Guest Post: Cate Ashwood.
Today, my guest is the delightful Cate Ashwood. Please welcome her to the blog and pop in to say hello! All yours, Cate.
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1. Welcome back to my blog, Cate. You've had quite a lot happen since we last spoke here--what's been happening since the release of "Keeping Sweets"?
As you said! A lot! Since Sweets, I’ve had a short story (Riding the Board), three novels (The Hope Cove Series) and a co-authored novella (Five Ways a Boy Can Break Your Heart) published. I’ve also bought my first home and am about to have a baby! So life has been pretty eventful, but I wouldn’t change a second of it. It’s been a fantastic year.
2. What is the most rewarding experience you have had as an author and what made it so?
I think the first time someone came up to me at GRL and told me they’d read my book, that was pretty amazing. The fact that someone actually read the words I’d written… I was pretty floored. And humbled. And blissfully excited. It was surreal and I wanted to bounce up and down and maybe do a little dance.
3. Let's talk about the book you're putting together for GRL. How did you come up with the idea and what was the feedback like for it?
I’m so excited about that! It’s essentially an anthology of short stories and excerpts from the authors attending the conference. I thought of it when I was trying to come up with ideas for swag for myself last year. I wanted something that people would want to keep, rather than just throwing away a few hours after collecting it. Readers love it because it’s a way for them to discover authors they may not have known about, and what’s a better way to decide if you want to read someone’s work than reading someone’s work? It’s great for authors because it exposes them to readers (in a G-Rated way) and encourages readers to talk to them. It’s also a fantastic souvenir for everyone who attends to have all the authors signing it.
We did one last year, and it was such a hit! We ran out of copies in just under two hours on the first day. The organizers of GRL even had a few copies signed by everyone and they were raffled off to those who couldn’t attend the conference.
4. What are you proudest of in your life?
I would have to say, where I’ve ended up in life. Ten years ago, I was on a completely different path-not a bad path, just different-but I am so happy with where I am today. I’m proud of changing careers, of becoming an author, of figuring out who I am and where my place is in this crazy world. I’m proud of my choice of partner, and proud of the choices we’ve made together as we’ve begun to build our family. I’m proud of the relationship I have with my family, and of the relationships I’ve built with friends. Finding happiness I guess would sum that all up.
5. What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?
The biggest one (other than being able to hold my books in my hands) would have to be the people I’ve met. I have become friends with so many wonderful people, and none of that would have been possible without writing. Facebook can be a bit of a time-killer these days, but it’s one I don’t mind losing a few hours to because it allows me to connect with those I’ve become so close with over the last year and a half.
6. To someone who has never read your work, how would you describe it?
Mostly sweet, light on the angst for the most part, a little bit steamy, and always a happily ever after.
7. How do you deal with negative reviews?
I honestly just try not to let them bother me. If there is something constructive written in the review, I will look a little more closely. I’m not under the false assumption that I’m perfect. There’s always more to be learned, and a well-written review can be a great way to improve on my writing. If it’s paragraph after paragraph of horribleness, on the other hand, I like to assume the person writing it is just as horrible, and move on.
8. What themes do you enjoy writing about?
I don’t know if there’s a specific theme that appeals to me. I kind of write whatever pops into my head. Lately I’ve been broadening my horizons a tad.
9. What have you learned along the way of your journey as an author?
Where do I even start? I learned the importance of having support-beta readers and friends to bounce ideas off of. Also, how important it is to have a thick skin. I knew when I started this endeavor that not everyone was going to like what I wrote. (Actually, I had such low expectations when I started, that I didn’t think anyone was going to like what I wrote), but I am not one of those people who can stay away from reading their reviews. I think reviews are incredibly important. When someone gives you a negative review, often you can learn something from it. Sure, they sting, but if you can get past the initial hurt, your writing can definitely improve from the feedback. That being said, I’ve also learned it’s important sometimes not to listen to reviews because it’s easy to put too much stock into what other people say and begin writing to please others rather than writing what’s in your heart. (Cheesy enough for you?)
10. What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general?
Lately, it’s been finding the time/motivation/energy. I have ideas floating around in my head, but when I sit down to write, the words just get stuck. It’s like the longest case of writer’s block in history!
