Guest Post: Interview with Christine Smith

I'm super-de-duper excited to welcome a special friend to Adventure Awaits today: Christine Smith from Musings of an Elf! I've been blessed to know her for a couple years now, and she is such an encouraging ray of sunshine everywhere she goes. Enthusiastic, kind, perceptive, and an awesome writer to boot, she brightens her corner of the internet . . . and a whole lot of other people's corners, too. I've had the privilege of beta reading one of her books (in novella form and as a full-length novel), and she's returned the favor for me.


So it's really about time I feature her here on my blog, and what better topic to discuss than her writing life? Ladies and gentlemen, I now give Christine the floor!

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Christine Smith is a twenty-something, homeschool graduate who still believes in fairies and has every intention of owning a pet dragon someday. One day she thought it'd be fun to write a book. Fifteen years and much caffeine later, she's still writing. Stories are her life—reading, writing, watching, whatever it may be. She writes primarily YA novels, and refuses to stop, no matter how old she gets. She loves tales grand and epic and whimsical and beautiful. But her greatest love is her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her favorite adventure of all is letting Him sweep her off on His beautiful plan for her life. You can find Christine at her blog musingsofanelf.blogspot.com, where she muses on those many peculiar things writers think about.

1. How long have you been writing? Was there a certain point in your writing life when you decided to pursue it as a career? Can you share a little excerpt of your work-in-progress? (We've got to start off with a bang and cover all the basics!)

I've been writing for 15 years, since I was 9 years old. I always loved reading and just stories in general, but it never occurred to me to try writing my own until I discovered a contest to write a short story involving a horse in some way. It sounded fun, so I couldn't help but try it. Well, what was supposed to be a short story, turned into a full novel, and I completely abandoned the whole contest thing and instead happily became a novelist writer for fun.

The thought of publishing had always been in my mind from the very beginning. But I never really...did anything about it. I just dreamed and hoped. I called myself a writer, but I really only wrote occasionally and never once read books on writing or learned the craft too much. But then NaNoWriMo happened. I participated in my first NaNo in 2010 when I was 18, and, oh, what a magical experience. I lived and breathed my NaNo novel for 30 days, and managed to finish it soon after NaNo ended. Before, it took me yeeears to finish a novel. But this one I wrote completely in under 3 months. I was in awe that I was capable of such a thing. And LOVED it. NaNo taught me I could finish books, AND that writing was absolutely what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.

After that NaNo, the thought of publishing wasn't a dream, but a tangible goal. I started following writing blogs, making writing friends, reading articles on the craft, writing more books and more and more. My books before this were cringe worthy, but slowly and surely I saw improvement. I still have a long ways to go, but now, yes, I definitely am pursuing it as a career. Writing is my world.

My current work-in-progress, Burning Thorns, is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and the book I hope to start pursuing publishing with first. Here's an excerpt:

“Palms still spread out in front of him, chest heaving, and blood pounding in her ears, Rose looked into his face. “Dragon?”

He blinked, over and over, face scrunched as if a war wrought inside his mind. Slowly, the untamed gleam in his eye faded. For the first time since he attacked, he looked at her. He saw her.

She took a shuddering breath. A thousand words she longed to say stormed in her throat, but only one broke free. “Please.”

His charred lips parted, trembled, like speaking pained him. His eyes roved over every inch of her face. They gazed deep, piercing, hungry. Searching for something. She could see him now. Not the dragon, but the man hidden underneath, so desperately trying to claw his way out.

2. What does a typical writing session look like for you?

I really don't do anything specific or special. I work best with goals, so if I set out to write, I usually give myself a word limit I have to write before I can stop. 500 words, 1k, 2k—something like that. Otherwise I'd just write like 100 words before quitting. If I don't have a goal, laziness always wins. But if I do have a goal, I obsess over it and have to make it. (I guess that's a good thing...?)

