrived on adventure.

I am proud my daughter had an innocent childhood, but I do wonder if I wasn’t overly involved.

I’m now working on a new book, a collection of stories I’m calling “How to Become Broke and Influence Nobody”. Quite a few of those stories will be about when she was born, how I made a promise to protect her and how I might have “over parented” (if that’s a term) her – I was the class parent, always planning “activities” for my kid, and dragging my teen from parties. 

Once again, I need to find the humor in what I often take so seriously.

Funny, my childhood and my daughter’s childhoods couldn’t have been more different. But I have a wonderful relationship with my mom and my daughter seems to still love me. I suppose the only thing that matters is that we all tried/try our best and learn from our experiences.

Elliot – I think it’s natural to want to try to protect our children in the ways that we weren’t protected and to give them the things that we never had. But all we can ever do is to try our best and to learn from each experience, just like our parents did, and like their parents did too. 

I’m so tempted to stay on this subject as I think it’s a huge topic, but I’m keen to cover as much ground as possible and so will change the direction slightly now. 

The earlier chapters of the book cover your time spent on the road, travelling as a family. The chapter Our Greek Paradise really stood out for me with the description of arriving somewhere new, late into the night. The image of opening your trailer door into the sunlight and taking in your new surroundings was magical to me.

Many parents often talk about wanting to travel but say that their children are too young to head out into the world with, or they keep it as safe as possible by opting for package holidays, closed off in sanitized beach resorts. What are your thoughts about this? On reflection, were your many varied experiences of the world at such a young age a positive thing or not? And how have those early experiences impacted your life as an adult?

Michele – Another great question. Thanks, Elliot.

World travel, at such a young age, was an incredible and informative experience for me. Especially since we lived among the local people, making friends with farmers, shop keepers, being invited for dinner or to stay in homes of people in many countries. I learned early the goodness of people all over the world, how no matter what languages we speak, foods we eat, clothes we wear, we have so much in common. If we only stayed in Western-style hotels and hung around tourists, I would have missed out.

I think showing young children the world is a great gift. Because my husband and I started a home business when my daughter was about six, we didn’t have the freedom to travel too far from home. But because of my childhood adventures, I took my daughter on smaller, closer to home adventures: Hiking, road trips… and the library (adventure and stories from around the world on the pages of books). 

When I come across families online who are traveling with children, similar to how my family did, I like to let them know how my childhood experiences forever altered the way I see the world and how I believe their children will be grateful. 

The only problem, connected to our travel experiences, was how I, as a new kid at school, felt I didn’t fit in, due to lack of American pop-culture and my eclectic wardrobe made up of clothing and shoes we bought on our travels. But that was my own insecurity. Too bad I didn’t realize being unique is a good thing. Silly kid, I didn’t realize how fortunate I was for my experiences. I just wanted to fit in. 

Elliot – Although you may not have had the same freedom to take your daughter out too far into the world, you’ve still been able to nurture the same sense of adventure and curiosity for her. I often write on this site about how adventure and discovery doesn’t have to mean travelling to the other side of the world. It’s a mindset, and as such it can be found right on your doorstep. 

It’s funny you should end your previous answer talking about standing out at school, because I had a question already prepared about that very thing.

In the chapter which is named after the book’s title, you write about the other kids at school having lunch boxes boasting images of The Banana Splits and enjoying TV shows like The Brady Bunch. In contrast you had lunch in a see-through bag and had real life adventures to be able to talk about rather than American pop-culture. Because of this, you often spent your lunch breaks alone.

As children all we ever really wanted was to fit in, and we often saw the things that made us unique as being a curse, rather than a gift. Sometimes this even creeps into adulthood and leaves people too afraid to embrace their individualism, choosing instead to sacrifice the journey they could have taken so that they can fit in instead. 

Your story about not succumbing to the things that many people wanted you to do in Hollywood (“Confessions of a Hollywood Extra”) was amazing. Where so many people would’ve been blinded by the glitz and would sell their soul, you stood proud.

Do you have any thoughts on this? What are the dangers of hiding our true selves? And do the advantages of standing up as an individual and standing out from the crowd outweigh the feelings of isolation that this can sometimes bring?

Michele – Wow, I got chills that you tied my Hollywood experiences into my childhood of not fitting in.

