H. Schussman’s Interview with Christine Bailey

Christine Bailey Heidi: First, Christine, tell us a little about yourself.

Christine:

I live in Tennessee, right between Memphis and Nashville. I grew up in Toronto, Canada and moved to the States as a pre-teen. 

Heidi: What genre do you write?

Christine:

I write contemporary Young Adult fiction—of the mysterious, romantic kind.

Heidi: When did you start writing?

Christine:

I started writing short stories in high school and even had a poetry journal in Grade 2. But it wasn't until I began working on my MFA back in 2009 that I became serious about writing YA fiction. My first novel, Girl in the Middle, really came to life during that program.

Heidi: What are you working on now?

Christine:

I've just started writing my fourth novel, which takes place in a small southern town, much like my own in Tennessee! I'm having a ball writing it, ya'll.

Heidi: Who is your favorite character in your stories?

Christine:

It has to be Skye Walker from Girl in the Middle. I mean, what a name right? One of my favorite parts of the book is when Skye explains why she gets called "Luke Skywalker" on a daily basis:  “Have you been living in a hole for the past decade? Star Wars ring a bell? The movie? I get called Luke or Princess Leia just about on a daily basis.”

“Never seen it. We don’t watch television at my house,” the girl said with her mouth full.

“Well, you’re just about the only one on this planet who hasn’t heard of it. I’ve been traumatized my whole life having to live with the stupid name that my mom swears didn’t have anything to do with Star Wars.”

Heidi: Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

Christine:

I see a little of myself in all of my characters, but then again I was a pretty angsty teen. Most YA fiction deals with the protagonist searching or longing for something (like Skye Walker does in Girl in the Middle). Having moved countries during a pivotal time in my life made me long for a sense of belonging.

Heidi: Where do you write? Describe your workspace?

Christine:

I can write anywhere really, but it has to be on a computer. A typical day of writing is usually me at home on the couch with my laptop and a pot of coffee close by.

Heidi:

What books have most influenced your life most?

Christine:

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger; Night by Elie Wiesel; Are You There God? It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume (actually, everything by Judy Blume); Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson; Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian; Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird; A Separate Peace by John Knowles; Lord of the Flies by William Golding; and all of Sarah Dessen's YA novels. Plus, 1980s teen movies influence my writing—Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Lucas…

Heidi:

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Christine:

Maintaining an authentic teen voice, especially when I write in first person. Having to stay fresh with teen trends and talk can be challenging when you're no longer a teen yourself.  What I might think is "rad" could be totally bunk by today's standards. What stays the same, though, is human emotion and the psychological warfare teens often battle. 

Heidi: What advice do you have for a writer aspiring to be published?

Christine:

Don't write to get published or to get recognition. Write because you have to—because it's part of who you are and there’s a story that needs to get out from inside your head.

Heidi: Would you like to acknowledge someone for their help/assistance/faith in you/etc?

Christine:

My mom is my biggest fan and my biggest critic—but in a good way. She always reads my novels before I send them out and tells me when something is not working. She is very honest—nothing held back. But it's what I want. I recently read an article about tough editors who make their authors cry as in John Green's editor (as in best-selling author!). The title of the article: "Her Stinging Critiques Propel YA Best Sellers." I like to be pushed to my very best, and my mom and my writing mentor from my MFA program both have stung me multiple times.

Heidi:
How can your fans follow you?
Christine:
Author Website
Facebook
Amazon Link