Ask the Author: Christine Grabowski
Answered Questions (10)
Christine Grabowski
My daughter. I always liked to write, but I thought I didn't have the time to write a book. But when she was in about 4th grade, after she finished her homework, she would write her own stories. I realized if she could make time to write, I could too.
Christine Grabowski
the content is appropriate to read to a younger reader. Although I wrote the book for tweens and teens, I made sure to keep the content appropriaprite so it can be placed in elementary school libraries. There are no swear words or drug or alcohol use. There are only a couple of non-graphic kisses. And it is not scary.
Christine Grabowski
When I'm in the middle of drafting or editing a book, it usually doesn't take much to get me sitting down at the computer (if I have the time) as I tend to live the story and it lingers in my mind. Often exercise allows my mind to wander, and I'm anxious to come home an integrate all of my ideas into the book.
Christine Grabowski
Good question. For a variety of reasons, until recently I was working on a separate young adult project. But I have dusted off my original outline for Book 2 and am spending all my writing time drafting the sequel. My goal is to have the book ready to take to my editor by next fall. Although once it gets with the publisher, it could still take up to another year. So best guess 18 - 24 months. Future books would likely have less of a delay as next time I will work on book 3 while book 2 goes through the publishing process.
Christine Grabowski
Yes. I have recently decided that the book will become a series. I anticipate there will be one book per year of high school. That was my original intent in writing Dickensen Academy, but experts advised me to write it as a "standalone with series potential" so I made sure to bring the ending of book 1 to a close and avoid a cliffhanger ending.
Christine Grabowski
The flexibility. I get to do what I love but still be home with those I love.
Christine Grabowski
The idea for Dickensen Academy came to me as I tried to recall my dreams each morning, hoping I’d be one of those lucky writers who dreamed up a great idea. Soon I began to wonder why I remembered some dreams so clearly but forget others the moment I woke. That thought led me to the idea for Dickensen Academy.
Christine Grabowski
A contemporary fairy tale reimagining loosely based on Sleeping Beauty. But I have outlined a sequel for Dickensen Academy and hope to work on that soon.
Christine Grabowski
Keep writing. The saying that kept me motivated on my way to publication was this: Often the only difference between a published and and unpublished writer is one gave up.
Christine Grabowski
A couple of things depending on where I am in the writing process. If I am drafting, I will keep writing. If I'm stuck on one scene, I add notes for what I want to write about in that scene and then move on to the next scene where I have more ideas and can continue writing. If I'm trying to answer one specific question on how to get a scene moving, I will often take a break to run or go to the gym and let my mind wander on that issue. Often I will finish my workout ready to integrate my new ideas.
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