Interview with Author Courtney Farrell

Today, I welcome author Courtney Farrell to the Realm. Courtney writes nonfiction books for middle graders and young adults that tackle serious issues, such as mental disorders, abortion rights, oil spills, and protecting the environmnet. Courtney believes that "kids are a lot smarter than most people give them credit for, and they want to know the truth." Welcome Courtney!

When did you start writing?

I started writing around 2004, when my husband and I moved our family to a little ranch in the Pike National Forest. I imagined I’d get a job in Woodland Park, the small town nearby, but jobs there are scarce. I spotted a tag line on an article by Wendy Burt-Thomas about her class on breaking into freelance writing. I contacted her, even though she had no idea who I was, and we ended up talking on the phone for 45 minutes. At one point she said, “Oh, don’t get a job. You can make money writing.” My husband was like, “Who is this Wendy person and why does she think you don’t need a job?”

Wendy was right. I never did get a real job, but I’m making a living. I started by writing magazine articles, then encyclopedia articles, and then nonfiction books for young people. You can see a list of them on my website, at www.courtneyfarrell.com.

My dream finally came true this summer, when I sold my first novel. It’s a YA romance/science fiction called Enhanced, about a genetically engineered girl in a eugenics program, where doctors decide who gets to grow up, and who will disappear. Enhanced will be published by Crescent Moon Press.

What is your favorite writing style?

I really like snarky first-person stuff, with lots of attitude.

Where do you get your ideas?

I’ve always been a daydreamer. I can’t count the number of appointments I’ve missed because I’m living in another world. I took me a long time to figure out that authors sell daydreams for money!

What's the best thing about writing?

I love having an open schedule. If I want to go ride my horse, or meet a friend for coffee, it doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of a weekday. I can still go.

What's the worst thing about writing?

I’m obsessive about it, and frequently stay at the keyboard for 12 – 18 hours at a time. That’s not good for the body, I can tell you.

What do you do when you're not writing?

I like to ski, hike, ride horses, and spend time with friends.

Do you like reading?

I love it, but I always feel guilty when I spend too much time at it. I know, authors are supposed to read a lot, but I have three books in my head right now, all clamoring to get out.

What are you reading right now?

Something outside my typical genre: So Damn Lucky, by Deborah Coonts.


Thank you so much for visiting the Realm today, Courtney! It was wonderful getting to know you and introducing you to my readers. Please come back anytime.