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Today on the Blog-a-thon is Christine Verstraete, Author extraordinare

9/5/2011

7 Comments

 
Picture
The MuseItUp September MG/YA blog-a-thon is continuing and today’s guest is Christine Verstraete. Christine, http://cverstraete.com, is an award-winning journalist and author published in fiction and nonfiction. She loves writing short horror as in her eBooks, "Motherly Love" and "The Killer Valentine Ball." Her recent short stories were published in DAW Books anthologies such as the latest, Hot & Steamy: Tales of Steampunk Romance. She also is author of a nonfiction book on miniatures, IN MINIATURE STYLE II, and a children's mystery, SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT, A MINIATURE ART MYSTERY. All books are linked at my website (above) or blog, http://candidcanine.blogspot.com.

Welcome Christine. Can you tell your readers something interesting about yourself AND/OR your favorite character.

Hi C.K. Thanks for having me here. My favorite characters usually have four legs and bark, though I do enjoy writing the human kind as well. My most unique talent may be that I enjoy creating, collecting and writing about dollhouses and miniatures.

That’s funny that your favorite characters bark. J And even though I’m too old to play with dolls, I still love dollhouses. So now, what was your favorite book as a teen? Tell us about it and how it affected you as a person.

I don't remember an exact favorite as a teen, but my all-time favorites were "Misty of Chincoteague" and the whole slew of horse books. I always loved animals, but like many kids, I adored horses. I was lucky enough to later have a grey Appaloosa for a while as an adult.

Tell us about the genre you have chosen to write in. Why do you enjoy writing it?

I seem to gravitate towards humor and horror, sometimes even daring to cross the two a bit as I did in my eBook, "The Killer Valentine Ball." Horror, after all, can be kind of funny sometimes in a weird sort of way. (Buy: Kindle, http://tinyurl.com/3pu8hu2  - or Muse Bookstore, http://tinyurl.com/647pn87)

That is a great mix to write both humor and horror…together! Tell us about your new book. How did it come about and share your favorite excerpt/scene.

My latest is my nonfiction book, IN MINIATURE STYLE II, which contains profiles of different collectors, how to-projects contributed by them and myself, and photos of mine and their collections. It was fun expanding on the original eBook and adding new projects. It is available in various eBook formats and print. (See author page - http://www.writers-exchange.com/In-Miniature-Style-II.html - for PDF and link to print.)

Thanks for the link. How has writing affected your life? And what’s your favorite part of being a writer?

Being a journalist, I've been involved with newspapers since junior college and continue to freelance for a daily and write in other media. I love fiction, but I guess newspaper is in my blood, so for me it's sad seeing papers having such a hard time these days.

What advice can you give regarding the writing process?

Write every day whether you feel like it or not. If one thing isn't working, then move on to something else. Writing is dedication. I'd say even take a journalism course: great training on being brief and learning to meet deadlines. There are no excuses.

Regarding publication and marketing, what advice can you offer aspiring writers?

Keep at it. Be visible. Be active on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. Instead of just authors trying to sell to other authors, get involved in other lists and groups dedicated to other hobbies. Collectors often are readers too and may check out your books as long as you don't go overboard in promoting your work.

Good advice. How can your fans find, follow or friend you?

I'm updating my website and moving it, so hopefully there isn't a gap when it's offline but keep checking back – http://cverstraete.com

Check my blog: http://candidcanine.blogspot.com

Facebook, friend me: http://www.facebook.com/christine.verstraete

Thanks for joining us today, Christine. Your book sounds wonderful and I’m definitely going to have to check it out. And thanks to all our readers for stopping by.

C.K. Volnek

7 Comments
Anne E. Johnson link
9/6/2011 12:45:27 am

Horror and humor make a great combination! I hope the book is a big success, Christine.

Reply
Marva Dasef link
9/6/2011 02:52:54 am

Ah, Margarite Henry's books kept me enthralled as a child. I kind of looked down on Misty (haha, she's a pony), because the Black Stallion was so big and powerful.

But enough about my horse-loving ways. I'm intrigued by the miniatures mystery concept. I have Killer Valentine on my Kindle for reading already.

Reply
Barbara Ehrentreu link
9/6/2011 03:15:02 am

Christine, I also love dollhouses and miniatures. When I was a teacher I read Misty of Chincoteague to my students. We all got so caught up with the story we couldn't stop reading it. I am intrigued by a miniature art mystery for kids.:)

Reply
C.K. Volnek
9/6/2011 03:25:19 am

Greetings Anne, Marva and Barbara E. Thanks for stopping by. It was fun having Christine join my blog. I've never had anyone who mixes humor and horror before. But I like it!!! :-)
Have a great week.
C.K. Volnek

Reply
Barbara Bockman link
9/6/2011 06:36:07 am

Hi Christine, I also remember those Margurite Henry books fondly. But I haven't yet learned to like horror. With your combo of horror and humor, I might just learn to love it.

Thanks, C. K., for hosting Christine today.

Reply
C.K. Volnek
9/7/2011 01:23:37 pm

Hi Barbara B. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a note. Christine does have an unusual combination that could just make me enjoy horror as well. Will be interesting to see how that works.

Thanks again. You're the greatest.
C.K.

Reply
Honolulu Dating Site link
10/6/2013 08:22:34 am

Good reading

Reply



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    Ghost Dog of  Roanoke Island
    - a tween ghost story with a twist of Native American Folklore and based on the real life mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island.

    Available in Print and E-book
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    View the Book Trailer for Ghost Dog of Roanoke Island
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJEF9TjZzo

    A Horse Called Trouble
    A troubled teen must overcome her abused past to save the defiant horse who taught her to love and trust again.
    Available in  Print and e-book
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    View the book trailer for 
    A Horse Called Trouble

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