Welcome Cate Masters

Good Morning Cate.
The sun is shining, the dogs are asleep, so we can book chat in peace! First of all, here is a bit about Cate.

Cate Masters writes fantasy/dark fantasy, historical, contemporary and speculative fiction, described by reviewers 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, she currently lives in central Pennsylvania with her husband, Lily the dog, their dictator-like cat, Chairman Maiow, and dozens of characters inhabiting her imagination. Visit Cate online
Blog
or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.
Email cate (dot) masters (at)googlemail.com

Cate loves to hear from readers.

I know you have written a lot of novels. Kudos to that! But what made you write your first novel?

First, thanks so much for having me at your beautiful blog, Margaret! To answer your question: Probably to prove to myself I could! I’d focused on short stories for many years because I’d read it was good practice for creating concise stories. Every story can’t be short, though. Once I had the idea for a novel, and began researching, I found I could truly create a novel, chapter by chapter. I still love short stories too, but finishing a novel is very satisfying.

I am inspired by life to write. Every person or building shouts ‘story ‘ to me lol. Who or what inspires you to write?

Anything, really. My muse is a mystery to me. She suffers from attention deficit disorder, I’m convinced! I can be in the thick of a story, and she’ll come tugging at me with something completely different than what I’m working on. Inspiration can strike at any moment, really. I never really know the source, but I’m certainly glad for it!

I think a lot of your readers are too lol. What made you write your latest release.

Ah, this is easy. For many years, I lived in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and often drove past the Army War College. Inside its gates are rows of white headstones bearing names such as Lucy Pretty Eagle, there’s even a George Harrison! This graveyard both saddened and intrigued me. Over several years, I visited the graveyard, then visited the county museum, which has a wonderful display of artefacts from the school. Dickinson College in Carlisle had an amazing exhibit of students’ art. Researching Lakota traditions intrigued me as well, and I wove it all together into Follow the Stars Home. http://www.eternalpress.biz/people.php?author=240

Come on tell me more. What is it about?





In 1879, Captain Pratt opened the Carlisle Indian Industrial School for Native Americans. He travelled through the reservations, bringing back boys and girls as young as five, then commenced brainwashing them against their culture. The accounts I’d read of the school’s opening shocked me, and I knew I wanted to place two fictional characters in that setting. Because I didn’t want to offend any Lakota, I made up names that suited my characters.



Have you got a blurb. I’d love to read a bit about it.

What’s left for the Lakota when everything around them is changing? Quiet Thunder and Black Bear fear for their tribe’s welfare when buffalo and other game become scarce. A military captain named Pratt promises to teach them white man’s ways so they can become successful. Quiet Thunder follows Black Bear to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to the Indian Industrial School. The school’s rigid schedule allows little time together, and Black Bear grows more distant as his confusion over his identity grows. Can Quiet Thunder make him believe her love is as eternal as the stars?









In your new release, who is your favourite character and why?

I have such difficulty choosing favourites! All my characters are like dear friends and family. I love Quiet Thunder’s strength and determination to preserve her Lakota heritage. Black Bear’s deep love for her endeared me to him, although he nearly loses himself at the school. I can’t give too much away... he’s somewhat flawed, but I love creating complex characters.

Where can any new followers find you?

My blog, http://catemasters.blogspot.com, has news about releases and writing in general, and I often feature other authors too. My web site, www.catemasters.com, has an Events listing, plus individual pages devoted to each story containing the blurb, excerpt, trailer, and any reviews. I’m also on Facebook, Twitter and a few other sites, all linked to my blog and web site.

Life as a writer can get very lonesome. What do you do to overcome the loneliness?

Hm, good question. Not enough! I love the support of other authors online, but there’s nothing like actual interaction as opposed to virtual. :) I helped cofound a group of local authors called The Susquehanna Writers, and we sometimes get together for signings and other events. I lean quite heavily on my family for conversation. Occasionally I’ll talk my husband into taking me out. It’s important to come up for air once in awhile.

What’s your advice to new writers?

Join writing groups, and take workshops locally or online. Anything to hone your craft. Find honest critique partners who’ll be tough but caring. Lastly, read as much as you can. And writing, of course!


What did you want to be when you left school?

Journalism was my goal then (seems like a lifetime ago!). Though I loved the writing part, in college I found I hated interfering in people’s lives. Interviews felt like intruding on people’s lives, and I couldn’t imagine myself doing it if the subject had lived through some sort of disaster. So that’s when I turned to fiction. I later worked as a correspondent for my local newspaper writing features, and it was really gratifying to see some of my stories on the front page. Eventually I worked in many media-related jobs, and wrote fiction for me.

Thanks cate, it’s been a pleasure. Before you charge off, what actor/actress gets your pulses racing.

For me, it’s a combination of the role they’re playing, and how well they fit the skin of that character. I love actors who can be chameleons, such as Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslett, Alan Rickman, Johnny Depp… I could go on and on but I’ll spare you! Suffice it to say I appreciate any artist who takes his/her craft seriously.






Ooh yummy. Good choice Cate!

Thanks again for having me, Margaret! It’s been such a pleasure.

The Versatile Blogger Award

I’m so honored that Cate Masters bestowed on me today the Versatile Blogger Award. Thank you so much and I recommend you pop by Cates blog. There is tons going on.




According to the rules, I'm required to:

1. Thank the person who loved me enough to bestow this gift.
2. Share seven things about myself.
3. Bestow this honor onto 10 newly discovered or followed bloggers–in no particular order–who are fantastic in some way.
4. Drop by and let my ten new friends know I admire them.

