1. How did you get started writing fiction?

It’s been over 20 years now, I can hardly remember! I’ve always been a reader and a storyteller – as a former theater kid, it’s always just kind of been a thing. Writing was just the next thing, I guess.

2. What kind of fiction do you enjoy writing? (Such as fantasy, romance, horror, or unspecified)

Almost exclusively fantasy geared toward younger readers and young adults. My first book was a more typical fantasy, then I drifted into mythology-based stories. Now I’m in my Steampunk era!

3. What was it about writing short stories that just seemed to "click" with your writing career?

That’s an interesting story. I used to say I DON’T WRITE SHORT STORIES. LOL. I was strictly a novel girlie. Then someone asked me to write one for an anthology, and that was that. Now I’ve written about two a year, mostly for planned anthologies. Some are in my Curses series universe, those are super fun to write.

4. Is there a type of short story that you enjoy writing most? Please explain.

I did a story this year for a charity anthology (which will be out next year). That was one of my favorites because it came so easily. I have been writing a lot of Steampunk, as I said, and those are super fun. I guess my favorite short to write is something that is fun to write? I also tend to write long, so cutting it to a certain word count is always an exercise in conciseness.

5. What was it like when you sold your first short story?

Now that I think about it, I did sell my first short story probably about 18 years ago to a holiday anthology put out by my very first publisher (which doesn’t even exist anymore). I almost totally forgot about it! It was very exciting! I actually made a copy of the check I got for that one and framed it.  

6. Where do you find short story markets to submit to?

I’ve been super lucky that all the anthologies I’ve written for have been by invitation. Which is really, really nice but also, I know it’s not available to everyone.

7. What is one lesson you have learned as a writer when it comes to writing short fiction?

Less is more? Maybe that’s obvious, but I have to remember that I can’t go off in different directions, shorts don’t have a B plot or too many characters. You’re telling a complete story in a small space so you have to be concise without sacrificing the heart of the story. So you have to really think about what matters, make the opening pop with action, and get the story off the ground quickly.

8. How is writing short fiction different from your work as a writer of longer fiction?

A good deal of my short fiction lately has tied into some of my novels. The good thing about being invited to an anthology series, for example, is you get to play in your own universe. I’ve done a few stories for eSpec that tie into the Series of Curses – one for a book I haven’t finished yet! That’s been so much fun. The other two were for specific Steampunk Fairy Tale books, and that was taking source material and reworking it. Fortunately, fairy tales are generally short so that makes it easier.  I also just finished up a short for a charity anthology with a specific theme. Many short fiction markets have a focus or theme which makes it easier since you have a kind of framework. When you write longer form, you’re kind of on your own.

9. What is some of the best advice you have received from other writers or editors when it comes to writing short fiction?

Only use what’s necessary to the story. I mean, it’s true in long form writing as well, but there’s a little more flexibility there. In a short story, you likely have a word count you must stick to, so focusing on the actual story and trimming everything else must be done.

10. Do you have any advice of your own to share with other writers?

Don’t say no! I used to always say “I don’t write shorts.” It was just not my thing, had no desire. Now I do about two a year for published anthologies. It works different writing muscles than long form, but it really can be fun, and a way to get work out faster for people to read.

ABOUT CHRISTINE:

Once Upon A Time...

There was a girl who wanted to be ... everything! A dancer, an actress, a singer. An archaeologist. A hair stylist (? -- yeah, me too). But none of those dreams came true. And, to be honest, while she loved mythology and intrigue and drama, she hated sand, bugs, and heat. So being an archeologist was right out.

Instead, she became a writer. And she wrote about all the things she'd dreamed of doing. She also became a librarian, so she could help other people find adventure and information and fun.

Christine Norris has written over ten novels for Young Adults and Middle Grade, including the Library of Athena series and the Series of Curses series, as well as several short stories. She lives in New Jersey, where she enjoys traveling, crocheting, reading (duh), genre films, and general shenanigans.