Aspiring Author Thursday: Introducing Christine Bryant

When I first started writing seriously, I stumbled upon Christine's blog. I loved her posts, and thought the book she was writing sounded so awesome. Anyway, I was so excited when she agreed to do an interview with me! She is so funny and even though I haven't met her in person yet, she seems extremely sweet! Thanks for doing this Christine! :D

Wow! My very first interview. I feel so special. Thanks for having me, Chantele. Now for the Q & A. *deep breath*

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer? I don’t remember when I didn’t write, so that’s hard to answer. My mom has this picture of me when I was three. I’m hiding under a table scribbling on a legal pad. I remember climbing up on my dad’s desk and using his old Royal typewriter when I was about five and typing page after page of letters and spaces. I had no idea what I was writing, but it was a great story, I’m sure. I think writing has always been in my blood.

Do you have a writing schedule, or do you just sit down whenever you get a spare moment? I’m fortunate enough to be a full time writer, even though I’m not published yet. I’ve spent the past 25 years helping my husband achieve his dream of owning a restaurant, so a little over a year ago he declared it was my turn. Talk about a shocker. I hung up my apron, booted up my computer and opened all those creative doors and windows I’d locked up so many years ago. Now I can’t seem to stop the flow, not that I want to. I’m totally in my element.

That is so awesome. I would love to just be able to write anytime I want. Someday!!

Could you tell us a little about yourself? Any random facts? This one’s easy. I’m married to a wonderful man. We have two boys—both with disabilities—the oldest now residing in Heaven with his Bassett Hound, Cleo. (He was only supposed to live 6 months, but was 23 when he passed from a heart defect, so we are very lucky to have had him that long.) The youngest is a junior in high school and is doing his best to find ways to drive me nuts. And succeeding. We live on 2 ½ acres of sage brush and lava rock in Southern Idaho in a house that needs way too many repairs to even think about. If anyone wants to come for a paint party, I’m up for that. ;-)

I'm all for a paint party if you come help with mine when we're done! :)

Random Facts? I like dragonflies. Does that count? I also like giraffes. Weird, eh? And when it comes to decorating my house, I’m rather eclectic. I just like what I like, whether it’s Victorian, Rustic, Traditional, or Contemporary. I make it work. Oh, and I used to sell Tupperware and I was an Avon lady. EEK! Now I think I’ve lowered your opinion of me. Oh well.

An Avon lady? *shudders* Just kidding. He he. ;) Nothing wrong with that!

If you were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing you couldn't live without? (Besides your family and a laptop of course.) Lots and lots of BOOKS! I’d go crazy if I couldn’t read.

What is one book you could read over and over and over? Anything by Catherine Anderson. I know she’s not that well known, but she’s an awesome romance writer and I’m a sucker for a good romance. My favorite of hers is Phantom Waltz. I didn’t read much growing up, so when I snagged my first CA novel I was hooked. Now I can’t get enough of books, so I have her to thank for that.

I have never heard of her... I'm putting it on my to-read list right now!

What book are you dying to read this year? Possession, by Elana Johnson. It doesn’t release until June, but I’m already hearing great things about it. And the Kindle version will NOT do, I’m getting an autographed copy if I have to stalk Elana to do it. J Just kidding, Elana.

I'm totally going to stalk her with you. She is awesome!

What genre do you write and why? I started writing adult romance (again, because of Catherine), but soon found myself dabbling in paranormal and fantasy. By the time I finished my first book, I’d found a love for reading young adult which showed in my writing. Now I write YA paranormal romance. My characters’ ages ride that fine line between YA and Adult—New Adult—but that genre is tough to pitch, so I query YA agents in hopes of finding one that sees the vision in my work. No luck, yet. But I’m not a quitter, so will keep trying.

Do you have any writing rituals? Music, silence, eating, etc. For me, it’s absolute silence. Every little thing is a distraction. Snacking is always a problem when writing. I have to be careful not to have food in my office or I’ll get into a writing zone and the next thing I know I’ve devoured a whole bowl of M&Ms. Not good for my . . . ahem . . . girlish figure.

Mmmm... M&M's...

Do you prefer salty snacks or sugary ones? Isn’t chocolate a writer’s staple?

Any advice for aspiring authors? Get into a good critique group with honest critiquers who you can trust to give helpful suggestions. If you’re in a location where you can’t find writers with the same passion and dedication that you have, then join a good online group like Critters Ink. (shameless plug) We currently have 35 members divided into small groups of writers in all genres—adult, YA and middle grade.

Random writing question- If your current main character could hang out with any other literary character, who would it be and why? What would they do? Okay, seriously? Octavion isn’t hanging out with anyone but ME. He’s one hunk of a man. Well, actually he has the heart of a wild cat and would probably eat me, but that’s beside the point. I guess if he could hang out with any literary character it would probably be . . . nope, it would have to be me. Sorry.

Ha ha! I totally wouldn't share my MC either! :D

Hey, this has been fun. Thanks for having me. Here’s where you can find me most of the time (when I’m not catching dragonflies or riding giraffes): www.christinebryant.blogspot.com