Fallen Angel Reviews would like to welcome Kate Douglas!!

Hello Kate!! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for Fallen Angel Reviews. Would you please tell us a little about yourself?

I'd love to. Have you ever met an author who doesn't want to talk about herself?

Most children have an idea of what they want to be when they grow up and these plans often change as they get older. Did you always want to be a writer and when did you write your first story?

I don't think it was a matter of wanting to be a writer. I just knew I was one, from a very early age. I come from a family of journal keepers and diary writers, so it's most likely genetic. My first poem was published in the local paper when I was in the fourth grade, but I'd been making up stories long before that. Of course, my parents called it telling tales... J I did have a wild imagination as a kid...and thank goodness it's never gone away.

It must be every writer's dream to become a successful author. How did you feel the first time your work was published?

LOL! I'm not sure how successful I am, but I definitely have a lot of fun. When my first book came out I was in heaven. You have to realize, I've been writing, in one format or another, for over thirty years, but that first book was still definitely special. It was a romantic suspense: Honeysuckle Rose, from Hard Shell Word Factory.

Your work seems to cover many genres; Romantica, Contemporary, and Paranormal just to name a few.
Where do the ideas for your stories come from?

I wish I knew! I've dreamed entire books, thought of stories while driving home from the grocery store, watched my kids play sports and come up with characters and plots...I think sometimes there's an alternate reality going on in my head and that's where the stories come from. I've even had secondary characters from one book harass me until I give them their own story!

Of all of your published work, which story did you find the most difficult to write and why?

That's an easy one. It would have to be Pride of Imar, Book 3 of my StarQuest Series. The story was "supposed" to be a comedy, but the more I got into it, the more I realized it was a story of abuse and betrayal. My heroine, Sheyna, was so real to me that I couldn't ignore her voice. She took me places I don't usually go in my fiction, and it wasn't always very easy to write what the character demanded. I ended up with a book I am very proud of, though, and one that wouldn't have worked if I'd followed the safer, lighter route.

I haven't had the chance to read Honeysuckle Rose and it's sequel Last of the O'Rourkes, but the storylines intrigue me. Can you tell us a little about these books?

Honeysuckle Rose started out with my own personal "Monday morning from hell," and evolved into a story of one woman's personal journey-a literal one-crossing the country in the front seat of a big rig with a man she suspects to be a dangerous hijacker, as well as a more esoteric one, in that Rose makes a personal journey of growth as her life changes because of the man she is falling in love with. It was fun to write and I'm still very proud of it.

Last of the O'Rourkes was a strange trip...I had a secondary character in Honeysuckle Rose, Kat Malone, who literally would NOT leave me alone once I finished writing the first book. She sort of sat on my shoulder, whispering, "My story. When ya gonna tell MY story?" Until I finally relented. Kat literally told me her story. I wrote Last of the O'Rourkes in a matter of weeks, just listening to what Kat had to say. I think she did an excellent job! J Kat was an investigator with the Department of Transportation. She ends up pregnant, finds out the now deceased father of her baby was already married at about the same time she discovers she's got a stalker with deadly intentions. She ends up falling under the protection of Seamus O'Rourke, a food critique and decidedly un-heroic hero. The story is exciting and sweet, all at the same time. I loved writing the characters: a woman who doesn't want to be pregnant, yet who is willing to die fighting for the life of her unborn child, and a man who isn't hero material, who is just as willing to sacrifice everything for a woman he isn't even sure he likes. They were an intriguing couple to get to know.

I did read the excerpt of Honeysuckle Rose on your website and the main character Rose, comes across as a very strong, intelligent person. Do you base your characters on people you know?

As authors, of course we write what we know. Rose is a compilation of people I've met, but not anyone in particular. Kat Malone, on the other hand, is very much like my daughter, Sarah. She's got attitude I wish I had!

Honeysuckle Rose was awarded the Eppie for Best Romantic Suspense Novel in 2001. Was this your first award, and what did it mean to you?

Winning the Eppie was an amazing experience. The night I won for Honeysuckle Rose, I also won for On Wings of Love. I was overwhelmed by the fact my books, which had been judged by my peers, had done so well. It gave me added confidence as an author. The really cool thing is that I was at the EPPIE convention and got to accept both awards in person.

We can only assume since you love to write, you must love to read as well. What authors do you enjoy reading?

Oh my...so many! I am a real fan of many EC authors: Shelby Morgen, Treva Harte, Sahara Kelly, Lora Leigh, Mary Janice Davidson, Angela Knight, Chris Tanglen...the list goes on and on. J I also enjoy Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jane Ann Krentz, Anne Stuart, Rachel Gibson, Christine Feehan...face it, I love to read! I just wish I had more time.

Are there any authors who have inspired you?

My number one inspiration has been Patricia Lucas White. Pat was there to offer me help whenever I had a question, she did one of my first ever reviews, helped me find my agent, has been a wonderful and steadfast friend. She's currently fighting cancer so I'm not sure how much writing she's doing, but if anyone lives the philosophy of "pass it forward," it would have to be her. On top of it all, she's an amazingly talented author. Patricia is, and will always be, an inspiration to me.

Can you tell us what you are working on now and maybe give us a "sneak peak" of your next book?

I'm currently working on a couple of stories, one a short sexy read that just won't leave me alone, and another contemporary romance I've promised my agent. Not sure where it will end up, but it's a cute story of a woman who is tired of blind dates and decides to take control by joining an online dating service. Only problem is, this guy she's recently met has decided that online dating is dangerous, and keeps showing up to "protect" her from her dates! I'm having fun with it, though there's no title yet.

The short, sexy one is titled “Wolf Tails 1”, and is kind of different. It started out as a freebie I wrote for the Ellora’s Cave readers list. I had so many request for “the rest of the story,” that I’ve decided to write it. Also, as an update, Wolf Tales 1-Stefan, will be coming out from Changeling Press in about a week. It’s definitely going in some odd directions—all very sexy.

My next published book will be Bold Journey, Book 5 of my StarQuest Series from Ellora's Cave. It's due out on March 3. Let me know if you want an excerpt. I've also got a novella in the Cavemen from Ellora's Cave anthology due out at the end of the month. I don't know any details on that project, but I'm sure there will be some sort of announcement before too long on the EC website.

To become a successful author like yourself, it must take a lot of hard work and dedication. Do you have any words of advice for new writers who are trying to get their work published?

It's almost a cliché, but writers write. You can't get published if you don't write the book, if you don't take the risk of rejection, if you don't constantly work to improve your craft. I've been writing professionally for over thirty years and still occasionally take creative writing classes in order to hone my skills. I would say to new writers, keep doing what you love, read the kinds of books you want to write, practice your craft and don't take rejection personally. The editor might reject your story, but they're not rejecting YOU. Keep trying and don't ever give up.

Is there anything you would like to add to this interview?

Only that I have really enjoyed the opportunity and would like to thank you. I start every day thanking my lucky stars that I get to do what I love, which is write my stories and know there are people out there who enjoy them. For a writer, there is nothing more fantastic than to know their imaginings have found a home. It's a feeling I'll never grow tired of. I would also like to let my readers know that I love hearing from them. I have a newsletter that comes out monthly with updates of my projects, including excerpts and prizes. Interested readers can join by sending an email to Kate Douglas

Thank you so much for answering my questions, Kate! I have enjoyed the opportunity to speak with you. I can't wait to read some your stories and I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming books!

Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity.

If you would like more information about Kate Douglas, and her books, please visit her website at: Kate Douglas

Interviewed by:
Jennifer