Please give a warm welcome to my dear friend and fellow EC author Katalina Leon. She was kind enough to allow me to delve into her world for a bit. Enjoy her interview. :)
Q: Tell us about your favorite character from your books.
Katalina: I’m still having a love affair with my latest Hero “Atellus” from “Owned By Rome”. I was able to really get inside that character’s head and he’s lingering with me.
Q: Does travel play in the writing of your books?
Katalina: Does time travel and short excursions to other dimensions count? The WIPs I’m currently working on go all over the place! Lol
Q: Tell us about your current release.
Katalina: My latest release is “Owned By Rome” it’s part of Ellora’s Cave Legend Line. It takes place in Western Gaul 64 AD. I chose that time period because Rome had reached the height of its technical achievements but was beginning to loose its political grip on its empire. I chose one disillusioned Roman magistrate and one disenfranchised Celtic woman to represent two clashing forces that eventually learn to love and respect each other.
Q: Has someone been instrumental in inspiring you as a writer?
Katalina: I don’t mean this to sound spooky but several loved ones who have passed on have been very active in helping me find stories. They literally hand over the goods-especially abuela Katalina!
Q: Does your significant other read your stuff?
Katalina: Yes, but I don’t let my husband read anything until the story is completely finished. We do talk about work in progress and it’s always a big help to get a male point of view.
Q: Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
Katalina: The real question is how can a writer AVOID critique partners. Once friends and family know you write everyone becomes a critique partner whither you want the critique or not lol My sister is my beta reader-she’s pretty tough to please…
Q: Who are your books published with?
Katalina: I’m exclusively with Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
Q: Do you hear from your readers? Tell us about your favorite fan letter you’ve received?
Katalina: When my first ebook “Blue Apples” was published last spring a very sweet fan sent me a necklace with a tiny blue apple covered in crystals. I was so touched. It felt like the best good charm in the world. Other readers have sent personal video-messages through YouTube, which I treasure. “Noblesword” brought me some male fans that were convinced I had written about them in the bacchanal scene…Naughty boys. “Adult Education” brought me a wonderful video request for a sequel from a young lady dressed in a fuzzy college mascot costume! I absolutely love hearing from readers. I’m always surprised by what details catch a reader’s attention.
Amber: How awesome...I'm jealous. I've never received anything from fans - well unless you consider fellow authors fans.
Q: What do you think makes a good story?
Katalina: Emotional involvement and a learning experience. We read and reach out to the world to learn something about ourselves.
Q: Plotter or Pantser? Why?
Katalina: I try so hard to plot! I really do have good intentions and I always start off with a structured plot line but as I write the wild horses run away with me and soon I’m lost and at the mercy of the muses…lol
Q: What do you do to unwind and relax?
Katalina: I take a long walk everyday-if possible with my husband, son and dog. It’s part of our family time together.
Amber: Very nice. My hubby and I do the same.
Q: Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?
Katalina: Yes, be tough with yourself, be loving toward yourself and invest the necessary time and effort in yourself-you’ll be glad you did.
Q: What would we find under your bed?
Katalina: Medieval looking fur-lined leather wrist-cuffs strapped to the headboard (They’re hidden from kid’s view, just knowing they’re there makes me happy!) and a beautiful old-fashioned leather suitcase covered in travel stamps and filled with toys and erotic goodies to play with.
Amber: Hmmm ;)
Q: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Katalina: Thank you for your love and support, I’m so grateful!
Thanks for being here today Kat! I had fun.
Q: Tell us about your favorite character from your books.
Katalina: I’m still having a love affair with my latest Hero “Atellus” from “Owned By Rome”. I was able to really get inside that character’s head and he’s lingering with me.
Q: Does travel play in the writing of your books?
Katalina: Does time travel and short excursions to other dimensions count? The WIPs I’m currently working on go all over the place! Lol
Q: Tell us about your current release.
Katalina: My latest release is “Owned By Rome” it’s part of Ellora’s Cave Legend Line. It takes place in Western Gaul 64 AD. I chose that time period because Rome had reached the height of its technical achievements but was beginning to loose its political grip on its empire. I chose one disillusioned Roman magistrate and one disenfranchised Celtic woman to represent two clashing forces that eventually learn to love and respect each other.
Q: Has someone been instrumental in inspiring you as a writer?
Katalina: I don’t mean this to sound spooky but several loved ones who have passed on have been very active in helping me find stories. They literally hand over the goods-especially abuela Katalina!
Q: Does your significant other read your stuff?
Katalina: Yes, but I don’t let my husband read anything until the story is completely finished. We do talk about work in progress and it’s always a big help to get a male point of view.
Q: Do you have critique partners or beta readers?
Katalina: The real question is how can a writer AVOID critique partners. Once friends and family know you write everyone becomes a critique partner whither you want the critique or not lol My sister is my beta reader-she’s pretty tough to please…
Q: Who are your books published with?
Katalina: I’m exclusively with Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
Q: Do you hear from your readers? Tell us about your favorite fan letter you’ve received?
Katalina: When my first ebook “Blue Apples” was published last spring a very sweet fan sent me a necklace with a tiny blue apple covered in crystals. I was so touched. It felt like the best good charm in the world. Other readers have sent personal video-messages through YouTube, which I treasure. “Noblesword” brought me some male fans that were convinced I had written about them in the bacchanal scene…Naughty boys. “Adult Education” brought me a wonderful video request for a sequel from a young lady dressed in a fuzzy college mascot costume! I absolutely love hearing from readers. I’m always surprised by what details catch a reader’s attention.
Amber: How awesome...I'm jealous. I've never received anything from fans - well unless you consider fellow authors fans.
Q: What do you think makes a good story?
Katalina: Emotional involvement and a learning experience. We read and reach out to the world to learn something about ourselves.
Q: Plotter or Pantser? Why?
Katalina: I try so hard to plot! I really do have good intentions and I always start off with a structured plot line but as I write the wild horses run away with me and soon I’m lost and at the mercy of the muses…lol
Q: What do you do to unwind and relax?
Katalina: I take a long walk everyday-if possible with my husband, son and dog. It’s part of our family time together.
Amber: Very nice. My hubby and I do the same.
Q: Do you have any suggestions for beginning writers? If so, what are they?
Katalina: Yes, be tough with yourself, be loving toward yourself and invest the necessary time and effort in yourself-you’ll be glad you did.
Q: What would we find under your bed?
Katalina: Medieval looking fur-lined leather wrist-cuffs strapped to the headboard (They’re hidden from kid’s view, just knowing they’re there makes me happy!) and a beautiful old-fashioned leather suitcase covered in travel stamps and filled with toys and erotic goodies to play with.
Amber: Hmmm ;)
Q: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Katalina: Thank you for your love and support, I’m so grateful!
Thanks for being here today Kat! I had fun.
Katalina, don't try so hard to plot. :) We pantsers flourish on the unknown. If it's hard, don't do it. LOL.
ReplyDeleteAwesome interview you two.
What a sweet gift! Blue crystal apples, how cool! You think you might ever branch out with other pubs? Just asking...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit Katalina...I can't wait to check out your work.
ReplyDelete