Christine Fonseca's Blog

Every writer I know uses music as part of their creative process, either when they write, edit, develop characters, etc. For me, music plays a central role in the entire process from inspiration to completion. But the type of music I listen to is dependent on where I am in the process of creating the story: my fav tunes for outlining and my fav soundtrack music for writing.

As a music minor in college (I played the viola for 20+ years), I got used to music serving as a direct link to my emotions.  In writing, the soundtrack music I use helps provide a visceral reaction. It’s like a movie – the dialog is important…but the music MAKES the scene. If you have any doubts about this, try watching a high tension scene without the music. It’s a very different experience. I use music to help set tone, pacing, tension and emotion within the various scenes, substituting words for the feelings I feel listening to the music. 

One great example of the importance of music in my writing came while revising one of my manuscripts a few years ago.  I had decided to completely change the opening 2 chapters. But, I was having a hard time conceptualizing exactly how I wanted the scene to play out; its rhythm.  

That is until I found the PERFECT piece of music.  

This music had the exact cadences I was looking for in the scene. My challenge was to take the music and find words that could do the same thing. I listened to the music over and over for about a week before everything unfolded for me. When I sat to actually write it, I was shocked at the ease with which the storyline wrote itself. Granted, it still needed structural edits, but the content is primarily intact.  

Since that time, I’ve come to use music as an active part of the writing process, relying on it to put me into the appropriate emotional place before setting words on the page. It’s now a never-ending dance between words and music; one I hope my readers enjoy.

How do you use music with your writing or creative process?

Some of my favorite soundtracks or composers to use:

Anything by Hans Zimmer (Batman Begins, Dark Knight, The Last Samurai)Music from almost any epic film works well for my climatic scenesHarold Kloser (The Day After Tomorrow)Harry Gregson-Williams (The Chronicles of Narnia, Kingdom of Heaven)Rubert Gregson-Williams (Wonder Woman, The Crown)Music from creepy scenes in movies is often useful for darker moments in my stories…
So, how do you use music in your writing?  I would love to hear from you!

Hi everyone. I am finally writing fiction again. It feels SO GOOD to be writing new words in preparation of releasing new works. Seriously!
As I am anticipating finishing up my series, The Solomon Experiments, in the next month, I chose to highlight the first book of the series, COLLIDE, on my author page on FB, Christine Fonseca,Author. As part of that, I wanted to post a character interview with the main character from Collide, Dakota Harrison. Before I get to the interview, I want to tell you a little about the book and Dakota:
Book Blurb:                                                           The most dangerous secrets are the ones that kill.
When a surprising mental breakdown draws too much attention from a secret government group call the Order, 17-year-old Dakota discovers that her so-called boring life isn’t so boring after all. Between the lies, secrets and assassins out to kill her family, Dakota discovers there’s more to paranormal activity than ghosts and cheap mind tricks. Now she must uncover the truth before a new breed of terrorism takes everything away – including her life. 

And now – a few fun questions for Dakota. CF: Tell the readers out there a little about yourself.Dakota: Me? Well, there’s nothing really to tell. I live in a tiny town; go to school like every other 17-yr-old and yeah...That’s about it.
CF: Is that reallyall?Dakota: Um, yeah. Okay, well no. That isn’t all. I sorta have weird dreams. A lot. And an occasional panic attack. Maybe even a mental breakdown or two. Okay, fine...I’ll tell you all the truth. My parents took my brother and me into witness protection forever ago because of some crime or something they witnessed. They didn’t tell me my life was a lie. Not until they told me I had to move. That’s all I know about it.
CF: Okay, moving on. What do you want more than anything?Dakota: A few days ago I would have said I just want out of this boring town! Me, my BFF Elaine and my boyfriend David (Okay, ex-boyfriend). Now that I’m being forced to leave, now that I know my whole life is a lie...now I just don’t know what I want.
CF: What are your thoughts about paranormal activity and psychic phenomenon?Dakota:What? Like the show? Or....
CF: Tell the truth Dakota. Remember, I actually know your thoughts on this stuff.Dakota:Okay, fine. I think there is a lot more reality to psychic abilities than most people are willing to admit. In fact [she leans forward to whisper] there are times I think I can see the future. Or make people do what I want them to. I know that makes me sound like a freak.
CF: Last question—Dakota:FinallyCF: What do you want readers to know about COLLIDE?Dakota: COLLIDE is a YA thriller made for the cross-over, mystery reader. It’s a rollercoaster ride, with tons of action, crazy psychic phenomenon and a touch of government intrigue. Think X-Men meets the Bourne Identity and you’ll have it. Christine and I can’t wait for you to read it and tell us what you think!
~
There you have it, my interview with Dakota about COLLIDE, Book #1 of the Solomon Experiments.
Intrigued? Pick up your copy on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes&Noble or wherever you like to get your books :)
Collide is also available in audio format through Audible.com.
Be sure to catch me on my FB page on Weds at 12:00pst. I will be doing a live reading from Collide for everyone!