Yes, I believe you’re right. I’d spent so long trying to fit in, finally accomplishing that in high school, only to realize I’d rather think for myself. I do think being a childhood oddball gave me that strength. Those were tough years, alone and broke, when I was new to LA. Again, I have to thank my parents for my unique experiences.

Saying all this, it’s funny to realize I spent so much of my daughter’s childhood wanting her to have stability and protection, when I now realize those uncomfortable and scary life experiences have not only given me strength, but the idea that I can conquer whatever obstacles come my way or challenge myself to do whatever I want to accomplish.

I now love feeling unique. I might not look very unique, but I feel my thoughts are still pure and that I constantly have ideas I feel come from my own experiences versus some media blather.

As for hiding our true selves, I often wonder, because of pop-culture/media’s influence, if many people really know who they are. I think it helps to sit with your own thoughts… which I had years of sitting in our backseat traveling the world, living without TV and technology, needing to entertain myself. I do know who I am. And maybe that’s why. Considering I was four to six-years-old when we had our world traveling experiences, my brain was fresh and still forming ideas.

I mention in one little vignette from our suburban days, so many of my ideas on life (i.e. “boys don’t cry”) came from watching TV. I mean, I thought one of the biggest horrors in life would be to have a husband who wore a dress shirt with ring around the collar – an idea I got from constantly seeing a laundry detergent TV ad where “Ring around the collar!” was sung out in mocking horror.

Elliot – This is bizarre. When I initially wrote my previous question I was going to include a statement that questioned whether external influences can lead to many people not really knowing who they are, but I ended up deleting it. Yet in your answer you made the very same observation – it’s like you can read my mind, and I just believe that it’s better to be able to stand alone, to shine as your authentic self, and to really feel alive, than to be just another face that gets lost in the crowd. For anybody that can relate to this way of feeling, your book is essential reading.

You’ve mentioned how you sometimes wonder whether as a parent and adult you’ve gone too much to the other extreme of how your parents were. But is the opposite also true? Have you ever had one of those moments of realisation when you’ve had to stop yourself and say “oh my god, I’ve turned out just like my parents?” 

Michele – Yes! When my daughter was a teenager, I got sick of her watching too much TV, so I picked up the square TV that sat on her floor, opened our home’s front door, held it up over my head – that’s when the movie of my life came to a sudden halt, a freeze frame, and I thought – “Oh my God, I’ve become HIM, my father” – as I tossed that TV in the trash. 

My dad hated TV so much, he constantly ranted about “the boob tube” or “That idiot box.” And while I grew up wishing my parents weren’t what I called “health food freaks,” so I could have sugar and junk food, I’m now a health food freak. Okay, I also run around turning off lights left on in rooms, something my cheapskate/environmentalist father used to drive us nuts about.

Elliot – Craving Normal is packed full of stories and random encounters that you’ve had throughout your life, and binding all that together is a wonderful sense of humour. Not only are you able to find the funny side of each situation, but you are also able to make fun of yourself and never take things too seriously.

It seems that in particular, it was your years in Los Angeles and Hollywood that really tested your limits. Being mugged but putting up a good fight, the seedy people who always wanted something in return, being subjected to extreme G Force by evil toothless carnival ride operators, and then being conned out of a free breakfast by two members of the (not yet formed) Red Hot Chili Peppers (note to reader – you really do need to buy this book).

What impact did all of these experiences have upon your view of humanity? Has it changed the way in which you’ve been able to receive new people into your life? Or have you been able to maintain faith in the goodness of people?

Michele – I still trust people. I like to believe people are good, unless they prove me wrong with their actions. Maybe it’s my own way to stay sane, to laugh about those experiences or use them in stories. I don’t worry about having bad experiences because they’re often good story material. Tragedy/comedy, yin/yang… we need the dark to appreciate the light. 

Elliot – We’ve talked quite extensively about people (both the good and the bad), your life experiences and the way in which they’ve shaped you; but I’d like to find out a little more about your wanderlust. 

Travelling at an early age proved to be informative for you, but how strong is the call of adventure as an adult? Do you still have the same desire to head out into the world? Or do you feel you’ve experienced more than enough already?

And if you were able to travel to anywhere in the world right now, where would you go, and why?

