Interview and Excerpt: Breaking the Rules by Cat Lavoie
Thank you to Cat Lavoie for dropping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Breaking the Rules. Please visit her tour page on CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I've always loved books and I knew I wanted to be a writer from an early age. But it wasn't until I was thirteen or fourteen that I sat down and actually started writing my own story. I spent an entire summer working on a very detailed outline for a romance novel called It's Never Over that (thankfully) never made it past the outlining stage. From that moment on, I was hooked on writing.
How would you describe Breaking the Rules? Was any part of it based on your life?
Breaking the Rules is the story of lifelong best friends (Roxy and Ollie) and how their relationship is put to the test when—for a brief moment—they cross the fine line between friendship and love. The only part of this book that was based on my life is Roxy's love of food. I share her enthusiasm for cooking but, sadly, not her talent.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The first draft. I've always envied writers who can produce a first draft in a few weeks. I'd love to be able to get everything down on paper and then whip it into shape during edits. But I write with my 'inner editor' hovering over my shoulder and it's sometimes hard for me to move on to the next scene/chapter if I don't feel like it's exactly the way I want it to be.
How was your publishing experience?
It was quite a ride. I queried Breaking the Rules for almost two years and—although there was some interest from agents and editors—nothing happened. When I was looking for a freelance editor after deciding to self-publish earlier this year, I crossed paths with Samantha March (you might know her) and she offered to publish my novel with Marching Ink, the independent press she'd started. And with that, Breaking the Rulesfound its happy home.
What are your favorite genres to read?
Chick lit is definitely my favorite genre but I'll pretty much read anything. I also love travel memoirs—especially those involving the UK.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
Breaking the Rules is about family and relationships and I hope that readers leave with the feeling that sometimes things falling apart can lead to better things coming together.
Are you currently working on a new project?
Yes! I'm working on my second novel called Zoey & the Moment of Zen. It's the story of a woman who gets sent to an island resort to get over an ex-boyfriend. I'm hoping to finish the first draft by the end of the year.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
Very important. It's a great tool to promote your work but—more importantly—it helps you connect with readers and other writers. I've met some incredible people and discovered amazing books through social media. Even though it can be time-consuming—I'm guilty of spending way to much time on Facebook and Twitter—I think social media is an important tool that every writer should use.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Write a book that you would want to read. And never give up on your dream.
**Excerpt**
If Ollie is making his dream come true, I should be able to do the same, right? I stare at the bandage covering the throbbing paper cut on my right index finger. Who am I kidding? The only thing I've been opening lately is Greta's mail. And I haven't been doing a good job of it either. Mostly because I want to stab myself with the letter opener. After a few more minutes of staring at the ceiling, I get up and make my way to the kitchen. As Ollie's best friend, it's my job to make this an evening he'll never forget. I need to stop throwing a pity-party for myself and get going on decorating the apartment and preparing the food. Food. Maybe I'll have a bit of breakfast first. I rummage through the fridge and take out some yogurt and berries before putting them back on the shelf. Today feels like a bacon and eggs kind of day. As I'm flipping over the eggs in the frying pan, I take a sip of coffee and wince. My throat is a bit raw from all the pretend coughing I had to do earlier. How does the old saying go again? Feed a fake fever, starve a fake cold. Or is it the other way around? Either way, I pile the food on my plate and head out to the living room. The apartment is way too quiet when Ollie's not here. The TV isn't blaring, his cell phone isn't ringing every two minutes and he isn't scolding me from across the room for putting a soda can in the garbage instead of recycling it. There's too much time to think and I don't like it one bit. Ollie left the paper scattered all over the coffee table and I grab the Arts and Entertainment section while reaching out to turn the radio on—playing around with the dial until I find the Golden Oldies station. I am becoming more like my parents each and every day. The moment I start sipping coffee while scanning the obituaries for the pictures of people I know, the transformation will be complete. Before I have time to take a bite of breakfast, the phone rings and I almost drop my plate. Scared that it might be Ollie checking up on me, I try to make my voice sound as stuffy as possible before answering. "Hello?" "Roxy. Where are you? You're late. You should have been here an hour ago." Greta, my boss. Clearly, she's forgetting something. "Hi, Greta. How are you? I'm not coming in today. You gave me the day off, remember?" "Oh, right. Do you think you could swing by around two? I need you to prepare the papers for my presentation next week." I take a quick bite of scrambled egg before answering her. "They're on your desk." "Right." I hear her rummage through papers. "Where?" "In the red folder with a Post-It that says Presentation Papers on it." It's the only folder I left on her desk. "Right. I see it. So you'll be in tomorrow?" I sigh. Here we go again. "Tomorrow's Saturday, Greta. I'll be in on Monday." "Right." Days off are never really off when you work for somebody like my boss. I know I shouldn't be doing this but I can't help it. "Greta, don't forget about tonight. Your niece has a ballet recital at seven. The tickets are in your wallet. I've arranged for flowers to be delivered at the office before you leave. The flowers are for your niece. Bring them to her." "Which niece is it again?" We've already been through this twice this week but I don't miss a beat. "Abigail. There'll be a card with the flowers." "Okay. Thanks, Roxy. I don't know what I'd do without you. You're a lifesaver. When you come in tomorrow we'll talk about a raise." ********************************************************************************** **Everyone who leaves a comment on Cat's tour page will be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Breaking the Rules before September 10 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Cat Lavoie was born in the small town of Jonquière in Québec, Canada. At the age of nineteen, she packed up her things (mostly books) and moved to the big city of Montreal where she currently lives with her tempestuous cat Abbie—who is both adorable and quite possibly evil.
