Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
You know we write novels, don’t you? You’re very brave to give us an open invitation to talk about ourselves. What’s the word count limit? Okay, fine, I’ll stick to the basics. I’ve always been a writer – pretty much all writers will say that. But I’ve been a LOT of other things, too.
In college, I studied music and earned degree in music production, tried my hand at being a singer/songwriter (it didn’t stick). I play tested a video game that three people have heard of, for a company that most people have heard of. I spent years as an event producer and scenic designer, became a CG rendering artist, motion designer and graphic artist, ended up an art director. Then I decided commercial art was oppressive and got another degree, this time in electrical engineering… It gets boring after this.
But the whole time I was doing those things, I was writing!
My first three novels were abandon halfway through. My fourth was the first I finished – it’s a vampire novel that will never see the light of day. I keep it on my hard drive as a reminder never to be too impressed with myself. For my fifth novel, I found a mentor that helped me understand why I was terrible, and it’s been upshot from there.
I have six (presentable) novels, one-point-five novellas, and twenty-six (yes, that number is accurate, I counted) concepts sitting at around four-chapters until I decide to run with one. I’ve published two novels so far, and I’m preparing to release the primary novel in my Nexus Series – Contemporary Spellcraft.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book – that would be the most recently published one – is called Before Autumn Fades. I’ve always been in love with the notion of soulmates. Aaaand I was going through some things at the time, so tragedy was really on my mind. (I was reading a lot of John Green’s sadder work). Wouldn’t it be sad if soulmates only found each other after one of them died? Yeah. It’s that kind of book. But I hope the mystery and levity round that out.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
You mean other than scheduling a meeting that I can blow off so that I can write instead of doing my day job? Is that unusual?
For real though, it might be a bit unusual that I write three books at a time. I tend to rotate from one series to the next, just to exercise my creative muscles and keep things fresh. My readers may find my work a bit ‘blendy’, and I definitely borrow tropes.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
HA! Literally all of the ones that I’ve read. Even the bad ones help me figure out what NOT to do. Short list.
Erin Morgenstern, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Becca Podos, Scott Lynch, Neil Gaiman, Arthur C. Clarke, and a dash of Isaac Asimov.
What are you working on now?
I’ve got three irons in the fire. One is a polish fairytale book set in Pittsburgh, PA across the last century. One is a novella about a side character in my soon-to-launch Contemporary Spellcraft novel. And the last is the next spell craft book (Nexus Series), working title: Classical Love Magic.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well, this one is climbing the charts 🙂
Do you have any advice for new authors?
FIND A MENTOR, and MANY MANY ALPHA READERS. And don’t ask friends. Friends are nice. They will lie to you. Strangers will help you build a better product.
That and the Internet can teach you the marketing part, if you keep looking around.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Going back to the alpha readers. You need people to read your book before you publish.
What are you reading now?
That would be Spirit Legacy (E.E. Holmes)
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to start knocking down my Nexus Series, hoping to release two or more each year for the next (counts on fingers) seven years. How’s that for a plan?
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Against the Fall of Night (Arthur C. Clarke), Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card), The Night Circus (Erin Morgenstern), and the entire Dragonlance Chronicles (Weiss and Hickman)
Author Websites and Profiles
Christian Wright Website
Christian Wright Amazon Profile
Christian Wright’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile