Interview with Catherine Anne Collins
Have a seat, make yourself comfortable and start by telling us a little about yourself.
CC I’m a writer…oh, yeah, that’s why I’m here. Okay, I’m an animal lover and martial artist. I have a tendency to procrastinate, but that’s okay because I work better under pressure. I love summer, watching movies and eating junk food. Nature motivates and energizes me, while the noise of the city irritates and stresses me. I believe everything happens for a reason and that positive thinking can change your life.
You have many hobbies: photography, horseback writing, archery…reading. What authors inspire you?
CC Yes, there are many things that I enjoy doing. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to do everything I’d like and now that we’ve moved to a farm and have animals, I have even less time. Of course, I do make time for reading, that’s one indulgence I allow myself regularly. As to what authors inspire me, it depends on my mood. Some of my favourites are Terry Goodkind, Anne Bishop, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Karen Marie Moning, Lynne Kurland, Susanna Kearsley, Nora Roberts…the list goes on.
Do you have a favorite book or series?
CC I’d have to say that Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series, Nora Roberts’ Three Sisters and Gallaghers of Ardmore trilogies, Anne Bishop’s Tir Alain series.
Many authors admit that there’s a bit of themselves in each of their characters. I think that’s perfectly natural. Do you think that your life and personality finds its way into your books and characters?
CC Definitely. Absolutely. In my first book, the heroine was so logical about everything, a fact that drove the hero crazy, but it wasn’t until after the book was published and people began giving me feedback that I realized just how logical I’d written her as a character. For the next while I listened to everything I said and how I reacted to situations and I became aware of just how logical I am. Quite a rude awakening.
Your blog is called Mythical Author. Can you tell us what it means to be a mythical author?
CC It means that I get to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, boldly go…whoo, sorry, that was a flashback to my childhood when Star Trek was my favourite show. Come to think of it, that might have been one of the things that made me start thinking beyond what we know or what we can see. Being a mythical author really just means that I love to focus on myths and legends. Places that may or may not have existed in the forgotten realms of the past, or maybe still exist in another dimension side by side with us.
About Your Books
Tell us more about your latest release. What’s it about and what inspired you to write it?
CC Actually, I have two recently published books, both very different from each other. The Crystal of Light is a fantasy that takes place in the land of faerie and is chock full of myths and legends…just my kind of story. My other book is titled, A Witch’s Lament, and has a past/present timeline that deals with the subject of the Salem witches. It gave me a great excuse to visit Salem and do research. Many of the places I mention in the book are actual places in Salem, while some of the excerpts of the trial and many of the people are real as well. I’m not sure what inspires me to write the things I do, I just know that there are so many subjects that fascinate me and if I write about them it gives me a chance to research them. For example, a story I’m working on deals with the Knights Templar and researching their history is very intriguing.
What’s coming out next from you? Our readers will want to mark their calendars!
CC Later this year my next novel, Solitary Cove, will be released by Treble Heart Books. It’s a romantic suspense and very different from anything I’ve written so far. No faeries, myths or legends. I have no idea where it came from, but the story presented itself to me and pretty much forced me to write, so I did. After Solitary Cove will probably be a sequel to A Witch’s Lament and will hopefully be published by Crescent Moon Press. They seemed to like A Witch’s Lament enough to want a sequel, so I’m spending this summer writing A Witch’s Legacy.
Do you come up with your characters first or the plot of the story?
CC Ummm, you’re not going to believe this…and it sounds silly, but I come up with a title first. The title is always my foundation, strikes me unexpectedly, and sets the subject and tone of the story.
Do you have a favorite book or one that’s closest to your heart that you’ve written?
CC I would have to say my first book, Sword Across Time, will always hold a special place in my heart. It was such a thrill to actually beat the odds and become a published author and the feedback on it, both from reviewers and readers, was fantastic. More than I could have imagined.
Random Questions
Give us 5 words that describe you.
CC Oh, gosh, I don’t know. When I read this question outloud and the first thing my husband says is, “Skinny.” So I better use that as one of the words. Since I’ve been working 2 part-time jobs, as well as running our own business and doing my writing, I’ve lost about 12 pounds, weight I didn’t need to lose. I’m using that as an excuse to eat alot of ice cream, chips, chocolate and other good stuff to gain the weight back again. I guess “Loyal” is another word. “Persistent”, otherwise I’d never have been published. “Compassionate”, especially when it comes to animals. “Decisive”, I think. Well, maybe not, but then again, I suppose…okay…decisive. 
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
CC The answer to this question changes from time to time, depending on a few things. Currently, if I had the choice, I would love to travel to New Zealand. I know people who travel and they say it’s the most beautiful place they’ve been. The fact that the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed there also piques my interest. Ask me that question again in the middle of winter and I might say the Fiji Islands.
Do you have a beverage of choice? Something you can’t write without?
CC I have to laugh, because as I’m answering these questions, there’s a glass of Coca-Cola sitting on the table beside me. It’s one of my weaknesses and I hate going into a restaurant and ordering a coke only to be asked if pepsi is okay. Well, no, it’s not okay, but I usually end up ordering the pepsi anyway.
Do you write to music or the TV?
CC Not usually. If I do listen to music, it’s something soft and mellow, or maybe a sounds of nature tape.
What’s your favorite holiday and why?
CC I love Christmas because I love Christmas carols. I start singing them about 2 months before and don’t stop until 2 months after. I drive my husband crazy. I also like to get my shopping done and then make a no-pressure visit to the mall just to listen to the music and watch the people run about in a frenzy. Watching others do their last minute shopping and knowing that I’m done, relaxes me. Kinda weird, but true.
Do you have any advice to new writers?
CC Be open to advice from everyone. Never assume that you know everything, or that your skills can’t be improved. Take what you’re told, sift through it and do what you think is best for your writing. I remember sending out a manuscript and receiving conflicting comments from different agents. One thought the beginning was too long, too much detail, and suggested I cut it down, while the other wanted more details, more world-building. In a case like that, you have to do what you feel is right for your writing. Now, if you’re getting advice from different people and it’s the same, then you should probably listen.
How can readers get in contact with you?
CC Through my website: www.catherineannecollins.com or my blog http://www.mythicalauthor.blogspot.com/
Thanks for having me here, I always appreciate the opportunity to share my books with others.
Catherine
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