If you'd like to know how I became a writer, please turn to the Writing page of the website. Meantime, here is some other information about me.

While I was at university I had some weird and not-so-wonderful holiday jobs: packing eggs into boxes, sexing day-old chickens (don't ask!), cleaning breathing apparatus in a steel foundry (boring but there were lots of cute boys working there), admin in the local motor tax office (you wouldn't believe what went on in that place), and serving in a baker's shop (now that was fun work: all that cake. Yum!). In those days, I could eat my bodyweight in cake. Shh! Don't tell anyone, but I still can. 

 

But it wasn't all hard graft during the holidays. I also managed to squeeze in time, near the end of the summer, to go backpacking around Europe with a friend. I was always a bit skint though - those temporary jobs didn't pay much - but it was fun: eating street food, staying in youth hostels and cheap b&bs, sleeping on the pavement outside a railway station (NOT to be recommended so don't even think about it!) and even kipping overnight on the train. Can you imagine spending thirty-six hours on a wooden bench? I did that once. My bum aches just thinking about it!

"Get out of my basket," said Pebbles to Jess the collie.
"Get out of my basket," said Pebbles to Jess the collie.

 

 

 

After uni I trained to be a teacher, which led to a long career in education. Nowadays I'm a full-time writer, and I live in Scotland with my husband and two rescue dogs. Given my history you've probably worked out that I'm not exactly a teenager. Let me tell you though, I'm still a teen inside - maybe that's why I love to write for young adults.

Some random facts about me:

I have a clear memory of being about a year old and sitting in my pram, in the front garden. I also remember sitting on a tartan rug in the back garden around the same age. Don't doubt me - it's true (I think!).

 

When I was ten I made beautifully decorated fairy cakes for my family. Everyone said they looked delicious - but they weren't: I'd put salt into the cake mix instead of sugar!

 

On Christmas morning, when I was little, I wasn't allowed to go downstairs and open my presents until the first light went on in one of the houses across the street. 

 

When I was thirteen I fell out with my mum and flounced out of the door in a huff. Only thing was, it was a glass door and it was shut. The outcome? I crashed right through it and ended up on the other side with skin studded in shards of glass. I still have the scars to prove it.

 

 

I love:

Spending time with my husband, Edward, and our dogs; reading (so many books, so little time); coffee, lunch or dinner with family and friends; libraries; wildlife of all varieties, although I'm not so keen on creepy crawlies; shoes and handbags; holidays (especially if they involve being on or near water); my book group; cake, scones, chocolate and fruit; evenings at the theatre; listening to all kinds of music; art galleries; long walks; cooking and baking; and chilling out in front of the telly.

 

My favourite places on Earth:

Edinburgh; on a lounger, on a beach, in the sun; the East Neuk of Fife; at sea onboard a ship; anywhere in New York; wherever there is open space and clean, fresh air; and finally, quaint villages like Honfleur in France. Yet my favourite place to be is the world I create inside my head as I'm writing a book.

 

 

 

Welcome to my website!

Hi! I'm Christina Banach, author of Minty. Thanks for dropping by my website. Please take a look around. Here you'll find news and information about me and my books. If you have any questions do get in touch through my contact page. Thank you for visiting and happy reading! 

 

AUTHOR IN RESIDENCE

I was the 2017-2018 Scottish Book Trust Author in Residence at Knightsridge Primary School, Livingston. Many thanks to the SBT for for affording me the opportunity to share my love of writing and reading with such an inspiring school.

 

REVIEW FROM THE BOOK TRUST

"This is a thought provoking debut novel about love, loss and the importance of family…A compelling and ultimately heart-warming story."

 

Please click on the link below to read the whole critique: 

http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/view/34314


REVIEW FROM THE SCOTTISH BOOK TRUST

"Through Minty's eyes we see how family and friends are affected by bereavement. It deals with loss, love, friendship and over all, hope, resilience and strength of character. It's a haunting, eerie and beautiful read that will resonate with you for days after you read it. "


TEEN'S BOOK OF THE MONTH

I'm very grateful to the Scottish Book Trust for featuring Minty as their Teen's Book of the Month. 

 http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/blog/2014/parents/11/teens-book-of-the-month-minty 

 

OTHER REVIEWS

Below are extracts of some other reviews (to read more please check out my News and Reviews page):

 

"What an amazing story! I could not put this book down!"

 

"This is one of those gems that works for young adults and also the not so young...I read it in a single sitting - something I do not ordinarily do - except for a brief pause to compose myself before the final chapter, such was the intensity of emotion the book engenders. You must read this book..."

 

"Christina's stunning style of writing succeeded in bringing tears of joy and sadness to my eyes. For a first book being this good, it makes me wonder what is yet to come."

 

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

I was thrilled to be part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2015 SCBWI panel event - How To Survive Being Published. It was a real privilege to have been invited. Thank you! 

 

Plot & Structure Event

Thank you to everyone who came to my plot and structure workshop in Edinburgh. I hope you had as much fun as I did. Thanks to Sheila Averbuch for this great write up of the day. 

 

PINTEREST 

I've created a mood board for MINTY over on Pinterest. Click here to take a look:

www.pinterest.com/cbanachauthor

 

 

 

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