Today's Darklight on is ... Christina Craig
Welcome, Chris
How did you come to write speculative fiction? What attracted you to the genre?
The first novel I ever read was Lythande, by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Although it was pure fantasy, I fell in love with any fiction that was beyond my everyday realm. Speculative Fiction, in essence I believe, questions the boundaries of what could be and what secretly is – I find this very exciting!
Are you a plotter? Pantser? Or somewhere in-between?
I start as a pantser and when I realise the story or character has potential I make a conscious effort to develop the plot. It always changes though when a character decides to do their own thing.
Do you have a favourite of your characters?
Yes, she’s a sub-character in the first novel I wrote ten years ago. She’s a skilled fighter with sword and knife and keeps her heart guarded. One day I’ll bring her story to light. I’ll keep her name a secret for now but her initials are BB.
What are you currently working on?I’m working on Through The AusHole, a speculative fiction with quirky humour and fantasy elements. My partial 50 pages scored me a publisher interview a few years ago, before I had children, so I’m determined to work through my edits and get it out there.
What is your favourite part of the process of writing?
When a plot twist works, when a character says the perfect line to the bad guy, and of course, finishing!
What can we expect from Christina Craig in the future?
As a writer I simply hope to keep perfecting my craft and getting my novels polished and published. As an artist, designing premade and custom e-book covers as Two Decade Designs.
Who are your favourite authors?
Marion Zimmer Bradley, Juliet Marillier, Paulo Coehlo, Lian Hearn, Terry Pratchett, Anne McCaffrey, Sara Douglass, Alastair Reynolds, Kym Wilkins, David & Leigh Eddings, and of course many others.
What are you currently reading?
There’s a lovely newbie at work and when we discovered we liked the same fiction she loaned me her favourite book - Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey.
Do you have a favourite spec fiction movie or TV series?
I have enjoyed Tripod, Dr Who, Star Trek Generations, Voyager and Deep Space Nine, Torchwood, Game of Thrones, Stargate, and my favourite movies are Labyrinth, Willow and The Fifth Element.
Do you have any advice for emerging writers?
Don’t compare yourself to others but do aim to master the craft of writing. Listen to your voice because what makes it unique is what will make your story fly.
As a writer I simply hope to keep perfecting my craft and getting my novels polished and published. As an artist, designing premade and custom e-book covers as Two Decade Designs.
Who are your favourite authors?
Marion Zimmer Bradley, Juliet Marillier, Paulo Coehlo, Lian Hearn, Terry Pratchett, Anne McCaffrey, Sara Douglass, Alastair Reynolds, Kym Wilkins, David & Leigh Eddings, and of course many others.
What are you currently reading?
There’s a lovely newbie at work and when we discovered we liked the same fiction she loaned me her favourite book - Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey.
Do you have a favourite spec fiction movie or TV series?
I have enjoyed Tripod, Dr Who, Star Trek Generations, Voyager and Deep Space Nine, Torchwood, Game of Thrones, Stargate, and my favourite movies are Labyrinth, Willow and The Fifth Element.
Do you have any advice for emerging writers?
Don’t compare yourself to others but do aim to master the craft of writing. Listen to your voice because what makes it unique is what will make your story fly.
~~~
Thanks for having me, Chris
Target Solstice (published in the novella collection, Sisters of the Shadows)
They are us … or are they?
The Phain have been trapped on Earth for a century. They pretend to be human. Flesh by day, Phain by night. Some manipulate, use and abuse us. The others defend us, while searching for a way to leave Earth.
When Cressida Ryan’s husband Gabe is killed, she learns his secrets and why her unborn child is a threat to the Phain.
Now she is a target. To save her life she must discover her heritage and follow Gabe’s ghost across the world.
If she can trust the Phain she might survive, and if they trust her, she could give them something even greater.
Buy Links: Amazon / Smashwords
Welcome to the Darkside, Christina. 'Through the AusHole' sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shelley! Through the AusHole is so different from what I've personally read that I'm I fear people will either love it or loathe it. Which is probably the real reason I've procrastinated with it. Oh, I also have a blog now - www.christinacraigauthor.wordpress.com. I look forward to getting to know the other Darksiders. I might have to attend an RWA event!
ReplyDeleteI've found that because my voice is very distinctive, readers either love it or hate it. I guess it depends on how you look at it. In a way, it is good because it is part of what makes me so unique as a writer. Of course, there is the downside, but obviously not everyone is going to like the same book so it's not realistic to think that they should.
DeleteListen to your voice because that's what will make your story fly... Truer words have never been spoken, Miss Chris. Congrats on the launch of Target Solstice and good luck with your edits on your latest work-in-progress xoxo
ReplyDeleteCheers, Cher, glad to finally be here! xo
DeletePS: And welcome to the Darkside! <3
ReplyDelete