Hi everyone -

Wow! I have been a little neglectful of the blog. I hadn't intended to get behind in blogging. I've been traveling extensively, speaking in California and Montana, and meeting with kids to talk books. It's been fantastic. In the midst of everything (the speaking and new books under contract), I have let a few things slip, including my blogging. The good news - I am back to my regular blog schedule next week. Whew!

In the meantime, I want to share some news. The final book in the Solomon experiments trilogy is almost here. Slated for a May 1 release date, Reckoning tells the story of Dakota, David and the rest of the group as the final confrontation occurs. The tagline says it best: "They took her memories. She'll take their lives."

For those of you who haven't read the series yet, The Solomon Experiments is X-men meets Bourne Identity story filled with psychic warfare, espionage, and nonstop action.

"With smart, thoughtful narrative, and non-stop action, COLLIDE is like watching an excellent episode of the X-Files--I didn't want to miss a single second!" - Ali Cross, author of the Blood Crown
"Collide is a fast moving, suspenseful thriller full of twists and turns around every bend. An action packed read that will have your heart slamming in your chest and your mind racing until the end."  - Brooke DelVecchio, book blogger at thecovercontessa.com
You can find the Solomon Experiments on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble and at your local library through Overdrive. 

If you are caught up on the series, be sure to preorder Reckoning today!

A week ago or so, I posted about the importance of passion and purpose to the artistic life. This time, I want to get personal. Building on Tuesday's post, I want to talk about another journey I've taken in my search for creative fulfillment.
As many of you know, I used to work a very challenging day job that often results in high levels of stress. There are times when my day job interferes with my ability to create, times when my creative well runs dry. It’s understandable. I write the equivalent of 40 to 50 novels each year. Except, these aren’t my books—they are reports and other types of documents needed for the job. Continually creating at that level proved exhausting. The more tired I was, the more my art suffered, the more resentment I started to feel. Instead of diving into stories as a way to process and nurture myself, I detached and hide.
So much for living from my passions.
After a few years of this kind of tug-of-war between my life as an artist and my life as the psychologist, I needed to make a change. Unwilling to give up my personal creative endeavors, and not in a position to give up my daily paycheck, I had to find a way to align my purpose and passions my daily work and my artistic endeavors. It is from this place that my coaching business began, and I started to find more peace.
In this process, I discovered that I enjoy helping others find their authentic voice. I love humanity in general, and I love exploring all of the different ways human beings are impacted by fear, their shadows, and intensities. My art, the novels I write, enabled me to explore some of these aspects of humanity. So did my day job. I was living my passion and purpose far more than I had realized.It turned out that the two aspects of my work were not at odds, as I had thought. They were complimentary. All of the sudden, my daily work was exciting. It was in alignment with my purpose and passion. The problem wasn’t the work at all. It was the balance between everything. 
A few years later, I switched careers. My goal was to have more time to create and coach. Although this isn't exactly how things have played out, I have learned a lot more about balance, my need to create and living a life of passion and purpose.
Now, I am focused on how I feel when I live in balance and how to create more of that in my life. Next week I will talk more about living from your center and building a life in tune with yourself. 
Until then, are you living a life of passion and purpose?