Once I sit down to write, I usually put on the playlist I made specifically for the book, open the story and outline if I have one (some books I pants, some books I plan, it just depends), and just write. I always have a beverage by me, whether it be water, coffee, tea, coke. Just something to keep me hydrated. I also have to be alone to write. If people are around, I get too distracted and can't immerse myself in my story. So pretty much always I write in my room by myself. Well, except for Navi—my poodle/writing buddy. ;) I tend to get most of my writing done during the afternoons. Though I think my best scenes come from when I write at night.

3. If you can manage to choose, what's your favorite part of the writing process—first draft, editing, etc.?

Does finishing a first draft count? Because that's my absolute favorite feeling. There's just nothing like realizing that story that's been roaming your brain for months or even years is finally on paper. All those hours and hours of work done. And, to me, the first draft is the most special. Because with any other draft, you're working with what's already there, no matter how much you rewrite it. But the first draft came about from an entirely blank slate. And isn't that a magical feeling? Making something utterly new from nothing.

So yes, finishing a first draft is without a doubt my favorite part of the writing process.

As far as editing vs. drafting. I think I've decided I enjoy them about equally. They both have their pros and cons, though I may lean toward first drafting a smidge.

4. Tell us about a pivotal moment in your writing journey.

Well, I guess I already did, talking about my first NaNoWriMo. So I'll tell you about my most recent turning point.


I just finished doing the first round of edits for Burning Thorns and having my amazing beta-readers (one of which is our very own Tracey here!) go through it. I've never before had a whole group of people read a full novel by me. It was an entirely new experience, and one of the best I've ever had. Ever since, I've had a huge support system, encouragement, so much great advice, and people helping me reach my goal of publishing. Publishing has always been a terrifying, overwhelming idea. But suddenly, with people supporting me and pushing me forward, it feels real and doable and exciting.


Moral of the story is: Find writing buddies! They're the best things in the world.


5. As a reader, do you prefer series or standalones? How about as a writer?

This is a tricky question. Once upon a time, I was alllll about them series. I hardly even touched standalones. I wanted a huge, epic plot and to be immersed in it for long amounts of time. BUT, back in the day, I didn't actually have a whole lot of reading material. *gasp* I know, craziness! Used to, if I found a series, I was ecstatic because it'd assure I'd have lots of books to read for a while.

Then I got older and discovered magical things like GoodReads.com and thrift stores and library sales and made writing/reading buddies who gave me 3892348 recommendations of books to read.

Now, I'm drowning in books. Which is the best thing EVER. Obviously. But...it also means I have a TBR stack the size of Mount Everest and not nearly enough time to read it all. And thus series are more daunting because it's a commitment, when I could just go through a bunch of standalones quickly and lessen my to-be-read stack a bit.

BUT, whenever I do take on a series, my long-time love for series returns and I wonder why I ever put off reading them. Disappearing inside one storyworld for a long time is my favorite. It's like I get to spend weeks in an exciting place with dear friends, and I love it.

SO. Loooong story short, I think I like series best because I do prefer much bigger, complex plots. But for some reason I procrastinate reading them.

Now then, as a writer. I pretty much only have experience writing series. *sheepish grin* Technically Burning Thorns was supposed to be a standalone, and still absolutely can be, but I also have a whole line of fairytale retellings set in the same world floating through my brain. Whenever I TRY to write something short, it becomes this monstrous, complicated series. It's a problem. >.> But, I kind of like it, too.

Basically, I just like long, epic plots—to read or write.

6. What's a struggle you're facing as a writer right now?

Self doubt has always been a huge one. But, again, my writing friends are working on stomping away that self doubt because they're the sweetest things in the world.

As far as actual writing problems, worldbuilding has never been a strong suit. I can come up with a thousand million plot ideas, but actual interesting worlds to put them in? Nada. My worldbuilding always ends up sooo boring and/or cliché. My brain just refuses to come up with fun, clever things. *glares at useless brain* So that's definitely something I want to strive to improve on.

Also, if you can't tell by my ridiculously long answers, I'm not always good at summing things up quickly. Eheheh.

7. What are you really excited about in your current writing life?

That the first round of edits for Burning Thorns is FINISHED. But even more than that, that I'm not scared of editing anymore and actually ENJOY it.

