Beyond the Bio

Want to learn more about the multi-talented Christie Rich? Enjoy this special behind-the-scenes look into her world, both on and off the page.

Did you know?

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You can get an idea of the stories I’m writing by following my Pinterest Boards. I’m sort of an addict to Pinterest, and my inspiration for characters, setting, and anything you can think of is there.

The Elemental Enmity world was inspired by places I’ve visited and still want to see. I took a trip to Europe just to get a feel for the landscape and to be able to do a fair job of describing places and people in my Elemental Legacy series. I was able to see England, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, and France. See my gallery for some of the pics I took along the way. It was an amazing trip, and I hope to be able to return to a few places. Hopefully, I’ll have a bit of time to explore. My trip was fast and furious, but I learned so much about the culture and I’m so grateful I was able to go.

I enjoy taking pictures and can see myself getting into the hobby down the road. Even from my backyard, I’ve taken what I think are interesting shots, lol.

FAQ

Where are you from?

I moved quite a few times in my youth between Arizona and Utah. I’ve lived in Utah, Arizona, California, and Washington, and Montana. I currently live in Utah, and I love the west. I like the open expanse and lovely vistas. The east coast is beautiful, and so is the south, and the mid-west, but my heart is in the west, lol.

What other jobs have you had?

I’ve worked in healthcare a long time. I’m not going to admit how long, but it’s probably more years than some of you are old. When I was just out of school, I also worked at a fast-food establishment for a day, a rest home for a month, and a paper company for a year. I love my day job, but my passion is writing.

What are some of your hobbies?
I’ve dabbled in painting. I won a merit award at a local competition. When I retire, I’ll get back into it, but for now, my free time is spent writing. I love the freedom of the brush, but words can weave entire races and worlds. I love that! I also love to read, watch movies. I love the idea of magic and fantasy.

What is your favorite book?

I could never name a favorite book. I have many favorites for different reasons. The writers who captured my attention and sparked my creativity are J. K. Rowling, C. S. Lewis, Stephenie Meyer, Karen Moning, and Richelle Mead. I became a voracious reader because of these folks, and I will be forever grateful.

What inspires you?

Everything. Inspiration can come from a sunrise or a child enjoying an ice cream cone. The world is a lot smaller than I once believed, and I mean that in a good way. Humans are such interesting creatures! Stories are everywhere. I love to observe, and I love to explore. No matter where I am, my mind wanders. I rarely get bored because there is always something to think about or something interesting to see.

When did you start writing?

My first words of fiction were penned when I was a teenager. I spent a few hours trying to write a book with my aunt. We never got past the first chapter. I didn’t have the desire to write my own story until 2009. I’d been reading a ton, and a story came to me. One day, on my way home from work, a little pixie named Fexlie flitted into my mind. She introduced me to a world of fae and corruption, and I never looked back. The story was so clear in my mind that I tried to give it to a friend because she’d expressed the desire to be a writer. She told me if I had a story; I needed to write it, and I did. I’m still learning to harness words, but it’s amazing how one word can change the tone of a scene. Words are power.

What is your writing ritual like?

I don’t have a ritual at all. I write where I can and when I can. One day, maybe I’ll have the luxury of developing a routine, but for now, I write by the seat of my pants. Sometimes I listen to music for inspiration or to get into the mood, and sometimes, I visit Pinterest where I search for characters, settings, or anything that resonates.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Realize that you’re likely not going to have great success right away. If you’re one of the lucky few who hit it big quickly, that’s great, but for the rest of us, writing takes years to become established and to grow a readership. Understand not everyone will like your work. The publishing industry is tough, but writing is fun. You have to gain a perspective of balance. When you become a writer, you are in a business and have to treat it as such. Learn from other writers. Seek out advice from those you admire, and do what makes sense for you. We’re all different, and our writing careers will reflect that.

How can I buy your books?

They’re available at every major online retailer. Just search for my author page or, if you have a particular book in mind, check out my books page here on my website. All buy links are available on each book’s page.

Why did you decide to make Five free?

I love to try new authors myself, and I’ve found quite a few I love through free books. I thought it was a great idea, so I made my first book available in all avenues I could. I figure what works for me might be valuable to other readers. I love the idea that anyone who wants to can read my work for free, and if they like my work, I might get a new fan who will read my other books. It’s a win/win as far as I see it.

5 Top 5’s

Discover 25 of Christie Rich’s favorite things in this fun exploration of everything Christie loves.

Top 5 Favorite Series

• Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
• Fever by Karen Moning
• Premonition by Amy Bartol
• Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
• Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Top 5 Favorite Songs

• Demons by Imagine Dragons
• Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield
• My Immortal by Evanescence
• Uprising by Muse
• I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by U2

Top 5 Favorite Movies

• Star Wars (All of them)
• Raiders of the Lost Ark (All of them)
• Harry Potter (All of them)
• The Never Ending Story
• The Princess Bride

Top 5 Favorite Foods

• Warm chocolate chip cookies
• Hot lava cake
• Grapes
• Pizza
• Chocolate (you name it) other than covering bugs!

Top 5 Pinterest Pins

Click on the images below to go to the Pinterest pin + share! 

This is hard because I love so many pins! I’m extremely visual, and I love exploring the our vast world through this amazing looking glass. Here are a few pins that are extraordinary to me.

#1 – Take a look at this face. It’s beautiful and bizarre. When I was describing the outlandish styles of the Altasian people, I didn’t think anything could come close. Boy, was I surprised. She inspired me, how about you?

#2 – When I saw this woman, I witnessed joy. My goal in life is to find joy in every day. I think she has.

#3 – This little girl spoke to me from tiny pixels, telling me a story both beautiful and tragic. Can you see it in her eyes?

#4 – I love this photo because it reveals what’s underneath. In my writing and in my life, I delve into the depths to find out what’s there. There’s always more than what’s on the surface.

#5 – I have a mind for mystery, and the moment I saw this photo, my thoughts went whirring. Doesn’t it make you want to see what’s beyond the trees?

Want to see more? Come explore the Amazing Places I’ve found. See who I think would make a great Character. Or explore the worlds I’ve created Elemental Enmity and Netherworld. Are you a Pinterest addict? I’d love to see your boards. Follow me, and I’ll delve into your worlds.