Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
After 22 years of being a successful interior designer, I decided it was time to pursue another career path. Recognizing my need to remain in a creative field I turned to the literary world of writing. With a memoir brewing in my mind for years, I put pen to paper. There were several false starts as shelving design was harder than I anticipated. Once I allowed myself to commit to writing, the process consumed me. With my first self-published book I am now eager to continue sharing my stories with interested readers.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Pink Elephants, A Mother’s Story of Faith, Strength, and Perseverance, is my debut book. The memoir is about a time in my family’s life when one of our children was diagnosed with a rare life-threatening illness. Private moments of emotional overload are countered with instances of humor. My desire to share this time on our life stemmed from my want to help others facing the unthinkable. Offering examples of faith, strength, and perseverance that others might find helpful in their own lives was always at the core of documenting this personal challenge.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Writing is a very solitary activity and background noise is distraction that I have trouble ignoring. When all else fails, I grab a set of sound cancelling headphones, like the ones used at shooting ranges. Once I insulate my self in silence I can go to town.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are several female authors that I enjoy reading, but Jodi Picoult, Sandra Dallas, and Kristin Hannah are at the forefront. Though all are novelists I love how alive their characters become. The strong female leads are attention grabbing because of how relatable they are. I thoroughly enjoyed the memoirs of Tara Westover and Deborah Feldman. for their raw honesty and detailed accounts.
What are you working on now?
My priority currently is marketing “Pink Elephants, A Mother’s Story of Faith Strength, and Perseverance.” But next I plan to tackle an novel inspired by the true events.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
What is the best and what I enjoy the most are probably very different. Word of mouth is what I enjoy the most because I appreciate the one on one connection with people. Another bonus is that it challenges me to get out of my comfort zone by having to sell myself face-to-face. The flip side it is a slow process that doesn’t reach as many people.
Social media is the way to go but put myself out into the cyber world is incredibly daunting to me for many reasons. I can write a memoir for all to read but social media opens me up to far more vulnerability that I am uncomfortable inviting into my life.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Remind yourself that you are brave for being willing to write. Many people say they want to write a book but saying and doing are entirely different. Even if the work never sees the light of day remember that you are brave for recording your thoughts and most likely tackling some demons at the same time.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever heard for writing is to complete a vomit draft before any revisions. This means no reviewing, editing, changes, or sharing until the story has a start, middle and ending. After that dig in and change as many times as you need to.
What are you reading now?
A memoir, titled “Hidden Valley Road,” by Robert Kolker is what currently accounts for my time spent reading.
What’s next for you as a writer?
The wheels are turning for a novel inspired by true events. Think car accident, substance abuse, familial dysfunction, in a nut shell real life drama that many can relate to.
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?
“Life of Pi,” “The Thirteenth Tale,” “The Diary of Maddie Spencer,” & “Small Great Things.” Each one reveals to me important life lessons in every reading.
Author Websites and Profiles
Christy Texeira Website
Christy Texeira Amazon Profile
Christy Texeira’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile