Interview with Christine Rains, author of Fearless

I'm very excited to welcome my close writer friend and critique partner, Christine Rains. She has a new release that just came out yesterday! Please help me welcome her. She's got some great advice about finding the balance between writing and life.

1. Where did you get the idea/inspiration for Fearless?

Hi, Aubrie! Thanks so much for having me. As for my inspiration, I was trying to think of something for the 2012 A to Z Challenge. I wanted it to be fun and humorous, but with that dark edge. The idea of a monster under the bed came first when my son said there was a two-headed monster under his bed. I asked him if it was scary and he said no. "It's a funny monster!" I was happy he wasn't afraid, but there are so many other children out there afraid of what lurks in their closets or under their beds. Their parents would probably just think it's funny too, but what if it were real? That's where Abby White comes in. She protects the children when no one else believes them.

2. Did you have the end (I won't spoil it!) in mind when you started writing, or did it evolve?

I'm a pantser. I rarely have an ending in mind when I start writing a story. I love it when my stories surprise me with where they go, and FEARLESS took me on so many great twists and turns.

3. Your main character is so strong! What do you think drives her?

Thank you. Abby is the ideal protagonist for me. She's driven by her desire to protect the children. Even more so because she was one of those children that no one believed. She knows how they feel, and she's the one adult that can do something about it.

4. What does the picture on the cover represent?

The stuffed hippo is Tawa, Abby's ageless and wise-cracking guide. She's become a favorite amongst my readers. She adds a lot of heart and humor to the story.

5. What genre is next for you?

I'll be writing more paranormal romance. I can't help myself! Yet I write short stories, too, and I've had a lot of other worldly stories floating around in my head. I've been writing more science-fiction. It's a difficult genre to write, as you know!

6. When are you going to bring back your awesome book, The Deep Dim??? I can't wait for that!

Aw, thanks for remembering the book. I hope to get some time next year to revise and edit it.

7. You are also a fantastic mom to an adorable son. How do you find time to balance writing and motherhood? Any suggestions for those mothers out there wanting to write? 

Finding the balance is difficult. My husband works long hours and we have no family in the area. Our friends all work too. So I have to work around my son's schedule. Some days, I don't get any time to myself. I try to write the days that he naps and after he's in bed at night. He'll be starting preschool later this month, and I'll have two mornings a week to myself. I'm excited about that! My advice to other parents wanting to write is to take advantage of family and friends if you have them around. If you can only grab five minutes to yourself, then make the most out of those minutes. Even a hundred words a day is better than nothing. Eventually they grow into a full story.

8. Where can we buy Fearless?

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/208858
Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/3950098
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RNOOM2
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fearless-christine-rains/1112333599?ean=2940014957809
9. Where can we find you on the web?

My website: http://christinerains.net/
My blog: http://christinerains-writer.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CRainsWriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorchristinerains
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4017568.Christine_Rains

Thanks for answering all of my questions! Now for a preview of Fearless:

Abby White was seven years old when she killed the monster under her bed. Now she slays creatures spawned by the fertile imaginations of children, and the number of these nightmares are on the rise. Neither she nor her guide - a stuffed hippo named Tawa - know why.

When she rescues Demetrius from an iron prison, he pledges his life to protect hers until he can return the favor. She doesn't want the help. And how can she concentrate on her job when the gorgeous wild fae throws himself in front of her during every fight? No matter how tempting, she can't take the time to lose herself to him.

To save the children and all she loves, Abby must be truly Fearless. 

About Christine:

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. She lives in southern Indiana with her husband and son in a cozy little house stuffed full of books and games. She has sixteen short stories and one novella published, and three short stories forthcoming.

Please visit her website at http://christinerains.net/

Blog: http://christinerains-writer.blogspot.com/