Welcome back to the Colorado is for Writers interview series! Every other Tuesday, I talk to different Colorado-based authors about their work and their connections to this beautiful state. Today, I am thrilled to welcome young adult (and fellow 2014 debut) author Kristi Helvig!
Kristi is a Ph.D. clinical psychologist turned sci-fi/fantasy author. She can be found musing about space monkeys, Star Trek, and various other topics on her blog. Kristi resides in sunny Colorado with her hubby, two kiddos, and two behaviorally-challenged dogs. Find out more about Kristi at www.kristihelvig.com; she can also be found on Goodreads/Twitter/Facebook.
On to the questions!
First things first: Colorado native or transplant?
Transplant. My hubby and I came out here from the East Coast to do internships for our Ph.D. program. We loved it so much that we never left, and have been here 14 years and counting. Does that make us semi-native? 😉
Tell us a bit about your book.
BURN OUT is my debut YA sci-fi novel. It will be published by EgmontUSA on April 8, 2014. Here is the official blurb from Goodreads:
Most people want to save the world; seventeen-year-old Tora Reynolds just wants to get the hell off of it. One of the last survivors in Earth’s final years, Tora yearns to escape the wasteland her planet has become after the sun turns “red giant,” but discovers her fellow survivors are even deadlier than the hostile environment.
What’s the view like from your favorite writing space?
Even though I have a desk, I do all my best writing right in this spot surrounded by my dogs. My hubby says I’m a little like Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory because that spot on the couch is “mine.” I twitch a little if someone else sits there, but don’t we all have a little Sheldon in us?
What’s the best thing about being a writer in Colorado?
Meeting all the other awesome Colorado writers. Plus, the scenery here can’t be beat and is great for creativity. My writer friends and I are going to do a weekend writing retreat in the mountains in a few weeks, and I love just being in nature and writing. It’s probably the only place I like to write besides my couch!
Thank you so much, Kristi! Fellow writers and scenery also regularly duke it out for the top spot in my list of reasons to love Colorado.
Readers: Do you think Kristi should get “semi-native” status? And do you have a little Sheldon in you? Let us know what you think in the comments! 🙂
Also, BURN OUT is already available for preorder! Find it at B&N * Amazon * BAM * Powell’s * Indigo
Thanks for having me, Tara! 🙂
I saw a bumper sticker the other day — one of those green and white ones that looks like the Colorado license plate — that said “Native-ish.” I wondered, how long until you’re entitled to slap that on the back of your car? Because I feel native-ish after seven years. I think you’re entitled after fourteen, Kristi! 🙂
Oh my gosh–I have to get one of those! I haven’t seen them but definitely think 14 years qualifies me as native-ish. 🙂
Oh my gosh, I didn’t realize Kristi was in Colorado (I read her blog)! Very cool. As for the native status, I’ve been here 12 years total, but I know a few natives who laugh off my own semi-native claims. Silly, protective CO natives. Burn Out looks pretty awesome.
Jess–it’s great to *virtually* meet a fellow semi-native Coloradoan! 😉 And thanks.
I wish I lived in Colorado too! The mountains in Las Vegas barely have shrubs let alone green trees. 🙁 Your book sounds awesome! Can’t wait to pick up a copy.
Thanks, Jessie! It’s a great place to live but I love visiting Vegas. 🙂