As a young child, I was intense and creative. I spent my days in my head, conjuring up stories filled with heroes villains. I wondered about the world, people, and life. I processed my musings through words, spinning tales and writing plays. I guess you could say I was compelled to tell stories.

Things haven't changed too much! I still spend much of my day wondering. As a professional storyteller, I now share most of my stories with the world. And as a thinker and changemaker, I help others harness their creative energy, explore truth and embrace intensity. This is my passion, my purpose.

But what happens when the stories get stuck in your throat and won't come out? What happens when life gets so complicated that you lose your voice, even for a little while?

This has happened to me. In truth, I have wafted in an out of that space a lot every since my mom died. It was as though a piece of my soul, my creative spark, died with her last breath.

At first, I thought I'd give up writing for good. I wasn't selling that much of my fiction, so I could easily rationalize giving it up. With my nonfiction, well that just felt like work--reason enough to give it up as well.

Fortunately, I have very wise friends. They refused to allow me to just slip quietly away. They coaxed and cajoled, suggesting all sorts of ways for me to get back to writing.

I started slowly, experimenting with emotions and characterizations. It worked, before long I had written a new story. And another. And another.

I was writing again. A lot.

Life progressed. The pain of the loss lessened.

At least a little.

Things appeared okay on the outside. But as I've mentioned in other posts, something was not okay inside. I was still feeling blocked. The fear that I had lost my creative edge when I lost mom was still present.

Day-by-day, I stopped storytelling. I starved my inner artist, deprived her of inspiration as I made myself busier and busier. It happened so slowly, I didn't notice it at first. But over the course of 18 months, I managed to avoid writing anything new. Fiction and nonfiction. Sure, I still managed to sell a new book. And yes, I "pretended" to write as I edited my old works and rereleased them. But I wasn't creating the way I had before.

By the time it was 2017, I was a mess. I sold an important nonfiction book and focused on that manuscript. It felt good to work on something new. The book was about anxiety, something I with which I was all-too-familiar. As I wove my own stories into that book, my inner storyteller sparked to life.

I began to seek out creative opportunities, attending conferences on craft and book signings - anything to reconnect with the world of writers. Event by event, my soul was nourished.

I outlined a new book, brainstormed with a few writers I deeply admire. I got excited, again.
The spark of creativity was fragile. I struggled to keep it lit. One minute I couldn't wait to get on my computer to weave together a new world, only to find myself procrastinating until the moment had passed. Over and over, I repeated this pattern.

And then something shifted.

I can't really explain it other than to say I found my voice. I remembered my childhood storytelling days. In my mind, new stories sprung forward, new things I again feel compelled to share. Fiction and nonfiction - stories in every genre rushed forward and filled my soul.

Yes, I am still tired when I come home from a long day.

Yes, the battle of time still occurs.

Yes, I still wonder about my skills and other the other typical doubt-filled thoughts.

But something has changed.

Now, I remember that I am a storyteller, first and foremost.

I remember that I have something to say, something I am COMPELLED to say.

And so, I am going to just say it - through self-help books, big idea books, issue stories, love stories, sci-fi tales, and anything else my creative soul wants to do.

I am a storyteller. I am going to keep writing stories!

I don't usually post on Monday. But, I wanted to hop on the blog to talk about my book Transcend, FREE on Kindle this week. 
I wrote Transcend at a time when I was wrestling with the darkest of emotions - extreme grief. I had just lost my mom and was pretty convinced that I would never write or do anything artistic again. Transcend was born from the misery.
The story is dark, confusing and raw. Here is what one reviewer had to say about it:

"Wow. Wow. Wow. Transcend is one of the best books I have read all year, if not the best one to date. Transcend took me on quite the journey filling my mind with a classic horror tale of pain, hurt, sorrow, love, and confusion. I LOVED this authors writing style ( obviously having done her research)... I was led to feel what the main character was feeling, I was led to believe what was written on the pages not knowing the truth until the very end! The characters were well thought out, and developed. The plot was different and not your average run of the mill story line. I couldn't believe how the story fell together, I was bringing to think of myself as the crazy one! The mood set.. The descriptives used... The anger.. The love.. The obsession.. Oh man! Can I read it again?" ~ Ashley Cestra, Amazon Reviewer

If you like dark tales of romance, sorrow, loss, and pain, please download your free Kindle copy today. And let me know your thoughts.

