Presenting ... Christine Norris!
It's the day you've all been waiting for, the day I post a no-holds-barred interview with up and coming author Christine Norris. Christine's first book, Talisman of Zandria, a middlegrade fantasy, was published in 2005 and can be bought through Amazon, Barnes and Noble.com, and Borders. Her upcoming release, Return to Zandria, is the sequel to Talisman and is currently available through the publisher, LBF Books, and through Amazon. She also regularly updates her blog.
Now, without further ado, I give you ... Christine Norris!
1. Some of your favourite authors are Tamora Pierce, Eoin Colfer, and Steven King. What is it about a book that really makes you say, "Wow, I love this author!"
Consistency is the big thing, and stories that pull me in and make me care about what happens to the characters. In the case of Stephen King, I think it's just he's the master of suspense. I'm not big on his gore factor, but he spins a great tale, one that compels you to turn the page and find out what happens next. THE TALISMAN, which he wrote with Peter Straub, is probably my favorite Stephen King book, along with THE STAND. Tamora Pierce has heroines that kick butt, and get into situations you don't know how she's going to get them out of. I've learned a lot about writing by reading those authors.
2. You mentioned at your website that you dabbled in writing until your more serious efforts began in 2001. Was there a specific catalyst for this switch, or did ideas and characters dribble in over time until one finally grabbed you for good?
My 'dabbling' was a few poems and a story that I kept fiddling with for years. I never finished it. I started writing Talisman of Zandria in late September of 2001. That was a hard time for everyone, but I don't know that those events had an effect on my writing. It was the time I picked up the Harry Potter books, years after everyone else had become hooked. It was Jo Rowling's story that got me though - a welfare mother with no formal training who sat and wrote these books. I thought if she could do it, I could too. I was always told by teachers that I had writing talent and imagination - it just never occured to me to be a writer before that. I guess the time was just right.
3. If you had a moment of darkness in your journey with The Talisman of Zandria, whether it was while you wrote it or afterwards, what was it?
Ooh, that first book. It took me a long time to write it, first of all, because at the time I was just seeing if I could finish it. I only worked on it here and there, when I had time. After I lost my job and had my son, I had more time to devote to it, and I considered getting it published. The whole first few pages were awful. But I guess my moments of darkness were the days I never thought I would reach the end, and those times that every writer has, where they think every word they write is crap and they have no business writing at all. There were a few of those, and have been for every book afterwards. It all works out in the end though, so I have to just keep slogging through.
4. You were born on Friday the 13th, a very auspicious day. (My late grandfather was born on Halloween!) What's the luckiest thing that has ever happened to you on Friday the 13th?
Gee, yanno, I don't really know. It's not like I keep track, so nothing jumps to mind. I wish I could remember something really good, like I got my first book contract or something. Now that you've said that, I'm going to pay more attention and write stuff down. What is strange is that my birthday is August 13th, and my cousin (my mother's brother's oldest) was also born on August 13th, two years after me, AND it's my maternal grandparents wedding anniversary. So August 13th must be something special to my family for some reason.
5. If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive (if they're dead, they will freshen themselves up for lunch with you, so don't be squeamish!), who would it be and what would you talk about?
That's a really good question. Wow. I think I'd need a banquet table. Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I for dead people. Both fascinating historical figures. I'd like to chat with Shakespeare about writing, obviously, and QEI about her life, and what it's like to run a country when so many opposed her rule. Live people...Jo Rowling and James Owen. I know, I know, it's hokey, but I really would like to just chat with her. James is a great author, and his HERE, THERE BE DRAGONS book is my new favorite book of all time. He's actually one of my LJ and MySpace friends, and I think I'd love to have dinner with him and chat about what inspires him. Reading his books, I think we have a lot in common. He's also very classically oriented, if you know what I mean.
I know, I cheated. But I couldn't pick just one.
Thanks so much for having me today, Tori, this has been a blast!
