Fighting Prose Interview with Tamika Christy!

Welcome to my in-depth writers series Fighting Prose. Where I talk to authors in the industry on what their process is like and what it takes for them to keep on creating, through all the odds.

Tamika Christy

is my interview this week!

How long have you been writing?

For as long as I can remember. I started journaling in elementary school.

If you've written several books, which is your favorite?

Never Too Soon--my second novel is my favorite.

What's your favorite genre to read? Write?

I prefer fiction with strong female protagonists.

How do you get in the mood to write?

I'm always in the mood to write! But my moods dictate what I write.

How do your characters come together?

I typically build characters from someone I find intriguing. Positive or otherwise. I take that thing that interests me and I'll create my character. Then I figure out what kind of people my character would associate with, or be related to, or dislike and I continue to create from there.

How do you get your ideas?

Books, movies, and my multi-dimensional family.

If you're not busy writing, what are you busy doing?

Ah, so many things! Being a wife, mom, and auntie. I work full time job and active on several boards and commissions.

Have you always been creative?

Yes and yes. I wrote short stories in high school. I used to write love letters for my friends. I've always loved writing--essays, short stories, fiction.

Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, how did you get out of it?

Yes, it happens to the best of us. If I'm on a deadline, I re-read my writing which typically gets me out of a rut. But if I'm not time pressed, I find that taking a break from my writing helps.

When you sit down to write, is it easy or hard? If it's hard, what makes you keep showing up?

My writing generally flows, but again it depends on my mood. If my mood draws me to write something more serious, then writing the content is hard, but not the process.

For a writer starting out what advice would you give them?

Write as often as you can and read a lot. Reading is good for inspiration and helps you determine what/how you want to write and what/how you do not want to write.

What is your dream writing location?

Tuscany. Yes, because of the movie.

In reference to your books, what question do you get asked the most?

How I got started writing and why?

If you could bring one of your characters to life who would it be? Why?

Manon Arnaud. I'd love to be her friend. She's cultured, smart, has a large extended family and has great stories to accompany her internal and external battle scars.