I guess what I’m curious about here is whether the light ever really goes out in an adventurous heart…

Michele – Yes, yes, I am filled with wanderlust.

In my book I mention my mom and stepfather moved to France and lived on a beautiful century old barge in a village in the Loire and then right in Paris, on a canal in the Bastille arrondissement. So my family and I were so lucky to spend many weeks in France, a country I love. I love it for many reasons, but being a food-lover, I appreciate how much the French love food: the bread, wine, pastries, quiche, cheese…and all the amazing outdoor food markets. I’m drooling just thinking about them.

For the sun, beaches, food, music, and cultures, I’d love to return with my own family to some of my favorite places we stayed at when I was a kid: Morocco, Greece, and Spain.

But I’ve never been to Asia (well, technically, we did when we went to Istanbul, Turkey). But I would love to go to Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam… I know people who’ve lived there, and I enjoy hearing and reading stories about life in those countries. Not only do I crave eating the amazing food in those countries, and experiencing cultures so different from mine, the geography looks stunning. Like we traveled when I was a kid, I’d do my best to stay among the local people versus keeping to touristy destination while secluded in a Westernized hotel. 

Living in Southern California, I can’t believe I haven’t returned to Mexico since I was in my twenties. I have such wonderful memories of the people, the food, the music, the tropical feeling land and beaches. I would love to travel through South America: Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. 

But it’s hard to travel these days. I run a home-based recording equipment design company, called Tree Audio, which keeps me busy. It’s going to happen, though. I can’t imagine life without travel, exploring, and experiencing new cultures. 

Elliot – Even just talking briefly about travelling has made my feet itchy! And if Thailand is on your list Michele then please do check out this feature when you get chance (The Thailand Travel Diary).

I found your book to be heartfelt and intimate, and not to mention hilarious! Some of the descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was there, and I was belly-laughing throughout; the story about ‘Suicide Santa’ had me in tears (of laughter, of course). 

When did you first get into writing? And what has your journey as a writer been so far?

Michele – It all started with my mom reading me bedtime stories and fairy tales. I seem forever after to naturally conjure my experiences, even since childhood, into stories: A beginning, middle and end, filled with goals and conflict.

Although I did include photo commentaries and vignettes in my book, and those aren’t stories, but commentary on experiences. Two of my favorite ways to entertain myself, as a kid, were to read books and to write my own stories. In school, I was the kooky kid who was excited to write essays. In my twenties, I took college writing courses; later, I began blogging and submitting my work to newspapers. My first piece I submitted was published, followed by plenty of rejection letters from other publications. But I followed those experiences with writing for local magazines. But I got bored writing those sorts of pieces. I prefer to write my own stories. 

I began reading and performing some of those tales, like “Eat It, It Won’t Hurt You,” and “Suicidal Santa.” Hearing people laugh was a huge boost. Once I had a goal to create this story collection, “Craving Normal,” it took me many years. I spent time crafting the stories, formatting, editing, going through photos… but I also stalled, due to a psychological block. I worried about what my parents would think. Talking to other writers who write memoir, that’s not uncommon. But not finishing my book began driving me nutty. I needed to finish it and move on.

Finally holding one of my books in my hands was almost an out-of-body experience, overwhelming.

Elliot – It’s funny you should mention performing your tales and getting a boost from it, because that brings me nicely onto this question which I’d already planned to ask!

In your book you mention stepping up onto the podium at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park, London as a child. Flash forward a number of years later and you find yourself up on stage performing some of your stories to a live audience. How did this opportunity come about? And what were those performances like?

And finally, you mentioned previously that as a child you didn’t always feel like you fitted in because your life had been so different to those of other children, so did these performances bring you a feeling of acceptance that you didn’t necessarily feel when you were younger?

Michele – Many years ago, I began looking for opportunities to do open mic nights. Those were so fun. I then performed (spoken word with a bit of acting) my “Suicidal Santa” story, in costume, in a theater, after responding to a request for holiday stories to be performed. Even for a big ham like me those experiences can be scary. Especially because they’re my stories. I’m not reading some other writer’s lines. But when the crowd is with you, the feeling is explosive. The shows would end around 10pm or so, but I was so amped up from the crowd energy, I couldn’t sleep until about 2am. 

