Today we are thrilled to have author Christina Bauer here with a guest post for our This Is Why I Write Series as part of the blog tour for her new book Portia.
For those of you that are familiar with our This is Why I Read series; This is Why I Write will serve as a regular feature where we will be offering guests (in this case writers and authors from all forms and genres) the chance to talk about why they write and offer insights from the mundane to the monumental into why they personally choose to make writing a part of their lives.
This is Why I Write
By Christina Bauer, Author
From the time I could string sentences together, I started telling my stories. By the time I hit first grade, the nuns had to set aside ‘story time’ for me at the end of the day so I wouldn’t interrupt their lessons anymore. Even as an adult, stories are going on in my head 24-7.
Looking back, I think I mostly write for my Aunt Sandy. Sandra Nelson Rempel was an author, mentor, and friend. I was the third child in a family of five, and we middle kids can easily have our differences get lost or mislabeled. Sandy saw my compulsive storytelling as a gift. She sent me books, critiqued my work, and shared my passion. When she was murdered, part of me decided to write the books she couldn’t anymore. That decision grew into a mandate that my soul never let go of. It drives me to this day.
In the end, I suppose I write for the soul…hers, mine, and ours. And if what I create gives any of us some peace, escape, or knowledge? Then it’s all been worthwhile. And for me, it’s absolutely been worthwhile
Title: Portia
Series: Angelbound Offspring
Vol or Book #: 2
Author: Christina Bauer
Audience: Adult 18+
Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Format: E-book and Paperback
Publisher: Ink Monster LLC
Cover by: Art by Ana Cruz, Graphics by Paddy Donnelly
Editor: Ink Monster LLC
Pages: 250 pages
ISBN: 9780990635246
ASIN: B00W2A9Q0G
Date Published: 10-27-15
I am so late.
My heart beats at double speed while I rush up the staircase to the Ryder mansion. After pulling open the fancy wooden door, I step inside a large and empty foyer. Well, it’s almost empty.
The President of Purgatory is waiting for me. Not good.
Even worse, her mouth is pressed into a thin and frustrated line. No question why she’s unhappy. My lecture on Magic Across The After-Realms should’ve started twenty minutes ago.
“Portia, you’re finally here,” she sighs. “We were getting frantic.”
The President’s known for being tough on crime, graft, and well, everything really. But she’s also my grandmother. When it comes to family, Gram’s a softie who worries like crazy. I should know, being a softie myself. I give her a quick peck on the cheek. “So sorry, Gram. I got caught up.”
Gram’s tail sways warily over her right shoulder. No shock, there. Every quasi-demon in Purgatory has a tail. Gram’s variety is long and black with an arrowhead-shaped end and a mind of its own. Currently, that mind totally suspects that I’m up to something.
Good suspicion, actually.
“What are you working on this time?” asks Gram. “Is it dangerous magic? Please tell me you’re being safe.”
“No, it’s not dangerous at all,” I say.
Which isn’t entirely true.
My cheeks redden with guilt, but I can’t exactly admit that I was up all night trying to track Void demons by casting spells with an enchanted canopic jar. It’s super-tricky stuff. I could’ve ended up with a Void demon in my living room, and I’m not what you call battle-hardy.
Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. An avowed girl geek, Christina loves creating immersive fantasy worlds with action, adventure, romance, and kick-ass female protagonists. As part of her work in Ink Monster, Christina has co-developed the ‘Heroine’s Journey,’ a blueprint for telling female myths inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and golden retriever Ruby.
