Interview with CM Barrett
I am going on a little break to Scotland with my family in a couple of days so won’t be posting as much as usual this week, however before I can go there are a couple of people that I needed to talk to first. Thankfully, I have just managed to get my hands on the quirky and imaginative CM Barrett…Watch out for Lenora’s review of Cats in Charge which will be coming very soon! Hey, great to have you here, why don’t you start by telling us a little bit about yourself?
Hi Ingrid, well, I presently live in upstate New York. I have also lived in Maine, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and was born in northern New Jersey. I have worked as a nurse’s aide, gatherer of eggs, typographer and metaphysical storeowner, teacher, and counselor. In addition to writing I paint watercolour. This non- career began when I moved to the country after living in New York City for 22 years.
You sound like my kind of person, I love those little spooky shops and I don’t think I have ever met anyone (at least in this life time) that cites the gathering of eggs as a former occupation…Is writing your full time career?
I am retired, and I do spend a lot of time writing
What Genre is your work – Do you have any plans to work outside of it?
One of the nicest aspects of being an indie author is the freedom to write about what engages me. I’ve written most in the fantasy genre. My series, A Dragon’s Guide to Destiny, has three volumes, with a fourth coming out this summer or fall. I love the freedom the fantasy genre provides to create worlds and also to develop non-human characters. I am working on a dystopian series that deviates somewhat from classical fantasy. In addition, I write what might be called self-help books. One is Animals Have Feelings, Too: Bach Flower Remedies for Cats and Dogs. This is based on my work consulting for companion animals. The other is Renew Your Life the Natural Way: Balance Your Chakras With Crystals and Essences.
I agree that in terms of being able to totally be yourself then being an indie author is great…I am sure I will probably turn into some mad old woman that spends her whole time in the attic writing. I have to say all of your novels appeal to me, I will definitely be reading a Dragon’s Guide to Destiny at some point… Do you ever get ideas at random moments, and if so how do you hang onto them?
I often get ideas when I’m going to sleep or when I wake up in the middle of the night. I have trained my mind to remember them.
Do you have a structure when you are writing, and if so what?
I don’t do a lot of planning when I’m beginning a book. The initial idea comes from out of nowhere and becomes the foundation for the story. I start a book with a general idea about it, who will be the characters and not much else. I rarely have more than 2,000 words of initial notes, plus character sketches. My ideas get more structure as I work on the book. The story builds organically, with plot and characters influencing each other.
Which was your favourite character to write, and why?
I don’t include any characters in my books if they don’t at least interest me deeply. Even minor characters have to earn their keep in that way. That said, the four main characters in my series, A Dragon’s Guide to Destiny, are my favorites so far. They are:
Druid, a depressed dragon who has no clues about his purpose in life,
Tara, a wise kitten (later upgraded to cat),
Serazina, a deeply intuitive young woman who hides her gifts in a country where emotions and intuition are feared,
Phileas, ruler of the country, who’s finding that logic and reason take him deeper into a maze with no exit.
They all sound fascinating! Do you read for pleasure or out of habit?
Reading is a great pleasure for me. Having a kindle makes it even more enjoyable, but sometimes I like to sit down and enjoy an old-fashioned hardcover or paperback.
I don’t have a kindle at the moment – So I have to read my E books on my laptop which can be a pain in the bum. Hopefully Santa Claus will take pity on me and bring me a kindle for Christmas! I definitely prefer paperbacks to E books though… What are you reading at the moment, and why?
I bought Cry, the Beloved Country because it was on sale and because I hadn’t read it for so long. I loved it as a teenager and am finding it even more amazing than when I first read it. The language is breath taking, the feeling for the country (South Africa during apartheid) transports the reader there, and the author handles the huge political issues in the story with grace and in a way that makes them very human problems.
Snow or ice and why?
Neither, thank you. Living in the Northeast has literally dumped far too much of both into my life.
North East America…North East England…Sounds pretty familiar!!! What is your favourite movie and why?
It’s a very difficult choice, but I’d say anything with Peter O’Toole because his acting is brilliant. I particularly enjoyed Becket and My Favorite Year.
When you eat out would you choose Chinese, Indian or Italian, or other, if so what?
I would choose French or Italian food—especially in France or Italy.
London, Paris or New York and why?
I lived in New York for 22 years and it will always be my favorite city, but Paris is pure magic in terms of architecture, food, wine, and for being a wonderful city in which to walk. I would consider living there. I have enjoyed London, but I don’t adore it. My favorite country is Ireland, where my mother was born. I have been there seven times and still consider living there permanently.
I LOVE Ireland, it is such a beautiful country and one of my dearest friends lives there. We are hoping to get over there for a visit sometime next year… What inspired you to be a writer?
Reading opened worlds for me and taught me the desire to create my own worlds to share with others.
How do you overcome writers block?
If I’m having trouble with one project, I switch to another. This seems to cause a corresponding brain shift.
Where would you like to be in 5 year time?
I would like to be living in a more temperate climate at the height of my writing powers.
If you only had 60 seconds remaining on this planet, what would you say, and who would you say it to?
Thank you to everyone, human or animal, who has enriched my life.
I love how you treat animals like equals, I am guessing you must have lots of pets?
I currently have 2 cats. More accurately, they have me. That number is always subject to change.
What advice would you give your 18 year old self?
It gets better.
Thank you for a slightly different interview today! You truly are unique and I am looking forward to Lenora’s upcoming review…You can find links to CM Barrett and her books below…
Big Dragons Don’t Cry (Book I of A Dragon’s Guide to Destiny)
1. http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Dont-Guide-Destiny-ebook/dp/B004MYFND4
2. Dance with Clouds (Book 2 of A Dragon’s Guide to Destiny) http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Clouds-Dragons-Destiny-ebook/dp/B005MKJYYQ
3. House of the Moon (Book 3)
House of the Moon (A Dragon's Guide to Destiny)
