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Today, I’d like to welcome author Catherine Stine to my blog today. Catherine’s novels span the range from futuristic fantasy to paranormal to contemporary. Her futuristic thriller companion novels Fireseed One and Ruby’s Fire are both indie award winners. Her paranormal-horror YA, Dorianna won Best Horror Book in the Kindle Hub Awards. She also writes new adult fiction as Kitsy Clare. Her new adult Art of Love series includes Model Position and Private Internship. She suspects her love of dark fantasy came from her father reading Edgar Allen Poe to her when she was a child. Presently, she’s at work on a paranormal historical set in 1932 about a witch.
JET: Can you tell us about Ruby’s Fire?
Ruby’s Fire is set on a future earth, which has gone
through an apocalypse and is slowly returning to life. Ruby was raised in a desert
cult, where young women were pledged to men from an early age. In the beginning
of the book, she is struggling to escape. Her skill at mixing potions is one she
takes full advantage of. Trauma, the paradox and responsibility of negotiating extreme
beauty, kicking drug addiction and learning how to communicate and love honestly—this
is the fare of Ruby’s Fire, and the real challenges for many young women (and men).
JET: What drew you to writing a futuristic thriller?
I love thrillers, romance, bad#ss heroines and imagining future scenarios, so The Ruby mash-up was fated.
JET: What was your most challenging hurdle on the road to publication?
I’m a hybrid author. I’ve been published by biggies like Random House and American Girl, and small indies, and I’ve also self published. Each has its strengths and drawbacks. The challenge is in being fearless, and making smart business and intuitive choices each step of the way.
JET: What are some of your favorite moments in the journey?
Getting reader mail and reviews is cool. Landing my first big interview in Booklist was a thrill. My novel making it onto recommended high school reading lists was a super-proud moment. But the best? Meeting and chatting with new fans at book conventions! Love it.
JET: Which authors had the most influence over you growing up?
No question, Lewis Carroll and his Alice in Wonderland had a huge influence on me for its imagination and guide into creating joyous, riotous fantasy. Also, I loved Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking because Pippi was a wild girl with zero fear. She carried a monkey on her shoulder and wasn’t too shy to wear outrageous clothes! Later, Ray Bradbury’s poetic and far-reaching Martian Chronicles changed my world.
JET: When did you know you wanted to take the plunge into the writing world?
I was always writing. In fourth grade I wrote short mysteries and illustrated book covers for them. I was also an artist, so the art and writing went hand in hand.
JET: What’s the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of book research? Most interesting fact you uncovered?
For my novel, Refugees, which, in the first draft, involved a homeless teen, I actually got up my nerve to interview a street person. It was a twenty year old girl who told me all about her nomadic life. She had a pet rat who lived up her sleeve. Her dad had been a Grateful Dead groupie, and he had shuffled the whole family from town to town, so that’s all she knew! She told me every detail of how to jump trains.
JET: Of all the novels and stories you’ve written - which one is your favorite? Why?
Oh, wow, they’re all my babies. That said, Ruby’s Fire is a favorite, because she goes through so many intense changes, and is so very brave. Plus, she makes sure her little brother Thorn is safe through it all. I also write romance as Kitsy Clare, and I do love my Art of Love books, which feature artist, Sienna, because I know that world so very well. I showed my work in galleries for a good while.
JET: Any advice for the novices out there?
Don’t rush it. Write a couple of novels before you even try to find and agent or editor. Find the themes and subjects that most resonate with you, that will fuel a really gut-wrenching, rollercoaster book.
JET: Now I’ve hammered you with the big questions,
let’s tackle my favorite (geeky) quick ten, starting with Paper or Plastic?
Paper, I’m all about helping
the environment to stay healthy
JET: Steak or Tofu?
Neither! LOL. I have not
eaten beef in 20 years. That said, I dislike tofu. I eat chicken and fish.
JET: Beach or Mountains?
Beach, I worship the ocean.
Two of my novels are set in beach towns!
JET: Country or Rock-n-Roll?
Rock! My last two live
concerts were U2 and Marilyn Manson.
JET: Leather or Lace?
Leather.
But I like lace too. In fact, they’re cool together!
JET: Granny
panties or Thongs?
Hi-cuts.
JET: Angels or Demons?
Demons, I love a sexy villain! In my paranormal horror,
Dorianna, I created one helluva charismatic Prince of Darkness in Wilson Warren.
JET: Paper or Digital?
I like both. Paper for notes and lists, digital for the
novel drafts.
JET: Silent Film Classics or B Rated Horror?
Both, but I did get a huge laugh from Leprechaun in the
Hood and Killer Klowns.
JET: Twilight or True Blood?
I might get lynched for this but neither! I’m more a
fan of Penny Dreadful and American Horror Story. Not vamps, just really dark, twisted
shows.
JET:
Coffee or Tea?
Black coffee and black
chai, so any of it without milk.
JET: Tell us what you're working on now?
Sure, I’m writing a paranormal historical romance set during the Depression in 1932 on the Jersey shore. The heroine is a witch named Fiera, who has no idea what she is at first. It’s a novel about hidden agendas, dark powers and of course, forbidden love. For hints of the story, check out my Witch of Cards Pinterest board!
JET:
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat on my blog.
Thank you!
JET: You can find
Catherine at the following places:
Thank you for stopping in today!
Until next time,
Ciao!
JET
2 comments:
Hey, JE Taylor, you rock! Thanks. Catherine
My pleasure!
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