In general though, I’ve always found writing endings to be the hardest part of the process. I’m so anxious to get to the end and see the characters find their HEA, that it’s tough not to rush through it.
11. If you were approached to have one of your novels turned into a film, which would you choose and why? Who would you want to play the main characters?
You really do ask the tough questions, don’t you? It’s so hard to choose! I would probably pick "Brokenhearted", though. I think that one would read best as a movie, and it’s the first of the Hope Cove series. As for who would play the main characters, I think I would probably choose someone unknown. I’ve always liked movies where you don’t know the actor’s quirks or mannerisms. It makes the characters a bit more real for me.
12. What are your current projects and plans for the rest of 2014?
I’m working on a new contemporary series that I have tentative plans for 4 books… the first two are partially written. I’m also hoping to finish up the sequel for Colt’s book. Skylar M. Cates and I have begun working on another co-written adventure (a novel this time). I have a couple more in the planning stages as well-another co-written project with a certain fantastic Aussie author ;) and a fantasy/paranormal novel just to try something new. It’s a lot, and who knows if I’ll get even half of it done with the baby on the way, but I’ll aim high and see what happens.
(Aw, shucks. I'm looking forward to that too! xXx -L. J.)
13. The old adage "write what you know" is something that is touted a lot - do you feel that it's true for your work? Why/why not?
To a certain extent, but not too much. There was definitely more of me in "Keeping Sweets" than any of my other books-at least with the setting. The coast of Oregon is somewhere we vacation as a family every year and it’s very familiar to me, but I would say for the most part, the subject matter in my books is fairly foreign to me. I’ve never been a gay man, I’ve never come out, or done porn, or fallen in love with a perfect stranger. I’ve never been to Maine, or played the violin professionally, and I can’t even swim very well. The particulars of my novels take research and a little imagination, but I think love is a fairly universal thing and so at the end of the day, it’s easy to write, because it’s all about the love.
14. Music is an important part of both our lives, I know - what role does music play in your writing process?
I can’t listen to music when I’m writing-I’m far too easily distracted. But if there’s a scene I’m writing and I’ve stopped halfway through and need to pick it up again, or if I need to be in a certain mood to write a scene, I’ll use music to get me there. I’ll listen to a song or two before I start writing to get myself into the right mindset.
15. Finally, the question I ask everyone I interview - if you were a plant in the next life, what would you be, and why? Last time we spoke, you chose Wisteria, with a very cool explanation. You can't choose it again, so what would you be this time?
An eggplant? I currently look a lot like an eggplant with legs!
Five Ways a Boy Can Break Your Heart. By Cate Ashwood and Skylar M. Cates.
Blurb: When Trey and Liam meet in boarding school, they couldn’t be more different. Liam is a classical violinist with a scholarship, and Trey is a punk rocker with famous parents. Despite their conflicting backgrounds, they hit it off and bond over their love of music. But after spending every waking hour together, Liam is devastated when Trey leaves school without an explanation. Worse yet, Trey capitalizes on a song they wrote together.
Seven years later, they bump into each other at a charity benefit in New York. Old sparks fly, but Liam hasn’t quite recovered from the pain Trey caused. Liam doesn’t know if any explanation Trey can offer will be enough, or if he can find it in his heart to forgive the only man he’s ever really loved.
Buy: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4694
Ironhearted
Blurb: Hope Cove: Book Three
Haydn Prescott stood by and watched his friends fall in love, something he hopes never happens to him. It’s too much drama,thankyouverymuch. He just wants a hot guy to roll around with every once in a while. No muss, no fuss. Out for a night of dancing, he meets Trevor Ryan and the two are explosive together. The next morning, Haydn wakes up alone.
Trevor is gone and Haydn thinks he’s seen the last of him… until months later when Trevor walks into Haydn’s bakery in Hope Cove. Entanglements and complications ooze from Trevor, but Haydn can’t ignore him-Trevor won’t let him. Haydn always believed he wanted to be free and single forever, but now he’s torn: does he want to be with Trevor or should he play it safe and stick to what’s worked?
