EXTRA CREDIT INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTI J. WHITNEY:
Visiting LitPick today is author Christi J. Whitney. Christi is the author of the YA fantasy series, The Romany Outcasts. Grey was the first book released, and Shadow was just released. The third book in the series, Midnight, is due to be released in 2017.
Do you have a solid outline before writing, or do you usually get ideas as you go along?
I have a general idea of where I want to go with my story, but I like just going with the flow and writing whatever comes out. I usually start with dialogue and expand from there. Scenes begin to develop, and I stop and make notes as I need to. At some point in the process, I do have to make myself outline (often in the form of sticky notes all over my desk), but writing works best for me when I don’t box myself in too much.
Has someone you knew ever appeared as a character in a book (consciously or subconsciously)?
One of the fun things about writing The Romany Outcasts Series was that I was able to sneak a few people I knew into my books. The students I taught at the time I wrote Grey were such a huge inspiration to me, and I used many of them as foundations for my characters – a couple of them were pretty spot-on.
What do you do when you get writer's block?
It depends on the day, really. Sometimes I watch a show or a movie that inspires me. Sometimes I work on something else creative, like costuming. It’s also motivating to reread a particular section of a book I enjoy.
If you could live in a book's world, which would you choose?
Wow, that’s a tough one! Maybe Narnia?
What is your favorite book-to-movie adaptation?
I’d have to say the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Those books have always been very dear to my heart, and I was so pleased with how well Peter Jackson brought them to life on the screen.
If you could have lunch with one other author (dead or alive!), who would it be?
Gosh, there are loads to choose from, but I’m going to have to go with C.S. Lewis. I’ve read so much about his life, and his books – both his fiction and nonfiction – have greatly influenced me. Plus, I think he’d be a fantastic conversationalist. We’d have to have lunch in the Eagle and Child in Oxford, though. I was lucky enough to be able to visit the pub last year, and it felt so full of history. I can only imagine what those meetings of the Inklings must’ve been like, discussing future classics like The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Wild Card Question: Let’s talk Disney. On your website you say that you like Disney. Is LIKE more accurate? Do you like the Parks, the movies? Are you raising a family of Disney fans? Of all the Disney Parks, do you have a favorite, and is there one you would like to visit that you haven’t seen?
Well, to be honest, I’m a bit head-over-heels in love with Disney – and I have been since I was a child. The first movie I remember seeing in the cinema as a little girl was Cinderella, and one of the first dates I had with my boyfriend—now husband—was Aladdin. (Aladdin was also my teenage cartoon crush). Belle is my favorite Princess. She and I were the same age when the movie came out, (17 years old), so I’ve always thought that was pretty cool. My husband and I went to Disney World for our honeymoon, and we’ve been going ever since. I introduced him to the wonderful world that is Disney, and our family is Disney fans all the way. We go to the Parks at least once a year, we play Disney trivia, and we’re first in line to see a Disney movie. We consider Disney World our other home. I would love to hit all the parks all over the world, but definitely Disneyland.
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Thank you for your time, Christi! We enjoyed getting to know you and learning about your love of all things Disney!
SIX MINUTES WITH CHRISTI J. WHITNEY:
How did you get started writing?
Well, I always enjoyed writing stories as a kid – especially when participating in the Young Author’s Fair at school. In middle school, I can remember writing several long stories, but I lacked confidence and never finished any of them. By the time I entered my sophomore year, my focus switched to theatre. After college I went on to teach English and drama in high school, so most of my creative energies went into productions, and I left writing behind for many years. Over Christmas break in 2008, a story idea came into my head. I ended up sharing it with some of my students, and they immediately encouraged me to write it out. Thanks to them, I pulled out my computer, and I’ve never looked back.
Who influenced you?
My love for fantasy came primarily from C.S. Lewis. The Chronicles of Narnia was the first fantasy I read as a child. I moved on to Tolkien from there, and the rest is history. I devoured as many fantasy books as I could get my hands on as a teen reader. Speaking specifically as YA author, some amazing writers have really influenced me. Richelle Mead, Cassandra Clare, Lisa McMann, and Suzanne Collins are just a few.
Do you have a favorite book/subject/character/setting?
Ugh, it’s so difficult to narrow these things down! I have so many books I enjoy, and I have a soft spot for fantasy, science fiction, and classic literature. I can definitely talk about my favorite character, though it’s not a specific character from a book, but rather a particular type of character.
I’ve always been a fan of the sort of underdog hero – the slightly awkward, good-hearted, loyal sidekick character. I’ve been drawn to that in books, film, and television my whole life. I like the action heroes and the tough heroes just fine, whether male or female. But there’s something about that quirky sidekick that my heart just adores. In fact, the main character in my fantasy series is a culmination of all those things that appeal to me.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to be an author?
Here are some things I’ve found helpful in my journey as a writer, and I’m happy to share them with you. First of all…read. I know it sounds obvious, but it’s true. The more you read in the genre you want to write, the more knowledge you gain.
Next, don’t be afraid to write junk. A large portion of my writing fits into that category. You’re going to feel like a failure, and that’s perfectly normal. But without the junk, we can’t find the treasure.
Let someone else read your stuff. I spent years writing in secret, too embarrassed to have someone see what I had written. After I finally got past that and allowed others to read and critique my material, I grew so much as a writer.
And finally, don’t give up! The journey can be a long and painful one, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Where is your favorite place to write?
My absolute favorite place is my small office at home. It’s my creative space, my nerd retreat, and my geeky haven. It’s filled to the brim with everything geek, pop culture, science fiction, and British. I also keep out pictures and mementos from my former students because of the heavy influence they had on me.
What else would you like to tell us?
I love writing YA fantasy, but more importantly, I love connecting with my readers. To hear from someone who enjoyed Grey makes my heart happy. As an author, you spend so much of your work time in solitude, often thinking that your stories aren’t good or don’t matter. When you read that review or check that email and see that your story has the ability to transport someone to another place and another world…well, that’s the best feeling of all.
Christi, thank you so much for spending six minutes with LitPick! We enjoyed reading about the encouragement to become an author that you received from your students! We hope more young people encourage budding authors!
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