Interview with Christopher Greyson, author of The Girl Who Lived

What can you tell us about your new release, The Girl Who Lived? Ten years ago, four people were murdered. Faith Winters was the sole survivor. As the anniversary of the murders approaches, Faith is released from the psychiatric hospital and sent back to her hometown where the slayings took place. Wracked by the lingering echoes of survivor’s guilt, Faith spirals into a black hole of alcoholism and self-destruction. Faith decides to track down her sister’s killer—and then discovers that she’s the one being hunted.

Which books would we be surprised to find on your shelves?

C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. I’m a big fan of their works.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always loved creating and entertaining people. Writing brings both of those joys together for me. I feel energized doing it. It’s like I get to create my own world and then go play in it.

If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?

I tend to eat only with people who are alive so… I’d have to say a group of strangers. Each person has a story and I love finding them out. A lot of people get put off meeting new people. I love it. As an added bonus I usually get a lot of great material from the conversations.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

I love the rain. It doesn’t keep me inside either. A good storm makes me feel like I’m in a Kurosawa movie. So you could find me out hiking, at the beach or writing in a bookstore.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

Keep the faith. The world is full of faith squelchers. Some are well-intentioned and some aren’t, but lots of people will try to get you to give up big dreams and settle for the crumbs. Dare to dream and dream big.

What scene in The Girl Who Lived was your favorite to write? When Robert drives Faith home. It’s a little scene but there is a lot of underlying emotions to it. Both Robert and Faith are like broken glass figures with pieces missing. There was something special writing about two damaged people worried so much about interacting with each other and yet not wanting to be alone. Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Deeds not words. Kind of strange for a writer but talk is cheap and I try to show—not tell—with my actions as well as my writing.

Christopher Greyson is the author of the new book The Girl Who Lived. Connect with Christopher: Author Page  Twitter Buy The Book