Buy: eBook http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4536 and paperback http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4537
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1. Welcome back to my blog, Cate. You've had quite a lot happen since we last spoke here--what's been happening since the release of "Keeping Sweets"?
As you said! A lot! Since Sweets, I’ve had a short story (Riding the Board), three novels (The Hope Cove Series) and a co-authored novella (Five Ways a Boy Can Break Your Heart) published. I’ve also bought my first home and am about to have a baby! So life has been pretty eventful, but I wouldn’t change a second of it. It’s been a fantastic year.
2. What is the most rewarding experience you have had as an author and what made it so?
I think the first time someone came up to me at GRL and told me they’d read my book, that was pretty amazing. The fact that someone actually read the words I’d written… I was pretty floored. And humbled. And blissfully excited. It was surreal and I wanted to bounce up and down and maybe do a little dance.
3. Let's talk about the book you're putting together for GRL. How did you come up with the idea and what was the feedback like for it?
I’m so excited about that! It’s essentially an anthology of short stories and excerpts from the authors attending the conference. I thought of it when I was trying to come up with ideas for swag for myself last year. I wanted something that people would want to keep, rather than just throwing away a few hours after collecting it. Readers love it because it’s a way for them to discover authors they may not have known about, and what’s a better way to decide if you want to read someone’s work than reading someone’s work? It’s great for authors because it exposes them to readers (in a G-Rated way) and encourages readers to talk to them. It’s also a fantastic souvenir for everyone who attends to have all the authors signing it.
We did one last year, and it was such a hit! We ran out of copies in just under two hours on the first day. The organizers of GRL even had a few copies signed by everyone and they were raffled off to those who couldn’t attend the conference.
4. What are you proudest of in your life?
I would have to say, where I’ve ended up in life. Ten years ago, I was on a completely different path-not a bad path, just different-but I am so happy with where I am today. I’m proud of changing careers, of becoming an author, of figuring out who I am and where my place is in this crazy world. I’m proud of my choice of partner, and proud of the choices we’ve made together as we’ve begun to build our family. I’m proud of the relationship I have with my family, and of the relationships I’ve built with friends. Finding happiness I guess would sum that all up.
5. What dreams have been realized as a result of your writing?
The biggest one (other than being able to hold my books in my hands) would have to be the people I’ve met. I have become friends with so many wonderful people, and none of that would have been possible without writing. Facebook can be a bit of a time-killer these days, but it’s one I don’t mind losing a few hours to because it allows me to connect with those I’ve become so close with over the last year and a half.
6. To someone who has never read your work, how would you describe it?
Mostly sweet, light on the angst for the most part, a little bit steamy, and always a happily ever after.
7. How do you deal with negative reviews?
I honestly just try not to let them bother me. If there is something constructive written in the review, I will look a little more closely. I’m not under the false assumption that I’m perfect. There’s always more to be learned, and a well-written review can be a great way to improve on my writing. If it’s paragraph after paragraph of horribleness, on the other hand, I like to assume the person writing it is just as horrible, and move on.
8. What themes do you enjoy writing about?
I don’t know if there’s a specific theme that appeals to me. I kind of write whatever pops into my head. Lately I’ve been broadening my horizons a tad.
9. What have you learned along the way of your journey as an author?
Where do I even start? I learned the importance of having support-beta readers and friends to bounce ideas off of. Also, how important it is to have a thick skin. I knew when I started this endeavor that not everyone was going to like what I wrote. (Actually, I had such low expectations when I started, that I didn’t think anyone was going to like what I wrote), but I am not one of those people who can stay away from reading their reviews. I think reviews are incredibly important. When someone gives you a negative review, often you can learn something from it. Sure, they sting, but if you can get past the initial hurt, your writing can definitely improve from the feedback. That being said, I’ve also learned it’s important sometimes not to listen to reviews because it’s easy to put too much stock into what other people say and begin writing to please others rather than writing what’s in your heart. (Cheesy enough for you?)
10. What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general?
Lately, it’s been finding the time/motivation/energy. I have ideas floating around in my head, but when I sit down to write, the words just get stuck. It’s like the longest case of writer’s block in history!
