Okay, confession time...I hate writing bios! I just never know what to say, how "professional" to be and what you may actually want to know. To solve this, I decided to include both my official bio - the one you would find on my media sheets or in my books, and a more casual Q&A section based on the questions people have asked me over the years. Between the two you'll no doubt have more info than you could ever want about me!
~ Official Bio ~
As an author of both nonfiction and YA novels, I have dedicated my life to helping people of all ages find their voice in a noisy world. In fiction, I craft psychological thrillers and sweeping romances that will take the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride through the darker aspects of humanity, exploring themes that include sacrifice, love, and madness. My titles include the Gothic romance, Lacrimosa (part of the Requiem Series), and the Phantom of the Opera Inspired psychological thriller, Transcend (part of the Phantom Chronicles).
In nonfiction, I draw on my training as an educational psychologist and address the issues of emotional intensity, resiliency, and giftedness, writing books for children, teens, parents and educators. My titles include Emotional Intensity
in Gifted Students and 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids and the much awaited The Girl Guide: Finding Your
Place in a Mixed-Up World, releasing in April 2013.
I live in Southern California with my husband and daughters. When I am not working with children or hanging out with the family, I can be found sipping too many skinny vanilla lattes at my favorite coffee shop as I write my next book or playing around online. For more information at me or my work, visit me at http://christinefonseca.com.
~ FAQ ~
~About Me~
How long have you been writing?
I've been writing for about three years. And yes, I LOVE writing both fiction and nonfiction, for totally different reasons.
What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
Hmm, craziest thing? I am a pretty boring person, really. With a totally normal life. But I have been fortunate enough to try different things. The craziest - diving with sharks. It was epic, actually. And terrifying.
This is a hard one - in truth, it is like anything else: there are good things and not-so-good things about being an author. But for me, it is a calling. I love crafting stories, sharing them with the work, meeting readers and other writers, and working with those who want to become writers. I am beyond thankful for the day the "voices" in my head became too noisy to ignore, forcing me to finally pay attention and jump into this crazy business.
What's up with the Skinny Vanilla Lattes?
HA! I am hopeless addicted to coffee. Not any coffee, mind you - coffee with steamed milk or iced expresso shots with milk. Sometimes with sugar-free vanilla syrup. And sometimes with sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup. I'm like those crazy people who order coffee drinks that are twenty words long!
I am equally addicted to my writing cave at my local coffee house. I don't know, something about being there focuses my attention and intention on writing. Every single book I've written has been crafted to some degree at my local coffee house. Every. One. And yes, the people at the shop know me by name. And yes, friends and family know they can always find me at my coffee house and have been known to leave messages for me there.
HA! I am hopeless addicted to coffee. Not any coffee, mind you - coffee with steamed milk or iced expresso shots with milk. Sometimes with sugar-free vanilla syrup. And sometimes with sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup. I'm like those crazy people who order coffee drinks that are twenty words long!
I am equally addicted to my writing cave at my local coffee house. I don't know, something about being there focuses my attention and intention on writing. Every single book I've written has been crafted to some degree at my local coffee house. Every. One. And yes, the people at the shop know me by name. And yes, friends and family know they can always find me at my coffee house and have been known to leave messages for me there.
How do you find time for everything?
I would argue that I don't! I full-time mother and wife, I work full-time outside of the home, and I work-full time at my writing. And yes, I know that must equal far more than a 24-hour day. I really wish I had a time-turner most days. Since I don't, I've learned to let go of some things, and rely on my family for others. I am fortunate to have amazing children and an amazing husband that are fully supportive of my writing endeavors. They are also completely willing to tell me when I've taken on too much and need to chill a bit. So, in answer to the question - I don't fit in everything. Not even close. I just do the best I can.
I would argue that I don't! I full-time mother and wife, I work full-time outside of the home, and I work-full time at my writing. And yes, I know that must equal far more than a 24-hour day. I really wish I had a time-turner most days. Since I don't, I've learned to let go of some things, and rely on my family for others. I am fortunate to have amazing children and an amazing husband that are fully supportive of my writing endeavors. They are also completely willing to tell me when I've taken on too much and need to chill a bit. So, in answer to the question - I don't fit in everything. Not even close. I just do the best I can.
~About My Books~
Do you have a favorite character or book (that you've written)?
I really love all of my characters. That said, Aydan has been a muse of mine for a long time. I will be sorry to see the series end in 2013. Transcend is my favorite fiction book so far, and The Girl Guide is my favorite nonfiction. Though, I must admit...I love the book I am writing at the time. And I hate it by the time I publish it. LOL!
