Interview Cathy Miller

by

Lori Libby

1) Do you outline or are you a "seat of your pants" writer?

I’m very much of a plan it out writer. I like to have an idea of where I’m headed, although taking detours and side excursions can be exciting.

2) When did you start writing?

There hasn’t been a time in my life when I haven’t written. My dad was military so we got transferred around a lot. I liked the words and people that I invented in my own head and could take them with me when we moved. And now, well to be frank, my husband and children are much happier when I’m writing. Of course, they sometimes get some experimental meals because I’m still focused on my current work in progress instead of cooking.

3) Where did the idea for Regardless of Time come from?

Regardless of Time is a logical extension of Outside Time. My then 14-year-old daughter (and first reader) asked me where the rest of the story was. I said it was finished. But she was adamant about wanting to know what happened next? My editor, Leslie Hodges, agreed with her. So many times when I finish reading a book, I want to ask the author just that question, what happens next? I guess it “pays” to know the author.

4) Is this sequel a stand alone or should you really read Outside Time then Regardless of Time?

As far as I’m concerned, Regardless of Time stands on its own. There is enough back fill in the first chapter to fill the reader in on the gist of Outside Time.

5) Why young adult books? What about them sparks your imagination?

My voice seems to be Young Adult. And believe me, it took a long time to realize that. There is something wonderful, poignant, and compelling about finding out who you are and learning to deal with what the world throws at you. Or maybe it is that I just never wanted to grow up.

6) Do you have a regular writing schedule or do you write when you feel like it?

Life has a way on intervening but I try to write X pages per week. The story stays fresher and it is easier to get back into the characters when I’m with them every day. For a lot of people, the idea of trying to write an entire book can be intimidating but if you only need to write a few pages or paragraphs a day, then the book writes itself before you realize it.

7) What writing groups do you belong to?

I belong to Romance Writers of America (RWA), The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), RWA’s chapter of Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal (F F &P), Electronically Published Internet Connection (EPIC), and an RWA group of Young Adult Authors. I really have to be strict with myself when it comes to email. I’ve learned to set a timer and when it goes off, that’s it until my writing is done for the day.

8) Do you have any works in progress that you would like to talk about?

I have a Young Adult historical set just after the civil war and then there is an alternative world very long fantasy with magic, wizards, elves, and a way of life to be saved that is almost ready to be sent out.

9) What does your family and friends think of your writing?

My family is really supportive of my writing although my husband didn’t read Outside Time until after it was published. I have my office and it has a door. The only people allowed in when I’m working are my dogs. And yes, my dogs don’t think I can write a word unless they are in the room with me. They even keep me company when I do the “middle of the night writing sessions because the scene is so vivid I’m just going to take a minute to sketch it out” thing. And my husband doesn’t complain when I bring my frozen toes back to bed. My daughters read finished manuscripts and are very vocal with their comments. Some I use and some I don’t, but I always listen.

10) What kinds of book do you like to read?

I’ll read just about anything from historical to contemporary, to murder mysteries to westerns. But I’m especially fond of Fantasy and Science Fiction. My to be read pile gets higher and higher. I like ebooks because I can load them on my handheld and always have books with me when I go to a school to sub, or to the ice skating rink or have to sit doing mom-taxi service.

11) What brought you to Wings?

I liked the idea of epublishing and had been wanting to submit something that was a little out of the ordinary when a friend saw a notice that Wings was accepting queries. I will never forget the thrill of opening the email with my first contract from Wings. I made one of my daughters come read the email, just to make sure I was seeing what I thought I was reading. Forget the cyber chocolate. We went out for dinner.

12) Is there anything else you would like to share with me that I didn't ask?

How about some words of advice for other budding authors? Don’t give up. Even as a requested manuscript, Outside Time sat at two different publishers for over two years before I submitted it to Wings. You always hear people say that writers write. It isn’t that we write so much as we have to write. So get out there and write.