Monday, January 7, 2013

Meet Cate Masters, Romance Author!

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.

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. 

Deanna: Where can readers find Death Is A Bitch?

Cate: It’s available from:
Amazon 

     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.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

8 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for hosting me to your beautiful blog, Deanna!

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  2. Wow, you are so busy, Cate! I'm amazed at all you do. All the best! :)

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  3. Lol, 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.

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  4. Aw thanks Jessica - you're a busy mom, so you understand how it is! lol

    Yep, kind of like that stuff that sticks to your shoe, Lorrie, tee hee. Glad you enjoyed Death - she was a hoot to write.

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  5. Wow you watch your grandkids and find time to write. You are very busy lady. Love the book cover. Sounds really good.
    Sue B

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    1. My days are pretty full, Sue, lol. Thanks! Decadent has fantastic cover artists. :)

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  6. Wow, 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 ;)

    f dot chen at comcast dot net

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