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At the beginning
of a writer’s career, three things are made abundantly clear. First, of course, you need a great story. Next, an engaging opening line or lines with an intriguing hook.
But perhaps, most of all, a great cover to attract a reader in the first place.
The story comes alive in the author’s imagination. The opening hook may be honed
to perfection with the help of critique partners and beta readers. And the
cover? For historical authors look no further than Period Images.
As they
promise on their website: ‘From custom-made attires, to hair, make-up, and set
design, each shoot is fully staffed with designers, professional stylists,
models and actors, to depict scenes and capture the essence of the era.’
The
image for my book Hester Dymock comes from them and is beautifully enhanced by
Books WeLove’s artistic director, Michelle Lee. What more could an author ask
for? Well, a few things actually and one of Period Images models agreed to
satisfy my curiosity. Please welcome Mike Foster to my blog this month.
|
Michael Wayne Foster |
VC. When
and why did you start modeling?
MF. I
started my actual modeling career in 2014 but had done fitness shoots
previously.
VC. How
did you become a cover model for romance novels specifically and were you ever
a fan of Fabio?
MF. Fabio!
I was a fan of his commercials for sure! I became a romance model because I
have a sense of humor and don’t take myself too seriously. I take my work very
seriously, just not myself. That served me well when I saw an ad for a modeling
shoot that asked for a picture. It was for tall guys with long hair. I knew
that most (if not all) of the models were going to send in the ‘duck lips’ and
pouty face look, so I did the opposite. I sent a recent photo of a commercial I
did for Virgin America Airlines where I was dressed up like a pro-wrestler and
I was ‘hulking out.’ It kind of made me chuckle, and thankfully it made VJ and
the group at PI chuckle as well. They said I had a sense of humor and asked me
to come to a day shoot. That got my foot in the door and here we are talking
about it seven years later.
VC. How
much time do you have to spend in the gym to keep your trim look?
MF. I
always do morning cardio for about an hour and then alternate between weights
and yoga/Pilates for an hour later in the day.
VC. How
much grooming/make-up is required for a shoot and do you use body oil with an
open-shirt or shirtless photo?
MC. Because
of my long hair, it tends to take a good hour to get the hair and make-up
completed before a shoot. Yes, they
apply coconut oil on the exposed body parts, and I try not to break too much of
a sweat and ruin my make-up when I am lifting light weights to pump up right
before I go on.
VC. When
you are getting ready for a shoot, do you do your own hair and make-up, or do
you have stylists and make-up professionals?
MF. I have a team of amazing hair and make-up artists work on me before I shoot, courtesy of PI.
VC. What
does your working day look like and what would define a perfect working day for
you?
MF. Every
day on set is a perfect working day for me.
I can’t think of a time I had a bad day at work. But the perfect day? Being in top shape for the shoot and then
going to a Korean BBQ after the shoot with no care’s given.
VC. Were
you ever asked to wear a costume or outfit that you refused to put on?
MF. Never. Now, there may have been a few that didn’t
fit, but that’s another story.
VC. Have
you ever really disliked a book cover on which you appear, or are you not
involved once the shoot is over?
MF. Once
the shoot is over, I am not involved at all.
Hell, sometimes I don’t even realize new covers are released unless an
author tags me. It kind of bums me out
because I know there are so many covers out there that I do not know about and
I would love to help promote them but can’t because I’m unaware.
VC. When
you are not working, what are your favourite sports or hobbies?
MF. Skiing
is my favorite thing to do. I am
terrified of heights, so I decided to try skiing and overcome that fear. I not only overcame, but I got hooked on the
sport. Plus, it’s like getting a workout
inside of a Bob Ross painting. It’s
always so beautiful in the happy little mountains. I am a foodie and love cooking and trying new
recipes (especially on the grill).
Traveling is also something I enjoy, and I started a YOUTUBE channel
based on exploring our American culture and I call it America’s Pit Stops. I go by the moniker the
AmericanSIZEDTravelGuide.
VC. Is being a
model a full-time career for you? If not, what other career interests do you
have?
