There is a Chinese proverb that goes, ‘He who asks a question is a
fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question is a fool forever.’ This
was foremost in her mind as Cristy Zinn wrote The Dreamer’s Tears, the story about a girl whose curiosity upends
her life and becomes her greatest strength when she has to protect her town.
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Cristy’s curiosity which led her to study a Bachelor
of Arts, majoring in English and Drama, at UKZN in the mid-90’s. Soon after
earning her degree Cristy and her husband moved to Cape Town where Cristy took
the train into town for her teaching job. It was on those train rides that
Cristy devoured fantasy and science-fiction novels and wondered if she could
write some herself.
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| Author - Cristy Zinn |
When her husband was transferred back to Durban, Cristy was
working from home, with two kids in tow, she decided she wanted to try and
write a novel. Eight years, a few ‘practice’ novels and one published short
story later, Cristy landed her first publishing deal with Fox & Raven
Publishers in Cape Town.
The Dreamer’s Tears is aimed at 10 – 14 year olds but will appeal
to anyone who enjoys children’s fantasy. On her website (www.cristyzinn.com) Cristy
quotes Madeline L’Engle (A Wrinkle in Time) who says, “You have to write
whatever book it is that wants to be written. And then, if it is too difficult
for adults, you write it for children.” This is very much her perspective as
she writes for children. Her book has been compared to the likes of Philip
Pullman’s Northern Lights and is sure
to be an engaging, fantastical read.
Cristy heads up an initiative called Write Start, running creative writing workshops in local schools.
She is passionate about encouraging and engaging with a new generation of South
African writers and hopes this book will be yet another avenue that will allow
her to speak into the lives of young writers.
If you would like to find out more about Cristy, her book or Write
Start, you can find her at these online places.
Twitter: @CristyZinn
Facebook: Cristy Zinn - Author
Instagram: CristyZinnAuthor
You can buy an eBook version of The Dreamer's Tears on
Amazon. And a paperback copy from the Fox & Raven Emporium:
You can also ask for the book at your local bookstore!
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