Oh, what a thoughtful observation about acceptance. While I’ve always been a ham (more than happy to perform and not at all shy), I can’t deny the warm and wonderful feeling it is to hear people laugh or gasp at my stories – even if I no longer feel like that kid who didn’t fit in, like I used to be, I bet she would appreciate knowing she’ll find people who do want to hear her stories.

Earlier you asked me if I find it hard to find people with the same interests, or something to that effect. Once I put effort toward my interests (writing, books, performing, going to live music), I began connecting with people who enjoy all of those things and so much more: creative and interested people. So I’ve finally found my own tribe. Funny how being surrounded by people with a similar energy and enthusiasm seems to ignite the energy further.

Elliot – Yes that’s right, I think I mentioned about how difficult it can be sometimes to find people that are on the same wavelength. It can often feel like you’re alone, even when surrounded by people; and the conversations we crave are not always the conversations we get to have.

But you’re right, and when we do spend more time engaging in the things that really matter to us, that’s when we’re able to connect with the type of people that just ‘get’ us. There’s a huge difference between belonging and fitting in, and it’s the acceptance of our authentic selves that allows us to feel like we belong.

Well this interview is sadly coming towards a close, but it’s been a remarkable experience and it’s come along at just the right time for me. Reading Craving Normal and swapping our questions and answers has been a wonderful reminder of what it means to be alive, and that it can be some of the totally unexpected and completely random moments that are the most fulfilling of all. If we have stories to tell, then it means we’re living.

By reading your book we get to hear stories that have spanned your lifetime, but I’m curious about how you’re living now? And how will you continue to add to your incredible list of life experiences?

Michele – I’m now busy writing stories for a book I plan on calling “How to Become Broke and Influence Nobody.” I have a lifetime of trying my hardest only to leave with a humorous or interesting (I think so, anyway) story: raising my daughter, traveling, having pets, celebrity and musician encounters, and… oh man, all the jobs I’ve worked (worth it only for the stories, because I never made any money).

I might have mentioned earlier, after my childhood friend, Cindy, read, “Craving Normal,” where she is a huge part of many of my 1970s latchkey kid tales, we both realize we countered our counterculture childhoods by raising our own kids far differently. So I’m writing many of those experiences, right now. With my stories, answering the question: “What happens when a person swings from one extreme (her wild, free, and a bit scary childhood) to the other extreme (overprotective)?” I have to laugh at myself. Believe me, I’m coming up with some classic tales of trying to be a “super mom.”

I’ll always have stories to write. I’m constantly having interesting encounters, which I run home and jot down, simply going to the post office or grocery store. I love to observe and engage with people. They’re great material for writing. Most importantly, when you open yourself up to finding out about people, you can learn a lot. My plan is to keep having new experiences – close to home or far away – and continue writing about them.

Elliot – I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I can’t wait to read more of your stories and I look forward to the release of “How to Become Broke and Influence Nobody”. It’s a brilliant title that really does underline how you are able to find humour in everything and really don’t take yourself too seriously.

Well this sadly now brings the interview to a close, but please go ahead and let the readers know how they can connect with you and stay up to date with all your latest news.

Michele – Well, I’m running out the door now to promo my books. Along with my book display I’m going to have a tower of Twinkies on a tray (I love alliteration) with this sign: “Why Twinkies?” Read the back of my book, “Craving Normal.” Hey, it’s a conversation starter, right?

About the book I’m currently writing, I’m having so much fun with the stories. I truly must attract kooky experiences, because I have so many. 

I’ve enjoyed this interview so much.

Until my next book, you can follow me at Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Thank you, Elliot!

Elliot – Thank you for such a wonderful interview Michele and it’s been a true pleasure connecting with you. I really can’t wait to see more of your work and it’d be great to have you back on the site at some point again in the future.

Before I let you go though there is a long-standing tradition here on Lossul.com. That’s right! It’s time for the totally random and completely off-topic question! This is where things can get a little bit bizarre…in fact, the last interview I ran ended up with a question that involved having dinner with space aliens and high-fiving a unicorn. 

Yes, I really am that weird.

Throughout Craving Normal you make numerous references to The Beatles and how their music has been with you throughout numerous periods of your life, particularly childhood. I’m a huge Beatles fan myself and so I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by without asking three questions. 

Who is your favourite Beatle, and why?

