Michael La Ronn Shares His Writing Journey, Creative Process, and the Power of Perseverance

The Mind Behind the Stories Readers Love

Michael La Ronn discusses his journey from near-death experience to prolific author, his approach to world-building, the importance of underdog heroes, and how he stays motivated while balancing writing, career, and family life.

Michael La Ronn stands as a luminous testament to what can be achieved when creativity, dedication, and resilience converge. With over 100 works spanning science fiction, fantasy, and invaluable resources for writers, Michael has earned his place not just as a prolific author but as a beacon of inspiration for creatives everywhere. From the spellbinding urban fantasy of the Good Necromancer series to the gripping futuristic landscapes of Android X, his imagination knows no bounds. His fiction captivates readers with underdog heroes and vivid worlds, while his bestselling nonfiction works, such as Be a Writing Machine and The Pocket Guide to Pantsing, empower writers to dream big and achieve more.

What makes Michael’s journey remarkable is not merely the breadth of his accomplishments but the sheer determination that propels him forward. After a life-altering near-death experience in 2012, he channelled his resolve into a promise to pursue his passion without compromise. Writing 10 to 12 books per year under the most demanding circumstances—while holding a full-time job, raising a family, and attending law school—Michael demonstrates an unparalleled commitment to his craft. His ingenious productivity methods, showcased on his award-winning YouTube channel “Author Level Up,” have earned him a devoted following, with fans marvelling at his seemingly superhuman discipline and creativity.

Through his stories, Michael invites readers to escape into extraordinary worlds, where they can find joy, empathy, and the thrill of endless possibilities. Yet beneath the magic and adventure lies a deeply personal message: that even in the face of doubt, adversity, and the weight of the ordinary, greatness is achievable. It is this unwavering belief in human potential—and his ability to translate it to the page—that sets Michael La Ronn apart as not just an author, but a force of inspiration.

Michael La Ronn’s boundless creativity, resilience, and dedication to storytelling make him a true inspiration for readers and writers alike.

What inspired you to write about underdogs and characters who aren’t typical heroes?

I myself have always felt like an underdog. Growing up, I was told by other students and teachers that I wasn’t capable enough to succeed. Ironically, I turned out to be quite successful in life, so why wouldn’t a sword-wielding teddy bear or a necromancer using his powers for good be successful in their endeavors, too? Plus, readers love good underdog stories.

Can you tell us more about the personal experiences that led to your near-death moment in 2012 and how it influenced your writing journey?

A simple dinner with my wife at a local restaurant took an unexpected turn when I fell ill with food poisoning. What should have been a brief inconvenience spiraled into a month-long hospital stay due to a series of complications. That experience forced me to confront a hard truth: life is too short to put off what truly matters.

At the time, I was stuck in a dead-end job as a claims adjuster, my student loans ate half my paycheck, and I felt like I was merely existing rather than living. Lying in that hospital bed, I made a promise to myself—if I got through this, I wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of my dream of becoming a writer.

Fortunately, I recovered, and I kept that promise. Whenever I face challenges, I think back to that moment at my lowest and remember why I chose this path.

“Life is too short to put off what truly matters.”Michael La Ronn

What do you believe is the most important message that readers can take away from your stories?

I believe reading should be fun and engaging. My novels don’t convey political messages or personal worldviews—at least not intentionally. In a world where we’re constantly exposed to strong opinions and ideologies, books can serve as a welcome escape—an opportunity to explore new perspectives, imagine the impossible, and step into someone else’s shoes. And when the story ends, ideally, my readers return to their own lives feeling refreshed and perhaps even a bit more empathetic—an invaluable trait in a fast-paced world that often leaves little room for reflection and emotional connection.

How do you approach world-building in your novels, particularly with unique settings like in Food City and Android Deception[ME1] ?

World-building starts with imagining myself in the world from the perspective of my characters. For example, if my main character is a dragon (as in my Last Dragon Lord series), how would a dragon see the world? Their eyesight probably wouldn’t be great, but their sense of smell and hearing would be exceptional. Therefore, that would inform how they would experience the world. Once I determine this foundational understanding, then I choose details that support it. I do this over and over again through dialogue, setting details, character actions, and so on.

In Food City, the main character is a human living in a city full of anthropomorphic vegetables and processed foods who are at war with each other. The vegetables are the good guys, and the processed foods are the bad guys trying to keep humans under their spell. I kept asking, “How can the world reflect this conflict?” Then, I used the settings, dialogue, and interactions between the characters to deepen the world.

What has been the biggest challenge in writing your science fiction and fantasy novels, and how do you overcome it?

The biggest challenge as a writer is mastery. The more you write, the more you realize there is an infinite number of skills to learn. You can never learn it all. It can be overwhelming, especially when you discover something important that you wish you had known several novels ago.

“Writing is therapy and prayer. It draws me closer to God and helps me learn about myself and the world.” – Michael La Ronn

There’s never a moment when you “arrive” at success. Every novel is an opportunity to learn and grow. At some point, you start writing novels that readers can’t put down, but that’s not the destination—it’s merely a landmark on your journey. I’ve overcome the struggles around mastery by seeking the advice of wise mentors who have helped me discern the most important skills to focus on.

With your dedication to writing every morning, how do you stay motivated and inspired over the long term?

I enjoy writing for writing’s sake. It’s fun, it helps me learn more about myself and the world, and it draws me closer to God. For me, writing is therapy and prayer.

It’s great when I sell a lot of books, and I like the attention writing affords me, but those are recent developments. I did this for a very long time with almost no readership. If my readership vanished tomorrow, I’d still be writing.

I believe that in order to have a long-term career, you have to be motivated by something other than success and money. Otherwise, you’ll give up if you don’t achieve those things, and you’ll become bored when you do achieve them.

Writing for writing’s sake keeps me going. Even if my books don’t stand the test of time, I wrote them because I enjoyed them, and that is enough.

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