In general though, I’ve always found writing endings to be the hardest part of the process. I’m so anxious to get to the end and see the characters find their HEA, that it’s tough not to rush through it.
11. If you were approached to have one of your novels turned into a film, which would you choose and why? Who would you want to play the main characters?
You really do ask the tough questions, don’t you? It’s so hard to choose! I would probably pick "Brokenhearted", though. I think that one would read best as a movie, and it’s the first of the Hope Cove series. As for who would play the main characters, I think I would probably choose someone unknown. I’ve always liked movies where you don’t know the actor’s quirks or mannerisms. It makes the characters a bit more real for me.
12. What are your current projects and plans for the rest of 2014?
I’m working on a new contemporary series that I have tentative plans for 4 books… the first two are partially written. I’m also hoping to finish up the sequel for Colt’s book. Skylar M. Cates and I have begun working on another co-written adventure (a novel this time). I have a couple more in the planning stages as well-another co-written project with a certain fantastic Aussie author ;) and a fantasy/paranormal novel just to try something new. It’s a lot, and who knows if I’ll get even half of it done with the baby on the way, but I’ll aim high and see what happens.
(Aw, shucks. I'm looking forward to that too! xXx -L. J.)
13. The old adage "write what you know" is something that is touted a lot - do you feel that it's true for your work? Why/why not?
To a certain extent, but not too much. There was definitely more of me in "Keeping Sweets" than any of my other books-at least with the setting. The coast of Oregon is somewhere we vacation as a family every year and it’s very familiar to me, but I would say for the most part, the subject matter in my books is fairly foreign to me. I’ve never been a gay man, I’ve never come out, or done porn, or fallen in love with a perfect stranger. I’ve never been to Maine, or played the violin professionally, and I can’t even swim very well. The particulars of my novels take research and a little imagination, but I think love is a fairly universal thing and so at the end of the day, it’s easy to write, because it’s all about the love.
14. Music is an important part of both our lives, I know - what role does music play in your writing process?
I can’t listen to music when I’m writing-I’m far too easily distracted. But if there’s a scene I’m writing and I’ve stopped halfway through and need to pick it up again, or if I need to be in a certain mood to write a scene, I’ll use music to get me there. I’ll listen to a song or two before I start writing to get myself into the right mindset.
15. Finally, the question I ask everyone I interview - if you were a plant in the next life, what would you be, and why? Last time we spoke, you chose Wisteria, with a very cool explanation. You can't choose it again, so what would you be this time?
An eggplant? I currently look a lot like an eggplant with legs!
Five Ways a Boy Can Break Your Heart. By Cate Ashwood and Skylar M. Cates.
Blurb: When Trey and Liam meet in boarding school, they couldn’t be more different. Liam is a classical violinist with a scholarship, and Trey is a punk rocker with famous parents. Despite their conflicting backgrounds, they hit it off and bond over their love of music. But after spending every waking hour together, Liam is devastated when Trey leaves school without an explanation. Worse yet, Trey capitalizes on a song they wrote together.
Seven years later, they bump into each other at a charity benefit in New York. Old sparks fly, but Liam hasn’t quite recovered from the pain Trey caused. Liam doesn’t know if any explanation Trey can offer will be enough, or if he can find it in his heart to forgive the only man he’s ever really loved.
Buy: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4694
Ironhearted
Blurb: Hope Cove: Book Three
Haydn Prescott stood by and watched his friends fall in love, something he hopes never happens to him. It’s too much drama,thankyouverymuch. He just wants a hot guy to roll around with every once in a while. No muss, no fuss. Out for a night of dancing, he meets Trevor Ryan and the two are explosive together. The next morning, Haydn wakes up alone.
Trevor is gone and Haydn thinks he’s seen the last of him… until months later when Trevor walks into Haydn’s bakery in Hope Cove. Entanglements and complications ooze from Trevor, but Haydn can’t ignore him-Trevor won’t let him. Haydn always believed he wanted to be free and single forever, but now he’s torn: does he want to be with Trevor or should he play it safe and stick to what’s worked?
Buy: eBook http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4536 and paperback http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4537