FAQs/Bio (here's the official Q & A):

Young Adult (YA) Paranormal Romance
Author Kristin Groulx

Q: Where were you born?
A: Los Angeles, California, USA

Q: Where have you lived?
A: Canada: Ontario; USA: California, Missouri, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia; Asia: Japan

Q: Is it true you went to high school in 日本国 Japan?!
A: Yep. Graduated there. Class of '89... there were 12 of us in my Senior class, and I ranked 4th. I played basketball, and was on the yearbook staff, and in the french and drama clubs. I was also a member of the National Honour Society with a GPA of 3.8. I was my Senior Class President, took correspondence courses to graduate 6 months early from the University of Nebraska and won a $500 scholarship from the Smithsonian Institute. I didn't get to see my own graduation, and missed prom :( But that's okay. High School in Japan for me was very fun. I enjoyed being in a different culture from where I had grown up (mostly in Virginia). And yes, I learned only a small amount of Japanese and still remember it. I love to look back on my pictures. Let me rummage to find a picture to post.... I've got shoeboxes full ;)

Q: Where did you attend college/university?
A: I attend the University of Missouri-Columbia, also known as MIZZOU in Columbia, Missouri from 1989-1993 and studied Art and Theatre, as well as Psychology. I worked with the student government of Bingham Group (Schurz & Hatch Hall Dorms) and served as President of a service sorority Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) in 1991. I also returned to school to work with the Theatre dept. at Portland State University from 1996-1998.

Q: Where do you live now?
A: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada with my husband and two children and myriad of pets.

Q: What was the inspiration behind the Alyson Bell series?
A: Alyson Bell is a character I created based loosely on my own experiences as a teenager, and incorporates paranormal encounters, mundane idiosyncrasies, and spiritual epiphanies all under the same roof. She is a strong heroine, a role model for young teens as they mature into young adults, and a friend people can confide in and tell their secrets to. She is discovering her own path as she comes of age. She doesn't fit into any particular clique or size or race or creed. She is smart, funny, fearless and insecure all at the same time. She is someone majority of teens will easily identify with.

Q: Is the character Ethan Reilly based on any particular true love?
A: The name Ethan I picked after one of my favourite actors, Ethan Hawke. Reilly is the last name of the boy I had a crush on in 3rd grade. The character Ethan Reilly is an amalgamation of all those awkward teen moments and emotions that churned through my very being in high school/college. Seriously, what are butterflies doing in my stomach? I was *actually* very shy around boys in high school, and it was through the pitfalls of my friends heartaches that I learned just what power love and crushes actually hold.

Q: Do you believe in ghosts?
A: Tough question, considering I never really was given another option ;) Ghosts can be perceived as many things to and by many different people. I have included some of my own perceptions to aid in the storyline of my novels. The novels are works of fiction, however several of the ghost experiences are based on real perceptions of interacting with a ghost.

Q: How many Alyson Bell books will there be?
A: The mis-adventures of Alyson Bell series will consist of at least 5 books, hopefully with one coming out each year.

Q: What is the title for book two?
A: The Curse of the Moonless Knight is due out Fall 2008, just in time for Autumn and Hallowe'en. I already have notes written for book three, which will have a Winter theme, and so on... The books follow the seasons, as with each season brings new changes around and within us.

Q: So... You do the writing, the graphics and the webdesign?
A: Without sounding too egotistical, the quick answer is 'yes' ;) I've been working with graphic and webdesign for over 15 years now. Writing has always been a hobby, including writing screenplays and dialogue for video games, rpgs. It was my idea to combine my two passions and let my art and writing speak for themselves.

For years I was known for my drawings, mainly my tigers. I love working with pencil. Graphic design is my second favourite.

Lastly, Moonspinner Designs is the name of my graphics and webdesign company I manage. I've been around for a long while having various clientelle around the world, including Toronto artist Biljana. I am the webmistress for kristingroulx.com, and most recently RunGoose.com, which announces the arrival of my editor and friend's new children's book, The Flightless Goose.

It is a lot of demanding, but fun work. It helps to be passionate about it, and to know that eventually I can look back and see the rewards. I feel the same way about motherhood :)

Q: You are an advocate for teens and teen literacy programs. What other programs are you involved with?
A: I strive to increase literacy for all countries, especially with teens. AdLit.org is one organization (Adolescent Literacy) that I am interested in working with, as well as getting more books into public and school libraries. Reading and writing are so important! Everyone should be able to learn and have availability of resources to teach them. I will work with any school, regardless of size or location.

