PHOTO: Kristin Carter-Groulx, celebrated author, genealogist, and storyteller, crafting magical worlds and heartfelt histories from Canada to inspire all ages.
Celebrating A Master Storyteller Of Children’s Books, Young Adult Fantasy, And Historical Narratives
Kristin Carter-Groulx discusses her multifaceted writing career, blending magic and history, inspiring young minds, celebrating ancestral ties, and offering advice for aspiring authors with her distinct imaginative depth and authenticity.
Kristin Carter-Groulx stands as a beacon of versatility and imagination in contemporary literature. With a portfolio that gracefully spans children’s stories, young adult magical realism, historical biographies, and heartfelt poetry, Kristin expertly showcases her ability to craft narratives that resonate deeply across generations. Her enchanting works, such as Humphrey the Humpback Whale and her latest delight, Sir Can’t-A-Lot, captivate young readers with themes of inclusivity and perseverance, while her critically-acclaimed YA series, The Mis-Adventures of Alyson Bell, weaves an extraordinary tapestry of time travel, ancestral connections, and a magic steeped in both wonder and humanity.
A seasoned genealogist and historian, Kristin brings a unique depth to her storytelling by drawing upon decades of experience and research. This wealth of knowledge breathes life into works such as Demi-Tasse and Mrs. Grundy, where she masterfully chronicles the remarkable life of her great-grandmother, a pioneering journalist, against the vivid backdrop of the 1920s. Kristin’s passion for uncovering hidden histories not only enriches her non-fiction endeavours but also imbues her fictional tales with remarkable authenticity and nuance.
At the heart of all her writing lies a generosity of spirit and a profound understanding of human connection. Kristin’s tales are not merely entertaining; they are journeys that inspire and comfort readers, reminding them of the threads that link past, present, and future. Whether penning adventures inspired by her love for magic or crafting whimsical children’s tales set in the charming landscapes of Canada, Kristin’s literary voice is as warm and inviting as it is thought-provoking.
It is a delight to present this insightful interview with such a multidisciplinary talent, where Kristin shares her inspirations, challenges, and advice for aspiring writers. Prepare to be inspired by the wit, wisdom, and wonder of an author whose work truly transcends genres.
Kristin Carter-Groulx is a brilliant author whose heartfelt narratives inspire, entertain, and connect readers across generations and genres.
In The Ghost of Colby Drive, Alyson Bell discovers her time-travel abilities. How do you balance the fantastical elements with relatable teenage experiences?
Teenage experiences are nearly always led by the heart and body, and less so the mind. Alyson meets her soul mate in the first book and he is with her throughout the series. I’ve used the word “Anam Cara” before, a Gaelic word to mean ‘soul friend’. Ethan is more than just a typical teenage crush. He appears in Alyson’s life at a time when she’s just awakening to her time-travel abilities – almost like he is a guide, but I don’t want to give too much away. She finds items left for her by relatives she has yet to meet, as well as some from the past. More of the natural world around her reveals itself that it has hidden secrets and stories to share, taking her on a magical journey while still managing the mundane, such as remembering her locker combination at school. The two worlds are cleverly interwoven and overlap.
“Teenage experiences are nearly always led by the heart and body, and less so the mind.” – Kristin Carter-Groulx
The series intertwines past lives and destiny. What inspired you to explore reincarnation and ancestral connections in your storytelling?
The ‘ancestral connections’ ties in with being a genealogist for so many years. I also spent part of my later teen years in Japan, where other religions which have those kinds of connections exist. I’ve always felt a strong connection with those who came before us, the messages they’ve left for us, the visions they held for us as they took brave leaps to move to new worlds and lands. Not unlike the fantastical leaps Alyson takes. I’ve always felt in my heart that we are more than what we appear on the surface to one another. Our souls connect. We see each other and the masks fall off. We connect with those we are meant to, for whatever reason. Is it ‘destiny’? Only the universe knows.
Alyson faces numerous trials and loss. How do you ensure her growth resonates with readers while maintaining the series’ magical tone?
