Date Published: March 18, 2021
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Disillusioned about her broken marriage and her husband’s PTSD, mom-of-three Sadie Rollins-Lancaster heads to the grocery store for Father’s Day fixings. But after a charged interaction with the man behind her in line, she brings home more than just vegetables and milk: the man’s voice and smile linger in her mind for weeks. When Sadie formally meets him months later, she’s challenged by emotions and feelings she never expected to feel again. But life is complicated. Sadie’s husband, Theo, the one to instigate the divorce, now refuses to sign the papers. And Sadie has to ask herself: What do I want? REWRITE THE STARS is an authentic and heart-touching novel about being brave enough to acknowledge the difficulties we face and having the strength to actively shape our own futures.
Is There a Message in Your Novel That You Want Readers to Grasp?
Two
messages come to mind. First, personal happiness is important. We cannot be so
intent on making other people happy that we do not place any priority on our own
happiness. Second, if you need help—with anything, but especially when it comes
to mental health issues—don’t be afraid to ask. And if you cannot ask or don’t
have the strength to ask, be open to accepting help if someone offers it. Those
are both “easier said than done” at times, but with time and attention, a
person can be successful at both.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Honestly,
the biggest challenge is finding the time to write! I have four kids, four pets,
a husband, and a part-time job. Writing joins so many other things I like to do—run,
read, volunteer—so I have to set aside time in my schedule to get my thoughts
on the page!
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I
have nine unpublished drafts (in various stages of revision) sitting on my
computer at home! Not all of those will see the light of day, but I’m determined
to find a home for at least a few (once I’ve polished them). My favorite, for
many reasons I won’t go into, is a book for young teens that features two characters
I’ve imagined: the child of Doctor Who and the child of Cinderella. It’s a sci-fi
(time travel)/fairy tale mashup that sort of pokes fun at times at the idea of
a happily ever after (though it has one, of course!). The rest of my work
focuses on women’s fiction.
If You had the chance to cast your main character from
My
book has two main characters, Sadie and Theo. And while I usually don’t
describe characters too much so that my readers can try to imagine them in
their own heads, in this instance, I have done some thinking about this
question. Jennifer Garner, with a no-nonsense, get-it-done attitude could easily
pull her hair back in a ponytail and play Sadie. Mark Ruffalo is about ten
years too old (sorry, Mark! I’m right behind you!) to bring Theo to life, but
that’s who I imagine would make a wonderful Theo. Mark always brings a depth to
each character he plays, and he would capture Theo’s inner demons rather well.
When did you begin writing?
Years
ago! As in when I was a child, and that’s been a long time. I would write short
stories and poems, but at one point, I did tackle something longer. (And my
sister reminded me the other day that she used to ask for stories when we were
falling asleep.) Writing has always served as a balm for me, but I didn’t
realize I could (or should) do anything more formal with the ideas inside my
head until 2012, when I took a workshopping class and found a group to encourage
my continued writing.
How long did it take to complete your first book?
My
writing routine involves juggling multiple first drafts since I usually have
several ideas running in my head at one time. And since I do not keep track of writing
time, it’s difficult to know exactly how long it took to complete my first
book. I have participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) six years
in a row, and during that month, I can churn out a pretty shoddy first draft.
That draft can take years to revise due to my juggling.
Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?
My love of reading and my desire to create
something unique inspired me to become a writer, but so many people encouraged
me along the way, several of them published authors. Most of those I met once I
moved to Ohio, where I fell into a generous writing community. These authors
give of their time and talent and share their enthusiasm such that it’s hard to
think you can’t succeed in your project.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
I
love revision! Getting the first draft down can be tedious at times, but going
back into the story and really teasing it apart, looking at the bones and what
needs to be tweaked (or overhauled) is one of my favorite things to do. It can
take a lot of time, but I find out so much more about my characters, my story,
my themes, just about everything when I revise. And when I’m finished with even
just one pass (because it will take multiple passes, of course), I have a sense
of accomplishment settle within me.
Describe your latest book in 4 words.
I
read this question in two ways: 1. Find four words that describe or apply to
your book. Those would be: sensitive, heartwarming, relatable, bittersweet. 2.
Describe the book using only four words: Letting go is difficult.
Can you share a little bit about your current work or what is in the
future for your writing?
As I said above, my work is mainly categorized as
women’s fiction, and my next novel, The Chocolate Garden, is no exception.
The story centers on eighty-year-old Frank Raffaelo, a retired serviceman who
loves his family but doesn’t always understand them or their motivations. On a
visit to his doctor for a routine checkup, he begins to doubt his ability to
remember. An accidental fall forces Frank to rely on his three children: Gabe,
the oldest, who always seems too busy to come home; Nico, the middle child, who
is keeping a secret from his family; and Marissa, the youngest, who wants to
feel like she belongs and matters to her family. Marissa is also a nurse
practioner, and with time, she realizes that while Frank might not show any
abnormal cognitive changes, his wife of forty-two years, Angie, does. When
Angie’s denial of her symptoms results in dangerous consequences, the Raffaelo
family understands that life as they know it is about to change.
In 2015, my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
disease. That summer, I spent many hours with my parents, and I sat with my
mother as she was assessed for cognitive changes. This book reflects my experiences
from that summer and after and exposes the toil and hardship that dementia can
cause a family.
About The Author
Christina Consolino is a writer and editor whose work has appeared in multiple online and print outlets. Her debut novel, Rewrite the Stars, was named one of ten finalists for the Ohio Writers' Association Great Novel Contest 2020. She serves as senior editor at the online journal Literary Mama, freelance edits both fiction and nonfiction, and teaches writing classes at Word's Worth Writing Center. Christina lives in Kettering, Ohio, with her family and pets.
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