Today I am speaking with Caitlyn Willows.

Hi Caitlyn! And welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! It is great to have you with us. Thank you for taking time out of your workday to answer some questions. The readers are anxious to learn something about Caitlyn Willows.

Caitlyn, I love the lavender on your website. The flowers almost appear real like I could reach out and touch them. You have quite a long range of books, not to mention winning the Eppie and CAPA Awards, congrats to you. Where do you find the time, and can you share your secret with us?

My secret is focus, which I definitely need to practice more. You have to make yourself sit down and do it. There are days that it’s like pulling teeth, especially if I’ve hit a stumbling block in the story. Of course, sitting there glowering at the computer doesn’t help those stumbling blocks either. So I’ll try to find a mindless activity like watering the garden or running a dust rag around the house to help me think it through. Then I’ll sit right back down and do it. It’s important that the task you select is small and mindless. Cleaning out the closets or drawers is too involved and takes your focus away from the story.

I think it also helps to practice, practice, practice. The more you write, the better you’ll become (presumably). Your voice will develop and your techniques become finely honed, making writing second nature for you.

If you work outside the home, you need to develop a schedule for writing. I used to get up about two to three hours before I had to leave for work to write. Or I’d go to bed early and write for two hours in the bedroom. Or I’d devote a Saturday to write. Somehow I worked it all in because this was something I really wanted to have and I knew I had to make sacrifices to have it. Now that I no longer work outside the home, I still have a schedule I try to adhere to: write every day, all day if possible.

And, believe it or not, it helps to keep your work area tidy and uncluttered. It helps the energies flow. Ditto with trying to stay positive and slough off negativity.

Are there more upcoming projects or soon to be releases that you would love to share?

I just finished an erotic suspense, BUDDY SYSTEM, for Loose-ID and am very excited about the story. It’s scheduled for release in November 2006. Here’s a short blurb about it:

What started out as just sex has now shifted to love, but admitting that publicly awakens the jealous beast, one who isn’t afraid to kill to keep what he or she considers “MINE.”

I also have a short erotic paranormal, A LITTLE D.A.B., coming out in August 2006 from Amber Quill Press. Here’s a snippet of that one:

Wil Clark and Mattie Baker were best friends in high school until that disastrous prom night when everything went wrong. Now they are back at their high school reunion, hoping to heal the rift that pulled them apart. Nervous and unsure of just how much of their hearts and desires they should reveal to one another, Wil and Mattie agree they could use a little extra courage. Perhaps Madame Rue's D.A.B. will help them dazzle, allure, and bewitch each other. Just a little dab to help their dreams come true. But when an old nemesis drenches them in the whole bottle...

What is your favorite type of genre to write? You favorite to read?

I don’t know that I have a favorite genre to write. I’ve been fortunate to have publishers who allow my muse to play and write in any genre it wants. Of course there are times I’m locked into a genre by the publisher’s needs. Again, I feel very lucky that I’m able to be diverse. What I really enjoy is being able to get inside the characters’ heads, to make the reader feel what the characters are feeling. I want the reader to have as much emotion invested in the story as the characters do.

I also don’t have a favorite genre to read. I will read just about anything because I love a good story and I love authors who can tell it well. So it’s not so much the genre, but the story itself. If a cover draws my attention, I’ll read the blurb. If I find the blurb intriguing, I’ll buy the book. If I love the book, I’ll buy more of that author.

When you are deciding your genre, do your characters decide for you?

I usually pick the genre based on the story idea that’s slammed into my overcrowded head (it’s scary up there). From that point I’ll let the characters move forward with it since it is their story I’m telling.

What prompted you to seek Internet publishing?

Long story short, I was at an RWA conference and had been approached by an epublisher to submit my work. I had no intention of doing so and brushed off the request. When I was walking across the foyer, it hit me. Actually, this loud voice in the back of my head hit me. It said, “Your readership is behind you.” I stopped dead in my tracks. It was true. The readership I needed to cultivate was the generations behind me, those who’d been raised on computer technology and videos. When they started reading, they’d be going to computers. So I submitted and the rest is history.

How do you feel about having your own books reviewed and what value, if any, do you get from them?

I’m honestly very nervous every time a book goes out for review. I worry about pleasing the reviewer. They have so many books to go through, I always hope mine will be a happy read for them. Naturally, I’m very relieved when I learn the reviewer has liked the story. I’m also very sad if I discover they did not. I feel like I have to apologize for it not being up to their expectations. As for reviews themselves, it’s more publicity for the book and the author. The more an author’s name is out there, the more attention their work draws.

