Pages

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Welcome C.A. Szarek!

Tell Me Your Story Tuesday

WELCOME

C.A. (or Chrissy, as I know her, because, you know I got it like that) and I  like to tease each other, but she is loads of fun and I enjoy hanging out with her. I'm happy to have her with us today, sharing her exciting news!
Chrissy and Dawn at the Texas Two Step Conference

  Let's get to know Chrissy! 

First, tell us your great news about your upcoming release.
My first novel, Sword’s Call (Book 1 in theKing’s Riders Series) Will be published by Gypsy Shadow Publishing and will be out April 30,  2013.  They have actually picked up my whole series! :)

 What sources do you use for your inspiration? Books? Movies? Random people at the mall?
I get inspiration from anywhere, I think. I have been writing for so long, since I was about 14. I actually wrote my first book then. (Yes, I still have it. Interesting reading, that one. But I would soooo never show it to anyone).
I have always loved fantasy, and that is my first love as a genre, but I will read anything that looks good and often get inspiration from what I read.

You have done some very original series on your blog. Tells us about your A-Z. Also, you have a serial going on there right now. Tell us about that! 

I see that everyone has hopped on the Alphabet Game train, which is really cool. I did mine from late Jan to late March.

 I have an “established” fantasy world I created for a series I am working on, and I decided to use the letters as a way to have small adventures w/ the main characters from my world as well as introduce some secondary characters. I even made a few up brand new, and in turn got more ideas for future books.

 It was a great exercise that got my creative juices and honestly refocused me to get back to a project (2nd book in my series) that I have been ignoring for quite some time.

The serial that I am doing involves one of those couples that I made up for the Alphabet Game. They are featured in “Y is for Yours” and “Z is for Zethan” and basically they told me they weren’t done w/ me. Getting to know them better and write their love story is fun. I am doing it weekly. Check back every Weds to see how their story is progressing!

What is your favorite part of the writing process? First draft? Revisions?
Not really sure. I am a diehard pantser, so I guess it’s just how the story develops in my head.

 What do you do when you aren't writing? I hear you have quite an interesting job.
I have two jobs, actually. I work with kids at both. During the week I am the Juvenile Case Manager at a Municipal Court, and on the weekends I work at a shelter for teens. 

When I am not being a work-a-holic, and am NOT writing, I watch WAY too much TV and I read. I also love to scrapbook. And I spend way too much time on Facebook and Twitter. 

  What has been the best part of your writing journey?
              Sharing my stories with the world.
 
        What  has been the best advice you have received along the way? 
              What advice would you give someone   starting out?
 I belong to a great group of writers at NTRWA, so I am not sure I can hammer it down to any certain piece of advice. Everyone is so awesome and would do anything for a writer in need. But, what I can say is that if you want this, this dream of being published NEVER GIVE UP! It will happen if you persevere.
Also, join another group of writers. I personally wish I would have done it years ago. It’s too hard to go it alone. You might love your family and friends, but no one will understand you like another writer. 

 What is next for you?
Continue writing. My characters won’t leave me alone until I write them down. Kinda annoying, but just how it is. ;)

 Where can we connect with you? Facebook? Twitter? Blog


Thank you for visiting with us, Chrissy!
So, what else do you want to know about her?


14 comments:

C. A. Szarek said...

Thank you so much for having me, Dawn! This was my first interview and it was FUN!

Jen FitzGerald said...

Hey, Chrissy!!

Pam said...

Great interview, Chrissy.

C. A. Szarek said...

Thanx for stopping by guys! :)

jaydb said...

Hey Chrissy! :D I'm actually curious about something... how do you do it, switching from one genre to another, and staying focused on whichever it is you're currently working on? Does it get confusing..? :) Thanks for the interview too Ms. Dawn!

Paula said...

Wonderful to eavesdrop on your conversation! I'd love to meet you both in person some day.

Paula (aka Coretta)

SusieSheehey said...

So insightful, Chrissy! Congrats again on the sale of your series!

Molly Cannon said...

Hey Chrissy! Congratulations on your big news, and thanks for giving us a peek into how you work. And you're right about writer groups! They are a wonderful place to get support!

C. A. Szarek said...

Thanx Marty and Susie for your lovely comments. Thanx also, Coretta. I would love to meet you in person, too. Jay, to answer you question, when I am focused on a project, I am focused on it. I get INTO whatever character's POV I am in. I get into their head. So, since I am so deep w/ one person, I try to think like they would think. That helps me switch easily, believe it or not. I don't focus on the story/book, what "world" I am in so much. I just know who belongs where and if I am thinking of them, I know where I am at. No mix ups! :)

Clover Autrey said...

Hey Chrissy, *waves*. You have one of the best work ethics I know. I really admire you for that.

Cecilia Robert said...

Hi Chrissy, I love the series in your blog. :) Great interview, and I really look forward to Sword's Call. :)

Jo-Anna Walker said...

Yay for you interview!!! Love it!!! I am soooo looking forward to April of next year! Can't wait to have your book in my hot little hands. :)

C. A. Szarek said...

Thanx guys! Appreciate your interest & support!

A New Beginning said...

I can't wait until next April. Thanks for sharing.