Cate Masters
Romance Author
Welcome and come in for a bit. We're here with Cate at a bar directly out of her story called The Nethers – and according to Cate, it’s set between the realms, and it’s a neutral zone where demons, angels, etc. all gather. Thank you for joining us! Grab your favorite beverage and let's chat with Cate.
Deanna: Cate, this is a great place, thanks for meeting us here. What else do you do along with your writing?
Cate: I’m a busy grandmom, and run a free daycare for my
three grandboys, now 4, 3 and 1 ½. They keep me hopping! I used to have time
for other crafts and hobbies, but lately it’s mostly reading and photography –
guess what of? Three beautiful little boys, and sometimes the gorgeous scenery
surrounding our house and my furry baby, Lily.
Deanna: Well things like that make our muse more creative! What do you do to relax?
Cate: I collapse into bed, lol. There’s not much downtime
around here, although in nicer weather, hubby and I sit on our deck under the
stars, with the frogs serenading us. Just thinking about it makes me say ahhh.
Deanna: I can almost hear the frogs. As authors, we’ve sometimes been accused of being several people.
How many personalities live in your mind?
Cate: I don’t consider myself as having multiple
personalities, although I can get kind of cranky if I don’t get enough writing
time, lol. I just have a very vivid imagination, and the characters that come
to me are sometimes more real than living people! They usually only stay in my
head while I’m writing the story – once it’s finished, they’re like a lost love
– gone but still very dear to me. :)
Deanna: I do love how each author is different in how their creative side works for them. What is your strongest area in writing: plotting,
character personality, dialogue, etc?
Cate: Hm, good
question. Not plotting, as I usually start with a general idea and then let the
characters lead me where they will. I’ve been told my dialogue’s realistic,
which is wonderful to hear. Some reviews have said my descriptions immersed the
reader into the setting, which is fantastic to hear because stories usually
play like movies in my head while I’m writing.
Deanna: I love when that happens as we write. It makes writing more fun and a bit easier. Can you work on more than one book at a
time?
Cate: Pre-grandboys,
I used to, but these days my writing time’s limited, so I mostly concentrate on
one at a time.
Deanna: How long
does it take you to write a book?
Cate: Oh, tough
question. It depends on the story, really. With some stories, I hit a certain
writing zone and they flow out of me. Others, it takes more time to flesh out
the story and characters. For novels, I’d guesstimate about a year. Some
novellas take almost as long. Shorter stories, I can finish in a few months. I
like to set each finished story aside for awhile so I can read it later with
fresh eyes, especially after my crit partners give me their feedback.
Deanna: Crit partners can be so helpful...it also teaches us to have a tougher skin where criticism is concerned. All comments are helpful is some way and we must learn not to take it personally if we truly want help with our writing. What is your
editing process?
Cate: I’m very conscious as I write not to overuse the
words editors most hate (was, that, and so on), but I make several passes of
self-editing before sending the last draft to my crit partners. They’re an amazing
bunch of writers, and each one brings a different perspective to the critique
table, which is so helpful.
Deanna: Yes it is! They each view the story in a different way. What is your
favorite way to connect with readers?
Cate: I love to hear from readers! Those emails telling me
how much they loved a story really make it all worthwhile.
My blog is a great way to keep up with upcoming news and events, and I often host other authors.
My blog is a great way to keep up with upcoming news and events, and I often host other authors.
Here are a few other sites I frequent:
Deanna: Tell us
about a typical day in your life as a writer.
Cate: Days are all about the grandboys. At night, I lock my
office door and catch up on blogs and other social media. Writing time’s mostly
on weekends.
Deanna: Do your
books have a common theme or are they all different?
Cate: The stories themselves are all different, though many
times I’ll incorporate the theme of following your bliss to find happiness, and
female empowerment. My series, The Goddess Connection, is all about both of
those themes – it says: ever woman should embrace her inner goddess (and be
treated like one!).
Deanna: What is your
current project and when is your next release?
Cate: I recently finished a holiday novella I hope to sub
soon, and am currently working on another to sub to Decadent Publishing for
their fun 1 Night Stand series. Decadent recently contracted two of my other 1NS
contemporaries, so look for those in the coming months. A few other stories are
circulating, so fingers crossed for good news on those. Lots of goodies coming
up!
