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Interview with Author Chrissie Parker.
I recently had the privilege to interview the amazing Author "Chrissie Parker" about her life as a writer and her brand new Award Winning book "Integrate"
1.) Could you give us a brief synopsis of your novel "Integrate"
Integrate is a Paranormal Suspense/Thriller that centres around the murder of a young woman called Helena. Her identical twin sister Corinne predicts Helena’s death during a tarot reading, but is too late to stop her from dying. Helena’s murder hits Corinne hard and she struggles to cope with the loss. At her lowest ebb Corinne becomes friends with Jack, a stranger in town, but whenever she is around him Corinne gets visions (premonitions), visions that keep taking her back to the horrifying scene of her sister’s death. Corinne realises the visions may be her only chance of finally understanding what really happened to Helena.
2.) If you could have a writing room anywhere in the world, where would it be?
That is a hard question as there are so many places I would love to choose; a log cabin overlooking the sea, a house on the edge of the nile in Egypt, a villa on a mediterranean Island. The possibilities are endless.
I currently have a writing desk set up at home, it’s in front of a window which is great as I can work and watch the world the go by. I like being able to write in an environment that gives me access to the outside world. In the Summer I love sitting outside in the open air enjoying the good weather. In the Winter I like a desk in the window so that I can watch the snow fall.
Ideally, if I had to chose just one place anywhere in the world, I would choose a house in the country, it would have a large set of double doors leading to the outside world where I can enjoy the sights, sound and smells of nature as I work.
3.) If "Integrate" was made into a film who would play the lead characters?
I love that this question has been asked. When I originally wrote Integrate in the 1990’s it actually began life as a screenplay as opposed to a book. So I still like the idea of it having the ability to become a film. In regards to who I would have play the lead parts, I think that Alyssa Milano would make a great Corinne, I know she was quite mainstream in the 1990’s, but I think she has great screen presence and is a fantastic actress. As my husband is an actor I should probably say that he would make a good Jack, failing that, I think that someone with a similar acting style to James Spader would also be good.
4.) Do you get attached to the characters in your books?
Yes, I do get very attached to my characters. When writing a book you spend long hours working with your characters, creating them, developing them and dictating what happens to their lives. As they evolve, they begin to become a bit like real people, you start to get to know them better than you know yourself sometimes. I have actually cried when I’ve had to kill off a character, you have invested so much time and energy into them that it just feels cruel to get rid of them, but sometimes it’s necessary for the story. I do like it when something good has happens to them though, I have been known to leap from my seat punching the air yelling “yes!”, in a way it’s a similar feeling as when a close friend gives you good news.
5.) Who would play you in a film of your life story?
Even though we don’t really look alike (other than we both have long dark hair), I would probably have to chose Sandra Bullock. I have a tendency to be a bit quirky, crazy and at times (so I’ve been told) comically funny. I think someone like Sandra Bullock would definitely do me justice. If a film of my life were to be made I wouldn’t want it to be too serious, the more lighthearted the better.
6.) Do you believe in fate?
I’m a little bit on the fence when it comes to fate or destiny. I don’t believe in fate as a universal predetermined course of events as such. But I do believe that we make our own destiny through the way we act, the hard work we put in, how we treat others and how we live our lives. If you go about your day repeating the same thing over and over again and have no dreams or aspirations then your life will always be what it is, the same path, with no change. If however you work hard, challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone then a whole world awaits you and you can do or be anything. I strongly feel that what happens in life comes from within you. In essence you create your own fate. If I hadn’t persevered over the years, taken a chance and put in the hard work I wouldn’t have ended up where I am now.
7.)"Integrate" is a big difference from your books about Ancient Egypt, which do you prefer to write about?
It is quite different, although both sit in similar genres (suspense/thriller). I have always loved ancient history and archaeology, if I hadn’t decided to work in theatre/ TV when I was younger I would have trained in archeology instead. I like writing books with historical and archaeological themes to them, I really enjoy researching a country’s history and culture, and weaving these facts through a story. I find the subjects very inspiring and that is something that really helps when writing. It’s great fun to plan holidays to countries where I am setting a book and or on day trips to museums in the name of research.
8.) What sort of books do you like to read?
I read many different types of books. I own around a thousand, and over two hundred of those are historical/archaeological books. My favourite genre is suspense/murder mystery and my favourite authors are Agatha Christie and Iain Fleming. I have almost all of the Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple series’ and I have the entire James Bond collection. I also really like the authors Nora Roberts and Belinda Jones, and at this time of year I enjoy reading Christmas themed chick-lit books, it helps me feel more Christmassy.
I do also think it is important to try out new authors, there are so many new and emerging authors at the moment, and I like taking a chance and reading something by someone I don’t know, or whose work I have never read. I love reading and would be lost without it.
9.) Do you have another book in the pipeline?
Yes. I have quite a few in the pipeline.
The first is called ‘Wind across the Nile’. It is set in Egypt and spans 5 generations of a family, who have all suffered with tragic loss. I don’t want to give too much away at this point, as it will spoil the story, but I can tell you it is a thriller/suspense, with a little bit of murder in there, and it throws you right into the heart of Egypt, its heritage and history.
The second book is called ‘Among the Olive Groves’. It is set on the Greek Island of Zakynthos, during World War Two. I love the Island and I wanted to highlight some of what happened to the Islanders during the war. There is very little documented about what the Islanders went through but what I have discovered is both heroic and heartbreaking. Some of the research has been a little harrowing, but I am really enjoying writing the book, my characters are just fantastic.
I am also working on plots for books set in the following locations:
Italy, (around Pompeii and Herculaneum), with elements of Roman history.
The UK, (around Devon and Somerset) with elements of medieval history.
I am also hoping to re-publish a story set in Petra in Jordan, which will be re-named ‘Secrets beneath the sands’.
A sequel to ‘Wind Across the Nile’ is also planned, as is a novel based on my experiences of living with the condition Epilepsy.
10.) And finally, can you tie a real bow tie? ;0)
As in a Dinner Suit Bow tie? (laughing!). Oh yes I can tie one of those. A few years ago I worked as a Production Coordinator on an advert for Lotus Cars and the driver had to wear a dinner suit bow tie. A friend worked on the job with me and we spent ages sitting on the floor of the set scouring the internet for instructions and videos, trying to work out how to tie a real bow tie. We had a great laugh, and eventually we worked it out. It was a fun job!
(I was that friend on that job and tying that bow tie over and over again for each take was a blooming nightmare, but quite a giggle though!) Alyson ;0)
Many thanks to Chrissie Parker for her time!
You can purchase "Integrate" on Amazon.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Integrate-Chrissie-Parker-ebook/dp/B00G96WIIG/