So here are the seven things about me.

1. My Great Gran, Granmother, Mother, Sister and I are/were all Mediums from a young age.
2. I've always wanted to be a ballet dancer. But my boobs grew too big.
3. I waited twelve years for my engagment ring. We got maried without one.
4. I try to help at least one person a day. Even strangers.
5. I am soon to be a fully qualified Reiki Angel Master.
6. I can see illness in peoples aura's.
7. I long to visit the Arizona reservations and petrified forests.





So here is my list of 10 bloggers that I think are pretty fab.

Bk Walker Muse
Angela Kay Austin
Gina Kincade
Mary Hammads
Katherines Corner
Savannah Rose
Cheryl Turtlemoon
Mary Russell
E.J Stevens
Dawn Embers

So here is my list of 10 bloggers that I think are pretty fab. Please go and visit them. They are all different and very unique.

Welcome to Dee Julian

Good Morning Dee. It’s lovely to have you here today. Here is a bit about her.
Dee Julian lives in Memphis, TN with her husband, two children, and four dogs. A typical Virgo, she is passionate about everything she does. She is currently working on the synopsis for her second historical romance entitled Promise Me.


Dee’s Website
Dee’s Weekly Blurb Party:

So tell me Dee, what made you write your first novel?



Buy this novel


I had this one story playing out in my head like a movie. I thought once I reached the end that that would be it, and soon the story would be forgotten. Wrong! The ending was just the beginning for me.


I have so many things that inspire me to write. People, nature, animals. Who or what inspires you?

Romantic movies that end badly. It’s not really a romance to me if it ends without the “happily ever after” stamp of approval on it. I mean, the hero is not supposed to die, and the pregnant heroine is not supposed to marry his best friend and they walk off into the sunset holding hands, right? That’s not romance. It’s a tragedy.
LOL A true romantic. What made you write your latest book?
My first novel is currently my only release, but I’ve finished my second historical, and right now I’m working on the synopsis to that one. But to answer your question, it was another one of those stories that got caught inside my head, and I couldn’t sleep until I put it down on paper. I’ve always loved reading historical romance, and so that’s the genre I’m drawn to. I’m quite comfortable there. I especially love setting my stories in England or Scotland between the 18th and 19th centuries.

Me too. I love Historicals. Can you tell us what your books about?

Sure, I’d love to. Here’s the blurb from Promise Me:
When a hasty promise to her dying fiancé jeopardizes the future of his illegitimate child, Lady Leah Sheridan vows to make amends for the gentleman’s lack of honor by personally seeing to his son’s financial needs. One year later, the boy’s heartless mother abandons him. As Leah finds herself nearing a disastrous scandal, her fiancé’s older brother returns to England demanding answers she swore never to divulge. Will Leah break her promise and confide in the only man who can keep her safe?

I love the sound of that. I’m sure others will to. Where can your followers find you?

I’m on Facebook, but they can contact me through my website and I also host a blurb party for wonderfully talented authors. You’ll be there in a few weeks. What’s a blurb party, someone might ask? Visit here to find out. Leave a comment, if you like.

Let’s talk more about your book. Who is your favourite character and why?

In The Macgregor’s Daughter, that character would have to be Edwina. She’s a secondary character who is part seer, part queen, and part witch. She has a wicked sense of humor, and she uses subtlety and/or reverse psychology to make others do her bidding. Especially stubborn Scotsmen. In Promise Me, my favorite character would have to be the sexy and confident hero, Nicolas. He may be slow to come to terms with what he wants, but when he finally decides he wants it, he knows exactly how to get it.
A writers life can sometimes be lonely. What do you do to overcome the loneliness?
I’m rolling on the floor with this one, Margaret. In my house, everyone is on a different schedule so there is no being alone. My adult kids are both in and out all day and half the night with college and work. And my dear husband? He waits until after dinner when I’m lost in my creation before he asks about the whereabouts of his favorite pyjamas, his socks, how the watermelons are growing, when we’re going to take the deck boat out again, or insists on telling me how many stairs he climbed that day. Don’t get me wrong. I love my family and my life. I wouldn’t trade it. Or them. But time alone? Not sure what that is.

Oh goodness me. Your household is a busy one. Do you have any advice for new writers?

Well, I’m not sure I’m qualified to answer that question but here goes. It’s easy to get discouraged in this line of business, but as long as you love what you’re doing and you believe in your writing, keep pressing on. Keep the big picture of being published in front of you at all times. It only takes one editor or agent to fall in love with your story. Find a critique partner who is supportive but firm. Always, always hone your craft. There’s no shame in pursuing perfection. Enter reputable writing contests to receive honest feedback. Warning…you are going to receive more than your share of advice. Use only the suggestions that fit your story and your style of writing. Leave the rest, as they say, on the cutting room floor.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be when you left school?

When I graduated high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study next. In fact, I was tired of studying. I married a generous man who allowed me the luxury to do whatever my heart desired. I finally ended up taking several Accounting courses but after about ten years in that particular field, I grew bored and moved on to writing.

Thanks so much for popping by Dee. Before you go tell us what actor/actress gets your pulses racing.

Johnny Depp. Not only is he a witty and a fantastic actor, but he has those sexy, gorgeous black eyes and when they stare at you………………………………………………………………..sorry, what was the question?




LOL earth to Dee. Good choice!!!!


Thank you, Margaret. I enjoyed the interview. Best of luck with your writing.

Thanks Dee