Deanna: Congrats on the new contracts, Cate! Decadent Publishing released Death Is A Bitch last
summer. Was it difficult to portray Death as a woman?
Cate: Not at all. The title actually came to me first, and
it instantly sparked the image of a strong female heroine. She has a strong
work ethic, and takes her duties seriously, but she also has a soft side. Death
was actually a very fun character to write.
Deanna: You incorporated Greek mythology into a modern
setting for this story. Was that something new for you?
Cate: I’ve written a few stories this way, starting with
Clio’s Choice, in which the Greek god Dionysus tries to seduce the heroine,
Clio, away from her husband. As the title implies, The Goddess Connection
series connects each heroine to a goddess, and her lifelong quirks become her
strengths. I love researching mythology, and bringing those heroes and
goddesses to life.
Deanna: Will you share a blurb for Death Is A Bitch?
Cate: I’d love to!
:)
Eternity can suck when it’s all work, work, work. Death harvests souls even when they stack up faster than pancakes in an all-you-can-eat-buffet. No wonder she can’t shed the Grim Reaper rep.
As the patron angel of death and dying, Azrael works closely with Death but is dying for true intimacy. She’s the only immortal who’s ever aroused such powerful emotions in him. One taste of her leaves him needing her like humans need air and food, but will a demon’s lies leave a bad taste?
No one escapes Death – except King Sisyphus. Twice. With the help of Damien the demon, Sisyphus tries again, and she’s determined to have justice. Some say Death’s a bitch, but only when she has to be. But will the price of justice be a broken heart?
To read an excerpt, reviews, and see the Casting Call (who I imagined as each character), visit my blog post HERE.
Eternity can suck when it’s all work, work, work. Death harvests souls even when they stack up faster than pancakes in an all-you-can-eat-buffet. No wonder she can’t shed the Grim Reaper rep.
As the patron angel of death and dying, Azrael works closely with Death but is dying for true intimacy. She’s the only immortal who’s ever aroused such powerful emotions in him. One taste of her leaves him needing her like humans need air and food, but will a demon’s lies leave a bad taste?
No one escapes Death – except King Sisyphus. Twice. With the help of Damien the demon, Sisyphus tries again, and she’s determined to have justice. Some say Death’s a bitch, but only when she has to be. But will the price of justice be a broken heart?
To read an excerpt, reviews, and see the Casting Call (who I imagined as each character), visit my blog post HERE.
Deanna: Where can readers find Death Is A Bitch?
Thanks so much for having me at your blog, Deanna! It’s
been a real pleasure. Readers, leave a comment and then, although it isn't required, get more entries in by using the Rafflecopter! Let me know which book you'd like if you win. Thank you all for stopping in!
Giveaway: Winner’s choice of one of my Decadent 1NS stories – A Hard Day’s Knight, a fantasy, or the contemporary, Tonight You Belong to Me.
Giveaway: Winner’s choice of one of my Decadent 1NS stories – A Hard Day’s Knight, a fantasy, or the contemporary, Tonight You Belong to Me.
Thanks so much for hosting me to your beautiful blog, Deanna!
ReplyDeleteWow, you are so busy, Cate! I'm amazed at all you do. All the best! :)
ReplyDeleteLol, you're everwhere today, Cate. It's a wonder you can keep up with all that you do. I've read Death is a Bitch and really enjoyed it. Who ever said your dialogue is sharp is honest. I wish I had your knack for it. Oh boy, it sounds like you have a lot more goodies coming our way. I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Jessica - you're a busy mom, so you understand how it is! lol
ReplyDeleteYep, kind of like that stuff that sticks to your shoe, Lorrie, tee hee. Glad you enjoyed Death - she was a hoot to write.
Wow you watch your grandkids and find time to write. You are very busy lady. Love the book cover. Sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteSue B
My days are pretty full, Sue, lol. Thanks! Decadent has fantastic cover artists. :)
DeleteWow, Cate! You sure have your hands full--what blessed family you have! And congratulations on your upcoming stories--looking forward to adding more to my TBR ;)
ReplyDeletef dot chen at comcast dot net
Glad to hear it! Thanks very much.
Delete