David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite! discussion
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Cat Winters
Author Q&A
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Cat Winters (Author of In the Shadow of Blackbirds) Q&A Event--Jan 5-8th
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And actually, her books are both standalones, they can be read independently of each other. I've read them both. They do have similarities--both historical fiction with a bit of paranormal thrown in, and both have a Gothic feel to them. And they both have historical pictures throughout. Really beautiful books and fun reads!
Excited for the Cat Winters Q & A, I really enjoyed her book In the Shadow of Blackbirds!
Excited for the Cat Winters Q & A, I really enjoyed her book In the Shadow of Blackbirds!
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Very nice. I love covers. Cat, how involved are you in the design of your covers?
I have one question: when I write short stories I have trouble sticking with one concept before jumping to another. How do you stick to one story without getting distracted by new ideas? Thanks!!
Do you have a standard system of writing that you follow from day to day and/or from book to book?
What inspired you to write The Cure For Dreaming?
Thanks for coming to answer our questions, Ms. Winters, and for the generous donation of two copies of The Cure For Dreaming! I just recently finished In the Shadow of Blackbirds and I really enjoyed it. I loved that you worked with the Spanish Influenza outbreak, WWI, and spiritualism - you clearly did your research! As much as I liked the look into historical seances and spirit photography, I appreciate the fact that the story could have excluded the paranormal aspect with (view spoiler) and still have been an incredibly gripping historical mystery novel. When you began working with Mary Shelly and Stephen did you initially plan to include a ghostly element, or did it naturally grow out of your inclusion of historical spirit photography and the horrific losses due to influenza and the war?
Thanks again!
In the Shadow of Blackbirds and The Cure for Dreaming (love that title btw) are both stories in the 1900s period. Would you say it's easier to write historical fiction or harder?
And thank you for doing this q&a and generously donating two books! :)
Thank you so much for stopping by HUGE FAN!Why did you choose hypnotizing in A Cure For Dreaming and have you ever been hypnotized yourself? Would you if you hadn't ?
❤️Britt @ pleasefeedthebookworm.com
What is one thing that happened in your life, that you would say made you turn around and think, I wanna write books, and based in historical times also?
Wow theses books sound cool! One with a Spanish influenza theme and the other with suffragettes. What made you pick these themes in your books,or the time period? Are you fascinated by history? I read a blurb about how you referenced "shadows and Blackbirds"! Would love to read them!
Ps the covers are beautiful..as I have a habit of picking books by covers..and not reading about their "summaries" so I will be surprised..
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These books are VERY cool, I definitely recommend them! Thanks for all the good questions so far guys :)
Thank you for all of your questions! I'm thrilled to be chatting with everyone this week. I'll try to answer all of the questions soon, but I'll start right now with the first two.Sherry wrote: "Very nice. I love covers. Cat, how involved are you in the design of your covers?"
I didn't have any say in the design of the covers for IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS or THE CURE FOR DREAMING. However, the books' designer, Maria T. Middleton at Amulet Books, read both of the novels before designing the covers and created scenes straight out of the books. So, in some ways, I did contribute to the design.
IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS involves early-20th-century spirit photography, and for the cover Maria reproduced one of the fictional spirit photos I described in the book. She hired a photographer and a model and used my words as the inspiration for the entire scene.
The cover of THE CURE FOR DREAMING involves an actual 1900 photo of a hypnotized young woman. The image inspired the creation of my first chapter, so much so that I sent the photograph along with the manuscript to be included inside the book. Maria loved the photo and decided to use it on the cover.
Kate wrote: "I have one question: when I write short stories I have trouble sticking with one concept before jumping to another. How do you stick to one story without getting distracted by new ideas? Thanks!!"
When a shiny new idea shows up, it is tempting to push aside everything else and embark upon the new adventure. When I'm distracted by an idea that's begging for attention, I typically jot down some notes and maybe even write a few lines, just to allow myself to put those thoughts on paper. These days I'm typically working to meet deadlines and can't afford to be too distracted by the new projects until I finish my other work, so I'm usually forced to focus only on the project at hand.
Unless you're working to meet deadlines, there's no hard and fast rule that says you can only work on one short story at a time, so I'd say that if your muse is calling for you to work on a new plot that's more interesting than the old plot, you might just want to listen to your muse. You can always go back to that first project later or find ways to incorporate its characters or ideas into future works.
Michelle wrote: "Do you have a standard system of writing that you follow from day to day and/or from book to book?"I tend to start by plotting out the books in my head. I don't write outlines down on paper much, but I do like to know exactly where I'm going with a book before I sit down to write it.
