Today I am continuing my series of author interviews with Christine Rice, author of Blue Valley.
Are you a full time writer, or do you still have a “day” job? If so,
what is your day job?
I work in the fashion industry as a technical designer. Now if you were in front of me, you’d give me some sort of blank stare, then you’d smile and either change the subject or ask me what the hell that is.
You are assuming that I don’t know what a technical designer is. You
are making quite the assumption there, aren’t you? I may be very fashion savvy.
Okay, what the hell is that?
I make sure that, when you wear a jacket, you can lift your arm to hail a cab and that the crotch of your jeans doesn’t ride up on you.
Wow. For every time I have ever hailed a cab, thank you! But, really,
that’s a job?
You betcha. It’s about as satisfying as cold toast.
What is your next project?
Funny you should ask. It’s a cozy mystery set in the bowels of the fashion industry. Our sleuth is a patternmaker who’s in love with her gay boss. I’m considering the title “Crimes of Fashion”. Like it?
I do like it! But wait, Blue Valley isn’t a mystery, is it?
No, it’s a historical supernatural thriller. The logline is: At the outset of World War
2, with the government terrified of Japanese sabotage, Will Leary is sent to
California to investigate a spreading, deadly blue soil. When he falls in love
with the magical woman who is unwittingly causing the destruction, he must
decide between science and his soul. What do you think?
Sounds like a great premise, but to really judge it, I guess it would depend on what they are wearing. Can they hail a cab comfortably? What inspired Blue Valley?
Well, I was on an archaeological dig in 19 (mumble…cough) sorry. A while ago, and I was so inspired by the Salinas Valley, where the dig was, that I spent ten years trying to figure out how to write about it.
Salinas Valley. That is Steinbeck country. I’ve been there. Beautiful area. How many drafts did you write in ten years?
I was writing other things, and I didn’t take myself seriously until I was at USC film school. But in that time, I guess I drafted the screenplay seven times and the book six times. I
fearlessly write puke, so it takes me a long time to fearlessly cut it.
How much did you cut?
Far, far more words than made it to your Kindle.
Thanks so much for taking time to stop by, Christine. I will never hail a cab again without thinking of you. Best of luck to you on Blue Valley!
Website – http://flippcity.blogspot.com/ (please follow my blog I
work so very hard on it and it is funny and nutritionally sound).
Amazon Kindle – Blue Valley: A World War 2 Fantasy (The Elementals)
Twitter – @xtined
Excuse me, I’m still laughing in the corner…
You guys are just too much!
Thanks for the awesome interview 🙂 I can’t wait to read Blue Valley.
Christina is a fun person to interview. She tells me that she is working on a new novel that will have a lot of humor in it. Really looking forward to that!
Thanks for the comment, Heather.
Blue Valley sounds fascinating. I do like the premsie. Anything with a science connection that doesn’t involve light sabres and heavy-breathing robots with flashing lights or pointed ears is always intriguing.
And if it’s inspired by the Salina Valley, all the better.
We should all be grateful for day jobs that are as satisfying as cold toast. If would-be authors had great day jobs they’d never be driven to write their books!
Anything set in “Steinbeck country” already sounds good to me!
Yes, Mark! Hurray for cold toast jobs.
I noticed that Christine chose a career similar to her own day job for the main character in her next book. I’ve heard write what you know so many times. When I wrote my novel, I too chose a career like my own for my main character. Doing so gave me insight for what the character would feel and how she would respond to different stimuli. I’m curious: How often do you interview authors and find that they chose a career or personality that is absolutely nothing like their own for their main character? Do you think it’s a bad idea to do so?
Hi Olivia.
Thanks for your comment.
I think it depends on the kind of novel you want to write. I like realistic novels that give the reader a look “behind the scenes” into someone’s world. That can be the world of a housewife, a fashion designer, a runway model, etc. The important thing is to portray that world in a way that is compelling to the reader. To do so, you have to know something about that world. There are two ways to know that – live it or research it. So, obviously, it is always easier to “write what you know”. I don’t think it is a “bad” idea to choose a career or personality that is nothing like your own – but you better do a good job of it. I would also suggest interviewing people who actually work in that career field for insight into little known details.
Wonderful question! Happy writing!
🙂
Thanks, Cheryl,
The character in my book is a singer, like myself. So I did have a lot of insight into her world. Thanks for the advice on writing about somebody with a different day job. My next writing venture is poetry, but I’ll keep that advice in mind if I decide to write another novel.
And, Mark,
I have to chime in here on your comment about cold toast jobs. I happen to be lucky enough to have a wonderful day job as the owner of my own music school. I am also a singer and composer among other things. I love my day job. But it is music that has largely inspired and helped to develop my writing. That said, I think you are right that many writers probably don’t enjoy their day jobs nearly as much as me.