Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Christina Howden (That‘s Just Life: Overwhelmed)!
Meet the Author: Christina Howden
Writing and drawing has always been my passion (one might even say addiction!). I focus on slice-of-life stories with relatable characters, practical storylines, and realistic emotional ups & downs to convey important positive messages, challenge stereotypes & double standards, depict healthy versus toxic behaviour, and encourage individuality. I wish to inspire readers, especially those struggling (or have struggled) with low self-esteem and anxiety.
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About the Book: That‘s Just Life: Overwhelmed
~Author Chat~
YABC: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
At age four, when I made my first book. It was no masterpiece, but it ignited a lifelong passion. Imagining characters / stories in my head and bringing them to life on paper for others to see gave me a special kind of joy.
Over the years, books that started as cute little doodles made for fun grew into complex plotlines that focus on positive messages. I’ve always had a strength for writing; it’s more than a hobby – it’s who I am.
YABC: What inspired you to write this book?
The dream of creating a relatable story that has a positive impact on people – to have a reader say, “Christina’s book made me feel better about myself”, or anything along those lines.
As someone who dealt with anxiety for most of her life, it pains me to see countless people struggle with the same issues – and to have others misunderstand and dismiss those struggles.
In addition, society has a strict definition of beauty, and relentlessly pressures people (especially females) to fit this ideal – yet unrealistic – mold. As a result, being yourself is discouraged and being different is inferior, resulting in self-esteem being destroyed.
My story directly addresses these issues and challenges what is considered ‘normal’.
YABC: Is your main character like you?
Yes and no. Much of her emotional stress throughout the book is based on my own – the fear of socializing even if it’s minor, dreading to try anything new ‘knowing’ I’m going to mess up, fretting over every tiny thing that has / could / probably won’t happen.
My protagonist and I have similar personality traits and practical attitudes; however, her backstory is very different from mine. As for her vs. my hobbies, likes, and dislikes – some are the same, some are opposite, it depended on what I thought would best fit the storyline.
YABC: What type of scene do you love to write the most?
For some reason, I enjoy writing moments that involve intense sadness with a heartwarming conclusion. For example: Person A opens up about a traumatic event they experienced, followed by Person B comforting them. I am strangely good at accurately wording those types of emotional rollercoasters, even though I have never experienced any such major trauma.
YABC: What hobbies do you enjoy?
When I’m not busy with That’s Just Life’s website content, I’m either riding my electric trike around town (pausing often to collect beer cans out of the ditches) or making items for my annual craft sales (beaded jewelry, hair accessories, stickers, mini magnets, and small wooden décor hand-carved on my dad’s wood lathe).
YABC: Have you ever written fanfiction stories?
On the website Archive Of Our Own, I (known as WeirdRandomTina) have written nine fanfics (oneshots and chapter stories; seven are complete, two are in progress) that are based on my three favorite animated movies / shows: Dreamworks Trolls, Slugterra, and Disney’s Zootopia. My primary fanfic (Trolls, 49 chapters, titled The Long Road To True Happiness) has surpassed 90,500 hits, putting it at Number 8 for that fandom.
YABC: What is your favourite holiday and why?
Halloween, hands down.
I’ve never been your typical girl – I love gory zombies, creepy skulls, spooky monsters. So as soon as the calendar hits October 1, I bring out the decorations: two crates of outdoor, three crates of indoor, and an entire dresser of clothes/accessories! Some of my favourite items stay out year-round; even my book has a Halloween scene!
YABC: What’s your least favorite expression and why?
“Worry about what you can control, not what you can’t” and “It is what it is”.
As someone with chronic anxiety, hearing such dismissive phrases only made me feel worse. Those words, though they are logical, are not a magic cure. My brain will worry about everything even if it shouldn’t, and simply shrugging off bad things is very difficult. Despite popular belief, mental illness is not a light switch than can be turned off with ease – it’s more like an intricate system that takes time to be carefully rewired. There is no ‘just get over it’.
Anxiety disorders are deeper than simply feeling nervous – it traps you in an endless cycle of fear, causing lack of sleep / motivation, digestive issues, head / body aches, believing you’re crazy and hating yourself for it, and feeling isolated when people imply it ‘can’t be that bad’.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
To answer that, I will reveal an important note: ‘That’s Just Life’ is the name of my series, while ‘Overwhelmed’ is the title of this story, a.k.a. Book One. So, I do have rough plans for future books – it all depends on the success of this one.
For bonus content (including concept art / character profiles) and news / updates, visit the official website: www.thatsjustlifebookseries.ca
