Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Oh, good question! I don’t keep a running count, but according to my site, I currently have 16 fantasy/paranormals, 11 contemporaries, and 5 historicals, ranging from short story to novel length. My stories have been published with small and online presses including Book Strand, Lyrical Press, Decadent Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, Eternal Press, and Wild Child Publishing/Freya’s Bower and web zines such as A Long Story Short, Dark Sky Magazine, Cezanne’s Carrot, The Harrow, Flesh from Ashes, Quality Women’s Fiction, and The Writer’s online edition.
Though I now live with my family in beautiful central Pennsylvania, I grew up in the wilds of New Jersey and am a lifelong dreamer and story lover. I also write mainstream and speculative fiction as C.A. Masterson.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Decadent Publishing released my contemporary, A Wedding at the Blue Moon Cafe. It’s the second in my Blue Moon series. A blue moon signifies a rare event, and new opportunities. After reading an article about Marfa, a funky little town in the west Texas plains, I fell in love with it. One of the great things about being a writer is that I can immerse myself in research and virtually visit places I’d love to travel to. It’s home to cowboys and artists alike. A place where your soul can say ‘ahhh’ and your heart can soar to the stars—which, in Marfa, appear much closer and so much brighter that they hold Star Parties. Plus glider competitions, play festivals, arts festivals, and another festival to celebrate their Mystery Lights. A great background for a story about two lost souls who find a home there, and in each other.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t call them unusual. Hot tea is a necessity to keep me going. I tend to start too many projects at once. At this writing, I have 23 stories in various stages, from sketchy idea to outlines to a few chapters done, plus an idea for a series of related stories that don’t even appear on the WIP spreadsheet. Maddening! lol Do I concentrate on only one at a time? These days, mostly yes, although if I hit a wall in one, I switch to another. Rather than diluting the focus on each, it actually sharpens it because I have to return to it fresh each time, especially if the stories were different genres.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
So many! I read any story that grabs me, regardless of genre. Growing up, favorites included Ray Bradbury and J.R.R. Tolkien. Then I found Margaret Atwood, Alice Hoffman, Michael Chabon, T.C. Boyle and fell in love with their writing.
What are you working on now?
I just put the finishing touches on the third Blue Moon novella, Twice in a Blue Moon. The characters don’t carry over from story to story, but the theme and tone are the same. With that one done, I’ve returned, at long last, to the third Goddess Connection novel. In each of these stories, the heroine discovers she’s descended from a goddess, and her quirks become strengths. I love the tag line for this series too – Every woman should embrace her inner goddess. And be treated like one! 🙂
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s so difficult to gauge what works and what doesn’t. I just love connecting with readers however possible – Facebook, my blog, chats, or live events such as signings. I love hearing from readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find tough, honest, caring critique partners. They are worth their weight in gold.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
At a book signing, I once asked literary author Ian McEwan for writing advice, and he answered in two words: Keep writing. And it’s true. The more you write, the better a writer you will be.
What are you reading now?
Richelle Mead’s The Gameboard of the Gods, a futuristic scifi thriller.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Wish I had a crystal ball to answer that! I’m going to keep doing what I love best – writing.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Could I exchange it for an ereader connected to a satellite? And solar-powered?
Okay then, a collection of Ray Bradbury stories, a book of the best poetry ever written and Robert McKee’s Story to help me become a better writer.
Author Websites and Profiles
Cate Masters Website
Cate Masters Amazon Profile
Cate Masters Author Profile on Smashwords
Cate Masters’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account