Christinne Gray ’00 ’02MS

Tell us a little about yourself! 

Since graduating from UCF I explored multiple career options before becoming an author. I worked in finance and law and thought of pursuing a law degree. It didn’t take too long in the corporate world for me to realize I just didn’t have any interest or passion for what I was doing and I was just wasting time. Now, I’m a full-time author and speaker. When I’m not writing, I travel around Florida and give talks at different high schools where I discuss careers in the arts and using my corporate experience to help build up my small company. I’ve been a featured author on convention panels, podcasts, and in magazine articles.

In my spare time I love to read, cook and spend time with my family. I have a YouTube channel where I cook different recipes so that people can see that cooking with a disability is possible.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

I’ve been writing since I was in middle school and have gone on to have my own parenting with a disability blog and now a Substack. The decision to write full-time came about because I wrote a short story a long time ago and when I revisited the draft a few years ago, I realized that I could use my voice and share characters that I haven’t seen in other books.

What’s your writing process? What inspires your writing? 

I get inspiration that leads to the main character, brainstorm the plot and create the ending before starting to write the book. The barriers people with disabilities face in their lives inspire me and my hope is to authentically represent what it’s like to live with a disability. 

What was the biggest thing you learned during your time as a Knight that you apply to your life today? 

Research skills. 

What was a class or club at UCF that helped you grow as a writer? 

Legal Writing and Legal Research 

Who are some of your favorite authors or books? 

Barbara Taylor Bradford and John Grisham. My favorite book is The Judge’s List by John Grisham. 

If UCF had a time machine, what moment on campus would you go back to? 

Graduating with my Master’s Degree. Walking across the stage was a great affirmation that anything is possible if you determine you want to accomplish a goal. 

What are you currently working on right now? 

I’m writing the second installment of Mandated Renaissance. 

Anything else you want to share? 

I hope the books I write help people see more of themselves in the characters I develop so people know they are not alone.