I also believe many teens are reaching out to be heard, especially when the weight of the world is on their shoulders. Raise Your Voice (raiseyourvoice.ca) and Kids Help Phone (kidshelpphone.ca) are two excellent resources for teens to have a sounding board.

I am also proud to support COEXIST, promoting global tolerance and acceptance of the ideology of building a more peaceful planet by being aware of our differences and celebrating them and incorporating everyone into our lives regardless of anyone's specific race, creed, beliefs, disabilities, etc.

Q: Will "The Ghost of Colby Drive" become a movie?
A: After watching my cast do such a wonderful job of re-enacting one of the scenes, I've been toying with the idea of making it into a screenplay, for the stage. I love live theatre (probably something deep rooted from the days of Shakespeare and his globe theatre... I can only imagine being there), and the storyline of this book doesn't rely on CGI and SFX effects to promote the story. It could easily be done through good acting, good direction, scenery changes and music, including thunderstorms. Some things are better left to the imagination..... ;) However, I would not totally shoot the idea down. There are some brilliant visionaries I would work with.

Q: Have you ever been in film or theatre?
A: Yes. I was a theatre major at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon and specialized in improvisational comedy (of all things). I have been in two small independent films, small roles in plays such as Albee's "Delicate Balance" and most recently cast as an extra for the TV movie "Dead at 17" directed by Douglas Jackson, premiering May 31, 2008 on Lifetime TV.

Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I listen to many types of music. Music comes in many forms and languages. I am fond of African Drumming and own my own Djembe drum (and play it too!). I also like to meditate, yoga, read, crochet, photography, gardening, hiking, camping. I have two children that keep me *very* busy when I'm not writing :)

Q: What are your favourite books?
A: I have two that I would classify as favourites... okay, maybe three... okay, it's a long list ;)

Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flagg
Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice
It by Stephen King
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Other authors I really enjoy are Holly Black, Katie Maxwell, Christine Feehan, Kelly McClymer, Stephanie Hale, Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot, Madelyn Alt, Cynthia Leitich Smith, JK Rowling, and many more in the genres of Chick-Lit, Paranormal Romance and Gothic Horror.

Q: What other genres do you write and where else have I seen your work?
A: I mostly write short fiction and some poetry. My writer's net profile has some of my older works. Currently, when I can, I volunteer to guest copy-edit for WynterGreene magazine out of Montreal. I have been doing that for about 2 years and enjoy the different perspectives and insights shared within.

Q: What is your personal path?
A: My personal path is that of a Spiritualist (with interest in Metaphysics and Philosophy). I don't adhere to any one path or label. I believe in peace and coexistence and truth ... and dream of a world where it is possible to abolish intolerance and -isms.

I am accepting of all paths and sensitive to the world around me and those who live here. I work a lot with the Pagan community, and have found a great mix of faiths intertwined among them. I have had a Christian upbringing, and respect where I have come from, and understand how I got to where I am today. I am a deeply spiritual person. Anyone who meets me in person can attest to this.

Namaste and Peace be with you always

We do not go round a circle of existence.
That is an illusion, just as the cycling of
the planets and the stars is an illusion.
We move along a spiral track.
It is not quite the same journey from
the cradle to the grave each time.
Sometimes the differences are small.
Sometimes they are very important.
We set out each time on the same road
but along that road we have a choice of adventures.
~ J. B. Priestley ~ I Have Been Here Before

We have learned much, Siddhartha.
There still remains much to learn.
We are not going in circles, we are going upwards.
The path is spiral: we have already climbed many steps.
~ Hermann Hesse ~ Siddhartha

Ideologies and causes I support:

What are you doing Sunday May 4, 2008? Mark that date in your calendar today and join us for the seventh annual Bell Walk for Kids Help Phone.

P.S. Why not bring your family and friends with you on May 4th and enjoy a fun day in support of a great cause? I will be walking at the Ottawa, Ontario location, but there are many other locations across Canada.

I raised $250 this year for Bell Walk for Kids Help Phone, and walked 5K alongside my family and friends. Next year, my goal is $2,500, and you can walk with me.