We are very happy to have Christine Pope with us today to share her novel Heart of Gold.
What is your name?
Christine Pope
How old are you?
47
Where do you currently live?
Claremont, California. It's a college town in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley.
Tell us a little bit about your life.
How much space do I have? I'm married, one stepdaughter, and I'm lucky enough to be writing full-time. My husband is very supportive, and probably part of the reason why I like to write romance novels -- we really did get our "happily ever after."
When did you first start writing?
I think it was in second grade.
What was your very first story about?
It was about a girl who waited up for Santa Claus to come down the chimney, and then found out he was a space alien.
Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Not so far!
Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
Quite a few things, actually. Several of my heroines live in places that sound suspiciously familiar to homes I've lived in, and in my latest book, which is a steampunk romance, I drew on my personal experience as a historical costumer to express how it really feels to be stuck in a corset and heavy bustle dress for 12 hours-plus.
Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
I grew up reading Mary Stewart's romantic suspense novels, and I was always inspired by the way her writing could be so smart and yet beautiful and engaging at the same time. I also adore Jane Austen because of her wit and the pithy way she has of describing the human condition.
What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have the standard liberal arts degree. I started out as an English major, but then I switched to medieval history (so useful, LOL). I think the research skills I developed getting the history degree have stood me in good stead as a writer.
How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
It really depends on the book. A contemporary romance doesn't take nearly as much time as a historical romance, or SF or fantasy romance, where there's a lot of worldbuilding going on. I'd say for my featured book, I probably put more than a hundred hours into the research.
Tell us about your featured book.
My featured book, Heart of Gold, is listed as a steampunk romance, but it would probably be more accurate to say that it's gaslight fantasy romance. The steamy elements are fairly light. It's a Victorian age only slightly different from our own. My elevator pitch is that it's the romance novel H.G. Wells never wrote.
Why did you write that?
Usually I know exactly what inspired me to write a book, but in this case, I think it was a combination of elements. I wanted to write a book with a properly Victorian heroine -- unfortunately, I think a lot of people want to set a book in a particular period but don't spend enough time familiarizing themselves with the mores and mindset of the period. The idea of taking a heroine like that and putting her in a series of increasingly perilous situations appealed to me.
Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
I don't really follow the conventions of any particular genre. I'm here to tell stories; I'm not worried about categories. Just about any of my books will give you a reading experience that's a little off the beaten track.
Where is the one place you’ve traveled where you’ve felt most like you fit in?
Sedona, Arizona, which is weird, because I'm not really a "desert" person. However, it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, the people are friendly, the dining is divine, and the housing prices are lower than in SoCal. ;-) We're thinking about moving there one day.
What activity or hobby, besides writing, do you find most enjoyable?
I really enjoy participating in historical reenactments and historical dance.
What was your favorite childhood toy?
When I was three I had a little Snow White play set that had the dwarves' cottage, Snow White, and all the seven dwarves. According to my mother, I was absolutely obsessed with it.
If you lost the ability to see every color but one, which one would it be?
Green. It's my favorite color, and it's the color of life and energy.
How do you treat people you’re not fond of?
I try to avoid them, if possible. Otherwise, I'm polite.
What is hiding in your closet as we speak?
A mountain of shoes just waiting to attack.
What do you see as your greatest achievement?
My relationship with my husband.
What, to you, is absolutely wrong?
I try not to deal in absolutes.
What do you classify as an “Adventure?”
Anything fun and exciting that I haven't done before.
If you could learn one new thing instantly, what would it be?
How to dance the paso doble. I'm still obsessed with Strictly Ballroom.
Finish this sentence. “I sometimes find it hard to…”
Step away from my computer!
Who is your most favorite literary character?
Elizabeth Bennet
Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
They're like Lays...I can't pick just one.
To be or not to be?
To be!
Our very special thanks to Christine for being with us. Give her work a look today, and spend tomorrow collecting rare artifacts in the Amazon rainforest.
It is a pleasure to have Penni Jones with us for an interview today. Her featured book is The Utopia of Noah Lazarus.
How old are you?
I'm from the south, where you never ask a lady her age. But since I'm no longer in the south and not much of a lady, I guess I can tell you: 36.
Where do you currently live?
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Tell us a little bit about your life.
I have two preschool-aged children. They keep me busy all day. I write as much as possible at night.
