Thought I’d share this one again – it’s still true…
Whatever you celebrate – Yule, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah – I hope this one surpasses all of your expectations. I hope your travels are safe and stress free (and don’t think it’s selfish to take a few minutes off alone to look after yourself a little too). And I hope to hear from all of you in the new year!
Please say hello to Courtney Corcoran, another new author with Rebel Ink Press. Cate In Flux is her premiere novel and was released on December 10.
Courtney – the floor is yours…
I am a high school English teacher, and recently had my students fill out a survey regarding my teaching style. Some of the descriptions included the following: quirky; awkward sometimes, but in an awesome way; so passionate about poetry that you almost made me like it; enthusiastic about literature; funny; a little too invested in grammatical correctness; made me laugh every day; sometimes gets off topic. I’d say that about sums me up. I also am the mother of three amazing people. I hit the kid jackpot. My daughter is 14 and my twin boys are 11. Not only do they provide excellent material for my writing, but they are likeable, capable kids growing up too fast.
Cate in Flux is the story of a mixed-up girl who is smart, but makes terrible choices that get her into trouble, particularly with men. This book is the first in a series about Cate, who I hope will eventually find her footing in life. She has a very close-knit group of eccentric friends, some living double lives. I’d describe it as sort of a dark-humored romance, if there is such a thing. Early reviews are positive, and I’m working on book 2 right now.
I have always loved writing. It’s been a great escape for me. However, I never fancied myself any good at fiction until the last few years when I worked up the courage to try it out. Now, I see it’s a great way for me to work through issues without actually harming anyone in real life. It’s also amazing to see what my characters do and where they end up.
I am also working on a Young Adult book starring the fabulous Vanessa McDiamond. I adore YA fiction, and love teaching high school so I have the excuse to read it all the time.
I haven’t but I plan to.
I did participate in the Summer Camp NaNoWriMo group, and hope to do so again this year.
They become my family – and I do know what happens. But you’ll have to bribe me pretty well if you want me to tell. I also think this is why I’m enjoying writing a series. I get to think about what happens, and they don’t have to go away just yet.
A perfect writing day is one in which the words flow and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I finish, regardless of the total word count. On a perfect day, my characters behave themselves and do not get arrested or killed. On a perfect day, there are no interruptions to my train of thought, and my coffee is just the right mix of coffee/cream/sugar to taste like the nectar of the gods.
How do I come up with my characters? Well, if you’re my friend, you’re fair material. If you’re my enemy, even moreso. If you do something awesome, it’s likely to end up in a book somehow. If you do something ridiculously funny, same. But I’ll fictionalize you enough that no one knows it’s you…
Buy Links:
Social Media:
Twitter: @courtjcorcoran
Facebook: facebook.com/courtjcorcoran
Bio:
Courtney Corcoran is a high school English teacher and author. Her first novel, Cate in Flux, was released on December 10. Paperback and digital versions of the book are available at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Createspace.com. You can follow her on Twitter @courtjcorcoran and on Facebook at facebook.com/courtjcorcoran. Read more of Courtney’s work at www.courtneycorcoran.com.
Please say hello to Kathryn Robson, a new author with Rebel Ink Press. Golden is her premiere novel and was released in November.
Kathryn, take it away…
* You are going to be new to many of my readers. Tell us about yourself.
Hello all, my name is Kathryn, I’m 35 and live on the coast in Wales, UK. I am married with 3 boys, aged 14, 11 and 5, 2 dogs, a horse and a cat. Writing is not my day job, We own two clothes shops and we are just in the middle of opening our third, my house is never quiet or boring and there are never ever enough hours in the day. I love walking the dogs on the beach, horse riding, and going to the gym and I always read before I go to sleep at night.
* Tell us about the book that’s just come out.
It’s called Golden and is, I suppose a Vampire Fiction novel (though I did not aim for that when I started it). It has a good deal of heartache and romance, soldiers and bullets, Vampires and Demons and a touch of magic. I have been told Golden is fun to read, doesn’t go where anyone expected it to, has many twists and you can’t put it down.
* What started you on your love of writing?
I had no idea until I did start how fun it is! It’s reading but better – the story unfolds and you can control it – well you can try and control it as best as you can. I was out one day and had left my Kindle at home, found myself in a waiting room for hours with nothing to do so asked the receptionist for a pen and some paper. I was going to write a letter but somehow started on a story instead. Then that was me for the next few weeks, instead of reading every chance I got, I was writing, mostly in bed at night (only place you get peace and quiet when all the kids are asleep), and all on pen and paper.
* Do you write in more than one genre – tell us a little about each one and the books you’re working on in each?
I am so brand new, I have only written the one book so far, which is a supernatural Young Adult fiction book.
* Have you attended any writing conference or classes? Tell us about some that and some that have been especially helpful.
Eeek, no I haven’t. (Donna here, You finished a book and sent it out – that more than 99% of “writers” do. Own that, Girl!)
* Are you a member of any writing groups?
No, not at the moment, though if I get the chance to start on the second book in the Golden series, I definitely will. When I wrote Golden, I was so new to writing, I did not even know there were such things.
* How attached do you get to your characters? Do you know what happens after the book ends?
I get way too attached to my characters, they are like my secret friends. So much so that I am still attached to them and I finished writing Golden months ago. I have the second book all mapped out in my head and run through scenes over and over again.
* Describe your ‘perfect’ writing day.
My perfect writing day is a rainy day, I’m sitting in my kitchen with a cup of tea, headphones in my ears and the kids are at school and going to sleepovers after. I have to have peace and quiet and no commitments for that day. If I know I should be doing something else I get restless and guilty for sitting down and neglecting all my other chores.
* Could you tell us the one question you wish people would ask about your writing… and don’t forget the answer.
What scene of your book did you enjoy writing the most?
I know you have to have really read the book to be able to relate to the answer, but I guess each author must have a scene of their book they enjoyed writing the most and they are the most proud of. In Golden for me it is chapter 12, when Lainy’s house gets stormed by a swat team, bullets and bodies are flying
and its all a bit of a nightmare for poor Amy. Not going to say anymore, don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I loved that scene! It was so fun to write.
Bio –
Kathryn Robson is the author of Golden, a supernatural fiction novel. Born in Scotland, raised in America and Germany she now lives with her Family in Wales, Uk. She is the owner of 2 clothes stores and when she is not trying on her own merchandise, she is busy wrangling her three boys and trying to find time to write her second book.
Thanks so much for joining me here today, Kathryn! And good luck on finishing that next one!!