AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Cate Masters

Hello my fellow book addicted readers!  Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to author Cate Masters! She is the sweetest person to talk to and she was kind enough to answer some fun questions for me to share with you.  So lets get started!

To start off, welcome and can you tell the readers a little about yourself?  

Thanks so much for having me here, Amy! I write across a variety of genres, from fantasy/dark fantasy to contemporary to historical, mainstream and women’s fiction as well as romance, in lengths from short stories to novellas to novels. Reviewers described my stories as “so compelling, I did not want to put it down,” “such romantic tales that really touch your soul,” “filled with action scenes which made it a riveting story,” and “the author weaves a great tale with a creative way of using words that makes the story refreshing to read.” The proud mom of three adult children, I live in Pennsylvania with my husband, Lily the dog, our dictator-like cat, Chairman Maiow, and dozens of characters inhabiting my imagination.  Visit me online at www.catemasters.com, http://catemasters.blogspot.com or follow me on Facebook or Twitter.

Can you tell us a little about your upcoming or latest release?  

Eternal Press released Fever Dreams, my contemporary novel with fantasy elements on May 7. Dreams allow us to delve deeper into our subconscious. Most importantly, they allow us the freedom to explore our most basic desires, and to set our imaginations free. Fever Dreams was a fun way to explore these concepts. The novel contains many fantasy dream sequences that allowed me to delve into the subconscious of the heroine, Diana, in a unique way. Through her dreams, she recognizes her feelings for Cal overwhelm her reason and better judgment. She knows the relationship has wonderful elements, but in almost a sensory overload way. I hope you’ll view the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/user/catemasters?feature=mhw4#p/a/u/0/9nA_fWQ_3vc   Here's the blurb: When Diana Taylor changes jobs, she doesn’t expect it to change her life. Meeting Cal opens up a new world of passion. He encourages her to pursue her passion for photography. Her love overwhelms her, blurs the line between reality and dreams. But is it love or obsession?

I am a fly on your wall.  What would I report back to my master of the daily grind of Cate?

The fly has fallen fast asleep, bored by the tedium of me sitting in front of my laptop, blocking out everything else in the room, fly included. I treat writing as my real job (though I do have a day job) and almost every day, put in as many hours as possible.

When you are not writing, what kind of books do you like to read? Do you have any favorite authors, that are must reads?

I like to read the same type of stories I write – fantasy/dark fantasy/urban fantasy, contemporary and historical. Though my shelves are full of authors I love, I automatically put books on my wish list from Alice Hoffman, TC Boyle, Michael Chabon and Margaret Atwood, though I love finding writers that are new to me, too, such as Natasha Mostert – I just finished Season of the Witch and loved it. I’m also trying to catch up on many of my fellow authors, too many to mention. There’s a real wealth of talent out there.

What are 3 things that are "must haves" for you when you sit down to write a new book?

My laptop, because if I write on the computer connected to the Internet, I too often check mail or blogs. Quiet, because it takes me awhile to get into the flow but once I do, it’s very jarring to be taken out of it. A basic idea’s necessary, but that’s usually all I start with – I’m not a plotter, though I believe there’s value in it. I’m just no good at it! And I like to let my characters surprise me with where they lead.

Do you have a blog or website that your readers can keep up with you and your books? 

Absolutely! I’d love for you to check out my sites:

Web site:  http://www.catemasters.com

Blog: http://catemasters.blogspot.com

I have a fan page at Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cate-Masters/89969413736?ref=ts

 

Twitter?  

Yep, Twitter too:  http://www.twitter.com/CateMasters  Though I feel terribly guilty about it – it’s connected to my Facebook page so I rarely actually go to the Twitter site.

I love to hear from readers too – email me at cate.masters AT gmail.com with feedback, ideas, rants, whatever you’d like. :)

Now for some fun stuff:

1. What came first--the chicken or the egg? Unless another nesting species hatched the egg, had to be the chicken. Two chickens, actually, if logic follows.
2. Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle? It would make the marketer’s job hell.
3. If you choke a Smurf, what color do they turn? Depends on what color their blood is, I suppose. Let’s try it and find out!
4. If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him? It’s a reminder for us all: no one wants to be Jimmy.

Favorite perfume: The most extravagant thing I use is baby powder
Favorite TV show: Saturday Night Live
Favorite Movie: At the moment, Avatar but most of my “favorites” don’t stay current for long
Favorite Drink: Starbucks Chai Latte
Favorite Dessert: Tiramisu

Thanks again for having me at the Overstuffed Bookshelf! It’s been a pleasure.

Thank you Cate for taking the time to do the interview! It was great to have you here!