I’ve been so fortunate to meet some incredibly sweet and gifted writers on Twitter. I recently connected with Christy Pastore, and was instantly fascinated by the breadth of her story FIFTEEN WEEKENDS, which interweaves the lives and loves of three women. If early feedback is any indication, this book promises to be a richly-detailed, sexy tale that we won’t be able to get enough of. I thought it only right that you learn more from Christy herself, so she submitted to my nosiness and answered a few questions about herself and her story!
1. Tell us a little about your life. What were you doing with yourself before you decided to publish?
Writing has been a constant in my life. It led me to create a fashion blog, Fashion Wrap Up, which was my full-time career along with running a boutique marketing and media company until I decided to become a full-time writer. I helped fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands with their marketing and branding. I worked on the sets of photo shoots helping to create the themes or just assist with production. Ultimately, a move to Saint Louis was the reason I decided to publish. Feeling a little burned out from the corporate grind, I just wasn’t having fun any longer, and I told myself when it stops being enjoyable it’s time to move on to other passions, goals and dreams. I still love to blog, and I do every so often, but I no longer work on a daily basis with clients. I have been writing full-time for nearly a year now. I love it because every day is different and exciting! My husband Kevin and I have been married over 11 years. Last September we took a trip to Europe to celebrate. We love to travel, going to other places discovering delicious foods and drinks, not to mention taking in the beauty and appreciation of other cultures is awe inspiring.
2. Share 2 great influences in your life (non-writing related) and 2 writing-related influences.
Life influences, Aspire Seek Attain is the motto of my sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha. It holds a special place with me for many reasons. The lessons I learned as an undergraduate and now as an Alumnae are never far from serving a purpose in everything I do in my daily life. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler said once, “Bitches Get Stuff Done.” The quote is funny in its own right, and it was said on an episode of SNL during Weekend Update years ago. The context was that women who are seen as demanding, successful or powerful are often seen as “bitches,” but they get the job done and make stuff happen. I personally admire these two women— they are both strong, confident and very funny. Many Tina and Amy quotes are on my Pinterest Board.
Writing related influences, I would have to say besides fashion, I am heavily influenced by music. I created a playlist for Fifteen Weekends, it includes songs that remind me of certain characters and the way I felt when writing certain scenes. For instance Michael Buble’s “Foggy London Town” reminds me of Liam and Ashleigh. The song “Pacific Coast Party” by Smash Mouth kept creeping in my thoughts as I wrote a scene where Ethan and Emily drove through wine country in California.
I wish I could say that I had some romantic or sweet influence where my writing is concerned, perhaps like my grandmother gave me my first journal and I began penning my thoughts, however for me writing was just something that came naturally. When I was younger and had finished a book, I’d just start writing short stories to keep myself entertained. I had stacks and stacks of notebooks with short stories.
3. Fashion seems to play a vital role in your life. Talk about its place in your stories. How it influences your writing?
I am obsessed with red carpet celebrity fashion, always have been. Red carpet events like the Golden Globes and the Oscars are my Super Bowl. When I was younger and my YM or Seventeen magazines would arrive in the mail, it was like Christmas and my birthday all in one. I couldn’t wait to see what the latest fashion fads or must have items were. I think what a person wears or how they accessorize says a lot about them. For my writing, it’s just one more added detail to give the characters life—making them possibly relatable and definitely colorful.
4. What in culture (music, books, film, TV, planking – LOL) has you riveted right now, if anything? Or at least really interested?
Wow! Well I am interested in and riveted by many things right now, where to begin? I was really into the elections that just took place in India. Counting all those votes must have been exhausting. I’m addicted to Pinterest. I can waste hours on there and sometimes I do. I love soap operas, and I have watched The Young and the Restless since the late 80’s, I scheduled my classes in college around Y&R. I cannot miss an episode of Scandal, Revenge or Game of Thrones because I cannot see spoilers on Social Media the next day. 🙂
5. Looking at the books out there right now, what distinguishes yours? What makes it unique?
Several things come to mind, however I think the biggest thing that sets Fifteen Weekends apart from other books in the romance genre is the fact that the reader will feel like they get three stories in one. I also managed to work a few genres into the story coupling drama, humor, suspense, mystery and romance into one book which you don’t see a lot of in Contemporary Romance. From the early reader reviews and feedback, I’ve been told that Fifteen Weekends is rich with detail, from the description of fashions to places and spaces. One common theme that readers seem to note, is that my three leading ladies are self-assured and confident, as opposed to self-loathing, whiny and weak heroines. I guess, there are a lot of books out there with that common trait in leading ladies, and it apparently is annoying or run its course with readers.
You should be intrigued by now, people, and hungry for sneak previews of this luscious read. I came prepared! Go HERE for teasers and to peer into the gorgeous world Christy has created!
Find and follow Christy! You’ll be glad you did.