If you could go back in time, where would you go and when? What is one thing you would want to take with you?

Oddly, this is the second time someone has asked this question of me this week. I still don’t have a good answer. The paranormal side of me says, “No. Don’t you remember the Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Final Countdown (just fill in the blank with any SciFi show/movie) where they went back in time?” I’d be too freaked that I’d do something and wind up wiping my existence off the Earth. Very seriously though...

I’d take a pad and pen with me for certain, maybe even a camera. Then I’d want to do find the missing Snodgrass my genealogist husband is searching for, find out who my father is and take his picture, and find out what happened to my grandmother’s maternal family after the Spanish Flu epidemic that killed her mother. I know, depressing things, but they are the things I’d most like to know. If I had to pick one, I’d choose the first because it would make my husband over-the-moon happy.

While writing, how does the story develop for you? Do you go from start to finish or create scenes as they come to you?

An idea will what-if me (what-if this happened, what-if that happened) and I’ll play it out in my head. If it sticks, I’ll write down basic notes. Anything can set my mind in motion—a snippet of a conversation, a sentence in a magazine, a movie, or just taking a walk. By the time I’m ready to sit down to write, I have my beginning and ending. Then I let the characters carry me forward. Most of the time the ending has morphed from its original intent. Things change during the process and you have to let the story be what it needs to be. I create the scenes as I go, making notes for future scenes along the way or things I need to go back and adjust. And, of course, I rely on my editors to make sure I haven’t let anything dangling.

Most people only dream of becoming a successful writer. Now that you have accomplished that is there anything else you dream of doing?

I don’t know that as individuals we ever see ourselves as being successful. We’re always reaching for that next rung up the ladder, the next goal. I think that’s a good thing because it keeps us growing as individuals. If you stopped doing, you’d stopped growing, and you’d just...stop. Dreams and goals are surprising in how they turn up. One day you’re this person and the next day something will hit you and you’ll want to do it. Life’s interesting that way, fun, exciting, allowing us to explore all the options out there...if we wish. Growing up, I never dreamed of being a writer. In adulthood it hit me out of the blue, and here I am. One never knows what will intrigue them. I think it’s just important to keep our eyes open to opportunities and possibilities. I would like to be able to continue to put out books readers love. And I’d like to be able to continue to go to conferences in order to meet those readers.

Could you describe for us your idea of the perfect man?

He must be kind to and love animals and children, love SciFi, have a sense of humor, be goal oriented, well read, intelligent, and handy around the house. He must be a fraction more dominate than me, love me no matter what, be nurturing and supportive, and have my back when the chips are down.

What would your readers be surprised to learn about Caitlyn?

I absolutely, positively will not “allow” my husband read any of Caitlyn’s work. He doesn’t need any more “ideas.” Just because I write it....

And...I don’t like chocolate, can’t stand the smell of it.

Do you have a habit that you know you will never change?

I twirl my hair. I’ve always done it. I always will. And...one son picked up on this habit very early on. And...now his son does it too.

Do you have any pet peeves that you would like to share?

My family could give you a very full list. I’m a Type A personality. Things must be on time, on schedule, and organized. I’m a little anal retentive about things being in proper order, something both sons inherited.

Do you have anything else you would like to share with your readers?

Only that I hope they’ll continue to be entertained by my books. I truly love my readers. It’s so pleasing to hear they’ve enjoyed my books. It really makes my day.

For Fun: What is your favorite comfort food?

I struggle with my weight every day so treats are a no-no. But when I go to conferences I will allow myself a scone and strawberry fat-free frozen yogurt.

For Fun: If you could go anywhere and visit for a week where would you go?

I’d like to sit on a Hawaiian beach with a good book, soak up the sun and breeze, and watch the people around me.

Do you have a website other than www.caitlynwillows.com that you would like to share with your readers?

My website for my non-erotic romance is here.

Thank you so much for spending the morning with us, Caitlyn. Anyone interested in reading more about Caitlyn Willows and her outstanding books, please visit her website to read more about her superb works. She is one remarkable and prolific author that should not be missed. It has been a pleasure Caitlyn, and I wish you the best in your writing career.

The pleasure was mine as well. Thank you for asking me.

Interviewed by: Linda L