What's easier to write, fiction or nonfiction?
Impossible to say - they both have their pros and cons. With fiction, the art (and difficulty) is in the craft: the characters, the plot, the setting - it all has to weave together seamlessly if the story is going to feel authentic. With nonfiction, it's about the research and the voice of the book. I work hard on both genres.
Is there something you'd like to write that you haven't yet?
A couple of things actually. I would LOVE to write a humorous chick-lit younger teen book. In fact, I have one that has been dancing in my head for a while. In fact...I really "should" just write it, though humor sorta scares me. I am humorous in real life, but translating that to books....not sure if I can pull it off.
The other thing I really want to do - write a book with one of my authorly buds and/or heros. Like writing something with Michelle Zink, Elana Johnson, Libba Bray, Gretchen McNeil - an experience like that would be pretty epic in my mind!
How long does it take you to write a book?
It varies from a few months to a few years, depending on the book. With nonfiction, I typically spend about 4-6 months on the research and a few months on the actual writing. With fiction, I typically spent 4-6 months on a story, taking it from idea to a polished product, and another few months with editorial changes. All in all, I publish between 2 and 4 full length books a year and several shorts. It is a bit exhausting, but when you are doing something you love, it doesn't feel like work! Um, most of the time.
What's next for you?
2013 will bring the end of the Requiem series with Dominus, releasing in the early Spring. It will also bring the next installment in the Phantom Chronicles with a companion novel to Transcend. Finally, I will be releasing two nonfiction titles and several shorts.
Beyond that, who knows!
Do you have a favorite character or book (that you've written)?
I really love all of my characters. That said, Aydan has been a muse of mine for a long time. I will be sorry to see the series end in 2013. Transcend is my favorite fiction book so far, and The Girl Guide is my favorite nonfiction. Though, I must admit...I love the book I am writing at the time. And I hate it by the time I publish it. LOL!
What's easier to write, fiction or nonfiction?
Impossible to say - they both have their pros and cons. With fiction, the art (and difficulty) is in the craft: the characters, the plot, the setting - it all has to weave together seamlessly if the story is going to feel authentic. With nonfiction, it's about the research and the voice of the book. I work hard on both genres.
A couple of things actually. I would LOVE to write a humorous chick-lit younger teen book. In fact, I have one that has been dancing in my head for a while. In fact...I really "should" just write it, though humor sorta scares me. I am humorous in real life, but translating that to books....not sure if I can pull it off.
The other thing I really want to do - write a book with one of my authorly buds and/or heros. Like writing something with Michelle Zink, Elana Johnson, Libba Bray, Gretchen McNeil - an experience like that would be pretty epic in my mind!
How long does it take you to write a book?
It varies from a few months to a few years, depending on the book. With nonfiction, I typically spend about 4-6 months on the research and a few months on the actual writing. With fiction, I typically spent 4-6 months on a story, taking it from idea to a polished product, and another few months with editorial changes. All in all, I publish between 2 and 4 full length books a year and several shorts. It is a bit exhausting, but when you are doing something you love, it doesn't feel like work! Um, most of the time.
What's next for you?
2013 will bring the end of the Requiem series with Dominus, releasing in the early Spring. It will also bring the next installment in the Phantom Chronicles with a companion novel to Transcend. Finally, I will be releasing two nonfiction titles and several shorts.
Beyond that, who knows!
~About Writing~
Do you outline your books?
Oh yes, definitely. Writing as much as I do requires that I "know" the story before I start. That said, I enjoy the freedom of allowing the characters to guide me through their story. So, I try for a balance of both and clean it all up in the editorial process.
When do you write?
Any time I can! LOL. Okay, seriously...I write on the weekends predominately. During the week I focus on promotion, reading, and spending time with the kids. Of course, when I am under deadline, I just write whenever I can.
I love this question! I have a teen group that I utilize for most things. The group, lead by my own children, help me with plot questions, authenticity, titles, you name it. It's like having my very own focus group.
What's the hardest part of the process for you?
I struggle the most with the first draft. My inner editor gets very rigid as I write that first draft, wanting to make everything "perfect" far too early in the game. The result...a very frustrated writer! To combat this, I use programs like "Write or Die", or make deals with my writerly buds - all to help me stay focused and get out the first draft.
You mentioned that you like to help teach others about writing. Do you offer classes?
I've just started offering classes at the end of this year, working with a creative writing group in a local high school and working online with a group of Young Scholars. My goal next year is to broaden my reach a bit, offering classes in many formats - online and in person - to help future writers reach their goals. Drop me a line if you want more information.
Check out the Find Me page for connections to my social networking sites and to contact me directly.
