Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?
I play music when I’m creating because music helps to set the mood. When I listen to music when I’m not writing, I think “Oooh, this song is perfect for…part of my story. For example, the music for Queensryche’s song, “Silent Lucidity” and the words to the song seem as if created just for my upcoming fantasy novel. The words are perfect because the story is about a dream guardian for children struggling to do her job because she isn’t sure true love exists. The title will probably be called Dream Guardian or something similar.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
For my latest book, The Woman in Green from Cromarty: A Legend, I wanted the title to mention who the story involves, and that it’s based on an ancient Celtic legend. For my upcoming fantasy novel, Dream Guardian, I simply state who the story is about. This title gives readers an idea too on the genre and a glimpse of the plot topic.
- What books do you enjoy reading?
I enjoy reading a variety of genres but as you may guess my favorite is fantasy. Fantasy allows for anything and takes me back to my childhood when my imagination went wild. I had so much fun playing and imagining. I bring that into my stories today.
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
Writer’s block, as I explain to my students, is when you’re wearing your editor’s hat instead of your creator’s hat, and that editor is mean. There is a place and time to wear your editor’s hat but you should never let that editor say mean things to you. So, do you look at your writing and say something like, “This writing is stupid” and I can’t write”?
To unstick your flo, I recommend you think back to when you were little and playing. Did you get stuck when using your imagination back then? Probably not. Why? Because you were having fun, didn’t question your ideas, and let your imagination rule. That is where you need to go back to when writing currently. When you’re creating, your writing doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s about getting your idea down.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Writers are storytellers and entertainers. There is a drive within us to tell stories and often offer a message within that story. Writing and publishing are harder than I thought. There is the creation of the story, the tweaking, and editing, then there is the marketing and possibly bad reviews. I mean, there are these stories I want to share but it isn’t just about telling them. It’s also about all these other things. Your drive to continue really needs to be strong.
What’s your favorite and least favorite part of publishing?
Essentially what I mentioned surprised me, but if I had to choose from those, I’d say the marketing. Writers need all this money to make others aware of their stories and it’s sad to think readers won’t know about their work simply due to money.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Most of my ideas have come from dreams I’ve had. Many were like stories with a beginning, middle, and end. Some of my work has come from taking real life and using the “what if” scenario. My imagination goes into overtime with reality. Music helps too. Many times a story is born when I listen to a song with or without lyrics.
One of my picture books, Special Memory, came about as a result of an actual event when my daughters were little. The story is based on reality. My youngest was afraid to go to school. I created a special memory on purpose for her to pull up whenever she needed strength.
What is your writing software of choice?
I like and use Microsoft Word all the time for creative writing, business writing, and as a teacher. It is so versatile and capable.
How long have you been writing or when did you start?
The writing bug first grabbed me when my fourth-grade teacher asked the class to write a story. I had fun doing that and later went back to that story as an adult. My Mr. Inker picture books, which are also Readers, are based on that story. I didn’t become serious about writing until I was in my thirties.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not teaching or writing, I like to hike, garden, and spend time with family and friends.
Christina Francine is an enthusiastic author and teacher. Picture books: Special Memory (2021), and leveled reader series, Mr. Inker (2020). Journal of Literary Innovation published her analysis of students’ writing across the nation (2016). “Friday Nights is Not a Good Time to Get Groceries,” a short horror-comedy, in the anthology, A Scream in the Night 2! (2022). Forthcoming: The Woman in Green from Cromarty, a dark fantasy novella (Oct. 2024), and soon a fantasy novel, Dream-Guardian.
In addition, she’s published over 250 reviews for authors and publishers and several articles.
Elk Grove Writer’s Guild: https://egweg.org/
Website: www.ChristinaFrancine.org
Email: ChristinaFrancine@gmail.com
Amazon Author Profile: https://amazon.com/author/christinafrancine
Christina holds a B. A. cum laude in Children’s Literature and a concentration in Education from University at Castleton, Vermont, and an M.A. in English Studies with a concentration in writing from SUNY Fredonia, New York. She teaches both academic and business writing at the University at Buffalo and Buffalo State University. When time permits, she works with primary and secondary students in schools.