An Interview with Christina Rec

As a mom and former teacher, I love reading and sharing stories. Our family has traveled back and forth across the country, and we have lived on both coasts. We currently reside in Maine. We have dogs, cats, horses, and chickens. The fresh eggs from my spoiled hens are the absolute best. I have always had a garden of some sort wherever we have lived. The garden featured in How Does Your Garden Grow? is from a home in Massachusetts over twenty years ago. My first book, The Nightmare, was actually a nightmare I had as a child. I suffered with it for quite a bit longer than Maggie in the story. Apparently, I’m a slow learner. and it took me longer to figure out I had to change my story. I did and to this day, I have never had that nightmare ever again – even though I actually tried to have it a few times. It was gone and a part of my past. I shared that story with my own children and even my students who shared with me they were having a nightmare and couldn’t sleep. They all said the technique worked and the nightmare stopped. With that success, I actually put the story down on paper. I somehow came across an advertisement for Atmosphere Press asking for submissions. I thought The Nightmare would be perfect and could help children, so I chose to submit that story. The rest is history.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

How Does Your Garden Grow? – The title came easily. My oldest son always helped me in the garden. My daughter was a toddler and we would talk about how to take care of the garden and what we could make with the vegetables we grew. I was taking a Children’s Literature class at the CCRI with Professor Brody and the final assignment was to create a children’s book. Gardening was what we were doing at home and seemed an appropriate subject. The title came naturally since we were explaining how to garden with my daughter.

The Nightmare – This title was challenging which may seem odd as it is so simple and direct. I wanted and tried more elusive and intriguing titles for the story but they just didn’t sit well with me. In the end after a great many suggestions, I settled on The Nightmare. I wanted it to be easy to find for any parent or child suffering from a nightmare and wanting relief.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

My first book, The Nightmare, was a magical transportation from my story to the end result. When I first saw the book cover from the artist, Sarah, it was as if she made my story come to life – it now had a face to share with the world.

With my second book, How Does Your Garden Grow?, it was not as dramatic, as I had already completed all the artwork for the story with the assignment so long ago. It was more like seeing an old friend again for the first time after being apart for a very long time. A face I recognized and immediately reconnected with as if we had never been parted.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I have always loved reading and writing was a natural extension. I remember choosing my first poem book from the library as a young child. I really enjoyed it. I wrote short stories and poems throughout my life. I wrote a great many poems when my children were small. That same Children’s Literature class with Professor Brody was the catalyst for my renewed interest in poetry. Another assignment was to draft a poem. I submitted My Little Sunshine, a poem about my first son. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching a poetry unit and converting students who were extremely reluctant at first. I encouraged them to play with words and find joy in creating pictures with words.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I have worn many hats throughout my life and I am sure there are more to come. My love for learning new skills and ideas drives my curiosity. I worked in a grocery store bakery as a teenager. I have been a secretary, tax preparer, psychosocial rehabilitator worker, and then teacher (substitute, reading, 5th grade).

Something my readers would not know:

I have been a single mom. Our family was homeless for seven months once, and we lived in a camper in a campground and then in someone’s driveway. We grew closer together and always talked about how lucky we were to have a roof over our heads and be together and healthy.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

The most rewarding part of having my book out in the world is the possibility of someone finding hope or inspiration. Anyone having a nightmare can find tools and courage to deal with the situation and change their story in The Nightmare. I hope How Does Your Garden Grow? inspires readers, both young and old, to start a garden and grow delicious food to eat. A garden benefits the gardener in soul and body. Caring for the Earth is important, and we can all start with our own little patch of earth no matter where we live.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope readers discover the courage within themselves to effect change. They can change their own story as in The Nightmare. They can change their environment and their community with a garden.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I have several books waiting to be published. I am working on illustrations and finding an artist to match the book subjects. They each have their own personality and the artwork should express that. The greatest challenge is saving enough money to pay for the illustrating and publishing process.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

Atmosphere Press was instrumental in bringing my books to life and available to everyone. The staff I worked with for each book were knowledgeable and helpful. Suggestions and ideas were all meant to bring out the absolute best in the story. As an author, you can be sure the end result will be of the highest quality. The whole team is fantastic.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.