She's a featured wattpad writer, a wattpad star, a wattys shortlisted, and grand prize winner of Once Upon Now Anthology. She's also another veteran, ladies and gentlemen give a warm welcome to Christine!
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Hi Christine, how are you doing? Let's get started.
Q. What made you want to start writing, and not just reading?
I started writing when I was younger (high school, I think) because I ran out of books that I wanted to read at my local library. (I grew up without a tv and internet and all that... Basically in 1850 lol)
Q. Christine, you've been on wattpad since 2013. Honestly, speaking, what are some of the changes you both like and dislike?
I love the bigger community and how many great people I've met. Seriously. Lifelong friends. I could do without the oversaturated vampire/bad boy/50 shades/borderline self-harm/ books that sometimes seem to be taking over though.
Q. Do you have a mentor for writing, and if so, how did you get that mentor?
I don't have one officially though I do admire and read many religiously.
Q. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Probably that I write/edit everything on my phone. Lol. Everything. Even my 100+ chapter books! It's a bad habit but I think if I stared at an empty word doc on a laptop now, I'd run away in intimidation!
Q. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be an army doctor. ;)
Q. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Hmm. I think I was so surprised when people started following The Movie Star Next Door every day. I'd write a chapter each morning and readers would read each day. It was almost like a blog and I had instant feedback. Still one of the best experiences on here. I feel like the supporters 100% wrote that book for me!
Q. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I love my readers. I mean. Come on. They are amazing cheerleaders that read something you've WRITTEN from the DEPTHS of your SOUL and RESPOND!! We all know how exhilarating that is! They always are super sweet and say the best things. Constructive criticism is always appreciated (I've written in every genre for no reason but to interest myself and when I'm out of my depth like in the gun scenes, readers are so valuable).
Q. What do you think makes a good story?
You can't put it down. Period.
The Magicians.
Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore
The Shooter
(Just a few lately that have had me up all night)
Hard to elaborate on what makes something unputdownable but I'd have to say something along the lines of the drive has to be there. The characters are doing things for a reason and there is urgency and mystery and as a reader, you HAVE to turn that next page.
Q. Christine, what's the inspiration behind your current ONC novel Airborne?
I have always wanted to do a post-apocalyptic kind of story. Thought it would be cool from a steampunk angle where half the people are in the sky. And. With the pandemic now, I have a wealth of inspiration all around me! (Scary!)
Q. As a Wattpad Star how does that help you as a writer?
Hmm well, I love the Stars community so I think that's first. To have support among fellow addicts in such a strange hobby (We have to admit, writing is strange. Who else creates worlds with words?) is invaluable.
Q. What're some of the things you do in managing your mental health as a writer?
Lol. Stop writing!!! When I'm making myself crazy and I can't stand the words I'm putting down, I walk away. I don't outline, I don't plan, I don't want anything to feel like work and effort (because. Hello. No paycheck from this! haha!). When it's not fun - walk. Go do something else. It'll be there with fresh inspiration when you get back. Read! Read! Read! Reading is sanity.
Q. How does your faith life/ethical outlook impact your writing?
I am a Christian and I try to keep things uplifting. I don't want girls reading and getting a skewed vision of romance. You should always feel loved and safe in a relationship or you should not be in that situation. There should never be any pressure to do something you aren't comfortable doing. Bad boys are not good for you. In The Movie Star Next Door, the main character has pretty high standards for intimacy. P.S. standards are good! Lol
Q. What special knowledge or research was required to write this book?
There is definitely a spectrum when it comes to research. The Code was extremely research-heavy (nuclear weapons and world politics) while The Movie Star Next Door was in the middle (I am already obsessed with Physics so that came easily enough) and the fairytales (Maid of Mer, Spinning) took practically none.
Q. Who are some of your favorite authors here on wattpad and why?
So many. Hafferby is my top and has been for a while. (Won a Watty for Who Put Bella in the Wych Elm but is no longer on the site).
Q. If you could choose a book character to be for a day, who would it be and why?
Oooh. Tamora Pierce's Alanna. Girl knight fighter with powers and general badassery.
Q. What aspect of your writing have you most improved on over time and what resources helped you most in this area?
Flow. I used to be extremely choppy (product of writing on my phone?). Resources were just the reader's feedback. It's amazing.
Q. Do you prefer writing in silence or to music?
Silence!
Q. What do you know now that you wish you'd known at the beginning of your writing/publishing journey?
That I can do it!! Books you read just sound polished because that's the second or twenty-third draft! Don't be overwhelmed.
Q. Christine, what do you do for fun?
Good question. I have three kids that I homeschool and I'm a stay at home mom. Sometimes I take baths. Sometimes there is wine. ;)
I've just started teaching at a homeschool co-op and doing this gross science class with dissection and everything so that's CRAZY fun.
Q. Do you believe in the concept of a muse?
Meh. I'd like to think that my inspiration to write is all my own!
Finally, tell us who is Christine_Owen what does she stand for and what's next for you as a writer?
Well. I'm a respiratory therapist in the ER. Was. Now I just try to survive on two espressos a day while I repot orchids. I love homeschooling though. My first grader is obsessed with science and I'm loving the wild stuff we can do with making our own curriculum!!
As a writer, someday I plan on editing. I have never EVER touched a book more than the time it takes to type it with one thumb. My hopes are low but also high! If that makes sense!
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Thank you for joining us, Christine. It was a pleasure having you here on Solace Magazine, I wish you all the best!