My
Interview with Marnie Cate!
Author of the Young Adult Fantasy
Protectors of the Elemental Magic series:
Book 1: Remember
Book 2: Exigency
Book 3: Mazy - Coming Winter 2016
Protectors of the Elemental Magic series:
Book 1: Remember
Book 2: Exigency
Book 3: Mazy - Coming Winter 2016
I am
excited to have the opportunity to interview you, Marnie. You’re one of my favorite people. J Thank
you for taking the time to visit with me and my readers!
1.
I like to begin with a telling
question, so please start by describing yourself?
Passionate. When I get something in my mind it becomes
all consuming.
2.
It is well known that you’re
a huge fan of Dame Judi Dench. Can you tell us what she means to you and
what she’s done to influence you?
Judi
Dench has a glow about her. There is
something so special about her I can't describe it. The characters she plays are so real that you
can't help but connect with them. It is
not only her performances which always delight me but also her interviews. There is something magical about her one has
to experience rather than be told.
3.
Writers have different reasons
for pursuing the art of literature. I’m
always interested in hearing what motivates an author, especially to publish.
·
When
did you begin writing and at what point did you decide to publish your work?
o
In 2012 a strong image came to my mind. It was so vivid I felt I had to write
it. My first book took almost 3 years to
write. I was encouraged by a friend to
pursue publishing.
·
Before
you signed with our indie publisher, Creativia, you were
self-published. What made you decide to
sign with a small press, and have you ever considered going the traditional
route?
o
When I first self-published, it was more about proving to myself
I could be an author...I could be brave enough to share this very private part
of myself. The words I write feel like a
bit of me is in each character and setting.
o
In discussions with another indie author, she told me about her
opportunity to work with Creativia. I was intrigued and submitted my novel. When they offered me a contract, I turned
white with fear and declined. It was
after discussing my fears and the benefits with Author James
Quinn I decided to go for it and joined the Creativia team. There is something
comforting about knowing you have people supporting you who are experiencing
the same success and frustrations.
·
What
has been the hardest thing about publishing?
Did you expect this challenge?
How do you deal with it?
o
Self-doubt – something that is part of my core. There are small moments of success and pride
to lift me back up. Times when reading
something I wrote and thinking it is really clever, or hearing from someone who
read my book tell me how much they loved it.
·
Have
the challenges of being a published author changed from when you were
self-published? How has joining Creativia
made a difference for you, if any? How
do you think it has or hasn’t, and why?
o
I have more exposure with Creativia. The only challenge is
the limited access with being Kindle only.
While my print books can be found in various distribution sources, Amazon
is how you will find my ebook. I bounce back and
forth on my thoughts on this.
4.
Generally, you write in the
genres of coming-of-age young adult
urban fantasy and elemental
magic. However, recently, I had the privilege of
working with you on a project that took you out of your comfort zone and into
the world of romance. I’d like to ask you about your experience
writing FLAWED PERFECTION: A Collection of Winter Wishes and to take a
minute to share the 1st review we received, which happened to give
you high praise!
Format: Kindle Edition
An interesting anthology of romance
novellas just perfect for curling up with a cup of hot chocolate in front of a
fireplace, and losing oneself in a universe where good things happen at the end
to flawed women. There
are six stories, and my favorite was saved
till the last, "The Chase" by Marnie Cate, which ends with a
romantic winter evening and snow falling on a bench, my favorite quote from
Shakespeare, and emotional healing with love.
·
Was
this your first anthology? What drew you to this project, and what do
you think are the pros and cons of collaborating with a group of authors?
o
My first anthololgy was Awethology Light Kindle Edition by The Awethors (a
group of indie authors). My first
novella was Beginnings, the story of why there is a need to protect Protectors
of the Elemental Magic.
·
How
did you feel about writing in a new genre, like romance? Do you think it would have been easier had
you written solo opposed to working within the structure of the designated
parameters of the anthology?
o
I wrote this story in one weekend. It was so out of my comfort zone. I think it was a great way to start the story
of Caitlyn Chase, but I definitely know there is more to her than the condensed
version. I expect there will be a full
novel on this complicated character with how she got into such a dysfunctional
marriage and how her life changed after The Chase ended.
·
Did
you feel more pressure working with seasoned romance authors or did you feel
encouraged by them? Did you feel more
intimidated to try something new or did you feel like you had a sounding board
to address concerns you might have had during the creative process?
o
It was inspiring to work with experienced romance authors. While they were definitely more comfortable
with the more adult part of writing a romance, they were supportive of writing
what you are comfortable with.
