Author Interview - Christine Boucher

Christine Boucher is a writer, yoga instructor, wife, mother to three, and animal lover who lives in New Hampshire. Christine is the new fictional author of the YA series, The Sentinel of the Chakra Stones. Christine first started creating fantasy worlds as a small child at her desk in Indiana and then as a tween in New Hampshire. Sticking to the practical side of the world, she obtained a business degree and masters in accounting. For many years, she secretly continued to write, read, and research with her beloved dog and cat by her side. She is a lover of yoga, water-skiing, the beach, great meals, and watching her kids grow into who they want to become. Christine is the published author of Express Yourself! Joyful Journaling for Kids.

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Q&A

Q1: What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

My latest book is the The Sentinel of the Chakra Stones. My book was inspired by a set of chakra stones that I bought ten years ago. I was at a yoga event and I had never bought crystals before. For some reason I bought this chakra set and when I got home, the idea of a book series came to mind. I started writing immediately, but was missing pieces and raising three kids, so it took a bit of time. It wasn’t until I heard of Earth Chakras that the books and ideas all fell into place. Each book will take place at an Earth Chakra location. The first book takes place in Mount Shasta, CA.

Q2: When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?

I try to set the mood with descriptions of the characters’ faces and how their bodies feel. Since the book is written from the main character’s point of view, she will notice expressions, tones, and characteristics of the other characters to show that things are getting intense.

Q3: What authors, or books have influenced you?

There are so many authors who have influenced me, but the first that come to mind are: Maya Angelou, Sydney Sheldon, Sarah Ban Breathnach, Mitch Albom, J.K Rowling, Bella Forrest, and Louise Fitzhugh. I truly admire anyone who writes. It takes a lot of work, dedication, and imagination to write and get your books out to the world.

Q4: When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

 I knew I wanted to be a writer when I was a little girl. My friend and I decided we were going to write a book together and I was beyond thrilled. Hints of this work came up again and again: winning a sixth grade writing contest, professors in my freshman year of college encouraging me to continue writing, but I let the practicality of being a writer get in the way and waited until my forties to publish my first book and now my second. It takes courage to put your work out.

Q5: What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?

 My advice would be to keep writing and if you need to take a break, take a break, but come back to your work. There were years when I put my ideas away and then came back to them and it got even better. It’s a process, but when you get serious about getting your work published, it will happen. I have faith that there are so many books that still need to be written. The world needs your work.

Q6: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

 The amount of editing! Wow! There is the developmental editing and the grammatical editing. It is surprising how many people can read and edit your books and mistakes can still be found. I had to learn to let it go. Myself and my editors have worked very hard to make this as perfect as possible, but a mistake may be found.

Q7: What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

I knew words had power from the day I started reading and connecting with writers and their characters. I felt the emotions: sadness, joy, and anger. I felt empowered by words of inspiration, and I learned to grow and challenge myself. I realized there was a bigger world out there besides my immediate childhood and teenage surroundings. I learned through the written word that I could accomplish my goals.

Q8: What was the first book that made you cry?

The first one that comes to mind is Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews. I read the series in high school, but the way the kids were treated was devastating.

Q9: What are you working on now?

I’m currently editing book two in the series The Sentinel of the Chakra Stones, which takes place in Peru and is focused on the second chakra.

Q10: What are you currently reading?

 I am currently reading Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson

Connect with Christine Boucher by following the social media links below. Keep reading to find out more about The Sentinel of the Chakra Stones.

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You never know when an ordinary teenager will blossom into something extraordinary.

Jaden is a fourteen-year-old girl abandoned by her mother, unwanted by her father, and tormented at school. She fills her alone time exploring the streets of her hometown of Nashua, New Hampshire. She discovers a flea market and is drawn to the table of a mysterious lady selling Tibetan singing bowls and crystals. The impulse purchase of a crystal chakra set reveals a mystical destiny.

