Thursday, October 29, 2015

Interview with Cathrina Constantine, Snow on Cinders, and Short, Do You Have Goals? Update

Please Welcome Cathrina Constantine, extraordinary author of Snow on Cinders!

1. Where did you get the idea for Snow on Cinders?

It never occurred to me to write a sequel to Tallas. It was almost a year after the Tallas release that my fellow author Nana Prah insisted I write a sequel to tie up the loose ends. I got to thinking about her idea, and went for it. Hence, Snow on Cinders is born.

2. What's one of your favorite parts of Snow on Cinders? (If you can tell without spoilers.)

I truly love the Big Blue Bear, his name is Tibbles, and his bravery to shield the children and help the community. He's like a their furry savior. There's a scene where Tibbles must say good-bye to someone he loves very much, and it broke my heart to write it.

3. The cover looks amazing and magical. Do you use photos or images to help you with story ideas or for writing inspiration?

I wish I could say exactly where my inspiration comes from. Perhaps one day I'll figure it out. I'm a true pantser and I just hope ideas pop into my head. I love movies, and that's how I write, like I'm watching a movie. But sometimes it's hard to put into words what I'm imagining. 

Hooray for pansters! (Tyrean's insert)

4. If you could sum up your main character's attributes in three words, what would those three words be?

Love ~ Family ~ Tenacity

5. If you could take your main character out for coffee, what do you think she would order? (and what would you order?)

Since they live in a post-apopalytic world, pastries and coffee are a prized gifts. So I'd imagine Keeyla would order everything and anything off the menu. And I have a terrible liking for Starbucks, white chocolate mocha.


SNOW ON CINDERS

How far would you go to protect your family?

A peculiar metamorphosis has taken shape since the final days. And the planet is in the throes of healing.

Fulvio McTullan leads his family and a band of misfits to form a new settlement, far from Tallas and it’s nefarious Elites. Their journey takes them into uncharted territories where strange creatures are lurking. It’s a battle of survival, not only from the creatures, but the mutated earth as well.

Meanwhile, Pomfrey Addler, an oppressive Elite squashes the insurrection in Tallas. Suddenly, citizens begin to vanish in the middle of the night and his daughter, Paniess is hell bent on revenge.

Fraught with mishaps, Fulvio finally locates the perfect place to settle. They begin to rebuild until they receive a call. A call which will lure them back into the clutches of Tallas.


Cathrina Constantine
Amazon Author's Page
Facebook
Blog
Twitter: @cathconstantine
     


Do You Have Goals? is an excellent blog hop hosted by Misha and Beth.

I'm a little behind this month. And, since it's late Thursday night as I write this and I know I will be pressed for time on Friday, I'm going to make this short for now.

I have three short stories that I'm trying to wrap up in the next two days - I'm not sure I'll make the deadlines.

Champion's Destiny is still lurching to a finish point and release date, but I wish I had more time or less need for sleep.

I'm concerned about a particular novella I wrote for a small press series . . . and it's been delayed.

I went to a book far and made it mostly work for me, although I still had bouts of shyness that had me hiding behind my table.

I don't remember if I invited anyone anywhere, except to Realms Faire - coming next week!

I didn't bike at all this month, but I did walk about 30 miles, and I kayaked about 10K.

And, I went on an Alpha weekend and have continued to volunteer on Tuesday nights with Alpha - it's a Christian program for people with heavy questions about faith.

So, this isn't a complete rundown, but I'm continuing to make progress. I'm neck deep in teaching, tutoring, home-schooling, and just life, but I keep squeezing in some writing, too.

Have you read Snow on Cinders? Do you know Cathrina? And, do you have goals?

13 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats to Catherine on her new book. Awesome that someone insisted she write it and that's how it came to be. Sounds like you've been really productive. Glad you've been walking a lot. Me too.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

All that walking and kayaking is great! I'm hoping to get back on my bike more and do more walking outside (not the treadmill) now that the weather is getting cooler here.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Those are great attributes for a character.

We did the Alpha program twice at our church. It is a great way to get non believers into a comfortable atmosphere where they can get questions answered. Which hopefully leads them to God.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

My stories play like a movie in my head.
Hope you make the deadline on those stories!

Rachna Chhabria said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Cathrina, even my stories play like movies in my head. I am planning to be a panster for a book I plan to start in November.

Cherie Reich said...

Congrats, Cathrina! Progress is always good, Tyrean! Keep it up!

Julie Flanders said...

I'm sorry about your novella being delayed, Tyrean. Hope it will all work out.

Great interview, Cathrina! I just started reading Cinders and I'm also in love with Tibbles the bear. I'm glad Nana talked you into doing the sequel!

Misha Gerrick said...

Cathrina's books are sky-high on my TBR list at present. I'm hoping to read them as soon as I can give myself a break.

I'm sorry to hear about the novella. I hope everything gets sorted out soon so you can get back on track. All the best with getting everything done! :-)

Murees Dupè said...

Congratulations, Cathrina. I like your Starbucks drink. Sounds delicious!

Tyrean - you still got a lot done, not to mention the exercise. You are awesome.

Heather R. Holden said...

Great interview! Tibbles sounds like a sweet character.

And best of luck with your short story deadlines, Tyrean! I can just imagine how stressful that must be for you right now...

SK Anthony said...

Cathrina is awesome! Congrats to her on the new release, I so love the cover!!! :D

I hope you hear from the small press soon. Making it to a book fair is far more than I've done, shyness? I'd be freaking out lol. Progress as slow as it may seems is still you moving forward, you got this!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Tyrean. Congrats on showing your face at a book fair, I can imagine how daunting it must be! And I hope your novella is published soon. Sounds like you are making great progress with your writing.