Interview with T.L. Christianson, Author of Over Easy

What can you tell us about your new release, Over Easy?

Over Easy is an exciting, angsty young adult novel with dragons, a taboo romance, and mystery. It’s a coming of age book from Sydney’s point of view, a sixteen-year-old who’s grown up traveling the world with her father. When he’s injured in a motorbike accident, Sydney’s eyes are opened to real dragons, betrayal, and mystery. As she struggles to navigate this new world and sort enemies from allies, she’ll need to decide to become one of them or walk away for good. Over Easy is book 2 of The Dragon Born Academy – so spoilers are unavoidable – therefore, it’s best, to begin with, Cracked Open, book 1.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always been a storyteller and voracious reader. I’ve written poems, songs, plays, and stories since I can remember, but my first real novel was written when I was sixteen. However, I never pursued publication until after my sister and author, Annabelle Anders (Martinez), pushed me off the publishing ledge. Ann would read bits of her stories and, in turn, ask me to read some of mine. With her help and not a little amount of persuasion, I finally sought publication, finished my first book Crimson, and the rest is history.

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

Oooh… this is a tough one. I’m a voracious reader, and when not writing, I read about a book a day.
1. The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey
2. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
3. The Vampire Academy by Rachelle Mead
4. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
5. Contagion by Robin Cook

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

Escaping reality – and hearing from readers whose lives have been helped by their little vacations into my books. Many of us have had the bad luck of being born into a broken society, broken home, or a broken body. If we can read, write, or even imagine, we can always find an escape and that is my favorite part of writing.

What is a typical day like for you?

I’m an early bird. I get up, have coffee, and go for a hike near my home – this is crucial because I don’t function without exercise and fresh air. After that, I usually write or edit in my home office or, if it’s warm, in my back garden. After lunch, I’ll begin doing the ‘other’ author things such as touching base with my readers, social media and ads or other admin work.

What scene from Over Easy was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was when Sydney met her biological father’s grandmother and her sister – or as I call them – the Babushka’s #1 and #2. These two women were written after my own Babushka/grandmother and her sister. They’re gone, but I love to relive their memory in the characters I write.

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

I have two quotes that I live by:

Vincit qui se Vincit. It’s Latin for ‘He conquers who conquers himself.’

Qui n’avance pas, recule. It’s French for ‘if one does not move forward, one is moving backward.”

T.L. Christianson is the author of the new book Over Easy.

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