Christie Rich loves to use her imagination to spin tales and create worlds for others to enjoy. She's spent more than a decade writing fantasy romances--that is when she's not working her day job as a consultant. From the time she was a little girl, she imagined characters and worlds, but it would take decades before the stories in her mind made it onto the page. She loves exploring the worlds in her mind and is eager to share each one with you. She lives in a quiet community in Utah with her husband.
Contact Christie at email@christierich.com
FAQ
Where are you from?
I moved quite a few times in my youth between Arizona and Utah. I’ve lived in Utah, Arizona, California, and Washington, and Montana. I currently live in Utah, and I love the west. I like the open expanse and lovely vistas. The east coast is beautiful, and so is the south, and the mid-west, but my heart is in the west, lol.
What other jobs have you had?
I’ve worked in healthcare a long time. I’m not going to admit how long, but it’s probably more years than some of you are old. When I was just out of school, I also worked at a fast-food establishment for a day, a rest home for a month, and a paper company for a year. I love my day job, but my passion is writing.
What are some of your hobbies?
I’ve dabbled in painting. I won a merit award at a local competition. When I retire, I’ll get back into it, but for now, my free time is spent writing. I love the freedom of the brush, but words can weave entire races and worlds. I love that! I also love to read, watch movies. I love the idea of magic and fantasy.
What is your favorite book?
I could never name a favorite book. I have many favorites for different reasons. The writers who captured my attention and sparked my creativity are J. K. Rowling, C. S. Lewis, Stephenie Meyer, Karen Moning, and Richelle Mead. I became a voracious reader because of these folks, and I will be forever grateful.
What inspires you?
Everything. Inspiration can come from a sunrise or a child enjoying an ice cream cone. The world is a lot smaller than I once believed, and I mean that in a good way. Humans are such interesting creatures! Stories are everywhere. I love to observe, and I love to explore. No matter where I am, my mind wanders. I rarely get bored because there is always something to think about or something interesting to see.
When did you start writing?
My first words of fiction were penned when I was a teenager. I spent a few hours trying to write a book with my aunt. We never got past the first chapter. I didn’t have the desire to write my own story until 2009. I’d been reading a ton, and a story came to me. One day, on my way home from work, a little pixie named Fexlie flitted into my mind. She introduced me to a world of fae and corruption, and I never looked back. The story was so clear in my mind that I tried to give it to a friend because she’d expressed the desire to be a writer. She told me if I had a story; I needed to write it, and I did. I’m still learning to harness words, but it’s amazing how one word can change the tone of a scene. Words are power.
What is your writing ritual like?
I don’t have a ritual at all. I write where I can and when I can. One day, maybe I’ll have the luxury of developing a routine, but for now, I write by the seat of my pants. Sometimes I listen to music for inspiration or to get into the mood, and sometimes, I visit Pinterest where I search for characters, settings, or anything that resonates.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Realize that you’re likely not going to have great success right away. If you’re one of the lucky few who hit it big quickly, that’s great, but for the rest of us, writing takes years to become established and to grow a readership. Understand not everyone will like your work. The publishing industry is tough, but writing is fun. You have to gain a perspective of balance. When you become a writer, you are in a business and have to treat it as such. Learn from other writers. Seek out advice from those you admire, and do what makes sense for you. We’re all different, and our writing careers will reflect that.
How can I buy your books?
They’re available at every major online retailer. Just search for my author page or, if you have a particular book in mind, check out my books page here on my website. All buy links are available on each book’s page.
Why did you decide to make Five free?
I love to try new authors myself, and I’ve found quite a few I love through free books. I thought it was a great idea, so I made my first book available in all avenues I could. I figure what works for me might be valuable to other readers. I love the idea that anyone who wants to can read my work for free, and if they like my work, I might get a new fan who will read my other books. It’s a win/win as far as I see it.