Jaden and her only friend, Alister, are transported to Mount Shasta, California, which hides the Lemurian City of Telos. It is here, at the first Earth chakra location, where Jaden and Alister become part of a secret world of teenagers and esoteric beings working to protect the Earth chakra energies from the Keeper of Belial.

The first chakra stone is already under attack and losing its power, which jeopardizes the safety and security of the planet. Jaden must fight to restore balance to the world and find the inner strength to fulfill her role as The Sentinel of the Seven Stones.

The Sentinel of the Chakra Stones is available as paperback or ebook.

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Author Interview - Helen Rygh-Pederson

 

Reading and writing are two things Helen Rygh-Pedersen has been heavily involved with from a young age. She could always be found with her nose in a book or with a notebook in hand, especially on long car journeys as her family moved from place to place.

She graduated from the University of Exeter with a BA in French and Italian and after a brief career teaching languages in the UK, she moved to Norway with her family. It was here that she really reignited her passion for creating worlds. She dipped her toe into the publishing process by first releasing her dystopian short story, Heifer, and a picture book which she illustrated herself, A Whiff in the Woods, before taking the leap with her debut novel. Waking Ursa Minor is the first book in her Riverda Rising epic fantasy series.

When she isn’t writing she can be found spending time with her family, sewing and knitting or catching up on the latest fantasy series.

 Genre: Epic Fantasy

 Q&A:

 Q1: What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

 My latest, or should I say, first, book is called Waking Ursa Minor. It’s been a long time in the making and actually started with a “novel” I wrote when I was 11 years old involving a plane crash where the teen protagonists find themselves on an island called Utopia. I am very pleased to say, however, that only two things remain from the original book; a character name and one event which I won’t mention as it contains spoilers. Since then, I guess my constant moving to new countries inspired places and cultures within the book.

Q2: When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?

When I am writing an emotional scene, I have to really put myself in the shoes of the character, first thinking how I would react, and then seeing the same process through their eyes. If it’s just a hard scene to write, I often find that putting some instrumental fantasy music on in the background can really help.

Q3: What authors, or books have influenced you?

I guess the author that really introduced me to fantasy was Brian Jacques and his Redwall series, closely followed by J.K.Rowling and Harry Potter. Had it not been for them I wouldn’t have fallen in love with fantasy and found my all-time favourites; Robin Hobb, Patrick Rothfuss, and Brandon Sanderson. I’ve just started reading The Wheel of Time and I’m amazed I didn’t come across Robert Jordan sooner. The same also goes for Jay Kristoff, as I do like my fantasy on the darker side.

 Q4: When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

I knew from a very young age that writing filled a space within me and someday I wanted to write a book. However, as I’m sure many of us were, I was encouraged to “get a real job” and so sadly my dreams of being an author fell to the wayside for a while. But after moving to Norway and not working for a while, I rediscovered both my love for writing and my dream.

Q5: What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?

Just get that first draft finished! Don’t bog yourself down doing all the ‘research’ you think you should be doing, all the techniques you need to be applying, just get the story down and you can tart it up later.

Q6: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

That you aren’t as alone as you think. There are hundreds and thousands of like-minded people out there trying to fulfill their dreams of publishing a book. They are at all stages of the journey and, in my experience, they are all lovely and very encouraging. I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to find the online writing community. 

Q7: What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Oh, that’s a tough question. Hmm. I think it would have to be from when I was at school. I was only about 10 years old and the school was faced with closure. It was also around the turn of the millennium and we were asked to write some short poems for the new year.

 I wrote about 4 all based on the topic of time and was surprised to find that any of the parents or staff that read them started crying. I guess they just really hit a nerve with everything that was going on at the time.

 I am very pleased to say, though, that the school was saved and is still open to this day.

Q8: What was the first book that made you cry?

Ha! This question makes me laugh because although I love to try and make people cry with my writing, it is very rare for a book to make me cry. To be completely honest, I can’t even remember the last book that made me cry, let alone the first! Recommendations welcome!

Q9: What are you working on now?