When did you first start writing?
I've been writing since I could hold a pencil, but I took a very long break. I started writing again almost five years ago. Watching my son learn to walk inspired me to get over my fear of failure. He'd fall down and get back up over and over again. I realized the fear wasn't natural and I could get rid of it.
What was your very first story about?
I don't remember. I used to write non-sensical stories in high school about decaying produce and hairy legs. My first attempt at a real short story was for an English class, and it was terrible. I think it was about a nerdy girl who runs away with a mechanic who's a high-school drop-out.
Have you written anything that you were too afraid to let anyone read?
Yes! But I've written even more stuff that I did let people read and shouldn't have.
Did you experience anything you’ve written yourself?
The protaganist in my first novel had some of my characteristics and experiences. I shelved the book, so I'll never have to tell anyone what those are.
Who are several of your greatest literary inspirations?
Kurt Vonnegut, Mark Haskell Smith, Ariel Gore, Christopher Moore, to name a few. I'm inspired everytime I read a great book.
What kind of education have you received, and how has that affected your writing?
I have a business degree because I was trying to be practical. But it's not practical to ignore your dreams in favor of a desk job. I'm grateful for my education, because it made me a more rounded person. However, I sometimes regret that I didn't study creative writing instead.
How much research time customarily goes into your projects?
I usually read books and watch documentaries for research, so quite a few hours. I don't over do it, though. If I lose interest, I move on.
Tell us about your featured book.
My book is about three women who escaped a cult as teens after killing the leader. One of the women is summoned to return, and no one sees her alive again. The other two are pulled back in to save loved ones that remain on the compound.
Why did you write that?
I've always been interested in cults and why some people turn to them. I saw a documentary about Wayne Bent and the Lord our Righteousness Church, and realized the ideas I had for my book weren't unrealistic.
Is there anything special you would like your potential readers to know?
My book is fast-paced with a lot of characters. Get ready to hold on tight!
Where is the one place you’ve traveled where you’ve felt most like you fit in? I went to NYC recently and I couldn't believe how comfortable I was there. I'm from a small town in Arkansas, but didn't feel out of place in the City at all. I've always heard New Yorkers were rude, but I didn't find that to be true. I loved the energy in the streets.
What activity or hobby, besides writing, do you find most enjoyable?
Reading, watching movies, going to the gym, cooking, and spending time with my family.
What was your favorite childhood toy?
My Hot Wheels. My son found my collection recently. I let him play with them, but only under strict supervision. Some of those cars are over 30 years old.
If you lost the ability to see every color but one, which one would it be?
Blue- both of my kids have blue eyes and I'd hate to not see them.
How do you treat people you’re not fond of?
I try to be polite but not fake, but it's difficult.
What is hiding in your closet as we speak?
Birthday presents for my daughter.
What do you see as your greatest achievement?
Pursuing my writing dreams, and, of course, becoming a mom.
What, to you, is absolutely wrong?
Judgmental people- everyone has their own issues, problems and circumstances. It's not for us to decide what's right and wrong for everyone.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
You make your own happiness.
If you had to explain the concept of “love” to someone who’s never heard of it before, how would you?
That's tough because they are so many kinds of love. I guess I'd say that love is the feeling you get when you would do anything to protect someone.
What about “hate?”
Hate is intolerance's older brother.
You’ve decided to buy an exotic pet, what do you go for?
I don't think I could go for any exotic pet. They kind of creep me out.
If you could learn one new thing instantly, what would it be?
A foreign language-I'm not sure which one, but it would really freak people out if I were suddenly bilingual.
Finish this sentence. “I sometimes find it hard to…”
Keep my mouth shut.
Who is your most favorite literary character?
Tyler Durden-he's a multi-faceted 'everyman' with issues galore.
Who is your favorite character of your own creation?
Kricket, the protaganist in the book I recently finished writing. She's a kick-ass mama.
Jodie is my favorite character in the Utopia of Noah Lazarus. She was the most relatable for me. She drinks too much and feels at home in a dive bar.
If you were ever to write an autobiography, what would its title be?
Nobody's Moral Compass
To be or not to be?
To be. How can we not?
Our special thanks to Penni for taking the time to answer our bothersome questions. Check out her work right away, and take your vitamins. Both are good for you.
