Christine Smith

I’m Back + Fall’s FicFrenzy is Coming!

Post published:September 11, 2023
Post category:Writing
Post comments:4 Comments

Hello, my friends! I have returned from a most refreshing August hiatus and thought I'd pop in for a quicky post with some updates and announcements. I seriously cannot believe we are nearing the halfway point of September and fall is just around the corner, but I am not complaining one little bit. Though life itself had a lot of goodness during the summer, the weather was brutal and my body does not do well in extreme heat and humidity. But temperatures are finally slowly inching downward and I'm feeling myself come alive again, and with that coupled with a…

A Little Update + Hiatus Notice

Post published:July 24, 2023
Post category:Life Writing
Post comments:8 Comments

Hey, friends! It's been a while since I've talked about what's been going on in my corner of the world, so I thought I'd share a little (rambly) update today. Do settle in with your beverage of choice (I have coffee, surprise, surprise), and let's catch up! Life + Learning On the life-y side of things, there is nothing huge to report. Things have been fairly quiet, and yet feel busy at the same time? You know how life be. I've been anxiously awaiting fall because summer heat and I don't have the best relationship. At the same time, my…

Book Review // A Flash of Magic by Allison Tebo

Post published:July 10, 2023
Post category:Reading
Post comments:2 Comments

I've got a delightful story I must gush about today, my friends! If you've known me for any length of time, you've probably heard me fangirling over the Tales of Ambia series by Allison Tebo. This series of fairy tale retellings follow a grumpy fairy godfather Burndee and his acquaintances in the light steampunk world of Ambia where hilarious fairy tale mishaps happen, shenanigans ensue, and a lot of heart is found along the way. These family-friendly stories bring me joy every single time, so imagine my delight when Tebo announced she was compiling an anthology of Ambia short stories…

Book Review // The Orb & the Airship by Jenelle Schmidt

Post published:June 19, 2023
Post category:Reading
Post comments:8 Comments

The first book in the Turrim Archive series is finally HERE! And you don't want to miss this equal parts cozy and exciting gaslamp fantasy adventure. Ever since Jenelle Schmidt first shared about a steampunk series in the works, I have been itching for its release. I MEAN. Airship pirates? Political intrigue? Mysterious magic? Friendship? All set in a vast, intricate steampunk world? Sign me up! Now the first book, The Orb and the Airship, is out in the world, and you are not going to want to miss it! SYNOPSIS A rogue airship captain. An ambitious youth. A clash…

Why I Believe in Happily Ever Afters

Post published:June 12, 2023
Post category:Writing
Post comments:15 Comments

It is always the great debate: Should every story end with a happily ever after? Certainly not. Art is entirely subjective, and each story should have its own unique ending. But today I want to discuss why happily ever afters can be such powerful storytelling tools. Many people associate happily ever afters (HEAs) with fairy tales (which is kind of funny as a great number of fairy tales are far closer to tragedies *points to most of Hans Christian Andersen's works*). In doing so, the implication is that HEAs only happen to fictional princesses who can speak to woodland animals…

FicFrenzy’s Summer Event is Coming!

Post published:May 29, 2023
Post category:Writing
Post comments:14 Comments

Hello, my friends! I have some exciting news to share today with all my fellow writers. I hope this spring has been filled to the brim with loveliness for you all. It's hard to believe we are on the cusp of summer (though the temperatures in my neck of the woods have decided summer is already here, no matter the date). I must admit, summer is not exactly my favorite season, BUT there is an excitement encompassing the season that cannot help but draw me in. Sunsets on long evenings, the sound of fireworks, pool days, the smell of hamburgers…

Book Review // The Hare & the Hatter by Kyle Robert Shultz

Post published:May 8, 2023
Post category:Reading
Post comments:2 Comments

The newest installment of the Aftermythos books is HERE, and my excitement knows no bounds! It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Kyle Robert Shultz's Beaumont and Beasley series (and all the interconnecting books)—stories taking place in a 1920s-esque setting where fairy tales are the world's history and magic abounds. They are full of humor, timey-wimey plots, delightful characters, and clever twists on fairy tales. Basically...everything I love! So you can imagine my excitement when book #6 was announced! And it DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT. Though this may be a very short review because, well—SO MANY SPOILERS.…

Announcement // Opening Writing Coach Services!

Post published:April 11, 2023
Post category:Writing
Post comments:10 Comments

Hello, friends! I have some BIG NEWS today. Since the beginning of the year, I've been hinting at a writing related project that I am very excited about. Well, today, at last, is the day for the big reveal, and, goodness, am I excited. Ready for the news? I am offering coaching services to writers! With an emphasis on... Balancing your writing on top of the stress and chaos of life Aiding in developing characters to bring out the true heart of your story Helping you seek and hold on to the pure joy of storytelling I cannot wait to…

Hello Spring! // Some Spring Favorites

Post published:March 20, 2023
Post category:Fangirling Reading
Post comments:6 Comments

Happy first day of spring! I truly love this time of year. It's funny, when I was younger I claimed spring as my favorite season without question. But as I grew older my preferences shifted to much colder temperatures and for a good chunk of my life, I've firmly proclaimed winter as my Ultimate Favorite. But in the last couple of years? Spring has been trying to creep back as #1. I'm not sure it's quite stolen that spot back, I really, really love fall and winter and just cold weather in general, BUT my old love for spring, like…

The Trope Tag // A Battle Against the Tropes

Post published:March 6, 2023
Post category:Fangirling
Post comments:23 Comments

Story tropes—those endless things we all have varying degrees of opinions on. Some we love, some we hate. But what if we pitched them against one another in a great battle of preferences?? I'll be honest, I love talking about tropes and discussing my favorites vs. the ones I'd like to see dive into a black hole never to be seen from again. - ahem - Tropes can definitely give us bookdragons some pretty strong feelings, can't they? We all have some we'd far prefer which is why I'm so excited about today's post. The absolute delight and genius that…