Author Interview – Christina Esdon

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why? This quote by Rumi, is my favorite: “Dance, when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you’re perfectly free.” Trying to find the reason to move forward and find joy life is the hardest thing to do when you are hurting. Whether that pain is emotional or physical

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life? I would have to say I’m most proud of completing my first novel and having it published. Also I’m so proud of the number of people the rallied around Karen DeLabar in her time of need and supported her in the development of this anthology.

What is your favorite color? Yellow (and orange. )

What is your favorite food? I love kale chips. Love them. I know that may sound pretty plain, but I do spice them up with cumin, garlic powder and cayenne pepper sometimes. They’re so yummy and crunch…well they’re pretty crumbly actually, but the sensation of the crunch keeps me from munching on other things that aren’t near as healthy as kale.

What’s your favorite place in the entire world? Anywhere near water. My house is like an oasis. I’m a bit of a home body, but it’s mainly because to me, it always feel like I’m on vacation here…until something breaks. Or until winter comes. Then I have my eyes set on a seaside hut on some tropical island.

How has your upbringing influenced your writing? My parents are very social justice oriented. I’ve been involved in many projects with my family to advocate for others in need. Many of the plots I write surround some sort of injustice that needs to be corrected. Also, I followed Karen’s story of almost dying from Toxic Shock Syndrome. I knew she had to have extreme medical debt. I’m Canadian, but I don’t take our health system for granted. I feel lucky to have doctor’s appointments, tests and hospital stays covered. Karen didn’t have that. I couldn’t imagine how she, her husband and two little children would be able to financially recover from that and didn’t want her family to have that stress as she was trying to recover from all of her surgeries and physical rehabilitation. So the anthology was born. All proceeds go to help Karen pay for medical expenses.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? I’m an only child, so there were many times I had to amuse myself if my parents were working, or were busy. I found myself creating stories or scenarios in my head to entertain myself. And then I would make mix tapes for the soundtrack and then run it through my head like a movie.

Get swept off your feet by an Internet romance

Escape from a war-torn encampment with a mystical healer/princess

Witness the murder of a NASCAR driver in the bathroom of local Home Depot

Join Miss Della and Chip as they find friendship and a new zest for life in their golden years

ORANGE KAREN: TRIBUTE TO A WARRIOR is a collection of 39 stories that explore the strength and resilience of the human spirit. From the monster in the basement to the teddy bear on a young woman’s pillow, each story uses the colour orange as a thematic element, revealing the power of love, friendship, and the will to live.

Karen DeLabar is a friend, author, and mother. In June of 2012, she was stricken with Toxic Shock Syndrome.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the anthology will be donated to Karen and her family, to assist with her medical expenses, and ongoing recovery.

Follow Karen’s story at http://karendelabar.com/, and learn more about the symptoms, effects, and treatment of Toxic Shock Syndrome at http://www.toxicshock.com/

Acknowledgements by Christina Esdon
Foreword by Jennifer Gracen
Introduction by Karen DeLabar

Contributing Authors:
Jesse James Freeman
February Grace
Cara Michaels
Jennifer Gracen
Anna Meade
Jeff Tsuruoka
Patty Blount
Steve & Zack Umstead
R. B. Wood
Taylor Lunsford
Anne Baker
alex kimmell
Elizabeth Ann West
Janelle Jensen
Gareth S. Young
Julie Glover
Maureen Hovermale
S.G. Lee
John Moore Walker
Jonathan Gould
Benjamin Cain
Joseph Schmidt
Christina Esdon
Andrew F. Butters
Mark Ethridge
Francis Setnocis
D. Savannah George
E. Wells-Walker
K.D. McCrite
J.L. Gentry
Shay Fabbro
Christopher Cantley
Valerie Haight
J. Whitworth Hazzard
Emmett Spain
Tim Queeney
Stephanie Fuller
Steven Luna
Glenn Skinner

Buy Now @ Amazon

Genre - Short Story Anthology

Rating – PG13 (some strong language)

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