Today I am speaking with Kate September.

Hi Kate! Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! It is great to have you with us today. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to visit with us. The readers would love to hear something about Kate September.

Kate, when I visited your website I almost felt as if I had arrived in Paris, the ambience of the whole setting, not to mention the excerpt on Duet of Desire, draws anyone in when they first visit. I love the covers on your books. I liked the part about romance for the thinking woman. Tell me, did you have fun composing Duet of Desire?

Honestly, I don’t think I would say I had fun writing Duet of Desire. This book has challenged me as no other book I have ever written. I worked extremely hard to be true to the complexity of the emotions and characters, and also to stay true to my message about love, life and survival. I can say that when the final-final-final draft was done, it was an amazing feeling. I was exhausted, but I felt that I had truly accomplished something.

Why don’t you begin today by telling everyone about Kate and the stories she loves the best writing?

I live in Boston with my husband and two dogs. We have a cozy little brownstone condo, and my desk is right next to a window that has the Boston city skyline for a view. My boy pup is my task master and sits behind me when I write, nudging me for a hug break every 20 minutes or so. Oh, I also have a crazy fish.

I think I enjoy writing stories that are either true historical or have historical elements in them. Doing all the research for a historical appeals to the geek in me, I guess! But mostly, I enjoy writing stories about people complex, fault-ridden, fragile, courageous people.

When did you first decide to take "pen in hand" and seek a publisher?

I actually only started sending out manuscripts in September 2005. I can’t believe it has been just under a year, and I have three published books, one more upcoming, and one published short story already! Every step of the way has had its challenges, but I have learned the business and grown tremendously as a writer. So, I’m very, very grateful!

Do you have some upcoming projects that you would like to share with your readers?

Yes, indeed! Dance of Desire, the final book of La Belle Époque trilogy, will be coming out this fall, and then all three Desire books will be available in a print collection. After that, I’m working on a French historical murder mystery based on a true series of murders that happened in the 17th century, and also a contemporary occult/mystery book that (big surprise) takes place in Paris.

Has the publishing world changed your life?

I don’t think that it has changed my world significantly in terms of everyday life. What it has done is given me a whole new set of ambitions and a new source of hope and something to strive for. Being published has been my life-long dream, and to see it coming true has transformed my spirit.

Are you an organized person?

I have lists of my lists. Does that answer the question?

When you are writing do you listen to music or watch TV?

Neither. I like it quiet when I work. Sometimes, I can hear noises from the street outside, but it’s soothing to me. I actually don’t watch TV at all mostly because I don’t have the time and am too cheap to pay for cable to get good reception in this old brick building!

Where do the ideas for your stories derive?

I guess they come from lots of different places. Sometimes one idea will spawn another one, or one line of research will get me questioning something and going off in a new direction. Sometimes, I get ideas in dreams or in the shower. But mostly, my ideas come from my curiosity I’m always picking up on some small thing and doggedly researching it, and the more obscure the better!

What is your favorite part of a book to write?

The last line. Partly because it means that I’ve accomplished something, but partly because I feel like the last line just comes to me with a sort of poetic surrealism, like it already existed and was just waiting for me to catch up with it.

What is the biggest false impression about being an author?

That your work is done once you have finished the manuscript. The difference between being a writer and being an author is that an author takes the business end of writing as seriously as the creative end. You have to be committed to editing, learning the market, promoting yourself and being professional. It takes a lot of work and can be as draining as the creative burn itself.

What about the one habit you have that you know you’ll never change?

Getting ahead of myself in terms of all the ideas I want to write and the need to prioritize what I am actually writing! I keep a dedicated notebook of all the ideas I have that I want to tackle someday. So far, I’ve got eight serious ideas that I’m keeping notes on, and three books in process that need to be finished!

Every writer dreams about receiving the call. What were you doing when yours came in? Did you do anything special to celebrate?

My call came 24 hours after I sent in my first manuscript, The Siren’s Bloom, to Ocean’s Mist Press. I think I cried because it was a moment where something I had dreamed of for so long had come true. It was one of those moments in life where suddenly a whole new horizon of opportunity opens up in front of you, and you are dazzled by the sight.

I celebrated that night with my husband at our cousin’s housewarming party. There was champagne involved, and that’s all I’ll say about that!

How many hours a day do you spend writing?

Somewhere between 2-3 hours a day. But it’s not all in long bursts. Sometimes, it is just 15 minutes in between chores, or 45 minutes before I go to sleep. I think I would have trouble sitting for 2-3 hours at a time straight!

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

Certainly! Readers can keep up with all the news at my Kate September Yahoo Group

Also, you can learn more about me and get my blog at My Space

Is there anything else that you would like to divulge to our readers?

Well, while I have a chance, I’m going to do a plug for one of the charities I support. It’s the Basenji Rescue and Transport group. It’s a breed rescue program for Basenjis (which are small African hunting hounds). I have two B’s, and loving them has been one of the best experiences of my life. Animal welfare has always been an issue close to my heart. So, I would encourage readers, if they are thinking of getting a pet, either to rescue one from a breed rescue or shelter, or go to a reputable breeder. Let’s put an end to puppy mills and animal cruelty now!

What would your readers be surprised to learn about Kate September?

I think they’d be surprised to learn that in real life, I’m a bit of a goofball. I’m always doing something odd, being clumsy, laughing at bad jokes, etc. I wouldn’t call myself ordinary because I’m a bit too odd to be ordinary let alone normal!

Just for Fun: Your favorite food? Your favorite all time movie? Your favorite fantasy in life?

My mother’s beef stroganoff is my all-time favorite food. My all-time favorite movie would probably be any version of Pride & Prejudice. My favorite fantasy in life? hmm? I’m torn between winning a Pullitzer and having a stylist, LOL!

Thank you so much for sharing time with us today, Kate. Anyone interested in reading more about Kate and her impeccable books, please visit her website to read more about her tantalizing works. It has been a real pleasure Kate, and I wish you the best with your writing.

Interviewed by: Linda L