1. What or who inspired you to start writing?
My first attempt at writing began when I was about seven-years old, and wrote a very long story for school. I no longer remember what it was about, but I remember ideas flowing and paper filling with words. Later attempts to write novels began as a hope to find a more meaningful occupation that would pay my bills. I could not keep up the momentum and didn't have the discipline to complete those first attempts. After my father died, and I was in England for his funeral, I began telling stories to my little nephews, and made the decision I was going to become a serious writer.
2. How did you come up with your idea for Unexpected Journey?
Unexpected Journey began as Momma's Handkerchief, and was about a girl who left her homeland (England). It was intended to be a heroine epic mimicking the Gilgamesh Epic with the main character having to go through many trials that grew her (an unformed, quiet girl) into an accomplished and strong young woman. I suppose it was an attempt to explain my own life, and try to understand why I left England when I was eighteen.
3. What expertise did you bring to your writing?
I thought I was fairly literate, having been a chemist, amongst other things, who had to develop and write analytical methods, but I soon discovered to write well takes a lot of work, discipline, and study. And help from experts (editors and other writers) willing to tell the truth. So, I'd say I brought life experience to my writing, but, without practice of the craft, study of the genres, willingness to revise, and persistence, it is not enough.
4. What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?
Hmmm. I never knew this about myself and was astonished when my mum told me I am incredibly stubborn. Perhaps my stubbornness has been a useful trait when it comes to getting published. I refused to give up.
5. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
I am really busy and loving it. I have completed a sequel to a fantasy novel which I'll need to develop further. I am working on a contemporary novel with my niece, Amanda Armstrong. I've got a bunch of essays and short stories in various stages of completion. I am working on a spirituality/healing book about my dog Ziggy. Finally, I hope to write a sequel to Unexpected Journey to explore what happens to Rachel and Gishuk, and also to Mystery Mudge who has had such a strange beginning.
6. If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?
This is such a good question, because I love all the main characters. I think, though, I'd be Gishuk because he is a healer, and I too, as a Reiki Master aspire to practice the healing arts to try to help people. And I love the idea of being immersed in the culture of another people, genuinely understanding their struggles and traditions.
7. Can you give us a sneak peek into this book?
A handkerchief is pivotal in the story and is a symbol of persistence and hope. It belonged to Rachel's Mom. Without it, Rachel might never have ended up in Colonial Philadelphia, might never have met the Native American, Gishuk, might never have overcome the narrow-minded views of her culture about other races.
8. Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
I no longer belong to a critique group, but in my early days as a writer spent a lot of time in writers' workshops. The best one I recall was a writers' conference in Bloomington, Indiana, where Unexpected Journey was selected for publication in their newsletter. This was a pleasant validation, but more importantly, the facilitator of the writers' group I attended made it clear to the participants that we were to find one kind thing to say before launching into critique and personal opinion. Nowadays, I have a few trusted writer friends who I put my work by to get their input (and encouragement).
9. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?
No one encouraged me, but I submitted a collection of poetry to a prestigious competition at Yale. I had no idea my poetry was not literary but was cathartic. That first rejection hurt a lot and bruised my ego. Yet, it was a beginning of a journey that really has brought many unexpected rewards, including some amazing friends.
10. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
The best was believe in yourself and develop your own voice. The worst was do not quit your day job, which turned out to be right, but since I stubbornly ignored it, and did quit my day-job, led to a lot of struggles.
11. Do you outline your books or just start writing?
I do both. An outline can be helpful and give some initial focus, but ultimately the characters take me to new places. In Unexpected Journey, Anna popped up out of nowhere. She was a strong wily girl who shaped the story. That is the exciting part about writing. The surprises.
12. How do you maintain your creativity?
It ebbs and flows. Without validation, it's very difficult to keep on writing. I've discovered though that it helps to write small pieces for publication be they in a newsletter or a newspaper or wherever because it feeds the muse. I am also really enjoying writing blogs, not so much to chat about myself or my books, but to write vignettes relevant to my work. I love looking up stuff on Wiki, most of which is public domain, with amazing photos. For Unexpected Journey, I've begun a blog called Historical Journeys (www.christinastclair.com/blog1), and am finding lots of fascinating stuff, including an actual photo of a Lenni Lenape Shaman. I never imagined Gishuk to look like this, though.
13. Who is your favorite in the book. Can you tell us why?
I love Anna the most because she has to go through so much, has a terrible upbringing, and has to overcome horrific odds, yet never gives up, uses what she can, and is often kinder than anyone ever was to her. She is also incredibly stubborn.
14. Anything else you might want to add?
Unexpected Journey has indeed been a journey. It is being published not only through my stubborn persistence, but in big part because of those who have believed in me, especially my husband, himself a professor of English and literary poet, who steadfastly encouraged my work, and helped me keep writing even when I wanted to throw away the keyboard. Also, Christine Young's insightful questions and recommendations strengthened this book considerably, as did the exacting copy-editing of Arlo Young.
Please include an excerpt and if you don't want me to use the short blurb you sent in the AIQ, you can send another one.
What signal? Rachel can hardly think. Then she remembers how the woman Mudge--wasn't that her name--had tapped twice on the jail door right before she'd run down the alley. Rachel'd heard rumors of girls being forced into marriage to greedy men but she never dreamed it could happen to her. Little did these criminals realize that she was plenty old enough to wed. She had resisted Grand-Mama's attempts to find her a match. Being undeveloped had its advantages. She did not and does not want to be anyone's wife yet.
The jailer spins around and comes towards her, with the woman scurrying behind him. From her hand dangles mother's handkerchief. Rachel looks down at the flattened bodice of her gown and her flesh boils with revulsion. These people have searched her. She begins to wiggle her hands, desperately trying to free herself.
"What shall we do with her, then?" the jailer says, standing over her.
"What do you think we should do with her?" The woman squats down and puts her face close to Rachel's. "We can't find you a husband and you've seen us both. I say there's only one thing to do." She slashes her finger across Rachel's throat.
buy at: www.roguephoenixpress.com