***
My pleasure, Christine. As for those of you who have joined us, thank you for coming! I hope you enjoyed this stop on Christine's virtual tour. She has made other stops and will be making more still. Her complete itinerary can be found here. Thanks again for joining us!
Take care! I'm off to the magical world of Harry Potter, pictures forthcoming.
Now, without further ado, I give you ... Christine Norris!
1. Some of your favourite authors are Tamora Pierce, Eoin Colfer, and Steven King. What is it about a book that really makes you say, "Wow, I love this author!"
Consistency is the big thing, and stories that pull me in and make me care about what happens to the characters. In the case of Stephen King, I think it's just he's the master of suspense. I'm not big on his gore factor, but he spins a great tale, one that compels you to turn the page and find out what happens next. THE TALISMAN, which he wrote with Peter Straub, is probably my favorite Stephen King book, along with THE STAND. Tamora Pierce has heroines that kick butt, and get into situations you don't know how she's going to get them out of. I've learned a lot about writing by reading those authors.
2. You mentioned at your website that you dabbled in writing until your more serious efforts began in 2001. Was there a specific catalyst for this switch, or did ideas and characters dribble in over time until one finally grabbed you for good?
My 'dabbling' was a few poems and a story that I kept fiddling with for years. I never finished it. I started writing Talisman of Zandria in late September of 2001. That was a hard time for everyone, but I don't know that those events had an effect on my writing. It was the time I picked up the Harry Potter books, years after everyone else had become hooked. It was Jo Rowling's story that got me though - a welfare mother with no formal training who sat and wrote these books. I thought if she could do it, I could too. I was always told by teachers that I had writing talent and imagination - it just never occured to me to be a writer before that. I guess the time was just right.
3. If you had a moment of darkness in your journey with The Talisman of Zandria, whether it was while you wrote it or afterwards, what was it?
Ooh, that first book. It took me a long time to write it, first of all, because at the time I was just seeing if I could finish it. I only worked on it here and there, when I had time. After I lost my job and had my son, I had more time to devote to it, and I considered getting it published. The whole first few pages were awful. But I guess my moments of darkness were the days I never thought I would reach the end, and those times that every writer has, where they think every word they write is crap and they have no business writing at all. There were a few of those, and have been for every book afterwards. It all works out in the end though, so I have to just keep slogging through.
4. You were born on Friday the 13th, a very auspicious day. (My late grandfather was born on Halloween!) What's the luckiest thing that has ever happened to you on Friday the 13th?
Gee, yanno, I don't really know. It's not like I keep track, so nothing jumps to mind. I wish I could remember something really good, like I got my first book contract or something. Now that you've said that, I'm going to pay more attention and write stuff down. What is strange is that my birthday is August 13th, and my cousin (my mother's brother's oldest) was also born on August 13th, two years after me, AND it's my maternal grandparents wedding anniversary. So August 13th must be something special to my family for some reason.
5. If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive (if they're dead, they will freshen themselves up for lunch with you, so don't be squeamish!), who would it be and what would you talk about?
That's a really good question. Wow. I think I'd need a banquet table. Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I for dead people. Both fascinating historical figures. I'd like to chat with Shakespeare about writing, obviously, and QEI about her life, and what it's like to run a country when so many opposed her rule. Live people...Jo Rowling and James Owen. I know, I know, it's hokey, but I really would like to just chat with her. James is a great author, and his HERE, THERE BE DRAGONS book is my new favorite book of all time. He's actually one of my LJ and MySpace friends, and I think I'd love to have dinner with him and chat about what inspires him. Reading his books, I think we have a lot in common. He's also very classically oriented, if you know what I mean.
I know, I cheated. But I couldn't pick just one.
Thanks so much for having me today, Tori, this has been a blast!
***
My pleasure, Christine. As for those of you who have joined us, thank you for coming! I hope you enjoyed this stop on Christine's virtual tour. She has made other stops and will be making more still. Her complete itinerary can be found here. Thanks again for joining us!
Take care! I'm off to the magical world of Harry Potter, pictures forthcoming.