An incurable Anglophile since her university days where she studied English Literature, she can often be found daydreaming about her next trip to London. Since she’s an expert at the art of procrastination, Cat is easily distracted by cooking and home improvement shows—even though she’s not particularly good at either.
Cat grew up watching soap operas and legal dramas and—had she not decided to be a claims analyst by day and write chick lit by night—she would have probably become a designer suit-wearing lawyer. Or a character on All My Children (which is what she really wanted to be when she was twelve).
Cat is not sure whether she’s a geek or a nerd—and is afraid she might be both. Breaking the Rules is her first novel.
Connect with Cat!
Cat blogs about the writing life and posts adorable pictures of Abbie over at the Catenabi Chronicles. Come say hello at: www.CatLavoie.com and follow @Catenabi on Twitter.
www.CatLavoie.com
http://www.facebook.com/CatLavoieAuthor?ref=stream
http://www.goodreads.com/
author/show/6440914.Cat_Lavoie
https://twitter.com/Catenabi
Buy the Book!
Barnes & Noble – Nook
Amazon – Kindle
Kobo
Amazon – Print
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I've always loved books and I knew I wanted to be a writer from an early age. But it wasn't until I was thirteen or fourteen that I sat down and actually started writing my own story. I spent an entire summer working on a very detailed outline for a romance novel called It's Never Over that (thankfully) never made it past the outlining stage. From that moment on, I was hooked on writing.
How would you describe Breaking the Rules? Was any part of it based on your life?
Breaking the Rules is the story of lifelong best friends (Roxy and Ollie) and how their relationship is put to the test when—for a brief moment—they cross the fine line between friendship and love. The only part of this book that was based on my life is Roxy's love of food. I share her enthusiasm for cooking but, sadly, not her talent.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
The first draft. I've always envied writers who can produce a first draft in a few weeks. I'd love to be able to get everything down on paper and then whip it into shape during edits. But I write with my 'inner editor' hovering over my shoulder and it's sometimes hard for me to move on to the next scene/chapter if I don't feel like it's exactly the way I want it to be.
How was your publishing experience?
It was quite a ride. I queried Breaking the Rules for almost two years and—although there was some interest from agents and editors—nothing happened. When I was looking for a freelance editor after deciding to self-publish earlier this year, I crossed paths with Samantha March (you might know her) and she offered to publish my novel with Marching Ink, the independent press she'd started. And with that, Breaking the Rulesfound its happy home.
What are your favorite genres to read?
Chick lit is definitely my favorite genre but I'll pretty much read anything. I also love travel memoirs—especially those involving the UK.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
Breaking the Rules is about family and relationships and I hope that readers leave with the feeling that sometimes things falling apart can lead to better things coming together.
Are you currently working on a new project?
Yes! I'm working on my second novel called Zoey & the Moment of Zen. It's the story of a woman who gets sent to an island resort to get over an ex-boyfriend. I'm hoping to finish the first draft by the end of the year.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
Very important. It's a great tool to promote your work but—more importantly—it helps you connect with readers and other writers. I've met some incredible people and discovered amazing books through social media. Even though it can be time-consuming—I'm guilty of spending way to much time on Facebook and Twitter—I think social media is an important tool that every writer should use.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Write a book that you would want to read. And never give up on your dream.