I work when my kids are in school, so as soon as I send them off in the morning, I typically open up emails, respond to anything that requires my immediate attention, and then write for as long as I can. I don't usually aim to write a certain number of words each day. I usually think of it more as wanting to write a scene or a chapter at each sitting, if possible. Usually, I write books in order, from the opening chapters to the end, although with my next release, an adult historical called THE UNINVITED, I wrote scenes that occurred between my two main characters first, and then I went back and filled in the other scenes. It was a different technique for me, but it worked for that particular book.
"What will work best for this book?" is a motto I tend to follow.
Ryan wrote: "What inspired you to write The Cure For Dreaming?"I came up with idea for the novel one Halloween season when I was listening to the music of Kristen Lawrence (HalloweenCarols.com). Her haunting and dreamlike arrangements put me in the mood to write something theatrical, Victorian, and Gothic. At the time, Erin Morgenstern's THE NIGHT CIRCUS, a fantasy about Victorian magicians, was a major new book release, so I didn't necessarily want to write about magicians myself. My thoughts instead veered toward turn-of-the-twentieth-century stage hypnotists, and the book quickly took shape inside my mind.
Lauren wrote: "Thanks for coming to answer our questions, Ms. Winters, and for the generous donation of two copies of The Cure For Dreaming! I just recently finished In the Shadow of Blackbirds and I really en..."
I'm thrilled to hear you enjoyed In the Shadow of Blackbirds, Lauren! Even though the novel was my first published book, I had already been working with my agent for four years. When I talked to her about my interest in writing a YA novel about the Spanish influenza, WWI, and Spiritualism, she asked if I could include a ghost in it. I've been a fan of ghost stories since childhood, so I found myself excitedly coming up with a paranormal plot. The ghost aspect was there as soon as I sat down and seriously mapped out ideas for this book, as were the central characters and all the 1918 historical elements. I didn't decide to include the archival photographs until after the book was written, before it went off to publishers.
Harlee wrote: "In the Shadow of Blackbirds and The Cure for Dreaming (love that title btw) are both stories in the 1900s period. Would you say it's easier to write historical fiction or harder?"For me, it's easier, but that's certainly not the case with all writers. I've always been a fan of historical fiction, and history (especially overlooked, peculiar, and heartbreaking history) has always inspired me as a writer. All of my books and story ideas typically start with some fascinating tidbit I've learned about the past.
Harlee wrote: "And thank you for doing this q&a and generously donating two books! :)"You're welcome. :)
Britt wrote: "Thank you so much for stopping by HUGE FAN!Why did you choose hypnotizing in A Cure For Dreaming and have you ever been hypnotized yourself? Would you if you hadn't ?
❤️Britt @ pleasefeedthebookwo..."
Thank you, Britt! Victorian stage hypnotism intrigued me as a subject when I was in the mood to write something dark, theatrical, and historical back in 2011. It was the Halloween season, and the music and atmosphere of the holiday inspired me.
I've had two real-life experiences with hypnotism:
1. A stage hypnotist performed at my high school when I was a teen in the 1980s. What stood out the most was that he hypnotized my Spanish teacher into believing she was Madonna. In fact, he had to bring her out of her trance when she started taking off her clothes in front of everyone!
2. At my university, I was hypnotized as part of a theater class in which a drama professor wanted to see if hypnosis would allow people to become better actors. I remember the experience as being highly relaxing.
Cat wrote: "Harlee wrote: "In the Shadow of Blackbirds and The Cure for Dreaming (love that title btw) are both stories in the 1900s period. Would you say it's easier to write historical fiction or harder?"F..."
I imagine it could be harder for some authors to write historical fiction, especially if it's not something they enjoy! I love history! :)
Cat wrote: "Britt wrote: "Thank you so much for stopping by HUGE FAN!Why did you choose hypnotizing in A Cure For Dreaming and have you ever been hypnotized yourself? Would you if you hadn't ?
❤️Britt @ pleas..."
Lol about your Spanish teacher!
Mary wrote: "What is one thing that happened in your life, that you would say made you turn around and think, I wanna write books, and based in historical times also?"I started writing stories and poems in early childhood, and I began working on full-length novels at the age of nine. I tried writing my first historical novel at 11, because I loved reading historicals.
However, being a professional working writer wasn't my biggest dream in life. I wanted to be an actress. Writing was simply something I did, like breathing and eating.
My big turning point came at the age of 22, when I tried teaching high school English. My heart wasn't 100% into wanting to teach, and I simply went for my credential because I panicked and didn't know what else I wanted to do after graduating from college.