I am working on Book Two of the Riverda Rising series. It’s actually more of a companion novel than a direct sequel, but there are a few cameos from familiar characters. Then it will all come together in Book Three which I can’t wait to start writing.

Q10: What are you currently reading?

At this precise moment I’m between books. I just finished Nevermoor, which I thoroughly enjoyed and reminds me I must read more middle grade books from time to time. Next up? I can’t decide between The Great Hunt (WOT book 2) or Gardens of the Moon (Malazan Book of the Fallen book 1). 

Keep reading for a sneak peek at Waking Ursa Minor

Serakela couldn’t breathe, she felt numb all over, her limbs as solid and unmoving as the chunks of wood that lay by the unlit fire. Who was she? Everything she knew or thought she knew about herself was changing, shifting from reality to confusing fantasy. Remembering the face that had stared back at her from the mirror earlier, however, it struck her that this could be part of her true identity.

“Safe?” she croaked, coming back to the present. “Why would I not be safe?”

Madame stood and walked to the desk.

“Your parents were on a mission, trying to find something very old and very important. But they were being pursued. They did what they thought was right by leaving you here, away from the eyes of those who would do you harm, to grow up in peace and re-join them when you came of age.” She took a small leather-bound document pouch out of a locked compartment in the ornate desk.

“They left you this. They said it would tell you what you need to know.”

 She held out the pouch and waited for Serakela to take it. The gap between her hand and the papers felt like a chasm. If she took that pouch, there was no going back to what she had known all her life, no knowing what would come next. And if she didn’t… She had already seen the alternative and knew it wasn’t an option.

“Why now? Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because, my dear, a man has come to kill you.”

To find out more about Helen Rygh-Pederson, check out the social media links below:

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Author Interview - Andrew Kirschner

Andrew Kirschner published the superhero novel Ms Infinity: Earth's Greatest Hero in 2015. A lifelong New Yorker, he holds two Masters Degrees, in Secondary Education and Urban Planning, and has worked in many different fields, including advertising, government, manufacturing, and education. He currently lives in Queens with his wife and three children.

 Genre: Superhero fiction

 Q&A

 Q1: What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

 The latest is Ms. Infinity: Infinite Moon.

 All of my books are about a superhero named Ms. Infinity. She is a very powerful superhero with an alien origin. In her secret identity, she is Bonnie Boring of Queens, and she works a low-paying retail job. I have just relaunched the series [January 12, 2022] with new covers, a re-edit, and reformatting, as well as an audiobook of Book 1, Earth’s Greatest Hero.

 There are a few inspirations. I’ve always loved Wonder Woman, but I was frustrated with the direction the comic book was taking. Then after a big career disappointment, I had a job in a grocery store as a cashier. I got this idea for a very powerful superwoman with a low-paying day job. I never thought I would actually write anything. But one day, I sat down thinking I would bang out a few ideas, and then I just kept going. Before I knew it, I was sixty pages into this thing. I couldn’t believe I was writing a novel!

As I was writing, the hero’s characterization was influenced more and more by my wife, Liz. She is also a major inspiration. After all, she is the superhero in my life.

Q2: What advice would you give to help others create plotlines?

I don’t know if I could say anything definitive. I will say that I like to build out from the characters. Having relatable characters is important, and the plot to me is secondary. I think building from the lead character’s motivations works best. That way, even if the plot isn’t highly original, it can still be compelling. I would take that over a strong plot with weak characters.

Q3: What authors, or books have influenced you?

I’m a Tolkien geek. I could read The Lord of the Rings any time! Since I write a superhero, I would also name William Moulton Marston, Wonder Woman’s creator. Ms. Infinity has influences from the Golden Age Wonder Woman in particular. Also Dan Mishkin, who has done many comics, but also a very underrated run on Wonder Woman from the 1980’s.

Q4: What is your schedule like when you’re writing a book?

