Interview & Giveaway with Christina Daley

1. When did you first start writing, and was there something in particular that inspired you?

I actually made my first "book" with some friends when I was four. We used crayons, dot matrix paper from my dad's printer, cardboard from a box, and clear tape to put it together. We were rather proud of it, despite not having learned to write yet.

After that, in my 7th grade English class, we had just finished reading S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders. When I learned that Hinton was only 16 when that book came out, I thought it'd be interesting to try and write a book. Other than a few short things here and there, I didn't write a full length manuscript until I was a freshman in college. I hadn't really thought about publishing until after I graduated. I just liked telling stories and playing with words.


2. What first attracted you to your genre when it comes to writing?

I don't usually think about genre when I'm coming up with a story. I come up with the story first and then figure out what genre that will fit into later. My first two books, SERANFYLL and ELIGERE, are classified as upper middle grade fantasies mostly because the main character is 13 and there are things like magic and flying horses that might appeal to that age group more. RADIANT was a little easier to categorize, because the main character is 17 and she's in the center of this unusual love story. Hence, a teen romance (with some paranormal/sci-fi in it).


3. In regards to your own characters, who is your favorite and why?

In RADIANT, it's a close call between Drew and Phos. Drew is only a secondary character, but he's quirky and he's always wearing these t-shirts that say odd things. I like Phos because, well, readers of the book will know why :)


4. What other genres (besides your own) do you enjoy reading?

I write middle grade and young adult fiction, so beyond that I like reading adult nonfiction. Currently, I'm reading The Art of War by Sun Tzu because I'm working on a historical fiction book that's set in the third century in Asia.


5. If you could not be a writer, what would you be?

Probably a lot of other things, lol! When I was in high school, I seriously thought about being a chef. I wouldn't want to be one now, but if you took me back in time 15 years and said I couldn't write, then that's probably what I would've done.


6. As a reader I know how difficult it can be to name a 'favorite' book, would you mind listing your top three? (Past or present authors)

That's so hard! The moment I write down three, I know I'm going to change my mind. But here it goes: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, and Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.


7. What are some must haves when you sit down to write?

I can write in different environments if I put my mind to it, but the best place is my couch. I do have an office with a rather nice desk, but I love writing on my couch because it's soft, warm, and there's a butt-shaped mark in the left cushion that fits me perfectly. I also like to have some tea or lemonade nearby. If I didn't, I probably wouldn't move for two or three hours. Tea or lemonade remind me that I'm thirsty and that I need to move.


8. If you became trapped as a character in a book or series, which would you choose and why? (Any book, any series, new or old)

I would love to be trapped in Narnia. And preferably, I'd be a centaur because…well, do I really need to explain? :)


About the Author:

Christina Daley made her first book with neighborhood friends when she was four years old. They "wrote" out some semblance of lettering with crayons, cut up a cardboard box for the cover, and bound it all together with clear adhesive tape. It was brilliant.

Quite a few years later, Christina is trying her hand at writing "real" books. She lives in Dallas, Texas, with a pet plant named Herb.


Find Christina:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway:

Christina is generously going to give THREE winners either a copy of the ebook or three bookmarks, winners choice! :)

Simply leave us a comment below and don't forget to include your email! 

Open internationally, giveaway ends February 28, 2013 12AM EST.