Do you have a favourite Beatles song, and if so…what is it?

And finally, you mentioned that Magical Mystery Tour became something of a soundtrack on your travels. And so I have to ask…have the lyrics to I Am The Walrus ever made any sense to you? And if so, what the hell is a Semolina Pilchard? And why is it climbing up the Eiffel Tower?

Michele – Ringo was my favorite Beatle. He had kind eyes. I thought of The Beatles as uncle figures, since they were my parents age. So Ringo, I thought, would be a great uncle. In 2010, I had a Ringo experience. Our wonderful friend Doug Fieger from The Knack died, sadly. My husband, Ian, and I went to the small memorial his sister organized in Doug’s home. There were only about, I don’t know, maybe 25 to 30 people in Doug’s home. Friends and family got up to speak about Doug. Sharona of My Sharona was sitting next to me, while someone was saying something about Doug that got me teary-eyed. I had my head down, staring at the floor. I slowly lifted my head, staring forward at beams of hazy light pouring through glass doors. Suddenly a figure appeared in the light. I blinked the tears out of my eyes to see I was staring at my favorite Beatle, Ringo. He and Doug were longtime close friends. Because of the somber setting, I didn’t attempt to speak to him.

I love so many Beatles songs, but Obla Di Obla Da reminds me of our travels and makes me happy. Sometimes I attempt to play it on ukulele. 

As for “I Am The Walrus,” I never thought about the lyrics. Maybe I did but I’ve forgotten. But I guess if Semolina Pilchard could climb the Eiffel Tower she should. I would If I could. 

FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY! HOW TO HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING A COPY OF ‘CRAVING NORMAL’, SIGNED BY AUTHOR MICHELE MILES GARDINER

Between the two of us, Michele and I are giving away two copies of her book, Craving Normal. Both copies have been signed by Michele, and to have a chance at winning one of these copies, here’s all that you need to know.

• The book giveaway is open to entrants in the US, and UK and Europe
• There will be one winner picked from the US, and one winner picked from the UK and Europe

US ENTRANTS – HOW TO ENTER

1. Entry into the giveaway will take place via Michele’s Instagram – you can follow this link to reach her page
2. Follow BOTH of our Instagram pages @michele_writes and @lossul_dot_com
3. Find one of the BOOK GIVEAWAY posts on Michele’s page, and then…
4. LIKE the post
5. TAG your friends (each friend equals an extra entry) who can relate to not fitting in, have laughed at their past alarming and/or awkward experiences, enjoy travel and new adventures, and/or who try to find the positive in the negative. Basically, tag your fun-loving, book-reading buddies who enjoy a good laugh and don’t take themselves too seriously!
6. When the giveaway ends on Saturday 4^th May at 12.00pm US Pacific Time, the US winner will be picked out at random, and if they’ve done all the above they will then receive their signed copy of Craving Normal direct from Michele

UK AND EUROPE ENTRANTS – HOW TO ENTER

1. Entry into the giveaway will take place via my Instagram AND newsletter subscription list – you can follow this link to reach my Instagram page
2. Follow BOTH of our Instagram pages @michele_writes and @lossul_dot_com
3. Find one of the BOOK GIVEAWAY posts on my Instagram page, and then…
4. LIKE the post
5. TAG your friends (each friend equals an extra entry) who can relate to not fitting in, have laughed at their past alarming and/or awkward experiences, enjoy travel and new adventures, and/or who try to find the positive in the negative. Basically, tag your fun-loving, book-reading buddies who enjoy a good laugh and don’t take themselves too seriously!
6. For anybody that isn’t on Instagram, you can still enter by signing up to my NEWSLETTER – please follow this link. New subscribers will be entered into the giveaway.
7. For EXISTING newsletter subscribers (big up to the Lossul.com community – love you guys), if you’d like to enter the giveaway then send me a message via my contact page and let me know
8. When the giveaway ends on Saturday 4^th May at 12.00pm GMT, the UK and Europe winner will be picked out at random, and if they’ve followed the above they will then receive their signed copy of Craving Normal from myself

WHAT IF I DON’T WIN?

I know, it totally sucks when you enter a competition or giveaway and then find you’re not the winner (but hopefully you will be, yay). But if this were to be the case then you can still grab a copy of the book via Amazon.

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

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