Partner on the Path, Christina Farley

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Christina Farley, a fellow writer and partner on the path. I hope this and forthcoming interviews will be as encouraging and informative for you as they are for me. To celebrate this inaugural feature, I will be giving away a surprise book to a random commenter. Now let's hear from Christina: 

What resources have you found most helpful on your writing path? 

Love the Blueboards. I get such great insights and encouragement from the writers there and I’ve even found some pretty awesome friends from there! I also love the blogging community. That’s where I learn what’s going on in the publishing world and what are the hottest book releases.

What’s the most encouraging thing you’ve experienced along the way?

I suppose it’s actually the small victories along the way that kept me from giving up. One was winning a writing contest. Another was seeing a particular article that meant a lot to me in print. But often it has been my peers and agents who have written me some amazing notes. I hang those on my wall to remind me to never give up.

Favorite children’s books? Authors? 

There are so many. J

Authors:

·      C.S. Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien because they are geniuses. I adore their books. Our world would be a different place if they weren’t born.

·      Jane Austen- love her. If you don’t, I’m not sure we can be friends.

·      Stephen Lawhead, Ellen Potter, Shannon Hale

·      All my critique partners and their current books or upcoming books. Because they are brilliant.

Books:

-       Classics like Anne of Green Gables, Little Woman, and all the Little House on the Prairie books.

-       Hunger Games, Beastly, Mistwood, Firelight, Fade, Matched, Paranormalcy, Forest of Hands and Teeth, Heist Society, Holes, Julie of the Wolves

-       Okay, just go visit me at Goodreads because this could take a while. J

What keeps you going when you feel like giving up?

My critique partners. They are amazing. If I’m feeling down, they are always there to shoot back an email telling me all the things I need to hear at that moment. And they are always the first to be celebrate my successes too. 

Describe your fantasy writing space. (See picture below)

This is me writing at D'Azay-le-Rideau castle in France. France is so romantic! My sister and I took a chateau tour there and imagined up all kinds of crazy stories together. I’d take notes and then on the long train rides write fun mini scenes. But I’ve always said the best writing place would be up in the mountains where no one would bother me. I’d hunker down in a cabin with a big fireplace and it’d be just me and nature. Well, maybe I’d let my hubby come along.

What obstacles have you overcome in order to keep writing?

Time! Juggling kids, full time work, classes and trying to socialize occasionally isn’t easy. Every minute, no actually every second counts.

What one word describes your writing process?

REVISION!

What do you appreciate the most about being part of the children’s writers community?

I have made so many amazing people that have taught me a lot about who I am and who I want to be.

Best writing advice you’ve been given?

If you could write your whole life and never get published, then never stop writing. Because you were made to write.

What do you like to keep in mind while drafting a story?

It’s all about the character’s journey, internally and externally. Every scene, every word should reflect that.

How will you celebrate the publication of your first book?

Lots and lots of chocolate.

Here's where you can learn more about Christina:

My blog, Chocolate for Inspiration: http://christinafarley.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ChristinaFarley

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/christina.farley

My Website: http://www.christinafarley.com

My Critique Group: http://www.MiGWriters.com