Author Profile: Christine Galib
The Spun Yarn works with and provides beta readers and manuscript critiques for all kinds of authors. Our Author Profile series highlights some of the successful authors we’ve worked with, getting insight into their process so other writers can learn from their experience.
The odds are very good that as you’re reading this, Christine Galib is reading, writing, running, or taking the road less traveled. When Christine is not sketching stories or sneaking bad puns into her presentations, she is exploring the big outdoors and small towns, eating peanuts, discussing apologetics, and spending time with her mom, dad, songwriter sister, and composer brother. She loves getting lost in a good book and can be found at christinegalib.com.
Tell us about your book.
A dead professor. A gold pendant. A mysterious poem. As Carly Stuart starts college, the search for a murderer—and the Holy Grail itself—is on.
The only thing Carly Stuart wants to do is fill her late grandmother’s shoes—literally and figuratively. Following in the footsteps of her Gran, a world-renown, trailblazer archeologist who paved the way for women in the field, Carly enters Nassauton College as a freshman studying archeology, with her journal, satchel, and an entire closet full of Gran’s shoes in tow.
Carly’s dreams of becoming the next great archeologist get off to a promising start when she uncovers an ancient artifact and a note left to her by Gran, putting Carly on a quest for the Holy Grail itself. Armed with her quick wits and new friends—including Dr. Kells, her archeology professor, and Blane, her cute-but-nerdy boyfriend—Carly finds herself thrust into a mystery of international scale and historical significance that even Indiana Jones would be excited to pursue.
But when a young professor turns up dead, and with evil ones breaking in and anticipating her next moves, will Carly and her partners have the courage to see their Grail quest through?
Why do you write?
Beverly Cleary said, “If you don’t see the book you want on the shelves, write it.”
And so, I did. I wrote about strong female characters who bravely create their own path with grace, courage, and faith—and help strong female readers understand what being a trailblazer truly means. I wrote a book that doesn’t depend on obscenities or lewd scenes to move the plot along. I wrote a book that inspires women to be themselves—even if that means getting nervous around their crush, not knowing how to apply eyeshadow before a date, and carrying around a journal so they can clearly and critically understand their thoughts
I wrote a book that helps us fill big shoes and discover who we were created to be as our North Star guides us—even if that means taking the road less traveled and facing the facts with women’s intuition and wits. Or, in this case, even if that means embarking on a quest for the Holy Grail itself.
I wrote a book that empowers women and men of all ages to handle whatever journey life takes us on, to find value in partnership, and to always take the leap of faith when presented with the chance to do so. I wrote a book that is, in short, the kind of book I hope moms (and dads!) will be proud to read with their daughters (and sons!).
I wrote the book I wished were on the shelves when I was growing up. And in doing so, I found the story needed more than one book to be told. So, I wrote a whole series of books.
Etched in Stone is the first book in The Knights of the Dagger series. It is the story of a girl who wanted nothing more than to fill her grandmother’s shoes. It is the story of a girl whose quest for the Holy Grail helps her realize what being a knight is all about. It is a story that reminds us we are never too old, and it is never too late—or too early—to live our dreams, pursue our passions, and take evidence-backed leaps of faith into the unknown adventure ahead of us.
What challenges did you face when crafting this novel?
Being an indie author is not without its challenges, and writing a novel is not quite like writing a short story. One of the biggest challenges (sidebar: I don’t like to frame them as “challenges” but rather as “opportunities”) is balancing your day job with your creative pursuits. This requires dedication, determination, and discipline. Take every day as an opportunity to get to know your characters more. At the end (and beginning!) of the day, writing is about getting to know your characters and telling their stories.
How did you approach the publishing process?
Strategy, strategy, strategy! I developed a strategy for writing, publishing, promotion, and engagement—and beyond—that worked for me. I created my own imprint, road less traveled enterprises, to publish my work and others’. If you’re interested in learning more about the publishing process, I’d love to hear from you at roadlesstraveledenterprises.com.
How was your experience with The Spun Yarn?
My experience was phenomenal. The Spun Yarn staff is responsive, communicative, and highly professional. I love working with The Spun Yard and my beta readers. I appreciate the smooth process from completing the Google Form with information about my manuscript, to post-feedback report. Beta readers’ feedback helped me take my story to the next level by giving me substantive and specific pointers on what readers were looking for and expected. I value working with The Spun Yarn, feel they are in my camp as cheerleaders and champions of me and my characters, and already am working with them again for Book II! ☺
Do you have a favorite quote that captures your thoughts on writing or keeps you motivated?
“You can make anything by writing.” – C.S. Lewis
What advice do have for other authors?
Every day, write something: a word, a sentence, a paragraph, a page—something. Some days, this works, and you’ll get in the groove and a solid scene appears! Wooo! Yes! Wind blows; angels sing! Some days, well, some days your writing time will turn into going down the rabbit hole of YouTube videos, or article reading, or impromptu karaoke. Your pen will become a microphone and some pencils might become air drums. Don’t get mad about it. Let the journey take you where it wants you to go. Your job is to pick up your pen and let it. Even if that means some days, your pen looks more like a microphone.
You can find her on:
Instagram: @roadlesstraveledenterprises
Author Website: christinegalib.com
Imprint Website: roadlesstraveledenterprises.com
To learn more about The Spun Yarn and see how you can use their manuscript beta reader program for authors to help make your writing even better, click here.