Guest Author Christine Hart
My guest today is Canadian author Christine Hart. She’s a young adult writer launching her first new adult novel entitled In Irina’s Cards.
Tell us a little about yourself.
This one is always hard to cover. Should I talk about where I came from (Edmonton and BC’s Okanagan Valley) or should I tell everyone about my start in non-fiction writing articles, ads, and press releases?
It’s probably more interesting if I skip to right now. I live on the West Coast, specifically Burnaby and soon to be Langley, BC. I work from home with two adorable and active toddlers underfoot – which functions exactly like you think it does. I have a BA in English and Professional Writing from the University of Victoria, which I use as often as possible in the grown-up corporate world.
Tell us about your YA & NA novels.
I should lead by telling you about my latest work, In Irina’s Cards and rest of The Variant Conspiracy trilogy. They’re intended for ages 18 to 25, so there is more mature content than my previous work. Overall, I’d classify the trilogy as soft sci-fi with paranormal and romance elements. I’ll let the blurb speak for itself.
In Irina’s Cards is the story of 19-year-old Irina Proffer who discovers a world of fringe genetic science and supernatural mystery. Following visions inspired by a strange deck of tarot cards, Irina learns of an amazing variation in her genetic code. She has the ability to see the past, present and future, in her life and the lives around her.
Irina sets out from her northern home for BC’s coastal capital to get answers. She is drawn in by a powerful first love and a compelling, yet dangerous mystery. Working at Innoviro Industries and meeting other ‘variants’ brings Irina closer and closer to the dark truth about her origins. She finds herself at the heart of two overlapping love triangles as she scrambles to escape her employer’s grip. At the close of the novel, Irina realizes she has merely scratched the surface of a frightening conspiracy on a global scale.
As for my earlier novels, I started dabbling in YA during my mid-twenties inspired by nostalgia for my teen years. I felt strongly that it would have been so rewarding to read stories set in BC (preferably the Interior) with realistic and relatable characters. But I also love speculative ideas and imagery, so I started where small town BC met bizarre otherworldly mystery. And I wrote Watching July.
The two novels I wrote afterwards for Lorimer’s SideStreets series – Best Laid Plans and Stalked – don’t have the speculative element that July did. I realized how much I missed writing in the world of the weird and I started developing a paranormal sci-fi trilogy concept. Over the years I realized there’s actually a term for the type of stories I most enjoy creating – magic realism.
These novels have won some awards, haven’t they?
I was very fortunate to receive a Moonbeam Gold Medal and a Sunburst Honourable Mention for Watching July. It was my first novel, I was new to social media, and at the time I didn’t understand the full weight of those achievements. So I quietly enjoyed the moment and moved on. If there is a next time for receiving an honourable mention, being shortlisted, or if I’m really, really lucky, a win, I’ll be sure to broadcast internationally.
What inspired you to write these types of books?
Beyond nostalgia for growing up in the Okanagan, I can also point to my sci-fi roots for inspiring my interests. My parents are huge fantasy and science fiction fans, so I grew up reading modern classics like The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia, along with most of Roald Dahl’s work. But I also loved all of Beverly Cleary’s and Lucy Maud Montgomery’s work with their likeable characters and moving stories.
As I got older, I graduated to The Lord of The Rings and my parents introduced me to authors like John Wyndham and Ray Bradbury. I also read a lot of literary fiction at UVic. I discovered quite a few authors for myself ranging from Evelyn Lau to Eden Robinson. I read as widely as possible now, including everything from ancient mythology to contemporary mysteries.
Down the road I’m planning a MG series that will blend adventure, sci-fi, and fantasy. One of my writing bucket-list goals is to create the kind of surreal story that so completely captured my own heart as a child.
What other types of writing do you do?
On the day-job side of things, I’ve worked in communications and marketing, with roles as a copywriter, blogger, technical writer, huge document juggler, and all-around wordsmith. That said it’s not always as wordy as it sounds. Most writers in the corporate world wear many hats these days and I’ve doubled as graphic design, reception, customer service, and quality assurance.
What other activities do you do?
When I’m not working, writing fiction, or chasing children, I break stuff to make stuff. I take apart watches, computers, electronics, and vintage jewellery to create new wearable art. It sounds odd and it is, but I’ve had so much fun turning trash into treasure, I don’t see myself stopping any time soon. My Etsy alter-ego is Sleepless Storyteller, a steampunk and industrial obsessed butterfly enthusiast.
Visit my website http://www.christine-hart.ca
Find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/christineahart/
Text me on Twitter https://twitter.com/chris_a_hart
Thanks so much for hosting me today Simon!
You’re very welcome and thanks for hosting me too.