An Alternative Author Interview:
TCL’s Countdown Questions.
This time I’m featuring author
Christine Wells!
First of all, for those who celebrate, let me wish you a Merry Christmas. For me and all my Jewish readers, tonight we light the last candle so I also wish everyone a Happy Hanukkah.
Now… Back to business. I first discovered author Christine Wells when I got the ARC of her novel “Sisters of the Resistance” and truly enjoyed her interesting take on a bit of WWII I didn’t know about (that war really is a treasure trove for historical fiction writers). Then I found out she wrote a book about the real Miss Moneypenny (you know, the assistant to “M” in the James Bond books and films), and I couldn’t resist. I tried to get the ARC but in the end had to buy a copy of “One Woman’s War” but it was well worth it. With Wells now two for two, I asked her if she’d like to participate in this, and she readily agreed. So… Let’s see how she replied to my five, fast, and fun questions.
- If you could visit five (5) places you’ve never been, where would you go and why?
Egypt, to see all of the places I’m researching for my next book, as well as the ancient sites I’ve learned about.
Italy, to enjoy the lifestyle, language, food, and wine—I’d love to live there for a few months and slow down the pace of life for a while.
Korea, because I love K-Drama and I think their culture is fascinating.
The island of Guernsey because I loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
Hawaii, because I love islands and island life and it looks so beautiful.
- Name four (4) foods or dishes that you enjoy so much that they’ve practically become part of your personality.
Chocolate chip cookies (my own recipe)
Lamb Rogan Josh
Duck confit
French champagne
- There is the past, the present, and the future – if you could choose, which of these three (3) would you prefer to live in, and why?
I think nothing beats the present. As a writer of historical fiction, I love writing about the past but as a woman, I wouldn’t want to live there. I do, however, have some nostalgia for being a kid in the 1980s. It was a simpler time and that is alluring, but I remind myself that the internet has been instrumental in the advancement of my writing career, and so ultimately I do prefer the present.
- Best and/or worst – you choose which – name two (2) of either your best moments of your life, worst moments of your life, or one of each.
Best moments: (1) The first time I received an offer from an editor for my first book.
(2) Hearing that my son, who has ASD, was accepted into the university course of his choice.
- Name one (1) book you’ve read in the past year (or so) that you wish you had written, and why.
Mick Herron’s Bad Actors. He is funny, clever, and he’s a great wordsmith. His books are amazingly entertaining and that is my aim, as well: to write smart, entertaining fiction.
Thanks Christine! I see that Herron book is #8 in a series. I’m guessing you’ve read them all! By the way, remember that if you ever make it to Egypt, I’m just a hop, skip, and a jump away.
Christine Wells writes historical fiction featuring strong, fascinating women. From early childhood, she drank in her father’s tales about the true stories behind popular nursery rhymes and she has been a keen student of history ever since.
A bookworm from the time she could read, Christine devoured every novel she could get her hands on, begging her parents to take her to three different lending libraries and using her other family members’ library cards so that she could borrow more and more books. She never considered a career as an author, however, because authors were magical beings, not flesh-and-blood mortals like her.
After graduating from university with a law degree, Christine worked in a large city firm, specialising in corporate mergers and acquisitions. She might still be a lawyer if she hadn’t accepted a challenge from her friend to try her hand at a novel. The minute she began to weave that story, she fell in love with writing fiction. She learned that every writer must begin somewhere, that writing novels takes hard work, long hours and much revising, and that publishing success often involves as much luck as it does talent, productivity, and persistence.
Christine has gone on to publish fourteen novels about periods ranging from Georgian England to post World War II France–most recently, THE WIFE’S TALE, THE TRAITOR’S GIRL, THE JULIET CODE and her upcoming release, SISTERS OF THE RESISTANCE.
Passionate about helping other writers learn the craft and business of writing fiction, Christine enjoys mentoring and teaching workshops whenever her schedule permits.
Christine loves dogs, running, holidays at the beach, and window-shopping for antiques. She lives with her family in Brisbane, Australia.
The Chocolate Lady's Book Review Blog 
Women are always doing amazing things, yet there is still more they want; what of those of us who want less and less, or are they not in existence…why would anyone want less: pressure, stress, anxiety, and such. No matter, thank you for sharing, and Happy Holidays!
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