One of my favorite lessons in achieving your dreams comes from Dr. Randy Pausch’s, Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. In case you’ve never heard of Dr. Randy Pausch, he was a professor at Carnegie Mellon, who died from cancer. Before he passed away, he gave a lecture that was part of the “Last Lecture” series. Dr. Pausch then reprised this talk at various times, including on the Oprah show. The theme of his lectures was one of hope and purpose. The overall message—you choose how you live your life. Yes, you will be dealt certain things you can’t change. But what you do with those cards, that is up to you (Pausch, 2008).

Far from the reflections of a dying man, Dr. Pausch spoke the words he wanted his children to hear: words about finding your passion, living your truth from a place of excitement and vibrancy, and existing in such a way as to add to our collective human experience. Doing these things, he believed, will draw your dreams to you.

Throughout both the lecture and the book that was later written, Dr. Pausch’s message of living life to the fullest jumps from the screen and page. We don’t have the time we think we have. We don’t have the luxury to waste what we’ve been given.

Why do I bring up this lecture? Simple—you don’t have time to wait to be the artist you want to be. You don’t have time to wait to live a life of purpose and passion. And if you discover that you are procrastinating, waiting to live the life you want, you need to ask yourself why -

Why are you waiting for life to happen?

Why are you sitting on the sidelines in hopes that your passion will magically find you?

Your answers to these questions will show you how the fear I spoke of previously currently exists in your life. Your answers will guide your focus and help you find a path through the muck, toward your passions.

Next week I'll dive into my experience with living a creative life and finding my passion. Until then, what are your passions and purpose? And how do these things manifest in your art?

PS - If you missed Randy Pausch's Oprah appearance, I thought you'd like to take a peek...

Whenever I am interviewed about my latest release or publishing in general, a question comes up about reviews and reader reactions. People wonder how I handle bad reviews or reader disappointment. My answer is simple -

I release everything.

The good and the bad. None of it is actually mine to keep or sort out.

What do I mean by that?

I believe that your art is no longer yours once you've released it into the world. It belongs to humanity, not you. In the case of the words I write or speak, once they leave me, once I publish them and release them into the world, they are no longer mine. I have no right to judge what others think, no reason to impose my meanings upon them.

The art no longer belongs to me.

Readers get to judge what they are reading. They are allowed to hate it or love it. They can glorify or vilify. The choice is theirs and theirs alone.

My job is to release that project and move on to the next.

This is not to say that I ignore all reader feedback. In fact, I often solicit input from my most devoted fan base before completing projects. Sometimes the feedback is related to upcoming projects. Sometimes it's associated with a specific topic or book. Regardless of what information I am requesting, this is different than the feedback received once I have released my art into the world.
Now, I am human - I am not immune to a bad review. And, I feel incredible joy when a reader reaches out to tell me they loved something of mine. But I have learned not to let any of this influence me as an artist. I don't want the highs to feed my ego, or the lows to destroy my confidence. Instead, I want to move steadfastly in the direction of my creative muse. For me, this means I must let go - release the work and start something new.

Letting go of your work is not always easy. After weeks, months, years, working on a specific project, it can be challenging to let go and allow the readers to make of it as they will. Often, I have to remind myself that the book is not mine anymore. Or quickly start something new. Fortunately, I usually have several projects happening at once. This allows me to busy myself with the next story and fully release the one I've published.

Marketing new work can make this even more difficult. But for me, there is no way I can creatively move forward if I am clinging to past projects.

So I let go.
I take a deep breath and say goodbye.
And I start something new.

How do you release your work into the world?