MF. I am a full-time actor that also models. Acting is the reason I am in LA and modeling
is a “happy little accident.” See what I
did there? (If not, see above.)
Next, I asked Mike some fun questions.
VC. What
have you always wanted? Did you ever get it?
MF. I
wanted to be a teacher like my dad as well as actor as long as I can
remember. I wanted to do action and WWII
movies. I taught high school English for
nine years and I have achieved so much in my acting career that I can’t help
but to be proud of accomplishing what I had always dreamed about as a kid. With the upcoming WWII movie, Wolf Hound,
coming out soon; mission accomplished.
VC. What
is the best or most memorable compliment you ever received?
MF. My
freshman year of college I just started lifting weights. I was a fat kid my whole life, so I always
got the OPPOSITE of compliments. I was
hanging out with a girl watching TV and as I sat on the floor and had my arms
behind me, she felt my triceps and said, “Wow, you have really nice arms!” Needless to say, I didn’t miss a workout ever
again. I’m not a victim or going to cry
about being bullied or teased because of my weight. It made me the man I am today (sympathetic to
the bullied) but I sure liked hearing a compliment much more than “Fat Foster.”
VC. What
holidays do you most like to celebrate?
MF. HALLOWEEN. Everything else is a distant second
place. It might stem back to my
childhood because my birthday is November 2nd, so Halloween was
always a good time of the year for me.
Plus, I love scaring the bloody hell out of people.
VC. Are
you a glass half full or half empty kind of person? Or is the glass just
malformed?
MF. I
don’t deal in glass or stemware. I deal
in lemons. When I have a basket full of
lemons; I make lemonade.
VC. Which
of the four seasons do you like/dislike the most and why?
MF. I
LOVE the fall. It probably is because my
favorite “holiday” is smack dab in the middle of the fall. The leaves changing colors, the cool
temperatures and apple fritters and cider all are part of why I love the fall
so much!
VC. If
you were marooned on a desert island and could only have four things, what
would they be?
MF. I
feel like I am on Naked and Afraid with three bonus items. Probably a knife, a pot to boil water, a gun
and a cannabis plant. (for medicine, clothing, oil/fuel, food, rope and many
other uses.)
VC. What
is your idea of perfect happiness?
MF.
Being with my family and close friends, a bonfire and light beer.
VC. What
is your greatest extravagance?
MF. I’m
not a big spender of stuff. My motto on
my IMDB page is “I’ve never seen a hearse with a luggage rack.” I drive a Chevy, wear my old clothes and shop
at the Grocery Outlet. I would do all
of this even if I was a billionaire. I
suppose I spend the most money on 80’s themed T-shirts.
VC. Which
do you prefer and why – the city or the country?
MF. COUNTRY
ALL THE WAY!! (but I like the cuisine in cities).
VC. You
are offered a free vacation, one a beach destination, the other a sight-seeing
tour, which would you choose and why?
MF. A
week in the Italian Alps or the Chilean Andes skiing would work just fine as
sightseeing. I have always loved the
beaches of Alabama and Florida’s panhandle.
And now for some straight(ish)speed questions. Yes/No answers, qualify
with a few words if you wish.
Annoyed
a photographer by goofing around?
Gee…I’m not sure. I’d like to
hope not. I always do what’s asked of
me, so I think that’s a NO.
Called
in sick to work when you weren’t sick? YEP (yeah students, Mr. Foster played
hookie to go to a concert.)
Won a
contest? Yes.
Locked
yourself out of your house? Frequently.
Gone
paragliding? No.
Taken an
enormous risk? Yes.
Prefer
cats or dogs? Dogs.
Surprised
a friend or family member with a gift when it wasn’t their birthday or
Christmas? Yes.
Been to
Peru? No.
Worn odd
socks? Frequently.
So now we all know a little more about Mike, I'd like to thank him again for taking part in my Q & A and also Period Images for the photographs. And here is my latest cover which I love, featuring Period Images model, Rachel. Thanks to Books We Love's artistic director Michelle Lee for once again working her magic.