·
What
do you think the advantage is in writing an anthology? Do you think it’s a good tool for expanding
your reach into new reader pools? Did
you feel like it helped you to grow as a writer because you were able to share
experiences with your contemporaries?
o
I think it is a good way to test your patience. You are not working for you but for the
collection. I appreciated the feedback
and inspiration from Simone and you. Reading your stories
and sharing my input, and having the same reciprocated, helped mold the story
into one I was proud of.
·
What
did you think was most challenging about working on an anthology?
o
Timelines, not being in control.
·
How
did writing romance compare to the genres you usually write in? Did you find it more difficult or did it
encourage the flames of creativity? Can
we expect to see more romance in your portfolio?
o
My YA series has been pretty vanilla. I have kept the sexual content very
mild. With The Chase, I definitely left my comfort zone in that area.
o
I can see myself writing more adult novels. Unclear if they
would be considered Romance.
5.
Everyone, no matter what
field they work in, experiences ups and downs, but as authors ours come in the
form of reviews. With literature being
so subjective and publishing being public, I feel like our feedback can be very
emotional. I’d like to focus the next
set of questions on this idea.
·
Do
you read your reviews, and how do you think the feedback impacts your writing?
o
I do. I appreciate
people's input.
o
It doesn't really impact my writing. Everyone has opinions and I always try to
stay true to trusting my instincts.
·
Have
you ever received a poor review, and if so, how’d you handle it? Did you find it to be constructive criticism
or did it have a more emotional impact on you?
If so, how’d you move past it?
o
I've not had a bad review YET.
I was told by someone that my disregard for the Oxford comma threw her off. My thought was if a comma is taking you out
of the story then my book is not the right one for you. A great story that sucks you in will not let
you focus on the silly errors or different styles.
o
In the end, I think you can't please everyone and you can only
put out the very best work you can.
·
How
do you continue to motivate yourself to not only write, but publish? Do you ever think about pulling your work,
and if so, what encourages you to continue?
o
The people surrounding me.
It can be exhausting to write and promote. I have been tempted to pull my books and just
write with no pressure or fear. I have
surrounded myself with an amazing group of Indie authors. They keep me motivated to never give up...or
at least today ;)
·
If
you were given the chance, would you do anything different? Why, or why not?
o
I would have sought a publisher before self-publishing, but then
I did learn a lot about myself when I struck out on my own. I guess you can't go back.
·
What
advice would you give to a novice author trying to publish?
o
Listen to your instinct.
You will receive many different opinions and many will clash. Surround yourself with supportive people and
learn from them.
·
What
was the best advice you feel you received?
o
Trust your instincts and believe in your talent.
6.
Being indie, authors are
required to do a large amount of promotion and networking whether they’ve
signed with a small press or not. What’s
your approach to marketing?
I
will admit I am not the best at self-promotion.
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, author interviews. One day I will get better at this aspect.
7.
What is your writing process
like?
I
turn on my computer and go
·
Do
you listen to music while you write, or do you prefer silence, like I do?
o
Very rarely. The music is
usually before and it triggers something.
It doesn't always have to do with the lyrics, but sometimes a thought
will pop in my mind and I have to go with it.
·
How
do you keep track of the details for your stories, especially when writing a
series?
o
Notes, notes and notes.
It is definitely the hardest part.
But, my story is written in first person. So it is Mara's story. As in everyone's story, sometimes they tell
you what they know...it isn't always the truth.
·
How
does a story unfold for you? Do you keep
an outline or do you “wing it”, letting the characters guide you through a tale?
o
I find talking it out in the character's voice is the best
starting point. I have voice memos of my
conversations that I then turn in the story.
8.
What can we expect to see
from you over the coming year?
Mazy
(Book 3) is at the final stages of editing.
Envy (Book 4) and M**** (Book 5) both have a strong start.
I have been working on a character chart to help my reader's keep everyone straight. My goal is to have it on the web by the end of March.
Envy (Book 4) and M**** (Book 5) both have a strong start.
I have been working on a character chart to help my reader's keep everyone straight. My goal is to have it on the web by the end of March.
I
would also like to finish working on Caitlyn's Chase's novel.
·
Would
you tell us about your current WIP?
o
Mazy leaves off at the end of Book 2. Mara is back home and dealing with the results
of her time as the Vizier. This story
introduces the reader to more gods and goddesses.
Thanks
again for taking the time out of your busy schedule to hangout, Marnie. I appreciate you and your friendship!
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