Still a Kid at Heart!
1) What is your Author name; use your Pen name if you have one.
Hallie Christensen
2) What is your genre and what drew you to it?
I write fantasy and spooky books for kids! My love for fantasy takes me back to my childhood, loving stories with castles and princesses: Ella Enchanted, The Ordinary Princess, and a fairytale book collection my parents bought me. And let’s not forget the 1970’s cartoon version of The Hobbit, the live action Lord of the Rings, The Neverending Story, The Princess Bride, and The Labyrinth. ALL of these greatly influenced my love for fantasy.
Funny enough, I never really liked scary books or movies as a kid, but I was intrigued by them. I enjoyed the occasional Goosebumps and episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark. I lived in the woods and knew what it was like to be scared. I have since found out as an adult that it’s much more fun to write scary scenes than it is for me to read them, ha.
3) What inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve always loved to write stories! As a kid, I would write and illustrate my own books and loved attending Young Authors Conferences offered by my school. I always knew that I wanted to publish a book someday. Just had to get the gumption to do it!
4) What is the best time of day for you to write?
Usually, the afternoon and evening. It takes a bit for my creative juices to start flowing. But once I’m ready to write I can get quite a few words cranked out.
5) Which character of yours is your favorite and why?
Oh, that’s a tough one. I have a favorite character in every story I’ve written, but I’ll focus on my middle grade fantasy that’s currently on submissions. I love all the characters in that story, but my favorite is my main character, Freddy. He’s a young prince and he is so quirky and realistic. Plus, he talks to himself a lot! He also loves to read and isn’t afraid to try new things (as long as they aren’t scary). He reminds me of myself in many ways. Especially with his overacting to things, ha.
6) Have you ever taken a course on writing or advertising? If so, which one(s) and how would you rate them?
A couple months ago the MasterClass Online Classes had a sale, and I decided to give it a try. So far, I’ve only attended the one by R.L. Stine, but it was very insightful and enjoyable. I ended up rewriting one of my MG spooky stories from 3rd person to 1st because of his advice. I definitely think they are worth watching but wait till they’re on sale.
7) What is the most important bit of information you would want to tell a person interested in publishing a book?
You need a lot of patience and thick skin. Especially if you’re wanting to traditionally publish. I never gatekeep when it comes to the number of rejections I’ve faced as a traditional author. It took over 200 agent rejections before I got an agent. And I’ve been on subs for 2 years and haven’t sold a book yet (subs is when your agent sends your manuscript out to editors at publishing companies). It takes MONTHS to hear back from anyone and sometimes you never hear back. And once your book is bought, it can take up to 2 years before it hits the shelves.
Also, try to make other author friends so you can be there for each other! It’s so helpful!!
8) Who would you cast as your most recent Main Character if your book became a movie or T.V. show?
My most recent MC is from a cozy middle grade fantasy that is in the last editing stages now. I can TOTALLY see this being made by Studio Ghibli. It’s set on a farm in this super cute and cozy town that’s near the mountains, and everyone has magic. I’ve even imagined it in my mind as a Ghibli film. Maybe it will come true! Ha!
As for actresses, I would say a young Christina Ricci. Like from Now and Then or Casper.
9) How much description do you give to your book characters?
Kind of like Goldilocks and the Three Bears – not too much, not too little, but just enough so that the reader can also imagine them in any way that they’d like. I think we all do that with characters anyway. We have this idea of how they should look, and then Hollywood makes the book into a movie and we’re like, “Wait a minute. That’s not them.” LOL
10) If you could take one item out of any book that you have ever read, what would it be or why?
You know, there are times when I’ve read something and I’m like, “Now, why did they put that in there?” or “Nooo!” but at the moment, nothing is coming to me, lol. Luckily, I’ve been able to forget! Oh wait – Lord of the Flies… if you know, you know.
11) What is your favorite quote and why?
I’m not sure if it’s my absolute favorite, because I have SO many favorite quotes, but I do really like it and use this theme a lot in my books:
“Courage is not the absence of fear. Merely the realization that something is more important than fear.”
12) What was your favorite childhood book?
Oh goodness. From what age range? Ha! I loved series as a kid and read through all the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Mystery series and the Hank the Cowdog series. Obviously, I also read Harry Potter, but I wanted to mention other books, ha.
13) Name one of your favorite authors.
Katherine Arden! Love her MG and YA books!
14) What is the name of your book/series? Tell me a little bit about them.
My book is a Middle Grade Fantasy and it’s Enchanted Misadventures with Great-Aunt Poppy.
It’s about three siblings that have to spend the Christmas holiday with their creepy Aunt Poppy who they’re PRETTY SURE is a witch, but no one believes them.
Here’s the book blurb:
A typical December for the Alexanders consists of gingerbread baking, movies, and looking at Christmas lights, but after their parents are called in to work, Ava, Nolan, and Charlotte are sent to stay with their most feared relative for a week-Great-Aunt Poppy. Have mom and dad gone mad?
Of course, the children are terrified. Who wouldn't be? No one believes them when they say that Poppy-or Groppy as they call her-is a witch. If the haunted house isn't bad enough, there are thousands of crazy cats, chaotic and deadly spells, and even worse-frightening howls from the woods that grow louder and closer every second. Something deadly lurks outside. Staying alive while living with Groppy for an entire week is-well-impossible!
In order to survive the holiday, it will take all the bravery and wit the kids can muster. But who knows? Things aren't always what they seem! The best holiday surprise this Christmas might be hiding in the most unlikely place imagined!
15) Do you have a website? If so, what is it?
16) Where can we find and follow you? (Name your social media platforms.)
Tiktok: @halliechris_writes
Instagram: @halliechris_writes (reader/author); @hallie.d.christensen (personal/author)
Twitter (X): @hallie_christen
Youtube: @Halliechris_writes
17) If there anything important that you would want my readers to know about you?
I love writing books full of fun, adventure, and hope! I also love talking to readers and am happy to answer any writer questions that you may have. I don’t gatekeep, and many of my Tiktok videos discuss the ups and downs of publishing and my road on it!
