Question:
What is the title and genre of your novel?
Why did you select them?
Answer: OUT OF TIME A Nick Donahue Adventure is a mystery/suspense novel and
is the sequel to NICK OF TIME. From the very beginning, I wanted to write a
story featuring a male as the main protagonist. Like most writers, I wanted
there to be something unique about this character; something that would make
him stand out in the crowded mystery/suspense genre.
Question:
What inspired this novel? How did it
come about?
Answer: As I thought about who the character would be, I had the idea of
creating an interesting and exciting professional gambler who becomes involved
in solving crimes that are somehow related to his profession. I recalled being
in a casino in Venice , Italy
The first
book actually started with a short story in which Nick Donahue meets a
mysterious woman, Marina DiPietro, who is being pursued by an International
gang of jewel thieves. The story evolved into the novella, NICK OF TIME. By the
end of the book, Nick discovers Marina
Question: Could you tell us a little bit about the
heroine and/or hero of your novel?
Answer: Nick is a character I really
enjoy writing, Suave, sophisticated and smart, as a professional gambler, he’s
also a risk taker—it’s what makes him a successful gambler, and he understands
the odds are not always in his favor. He tends to figure things out in the long
run and wants to be part of helping Marina
Question: Can you tell us about some of your other
published novels or work?
Answer: My first series includes the
three-volume Laurel and Helen New York Mysteries featuring magazine editor
Laurel Imperiole and private detective, Helen McCorkendale, in KEEPING SECRETS,
TELLING LIES and THE HARD WAY. I’ve also written several short stories and am a
three-time finalist & winner of the Derringer for Best Short Story.
Question: What are you working on now?
Answer: I’m working on an Urban
Thriller Murder On The Rocks series. The first book is BAR NONE, with Lower
East Side Corner Lounge bar owner, Jude Dillane who investigates murder and
fraud at the Big City Food Bank. The next two books in the series, LAST CALL
and STRAIGHT UP will be published next year.
Question: What made you start writing?
Answer: I was an advertising
copywriter for many years and finally decided to try writing a novel, which I’d
been thinking about doing for some time. Of course, I chose to write a mystery,
the genre I loved to read since I was a child. If I couldn’t be a detective, at
least I could write about one. So far, it’s been a great experience and I don’t
plan to stop anytime soon.
Question: What advice would you offer to those who are
currently writing novels?
Answer: Be totally committed. Talent
aside, writing and finishing a book is an enormous amount of work. But that’s
just the beginning. Most of us spend months, if not years, searching for an
agent, then an editor and a publisher who will to take a chance on you. It can
be a very long process and not always financially rewarding. So, I’d say look
deep inside and make sure you want to do this.
Question: Where and when will readers be able to obtain
your novel?
Answer: OUT OF TIME, is available in
paperback and eBook editions on Amazon. Here are the links:
I hope you will enjoy reading OUT OF TIME.
Cathi
welcomes your comments and/or questions. So don’t be shy!
Great interview Ladies!
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing you both a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and the best of luck and God's blessings!
PamT
Pam,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good wishes! Happy holidays to you and yours as well.
Nick sounds interesting, Cathi, especially since I've played a lot of blackjack. Best wishes for continued success with your writing.
ReplyDeleteAnd Merry Christmas.
Earl,
ReplyDeleteI'm fond of blackjack myself. And the book sounds intriguing.
Ooooh! A professional gambler! I have visions of Omar Sharif as Nicky Arnstein. There's a certain machismo in a man who is able to keep his cards close to his chest. Sounds like a fascinating character, Cathi. Wishing you the best, and you, too, Jacqueline.
ReplyDeleteHi Saralyn,
ReplyDeleteI've met a few professional gamblers in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Interesting people definitely!
Cathi and Jacqueline, great interview.
ReplyDeleteIt's not unusual that what we read as kids leads us to write stories in the same genres. I too read a lot of mysteries but also many thrillers (back then called adventure stories) and sci-fi. Maybe not in your case, Cathi, but I had the audacity to think I could write stories like those I read and liked. Of course, they turn out differnt as we develop our own voices.
I'd like to see sometime a sociological analysis of what makes writers write. That youthful motivation would probably be an important chapter!
r/Steve
Steve,
DeleteI also remember being inspired as a child by the stories I had read and wanting to write my own.
Terrific interview! Thanks to you both.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terrie.
DeleteI heard from Cathi. She's read all of the great comments readers have left and appreciates them. Unfortunately, each time she tried to respond, Blogger didn't publish her responses.
ReplyDeleteCathi,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new book! I wish you success. The characters and the premise sounds quite intriguing.