Blogoversary: Where I Interview Christopher Healy

I am so excited to announce today's blogoversary guest, Christoper Healy, who was kind enough to answer a few questions for an interview here at The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia. Be sure to check out my review of Christopher Healy's debut The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, which I absolutely loved.

About the author:

Who is Christopher Healy? (or, A story in which many people and things are born)
Christopher Healy was born in the quaint Northeastern town of New York City. It was there, while still an infant, that Christopher chewed the pages of his very first book. Later, he learned that the squiggles on those bound-together pieces of paper had meaning. And thus, a lifelong reader was born.
Even in his youth, Christopher knew he would someday be a writer. And he wrote numerous Tables of Contents to prove it, a few of which sounded like they might have been pretty great books had he ever written the stories to go along with them. It would be quite some time before Christopher actually got the chance to write for a living. And his career took many detours in between: cashier, actor, toy store shelf-stocker, person who types things from one place into another place, haunted house zombie, person who checks the spelling of celebrities’ names, etc. Eventually, he cobbled together a tiny little video game review — and it actually got published. Thus, a writer was born. (from author's website)

You can haunt Christoper Healy on-
Twitter | Website | FB |

INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTOPHER HEALY

1. I loved reading about the 'Princes Charming' in The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, if given the chance, which of the princes would you like to be for the day? Why?

I guess it would depend on the day. If we’re talking about me being one of the princes on one of my average days, well, it might be nice (and very different) to as brave, strong, and self-confident as Liam. But I wouldn’t want to be Liam on one of his average days, fighting bandits and witches and such. If we’re talking about me being in the princes’ world, I’d choose Frederic, whose days are mostly filled with art, music, fine food, and a generally peaceful atmosphere.

2. One of the most enjoyable things, for me, in the book was how different the princess were when compared to their original stories. So my question is, which of the princes/princess stories did you enjoy re-telling the most. 

Definitely “Snow White,” because it’s the story in which the original prince’s actions make the least sense. He’s wandering by himself in the woods, comes across a girl in a glass coffin surrounded by dwarfs, and he decides to kiss her. It was a challenge to come up with a legitimate motivation for that.

3. Earlier, I asked which of the princes you would like to be for a day, now would you care to share with us which character you consider yourself to be most like? Why?

Frederic. I’m not nearly as fancified as Frederic, but when faced with danger, I’d be less of the brace-yourself-and-meet-the-challenge-head-on type and more of the scream-and-hide-under-a-table type. Frederic prefers to think his way out of problems, to use words instead of fists, which I can relate to.

4. What you drew you to wanting to tell the princes side of the story?

Basically, it was the fact that the princes’ stories hadn’t really been told before. In Prince Charming, we have one of the most famous heroes in all of literature, and yet, when you really thought about it, you knew virtually nothing about the guy. And most of the time, what he did in those stories didn’t actually sound too heroic. I wanted to change that.

5. Any authors or books that inspire you as a writer?

The Lord of the Rings, The Westing Game, and Winnie-the-Pooh has big impacts on me in my youth. But I get inspired all the time. This year alone, I found inspiration in books like R.J. Palacio’s Wonder, The Drowned Cities by Paolo Baciagalupi, and Barry Wolverton’s Neversink.

6. Chris, any upcoming projects that you can share with us? *absolutely excited to see what you'll do next*

Well, The Hero’s Guide to Storming the Castle comes out on April 30^th. And I’m already into the writing of Book 3. So Hero’s Guide is taking up most of my time right now. Though I do have plans for what comes next…

7. The world has fallen to a robot invasion and only one heroine/hero can possibly save the day, who do you choose? 

Practically speaking, you gotta go with Superman. He’s invulnerable.

Rapid Fire 5

1. In five words describe yourself?

Someone bad at short descriptions.

2. Time of day when you do your best writing?

Right after lunch.

3. Favorite season? Why?

Spring. Flowers and no jackets.

4. Last book that kept you reading late into the night?

I want to say The Cloak Society by Jeramey Kraatz, because I read it in one sitting, but technically, I finished it before dinner. The last book that I actually lost sleep reading was Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.

5. Care to share your writing cave with us (include a picture if you want)?

My cave is a pretty standard home office, but I do have a Legend of Zelda sword on my desk.

Thanks so much, Chris, for the excellent answers! Now that y'all have gotten to read the interview give us both your thoughts. Have you read The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom? Do plan to read it? 

The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christoper Healy, 2012. Published by Walden Pond Press.

Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You've never heard of them, have you? These are the princes who saved Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, respectively, and yet, thanks to those lousy bards who wrote the tales, you likely know them only as Prince Charming. But all of this is about to change. Rejected by their princesses and cast out of their castles, Liam, Frederic, Duncan, and Gustav stumble upon an evil plot that could endanger each of their kingdoms. Now it's up to them to triumph over their various shortcomings, take on trolls, bandits, dragons, witches, and other assorted terrors, and become the heroes no one ever thought they could be.
Debut author Christopher Healy takes us on a journey with four imperfect princes and their four improbable princesses, all of whom are trying to become perfect heroes--a fast-paced, funny, and fresh introduction to a world where everything, even our classic fairy tales, is not at all what it seems.

Don't forget to stop by yesterday's interview with Joanne Levy and enter to win some Small Medium at Large swag.