Christine Smith

{Cover Reveal} Finding the Magic by Jack Lewis Baillot

Post published:August 8, 2018
Post category:Reading
Post comments:20 Comments

What is thissss? Two posts in one week? WHY YES. But don’t worry, this one will be brief. (Especially since Monday’s post probably broke the internet it was so massive. *cough*) BUT I HAVE THRILLING NEWS. Not to mention something gorgeous to show you guys. *grins* My friend and fellow blogger is getting a story published very soon here. *SQUEALS* Oh. And guess what? IT’S A BEAUTY AND THE BEAST RETELLING. *more squealing* Obviously I’m excited. Jack Lewis Baillot is the author of Brothers-in-Arms, a World War II novel that ripped my heart out, stomped on it, burned it into…

Realm Makers 2018 Recap

Post published:August 6, 2018
Post category:Life Writing
Post comments:54 Comments

I HAVE RETURNED!!! Not only have I returned, but I’ve come back with a gazillion Realm Makers stories to share with you guys. AND I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT IT! Realm Makers, guys… Wow. How do I even describe it? Before I went, I had heard some people say it’s unlike any writers conference out there. The people aren’t there to step on each other and rise to the top. And they’re not there to be ultra professional and stuffy either. No, Realm Makers is one big family of Jesus lovers with a mutual interest in all things geeky.…

Brief Hiatus Notice + Some Thoughts

Post published:July 16, 2018
Post category:Encouragement
Post comments:39 Comments

I know what you’re thinking. “Didn’t she just return from a hiatus???” Erm. Yes. Yes I did. I had no intentions of going on another one, buuuuut prep for Realm Makers (the writing conference I’m going to, if you’re not sure what I’m talking about) has sucked up all my time. Like all of it. Even time I don’t have. Which means I’ve had to make time and, unfortunately, that means not making blog posts. Because I’m pathetic and it takes me almost an entire day to write most of my posts. (No joke…) And since I still haven’t found…

7 (Extremely Flawed) Literary Characters We Love and Why

Post published:July 9, 2018
Post category:Reading Writing
Post comments:31 Comments

Book characters are life. If you don’t have few dozen (or hundreds) of fictional characters you spend your life pinning pics of on Pinterest, making memes for, staying up late coming up with wild theories and headcanons about, and like a lot better than some of your own acquaintances well…you’re lying. People like people. And when those people are fiction, that’s just BETTER. (For some reason???) But here’s the thing. Sometimes our fictional people tastes can get…strange. I’ve always said some of my most favorite fictional characters are people I wouldn’t be able to stand in real life. But here…

5 Ways to Conquer the Editing Dragon

Post published:July 2, 2018
Post category:Writing
Post comments:32 Comments

As you all probably know (since I keep blabbering about it), I’ve been deep into edits for my WIP, Burning Thorns, ever since January, and only just finished a few weeks ago. Editing was a hard and long road. But at the same time? It was kind of amazing. (Shocking, right???) And along the way, I learned a lot. Like a lot a lot! Eventually I’d love to give you guys a look at my editing process and some tips and tricks I used (if you’re interested in that sort of thing, that is?), but today I’m just going to…

{Book Review} Horseman (Crockett and Crane #1) by Kyle Robert Shultz

Post published:June 25, 2018
Post category:Reading
Post comments:28 Comments

A new series from the author of the acclaimed Beaumont and Beasley novels! In the year 1790, monster hunter Ichabod Crane searched for a mysterious creature called the Headless Horseman. His quest ended in an embarrassing failure that marked his family with disgrace for generations. Now, in 1891, his descendant Todd Crane is determined to prove that the Horseman is real. There's just one problem—Todd is a professional con artist and a seller of unlicensed magic potions. This puts him on the wrong side of the law and right in the crosshairs of US Marshal Amy Crockett. As the…

The Get to Know Me Tag {Writer’s Edition}

Post published:June 18, 2018
Post category:Writing
Post comments:30 Comments

About half an age ago (a.k.a 3 months) the dear Savannah from Inspiring Writes created the Writer’s Edition of a Get to Know Me Tag. And I loved it so much, I was toootally gonna put on my pirate hat and steal the tag if she didn’t tag me for it. Buuuut she DID tag me, so I shall be doing it all legally and stuff. Yay me! (Except can I still wear a pirate hat and pretend to be nefarious???) ANYWHO. This is one of those super fun get-to-know-me tags so you dear nosy dragons can learn more about…

How to Achieve Great Story Pacing with “Character Fireside Chats”

Post published:June 11, 2018
Post category:Writing
Post comments:40 Comments

For the past few years I’ve discovered my love for modern stories—whether they be TV shows, movies, or books—has decreased. For a bit, I couldn’t figure out why. So many had unique premises, exciting plots, interesting scenery. On the surface, everything seemed as though these should be enjoyable stories. Yet…I couldn’t fall in love with them. And it bugged me. So me, being the writer I am, began to dissect these stories and figure out WHY. Why did these tales with such great potential fall so very short? Then, finally, finally, it hit me. The pacing was off. That was…

Lifely Recap – Finishing Edits, Lots of Painting, Even More Fangirling, and I’m Back!

Post published:June 4, 2018
Post category:Life
Post comments:54 Comments

WELL HELLO THERE. Guess who’s back from her hiatus???? Did you miss me? Did you even notice I was gone? Do you even remember who I am? Do *I* remember who I am? *has mini existential crisis* Ahem. Anyways! Apparently May is no longer with us (wow, that sounds like May got murdered or something. Then again…that would explain why it just vanished suddenly, hmmmm), and since I did say I would be returning in June, well, HERE I AM. And my goodness, have I missed you guys! I feel like so much has happened since I was last here…

May Hiatus Notice

Post published:May 1, 2018
Post category:Uncategorized
Post comments:35 Comments

Hello, my dears! Happy May to you all! (*pretends I’m not freaking out over the fact that it’s already May when it should still be February or something*) If the post title and big picture above isn’t clear enough… I’m going on hiatus for the course of May. I hate to do it. I always hate going a while without blogging. Buuuut Realm Makers is looming. (Like seriously, we’re less than 3 months away, people!!!) Annnnd I have much RM prep that still needs doing. Including finishing up edits for Burning Thorns. My original plan was to really focus on…