Ask the Author: Cate Morgan
Answered Questions (6)
Cate Morgan
I saw a really great Shakespearean retelling of MacBeth starring James MacAvoy and Keeley Hawes that took place in a Michelin-starred restaurant in the UK. Being the magnificent actor that he is (not to mention entirely charming and easy on the eyes to boot), I immediately wondered how I could riff off that in a less dark, grand theatre way that would translate well to the romance genre. The main conflict would have to be focussed on the main characters, with minor complications coming from outside.
When I started researching (read: watching more Netflix and talking to my former chef of a husband, who once owned his own restaurant), I started watching one of Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares (UK Version) and learned that the Chef-as-a-Rock Star culture had a dark side--that of booze and drugs on top of pressure pressure pressure, the dark side is not, unfortunately, uncommon.
One thing I love about writing (beside the going to work in one's pjs) is the research I get to do. I'm always learning, very day.
When I started researching (read: watching more Netflix and talking to my former chef of a husband, who once owned his own restaurant), I started watching one of Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares (UK Version) and learned that the Chef-as-a-Rock Star culture had a dark side--that of booze and drugs on top of pressure pressure pressure, the dark side is not, unfortunately, uncommon.
One thing I love about writing (beside the going to work in one's pjs) is the research I get to do. I'm always learning, very day.
Cate Morgan
The ideas come from anywhere and everywhere, really. (Seriously, I've got over sixty books, between series and standalones, in my To Be Written queue). It can be anything from the way an actor plays a certain role (I'm an affirmed Netflix junkie), to something I would do differently when watching a movie or TV show or reading a book. Next thing you know, I'm spinning off down a rabbit hole of "what if?" questions.
Cate Morgan
As of now (August 2014), I'm on Book 2 of my romance novella series, Waking Muse, about Creative forging creative bonds as well as personal ones. The first book featured a violinist and a composer, and Book 2 (currently in edits) features a chef and a food writer. I'm also in development on Book 3, starring an artist and a con man.
Book 1 (THE LADY TENNANT) came out in June 2014, while Book 2 i(HEARTH & HOME) is due out in September and I've slated Book 3 (FALLEN ANGEL) for December.
Book 1 (THE LADY TENNANT) came out in June 2014, while Book 2 i(HEARTH & HOME) is due out in September and I've slated Book 3 (FALLEN ANGEL) for December.
Cate Morgan
Never, never, NEVER give up. The publishing landscape is very liquid these days, and pretty much anything goes. Even genres and categories are no longer quite so easy to define, so if you want to write a Steampunk Space Opera Romance called "Swashbuckled!", then, well, GO FOR IT.
Cate Morgan
Working in your pjs!
Oh, besides that? I love getting all the voices and stories out of my head and onto the page where they belong. Otherwise my creative brain becomes a very busy place indeed (seriously it's like Grand Central in there sometimes), and that tends to seep over into my non-writing life. As soon as a story's finished, polished, and out the door, that's one less mental rabble for me to contend with.
Oh, besides that? I love getting all the voices and stories out of my head and onto the page where they belong. Otherwise my creative brain becomes a very busy place indeed (seriously it's like Grand Central in there sometimes), and that tends to seep over into my non-writing life. As soon as a story's finished, polished, and out the door, that's one less mental rabble for me to contend with.
Cate Morgan
Usually in one of two ways--either I just need a break from the manuscript and a chance to clear the cobwebs, or I know what comes next, but not how to get from Point A to Point B. What this generally means is I've gone awry somewhere, and need to backtrack to where I took the wrong turn.
If it's the latter, then I employ a scriptwriting technique called "Spinning Down The Page". I get out a handy-dandy legal pad, my favorite pen, and start outlining snippets from Action, Image, or Dialogue from the previous plot point on in order to get back on track. It may take two or three times, but by then I've got the solution pretty well hammered out and I know how to proceed.
If it's the latter, then I employ a scriptwriting technique called "Spinning Down The Page". I get out a handy-dandy legal pad, my favorite pen, and start outlining snippets from Action, Image, or Dialogue from the previous plot point on in order to get back on track. It may take two or three times, but by then I've got the solution pretty well hammered out and I know how to proceed.
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