Interview With Author Christine Palmisano
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After 35 years, I retired expecting to slow down. Instead, I rediscovered the creative side of myself that had patiently waited through a career of writing for the government. While I had spent decades writing reports and assessments, I had stopped writing the stories and reflections that interested me personally. Retirement gave me the opportunity to explore that passion again.
I’ve now written two books that are different in style but united by a common theme. Thoughts From the Heart is a collection of reflections and poems about embracing change, while Finishing Fifty is a memoir about how a journey to all 50 states transformed my life after 50. Both books are rooted in resilience, reinvention, and the belief that it’s never too late to embrace a new chapter.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Finishing Fifty: How Running All 50 States Transformed My Life After 50. While completing a half marathon in all 50 states isn’t something most people aspire to do, I discovered that the real story wasn’t about running. It was about what happened to me along the way.
What began as one invitation to run a half marathon became a 16-year journey that challenged me physically, emotionally, and personally. Along the way, I experienced joy, disappointment, divorce, new friendships, and a renewed sense of purpose. By the time I crossed the finish line in my 50th state, I realized I had become stronger, more confident, and more resilient than the person who had started the journey years earlier.
I wrote Finishing Fifty because I hope readers will see that it’s never too late to embrace a new challenge, rediscover themselves, or begin a new chapter. Running is simply the backdrop. The book is really about resilience, reinvention, and believing that one small “yes” can change the course of your life.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have too many unusual writing habits, but many of my poems were written while I was still lying in bed before I ever started the day. Those quiet moments, before emails, schedules, and responsibilities took over, became my favorite time to write.
Looking back, I think there was another reason it worked so well. Before I got out of bed, I hadn’t yet put on the invisible armor we all wear to face whatever the day may bring. I was more reflective, more vulnerable, and more willing to listen to my heart. Many of the thoughts that found their way into Thoughts From the Heart were born in those quiet moments.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a young reader, I was drawn to mysteries and stories filled with the unexpected. I devoured the Nancy Drew series and later enjoyed Stephen King’s novels because they kept me guessing and made me want to turn the page.
Today, my reading interests have shifted. I find myself drawn to historical fiction, memoirs, and biographies because I’m fascinated by the journeys people take and the choices that shape their lives. Two recent books I especially enjoyed were Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon and Cher: The Memoir, Part One. I also found The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins to be thought-provoking.
More than anything, I’ve become a student of storytelling. As a new author, I pay close attention not only to the stories people tell, but to how they tell them—what they choose to include, what they leave unsaid, and how they create an emotional connection with the reader. Every book I read teaches me something about becoming a better writer.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on my first novel, and I’m having a wonderful time learning the craft of writing fiction. It’s the beginning of what I hope will become a series featuring a retired female counterintelligence officer named Alex.
Like many people entering retirement, Alex is figuring out what her next chapter looks like. When she’s recruited to help protect the proprietary technology of an innovative company, she discovers that retirement isn’t quite as quiet as she expected. Her instincts—and years of experience observing what others miss—soon pull her into a web of corporate intrigue, foreign espionage, and difficult ethical choices.
While the story is a thriller, it’s also about resilience, integrity, and finding purpose after one career ends. In many ways, it explores some of the same themes that inspired my first two books, just through a very different lens.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As a new author, I’m still learning about the many ways to promote books, and I enjoy experimenting with different approaches. While I have my own website, ChristinePalmisano.com, I’ve also been fortunate to learn from the team at SelfPublishing.com, whose training and guidance have helped me better understand the publishing and marketing side of being an independent author.
Even with all the online tools available, I’ve discovered that my favorite form of promotion isn’t online at all—it’s meeting readers in person. Whether I’m speaking to a group, attending a book signing, or simply having a conversation with someone who’s curious about my story, those personal connections have been the most rewarding.
I believe books are ultimately about relationships, and I’ve found that sharing my journey one conversation at a time is the best way to help readers discover my work.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
First, give yourself permission to write a messy first draft. One of the best pieces of advice I received was to set a deadline of 30 days to write that first draft. It wasn’t about writing a perfect book—it was about getting the story out of my head and onto the page. Once you have a draft, you can spend the next several months editing, refining, and producing the book. Writing a book is truly a marathon, not a sprint, so set realistic expectations from the beginning.
Second, don’t underestimate your role in helping readers discover your book. I think many first-time authors believe that once the book is published, the hard work is over. In reality, publishing is just the beginning. No one will ever be as passionate about your book as you are, so be prepared to share your story, meet readers, speak to groups, and actively participate in introducing your book to the world.
Finally, remember why you wanted to write the book in the first place. Rankings, reviews, and sales are exciting, but if your words touch even one person’s life, you’ve already accomplished something meaningful.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Give yourself permission to write an imperfect first draft. You can’t edit a blank page.
What are you reading now?
It’s funny, but one of the books I’m reading right now is my own! As a new author, I sometimes go back through Finishing Fifty because it’s surprisingly easy to forget the little stories and details after you’ve lived with them for so long. Since I’m meeting new readers at book signings and speaking events, I like to have those memories fresh in my mind.
I’m also reading I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon. This scratches my itch for historical fiction, and I’m fascinated by the way she tells the story from multiple perspectives and timelines. As I’m writing my first novel, I find myself paying close attention not only to the story itself, but to the craft of storytelling—how authors build suspense, develop characters, and keep readers turning the page.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m looking forward to sharing Finishing Fifty with more readers through podcast interviews and speaking opportunities. Like many authors, I’m much more comfortable writing than talking about myself, so getting behind a microphone will definitely push me outside my comfort zone. But I’ve learned that growth usually begins where comfort ends.
I’m excited to connect with podcast hosts and their audiences, hear their questions, and learn what resonates most with readers. I think those conversations will not only help introduce Finishing Fifty to new audiences, but they’ll also make me a better writer by keeping me connected to what people are thinking, feeling, and talking about.
At the same time, I’m working on my first novel, the beginning of what I hope will become a series. Exploring fiction has opened up a whole new creative challenge, and I’m enjoying every step of the journey.
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?
The first book I’d take is the Bible. I know that’s probably a common answer, but it’s an honest one. It’s not only a source of faith and guidance, but it’s also filled with timeless stories about courage, hope, and perseverance.
I’d also bring The Complete Sherlock Holmes. I’ve always enjoyed mysteries, and Holmes’ remarkable powers of observation continue to fascinate me. As I write my first counterintelligence novel, I have an even greater appreciation for noticing the small details that others overlook.
The third book would be The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. I first read it when I was much younger, and its message of courage, faith, forgiveness, and resilience has stayed with me ever since. It’s one of those rare books that changes how you look at the world.
For one nontraditional choice, my fourth “book” would be a blank journal. I think I’d eventually have a few stories of my own to write.
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