**Excerpt**
If Ollie is making his dream come true, I should be able to do the same, right? I stare at the bandage covering the throbbing paper cut on my right index finger. Who am I kidding? The only thing I've been opening lately is Greta's mail. And I haven't been doing a good job of it either. Mostly because I want to stab myself with the letter opener. After a few more minutes of staring at the ceiling, I get up and make my way to the kitchen. As Ollie's best friend, it's my job to make this an evening he'll never forget. I need to stop throwing a pity-party for myself and get going on decorating the apartment and preparing the food. Food. Maybe I'll have a bit of breakfast first. I rummage through the fridge and take out some yogurt and berries before putting them back on the shelf. Today feels like a bacon and eggs kind of day. As I'm flipping over the eggs in the frying pan, I take a sip of coffee and wince. My throat is a bit raw from all the pretend coughing I had to do earlier. How does the old saying go again? Feed a fake fever, starve a fake cold. Or is it the other way around? Either way, I pile the food on my plate and head out to the living room. The apartment is way too quiet when Ollie's not here. The TV isn't blaring, his cell phone isn't ringing every two minutes and he isn't scolding me from across the room for putting a soda can in the garbage instead of recycling it. There's too much time to think and I don't like it one bit. Ollie left the paper scattered all over the coffee table and I grab the Arts and Entertainment section while reaching out to turn the radio on—playing around with the dial until I find the Golden Oldies station. I am becoming more like my parents each and every day. The moment I start sipping coffee while scanning the obituaries for the pictures of people I know, the transformation will be complete. Before I have time to take a bite of breakfast, the phone rings and I almost drop my plate. Scared that it might be Ollie checking up on me, I try to make my voice sound as stuffy as possible before answering. "Hello?" "Roxy. Where are you? You're late. You should have been here an hour ago." Greta, my boss. Clearly, she's forgetting something. "Hi, Greta. How are you? I'm not coming in today. You gave me the day off, remember?" "Oh, right. Do you think you could swing by around two? I need you to prepare the papers for my presentation next week." I take a quick bite of scrambled egg before answering her. "They're on your desk." "Right." I hear her rummage through papers. "Where?" "In the red folder with a Post-It that says Presentation Papers on it." It's the only folder I left on her desk. "Right. I see it. So you'll be in tomorrow?" I sigh. Here we go again. "Tomorrow's Saturday, Greta. I'll be in on Monday." "Right." Days off are never really off when you work for somebody like my boss. I know I shouldn't be doing this but I can't help it. "Greta, don't forget about tonight. Your niece has a ballet recital at seven. The tickets are in your wallet. I've arranged for flowers to be delivered at the office before you leave. The flowers are for your niece. Bring them to her." "Which niece is it again?" We've already been through this twice this week but I don't miss a beat. "Abigail. There'll be a card with the flowers." "Okay. Thanks, Roxy. I don't know what I'd do without you. You're a lifesaver. When you come in tomorrow we'll talk about a raise." ********************************************************************************** **Everyone who leaves a comment on Cat's tour page will be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Breaking the Rules before September 10 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Cat Lavoie was born in the small town of Jonquière in Québec, Canada. At the age of nineteen, she packed up her things (mostly books) and moved to the big city of Montreal where she currently lives with her tempestuous cat Abbie—who is both adorable and quite possibly evil.
An incurable Anglophile since her university days where she studied English Literature, she can often be found daydreaming about her next trip to London. Since she’s an expert at the art of procrastination, Cat is easily distracted by cooking and home improvement shows—even though she’s not particularly good at either.
Cat grew up watching soap operas and legal dramas and—had she not decided to be a claims analyst by day and write chick lit by night—she would have probably become a designer suit-wearing lawyer. Or a character on All My Children (which is what she really wanted to be when she was twelve).
Cat is not sure whether she’s a geek or a nerd—and is afraid she might be both. Breaking the Rules is her first novel.
Connect with Cat!
Cat blogs about the writing life and posts adorable pictures of Abbie over at the Catenabi Chronicles. Come say hello at: www.CatLavoie.com and follow @Catenabi on Twitter.
www.CatLavoie.com
http://www.facebook.com/CatLavoieAuthor?ref=stream
http://www.goodreads.com/
author/show/6440914.Cat_Lavoie
https://twitter.com/Catenabi
Buy the Book!
Barnes & Noble – Nook
Amazon – Kindle
Kobo
Amazon – Print
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