Interview with Christine Brae, Author of The Year I Left

What can you tell us about your new release, The Year I Left?

My new book, The Year I Left is the story about a woman who loses herself along the path of being a mother and a wife, and the journey she takes to find her way back.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I always loved to write. Five years ago, I experienced something so profound in my life, I decided to write about it with the hopes of letting others know that we are all held together by the same affairs of the heart. I was also encouraged to self-publish my first book by other indie authors who guided me and inspired me to share my words with others.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

I grew up reading all kinds of books – it is so difficult to choose five of the best ones! I have to say that The Thornbirds by Colleen McCollough was the first book that had such an impact on me. Books by Stephen King were a staple during my growing up years. Anita Shreve’s The Last Time They Met and The Weight of Water are books I can read over and over again, and Tarryn Fisher’s The Opportunist impacted my life in so many ways. Paulo Coelho is amazing, anything he writes sings to my heart.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Another tough question! My writings have always been inspired by prose and poetry. Rumi, the Persian poet is such an enigma to me. Did he really exist? How did his words get so intense? What inspired him to write such beautiful, lyrical, insightful passages? Did he have one great love in his life and was he motivated by heartbreak? He wrote about the skies, the stars, the sun, the heavens – if he lived today, what would he be saying about how our world and how it has evolved?

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

Writing.

What is a typical day like for you?

I have a very demanding career – it involves making decisions and being surrounded by people who value my leadership and example. A typical day is never typical. I’m constantly putting out fires, attending meetings and giving 100% of myself and trying to make an impact. Of course, some days are full of accomplishments, others are not. But I get so excited at the start of each day – I am so blessed to have a job that I absolutely love.

What scene in The Year I Left was your favorite to write?

I can’t really give too much away – but The Year I Left has many soulful, emotional scenes – I can tell you that I cried while writing two particular ones involving Carin and Matias. This book was difficult to write because of the truth that is in every word. People who have read it may not believe it – but this book is based on true events. Which makes the emotion very real.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Aside from “never leave home without your eyebrows,” which my grandmother always told me (haha) – I really believe that living each day in gratitude helps me to always appreciate every single thing that’s been thrown my way – good or bad – everything I’ve gone through has made me who I am today. “Life is too short to be lived in regret.”

Christine Brae is the author of the new book The Year I Left.

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