I’m a part time writer and a full time parent and teacher. I have to pencil the writing time in between other commitments. Sometimes it’s an hour, sometimes just ten or twenty minutes a night. The key is persistence. Keep doing this regularly, and you get things done.

Q5: Does writing energize or exhaust you? Or both?

It really does depend. Sometimes a long session can wear you out. But on the whole, it’s very energizing. Living with my characters has made my life that much richer.

Q6: What is the best writing advice you have ever heard?

It’s simple, but just that a writer writes.

Q7: How do you come up with character names for your stories?

I came up with the name Bonnie Boring right at the character’s inception, and there it was. Thinking of her superhero name was much harder. I was halfway through Book 1 before I thought of Ms. Infinity. I decided that I would demarcate the principal cast with the slightly corny comic book convention of alliterative names, so her boyfriend is Hal Holstein, her best friend Lisa Lin, and her mother is Betty Boring.

Sometimes I go for word play with incidental characters. I had an astronaut named Glen Spacey and a reporter named Kaz Pimple (from the Comics Crash Pad.) More important though, since this takes place in Queens, is showing New York’s diversity. My own immediate neighbors must have at least half a dozen cultures represented. So Ms. Infinity’s cast also represents the cultural mosaic of the city. 

Q8: What do you think is the best way to improve writing skills?

Above all, you can’t beat doing it. But I think it’s also important to hear others’ opinions. Apart from other experiences, I run a writers workshop (the Astoria Writers Group) and that has been a wonderful experience.

Q9: What are you working on now?

I’m working on the fourth Ms. Infinity book, with the working title Ms.Infinity vs. The Nanny. The villain is an evil Mary Poppins variant named Nancy Proper who kidnaps children to her cartoon pocket universe and transforms them into brainwashed cartoons.

Q10: What are you currently reading?

Stephanie B. Whitfield’s Found in Roll, the last of her series about a teenage witch in a small town in Arizona. I’m enjoying it a lot!

To find out more about Andrew Kirschner, check out the links below, and don't forget to check out the excerpt from Ms. Infinity: Earth’s Greatest Hero at the end of this interview:

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Below is an excerpt from Ms. Infinity: Earth’s Greatest Hero

There she stood, a figure of myth, larger than life. She looked like she did on TV, but somehow even greater. She was tall, with dark, flowing hair. Her full-bodied costume was a deep dark blue with the infinity symbol both on her belt and her tiara, both in gold, and a cape of gold that flowed behind her. She stood tall with arms akimbo and spoke with a powerful voice: “Sir, I believe it is time that you kindly release this man.”

“Gladly!” shouted Derrick. Suddenly Hal was being flung over the safety bar, into the air. But an instant later he was in the arms of Ms. Infinity.

“You’re safe now,” said Ms. Infinity, looking into his eyes. Hal stared back as if enchanted.

Indeed, Hal was so excited that he could barely speak. He almost forgot to breathe. It was as if time had frozen in this one, perfect moment. Ms. Infinity seemed even more powerful, more beautiful, altogether more awesome in person than he had ever dreamed. She seemed to glow as he looked at her. “Wow,” he beamed, “It’s you! It’s really you!”

“So I’ve been led to believe,” she replied with a smile.

As Ms. Infinity descended with Hal, she smiled at him warmly. She landed with him, and gently put him down on the sidewalk in front of the store. Putting her hand on his shoulder, she spoke.

“You have handled a frightening situation with dignity and grace. I sense a man with kindness and decency, and much to admire. Never forget the power you have inside you.”

Hal’s heart was beating so fast, he almost forgot how to talk. “Thank you so much,” he said.

“If you understand now, I have a criminal to deal with.”

As Ms. Infinity flew away, Hal watched in complete awe.  He stood there watching her disappear, as a police officer approached. “Sir? Can we ask you a few questions?”

Hal did not answer; it seemed hard to rouse him from his near trance-like state. “Sir?” asked the officer a second time.

“Oh!” he shouted, “I’m sorry, officer.”

