Author Interview:

Christyne Morrell

Christyne Morrell's earliest completed work, written at age 7, told the story of Kermit the Frog meeting Miss Piggy’s parents for the first time. Kermit the Hog was a cautionary tale about pretending to be something you’re not. She still thinks it has potential.

Today, Christyne writes middle-grade novels across a number of genres. Whether they take place in quirky seaside towns or fantastical, faraway kingdoms, her stories all have one thing in common: clever kids accomplishing extraordinary things, like conquering a curse, overthrowing a king, or taking down an evil, brain-hacking corporation. Christyne believes that middle-grade books should challenge, intrigue, and inspire young readers – but above all, never underestimate them.

Christyne is the author of the middle-grade novels Trex, The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond, and Kingdom of Secrets. Trex was named an Eleanor Cameron Notable Book for Excellence in Science Fiction by the American Library Association and has been included on several state reading lists. Christyne is also the author of the poetry book, The Fool Catcher (2021), and the picture book, Abra, Cadabra & Bob (2019), and her poems and stories have appeared in Highlights, Spider, and The School Magazine.

When Christyne isn’t writing for kids, she works as an attorney and loves reading, baking, drawing, and playing board games. She lives with her family in Decatur, Georgia.

Learn more at: https://christynewrites.com/

What is the title and publisher of your newest/upcoming book?

THE CASE OF THE SCARLET SNAKEBITE (Delacorte Press)

What is the intended age group for your book?

Ages 8-12

When did you become a writer?

Is it cheeky to say that I've always been a writer? I started writing when I was six or seven years old, but I wasn't published until 2019, when my first picture book came out. My first novel for children, Kingdom of Secrets, released in 2021.

What made you want to write books for this age group?

The books I read at this age (The Wizard of Oz, the Narnia books, Judy Blume books, The Babysitters Club, etc.) shaped me as a reader, a writer, and most importantly, a person. I love that middle grade readers are still open to magic and wonder while also able to appreciate more complex themes and plots. At this moment in history, in particular, I'm drawn to the sense of hope inherent in middle grade books.

Do you have a favorite character in this story? If so, what makes them your favorite?

I love my main character, Amber, but my favorite character is Tai, the next door neighbor who desperately wants to be her sidekick. I enjoyed writing his scenes because he's a tap-dancing, showtune-singing, suspender-wearing entertainer. What could be more fun than creating a character who spontaneously breaks out into song-and-dance numbers? He's all heart, even though Amber thinks he's a bit too loud to be a successful detective.

What kind of research or preparation did you do while writing this story?

Amber Adler is a huge fan of Agatha Christie, so my research involved reading as many Christie novels as I could get my hands on. I also re-watched Knives Out and To Catch a Thief, two movies that inspired this story. It was the most enjoyable research I've ever had to do!

What do you hope readers come away with after reading your book?

I hope that each reader takes something unique from this book. For some readers, I think the book will be a compelling puzzle to solve. For others, it will be a story that makes them laugh. For me personally, this is a story about family, and how you often find it in the places you least expect (like at the library or in a decrepit bed-and-breakfast!).

What advice would you give to authors or readers as they are embarking on their personal journeys?

I am full of unsolicited advice, but if I had to narrow it down to one thing, it would be this: find your people. Whether you want to be a writer, a scientist, an actor, or a lawyer, find people who share your interests and will support and encourage you along the way.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

I am currently drafting a companion to my novel, Trex. Just like in Trex, it will be a contemporary story with a fun sci-fi twist (and probably an evil corporation)!

What question did you hope I would ask and didn’t?

I was hoping you'd ask about my writing partner, who happens to be a beagle named Mason. He sits by my desk as I write and gives me oodles of inspiration.