While I was struggling as a student teacher, I kept having dreams of blank pages sitting in front of me, and I knew it meant I regretted putting aside my love of writing. I had one student who was a budding author, and another student once said of him with a tone of awe, "He's going to be a writer when he grows up." People used to say the same of me, so I felt a sting of jealousy toward the kid for fully embracing his writer side. That was when I realized I wanted to be a professional writer.
P.S. It took me nearly 20 years before I actually signed a publishing contract, but that's a whole other story that can be found here.
What is her biggest influence to this genre and will she be going into any other genres in her writings?
Meghan wrote: "Wow theses books sound cool! One with a Spanish influenza theme and the other with suffragettes. What made you pick these themes in your books,or the time period? Are you fascinated by history? I..."Thanks, Meghan. Yes, I am indeed fascinated by history, especially the late-1800s through the 1920s. I tend to choose the topics of my books after I stumble across intriguing aspects of history that I hadn't yet discovered. My first novel covers WWI, the 1918 Spanish influenza, and the Spiritualist movement of the early 1900s. My second involves suffragists and stage hypnotism in 1900 America. Those are all subjects that caught my eye and begged me to look closer.
I'm glad you like the covers. I love them, too.
Hi Cat! Thanks for stopping by!What do you think is the most alluring thing about historical fiction?
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What needs to be nearby when you write?
Cat wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Thanks for coming to answer our questions, Ms. Winters, and for the generous donation of two copies of The Cure For Dreaming! I just recently finished In the Shadow of Blackbirds ..."
Very cool - I'm glad you did decide to add the archival photos! Thanks!
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I really love your off-the-wall characters in these books.
What has been your favorite character to write?
Cat wrote: "Britt wrote: "Thank you so much for stopping by HUGE FAN!Why did you choose hypnotizing in A Cure For Dreaming and have you ever been hypnotized yourself? Would you if you hadn't ?
❤️Britt @ pleas..."
That's so amazing!!
What authors/books have inspired you the most and have helped develop your own writing style?
April wrote: "What is her biggest influence to this genre and will she be going into any other genres in her writings?"I was strongly influenced by writers of classic Gothic fiction: the Bronte sisters, Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, and Daphne du Maurier. All of my contracted books and works-in-progress involve historical tales with paranormal elements, but one day I'd love to write a book that's more of a standard historical. If I ever switch to contemporary fiction, it would half to be a story that feels just right for me. I enjoy writing mysteries, so maybe I'll eventually write a contemporary mystery. Or else I might go in the complete opposite direction and write a fantasy for middle-grade readers.
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I'm sorry I missed your question April! I've added it above. Nice catch, Cat!
I love all the authors you stated here and had a feeling these may be some of them! I think you would be a great writer of fantasy for middle graders but I must admit I would be on the list of want to reads too!
Daniel wrote: "Hi Cat! Thanks for stopping by!What do you think is the most alluring thing about historical fiction?"
Hmm, that's a good question, Daniel. My first instinct is to say that I find the escapism the most alluring part, but then again, I love that historical fiction allows us to view issues occurring in our modern world through the filter of the past. I suppose I love historical fiction because it's both exotic and familiar at the same time.
Karen wrote: "Great start to this Q&A! Welcome Cat! Love your answers!What needs to be nearby when you write?"
Thanks, Karen. If I'm taking my laptop outside of the house to work, then I need a nice, warm cup of hot chocolate sitting beside me. If I'm working at home, I need my historical slang dictionaries, my reference books, and my lucky little koala bear that hangs off the side of my laptop's screen.
Jenny wrote: "These are awesome answers, Cat! I love the story about your Spanish teacher!I really love your off-the-wall characters in these books.
What has been your favorite character to write?"
Thank you, Jenny. :) My absolute favorite character to write so far has been Mary Shelley Black from In the Shadow of Blackbirds. She came to me as such a strong, quirky character, and I absolutely loved writing from her point of view, even though her story was a dark one. Plus she helped me land my very first publishing contract after a long period of rejections, so I'll always hold her near and dear to my heart.
Lindsay wrote: "What authors/books have inspired you the most and have helped develop your own writing style?"Years ago, when I first started writing historical fiction, I read Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace, which completely changed the way I wrote my own manuscripts. Before then, I was emulating the styles of classic novels, and my work came across as a bit dry and stuffy to modern readers. Atwood's book taught me how to make historical fiction appeal to modern audiences without making it sound like a modern novel. The historical fiction of T.C. Boyle also helped me to figure out how to balance this delicate line, and more recently I've been influenced by the historical works of Sarah Waters, Ruta Sepetys, and Markus Zusak.