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Author Interview - Daniel Pagan Murphy

Daniel Pagan Murphy is the author of “The Four” series and Luna Reyes and the Emperor of Light, as well as the upcoming Luna Reyes and the Lands Beyond. He was born in the Mediterranean coast of Spain to a Spanish father and English mother. He is an elementary school teacher and has been living in Taiwan for 12 years. In his free time, Daniel enjoys traveling, playing games, cooking, and daydreaming.

Genre: Middle Grade/YA Fantasy.

Q&A

Q1: What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?

Luna Reyes and the Lands Beyond. It is the second instalment in the series. There were many inspirations behind it, but I really wanted to let my love for classic adventure stories shine through. I also have a deep love of pirates so that was something I definitely wanted to weave in. As an overarching theme, Luna Reyes and the Lands Beyond continues to tackle big problems such as xenophobia and the issues with monarchy as a form of government, whilst still keeping things fun and light-hearted by featuring many lesser-known fantasy creatures. On a more personal level, my own childhood and my experiences growing up as a mixed kid were some of the things that inspired me and that I drew from when writing this book.

Q2: What advice would you give to help others create plotlines?

I am a pantser, so for me what works best is to just sit down and write. I love thinking of ways to self-reference earlier parts of the story, and for me that’s what makes world-building fun! The problem with this method is that it does involve a lot of backtracking and double-checking to make sure the continuity is there, but that’s just the way I write. I couldn’t see myself planning out an entire story first. My advice would be to just follow where your story takes you and trust your instincts!

Q3: What authors, or books have influenced you?

I am a big fan of Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman and Philip Pullman. I particularly admire the way all three of them can so seamlessly craft stories that can resonate with both adults and children on different levels, and that’s something I strive towards in my books.

Q4: What is your schedule like when you’re writing a book?

Very eclectic. I try to write 1000 words a day, or even 2000 when I am trying to finish the first draft of a manuscript in a rush. Inevitably though, life gets in the way, or inspiration fails to come. I feel best when I hit that 1000 words mark, but I’m happy with anything over 500. It takes me around four months to complete a book.

Q5: Does writing energize or exhaust you? Or both?

Both, depending on how inspired I am that day. Sometimes the words just flow and I feel elated and can’t wait to keep going. Other times, it’s a slog. I do feel a lot of satisfaction when I’m done, though, no matter how hard it is.

Q6: What is the best writing advice you have ever heard?

Just write. No, seriously. One of the biggest barriers to writing is the fear of the blank page/screen. I still struggle with it sometimes, but I find that writing anything at all often opens up the dams and that those fears are unfounded.

Q7: How do you come up with character names for your stories?

It really depends, although I tend to borrow from real people in my life when I can. I try to give the characters names that mean something. My book series The Four features the horsemen of the apocalypse reincarnated in the bodies of teenagers, and their names reflect who they are: Marcus Lerouge (Marcus means warrior and Lerouge means “the red”, so he is the red horseman, War), Dorian Moors (Dorian is a reference to The Picture of Dorian Gray, a character who famously cheats death, Moors sounds like the latin word for death, mors, so Dorian is Death), etc. I’m a language nerd, so I love to find these little connections that can hopefully act as easter eggs for readers.

Q8: What do you think is the best way to improve writing skills?

Write as much as you can. Write reviews, cards, books, and anything really. I find what really helps my writing is to remember to empty my thoughts now and then. We live so addicted to stimulation that we forget that the best ideas come when we just let go. I’ve found that just letting my mind wander as I walk to work instead of focusing on my phone works wonders for coming up with ideas.

Q9: What are you working on now?

Finishing up Luna Reyes and the Lands Beyond and trying to improve my marketing skills. I will take a couple of months of rest from actual writing and then move onto the next instalment of The Four.

Q10: What are you currently reading?

I just finished The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. I’m going to start on The Time Machine and American Pastoral soon, very excited for both of them!

To find out more about Daniel Pagan Murphy, check out the links below:

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