As Alyson grows and matures, so does her “magic” and her innate ability to tap into the timeline, but she often does not have control over which year she ends up in – hence her “mis-adventures” of Alyson Bell in the series title. Readers will resonate with having to grow into a new ability or skill, and being challenged and tested along the way to help them improve those skills. Same holds true for Alyson.
The mis-adventures of Alyson Bell series spans several years. How has your writing evolved from the first to the seventh book?
When I first began doing book editing back in 2004 for another author friend of mine, Eric D. Goodman, he encouraged me to try a contest called NaNoWriMo, wherein you write a 50K novel in one month’s time. This essentially was the draft of my first book, and after many edits later, it was published three years after it was written. The YA series spanned over seven books and an entire decade of writing. During that time, I battled several health challenges including cancer and losing three major organs. With each book and respective growth which came with it, I also felt spiritual growth happening. It flowed through my writing in fantastical ways as I could only interpret. By the close of the seventh book, written a decade ago, my writing had matured, but still maintained the same youthful flow and tone of writing in the voice of Alyson Bell.
Your children’s book, Humphrey the Humpback Whale, addresses autism. What motivated you to tackle such an important topic in a children’s story?
I have family members who are autistic and I’ve witnessed challenges and struggles, but also triumphs and strengths. They say write what you know. Children are great communicators, but can get caught up in the exteriors or expectations of meeting a new friend, especially one who might be different or ‘has a good heart but can’t get the words out’. I’ve met so many wonderful children who just need a bit more patience to let their spirit shine and let themselves bloom!
In Demi-Tasse and Mrs. Grundy, you delve into genealogy. How does your background in genealogy influence your writing?
Demi-Tasse and Mrs. Grundy is a biographical look at my paternal great-grandmother and her journey as a female journalist and writer in the early 1920s. As a genealogist, I’ve researched her life (and others) extensively and can connect all the dots on the ‘where and how’ she lived. Seeing these facts brought to life, through her stories told in century old newspapers and magazines, paints a picture of her early 20th century life.
As a genealogist, how do you incorporate historical research into your novels to enhance authenticity and depth?
I’m thankful we’re living in a time where so much knowledge and information is available to us at anytime we want it. We have never had access like this before. Either we’ve been limited by the hours of a library or archive, or we’ve had to write letters to receive information from afar. As a genealogist, I have learned about the areas I have researched. I’ve learned about the different time periods, fashion, the way people talked, what they loved, feared, and believed in. It is about methods of travel available at a certain time period, or what activities people were involved in at a particular time. This adds layers and depth and believability in any story – and it is crucial to get it right when working with a cross-genre book series involving a time-traveling teenage witch!
What advice would you offer to aspiring authors looking to blend fantasy, history, and personal experiences in their writing?
To all aspiring authors – Go for it! There is no wrong answer. Write from the heart. Do your research. Lurk in libraries. Mull about in museums. Everyone has a story inside of them to share. Sometimes it is easiest to put it into a fantastical or historical environment or POV. Have fun with it. Edit it later… there is always time. Be happy you don’t have to write it by hand like they did several centuries ago. Could you imagine? Ink and quill, brittle parchment paper scrolls, dim flickering candlelight casting jagged shadows upon the wall, the silence all around, ink slowly drips off the tip of the quill as you begin to write your story. That is what writing is all about. Painting a story with words and taking your reader on a journey.
Tell us what you are working on now?
My latest books are a children’s book series all published under the imprint of Turtle Bridge books. I’ve recently published My Day in Perth (about a small Ontario town with heritage + heart), the 5th Anniversary edition of Humphrey the Humpback Whale, complete with fun new text to open readers up to new fonts and cursive, and most recently Sir Can’t-A-Lot, about a boy who believes he can’t (but he can!). I’m presently working on another children’s book due out later this summer, which honours my daughters love of bugs and small critters. Alongside the children’s books I’m working on, I’m compiling my notes from years of genealogy and will put those into books as well to assist other researchers with the surnames I’ve already researched.