See, I've spent basically my entire life completely petrified of editing. Thus I write a dozen first drafts, but never...actually...edit anything. Which is like the biggest part of being a writer. Heh. But I finally took the plunge and edited Burning Thorns, and all my fears were for naught. Because I liked it. I LIKED EDITING. It was the most shocking and wonderful writing revelation I've ever had.

8. What are some pieces of writing advice that have stuck with you?

Oh goodness, so many! Basically everything I've ever read on the Go Teen Writers blog. When I started reading that blog was when my writing really started to improve. The Go Teen Writers book is also my go-to for all things writerly.

Let's see...

One day I stumbled upon this quote on Pinterest and it has never left my brain since.

“The bigger the issue, the smaller you write. Remember that. You don't write about the horrors of war. No. You write about a kid's burnt socks lying on the road. You pick the smallest manageable part of the big thing, and you work off the resonance.” -Richard Price

It's such a simple but powerful, story changing thought. One of my most favorite writing quotes, without a doubt.

9. If one of your existing characters had to show up in every single story you ever write, who would you choose and why?

Bwahahaha! I love this question! XD

It's really hard for me to not have all my characters in every single story. They become such a special piece of my heart, it's hard ever saying goodbye. Which is probably why I love series so much, now that I think of it!

But, shockingly, I actually know exactly who I'd choose. Cael.

Cael is a sometimes villain/sometimes antihero/sometimes who-even-knows-what from my Colors of a Dragon Scale series, a high fantasy, dragon rider story. Cael wasn't even supposed to exist. But one day he popped in my head and completely took over everything. As in, the whole plot ended up centering around him pretty much. Even though he didn't appear until the 5th book. O_O Only Cael can manage that, let me tell you.

He looks young (but looks can be deceiving *wink, wink*), has white hair (because, ya know, white hair is awesome (though there is a reason, I promise)), and somehow manages to be both the villain and best friend to one of my protagonists.

The thing about Cael is he's honestly NICE. Not your usual dark, brooding villain/antihero type. Sure, he causes sooo much trouble, but he's quite polite about it and does actually care about people. He's charismatic and fun and nice and complex and, honestly, the character I've had the most fun writing out of all my many, many beloved characters. (Sh, don't tell the others.) I actually feel comforted whenever he's around. Even though, ya know, HE'S TRYING TO DESTROY EVERYTHING. It makes no sense. >.> But that's Cael for you. He's a walking conundrum.

So yes, I'd have so much fun putting him in all my stories. Even though he'd steal the show in every single one and probably cause all sorts of horrible disasters...

10. One of the things you really excel at is characters—making them deep and relatable. You make me feel strongly in one way or another about each one! What's your secret?

*blushes and flails* TRACEY. The things you say! I don't know about all that. Goodness. I don't think I have a secret! o.o

Um... It may have something to do with my personality type...? I'm super in tune to people and just...get them. I understand people and what they feel and why they feel things or do something. I'm not book smart AT. ALL. But I guess you could say I'm people smart. It just comes naturally. Also it's one of my favorite subjects. I get absolutely obsessed with studying personalities and just PEOPLE. (Reading about the Myers-Briggs personality types is one of my favorite activities. #nerd) So I guess that could be it. I just understand people, and it shows through in my writing.

Thank you so much for having me over at Adventure Awaits, Tracey! This was a BLAST.

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Thanks for such awesome answers, Christine! I loved getting this window into your writing life, and I'm sure all you questers did as well. (That quote in #9 . . . wow. Just wow.) Be sure to leave a comment here for Christine, because she's taking over the blog for the next while! She'll respond to comments (but who am I kidding, I won't be able to resist piping up too), and answer any questions you may have. So ask and comment away!


Also, on Monday the 19th, she'll be featuring me on Musings of an Elf, so stay tuned for that as well. It's going to be fun!


UPDATE: Here's the link to that interview in which I chat about my writing process, a few of my favorite characters, and what my dream guest list would be for a seriously epic, authorly tea party!