When I first started writing In the Shadow of Blackbirds, I had just read The Hunger Games, which made me realize my 1918 historical setting resembled a dystopian world. I started perceiving the book as a real-life dystopian/apocalyptic tale, which dramatically influenced the way I wrote the novel.
April wrote: "I love all the authors you stated here and had a feeling these may be some of them! I think you would be a great writer of fantasy for middle graders but I must admit I would be on the list of want..."Thank you, April!
Are you working on any new projects right now? :)
Harlee wrote: "Are you working on any new projects right now? :)"Yes, I am! I'm currently revising my third YA novel, The Steep and Thorny Way, which will be coming Spring 2016 from Amulet Books. I just finished the final proofreading stage of my adult fiction debut, The Uninvited: A Novel, which HarperCollins will publish August 11, 2015. I also have a couple more editing stages left for a short story that will be appearing in the August 2015 YA horror anthology, Slasher Girls & Monster Boys. And when I'm not working on all of those projects, I'm writing a brand-new adult novel.
I've been keeping very busy, which is a really nice feeling for an author.
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I was strongly influenced by writers of classic Gothic fiction: the Bronte s..."
I love gothic novels. I also love mysteries! Probably why I love your books then ;)
David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite!
Books mentioned in this topic
Belle Epoque (other topics)The Steep & Thorny Way (other topics)
The Steep & Thorny Way (other topics)
The Uninvited (other topics)
Slasher Girls & Monster Boys (other topics)
More...
Cat has been very generous and is donating 2 signed copies of The Cure For Dreaming!! So we'll have 2 winners. US only. All you have to do to be qualified to win is to ask Cat a question!
And if you haven't checked out her books yet, I encourage you to try them!
Questions:
1. Sherry-- Cat, how involved are you in the design of your covers?
2. Kate--when I write short stories I have trouble sticking with one concept before jumping to another. How do you stick to one story without getting distracted by new ideas? Thanks!!
3. Michelle--Do you have a standard system of writing that you follow from day to day and/or from book to book?
4. Ryan--What inspired you to write The Cure For Dreaming?
5. Lauren--When you began working with Mary Shelly and Stephen did you initially plan to include a ghostly element, or did it naturally grow out of your inclusion of historical spirit photography and the horrific losses due to influenza and the war?
6. Harlee--In the Shadow of Blackbirds and The Cure for Dreaming (love that title btw) are both stories in the 1900s period. Would you say it's easier to write historical fiction or harder?
7. Britt--Why did you choose hypnotizing in A Cure For Dreaming and have you ever been hypnotized yourself? Would you if you hadn't ?
8. Mary--What is one thing that happened in your life, that you would say made you turn around and think, I wanna write books, and based in historical times also?
9. Meghan--What made you pick these themes in your books,or the time period? Are you fascinated by history? I read a blurb about how you referenced "shadows and Blackbirds"! Would love to read them!
10. April--What is her biggest influence to this genre and will she be going into any other genres in her writings?
11. Daniel--What do you think is the most alluring thing about historical fiction?
12. Karen--What needs to be nearby when you write?
13. Jenny --What has been your favorite character to write?
14. Lindsay--What authors/books have inspired you the most and have helped develop your own writing style?
15. Harlee--Are you working on any new projects right now?
16. Kate--How difficult is it to get published? I would imagine it takes a long time even when you have an amazing manuscript.
17. David--Do you have any pets? If so, do they ever try to distract you when you're working?
18. Karen--Love that you have a koala bear on your laptop! Is there a story there?
19. Karen--Do you have any favorite fan moments?
20. Melissa--I have heard a lot of authors say that they don't write the story, the characters do...is that something you hold true as well? Or did you occasionally have to help the story along?
21. Harlee-- I've got one more question: get any good books for Christmas? :)
22. Ryan--how did you feel when you won an award (sort of) from your debut?
23. Xandra--If you could live during any time period (excluding the time period of your books and the present), what time period would you choose and why?
24. Karen--What are you currently working on? Can you spill the beans about your 2016 YA?
25. Anne Marie-- was just wondering what genre of books you read when you were younger.
26. Sherrie--My question for you is what were your five favorite books read in 2014?
27. Jenny--What under-the-radar book did you love that you think deserves more love and hype?
28. Writeon--Have you ever completely changed/scrapped a character or plot concept while in the middle of writing?