Oct 23, 20175 min read

Author Interview: Isobelle Cate

So, last year I was lucky enough to participate in a super awesome anthology project called Stoking the Flames...and while that was amazing, even better than that was meeting the WONDERFUL other authors who participated in the project too!

Today, I'm so excited because I get to introduce you to one of those lovely ladies and her latest release:

Isobelle Cate

Why did you first start writing? What was the inspiration for your first book?

I have always loved to read. I loved mysteries before I read romance novels. I guess my very first book was inspired by the books I read. It was a teenage romance that remained inside my drawer until decades later when Scotland became the inspiration for my first published book, Love in Her Dreams.

Did you ever consider traditional/self-publishing? Was there a reason you chose the way you did to go about publishing your works? Do you have any insights for future authors trying to make the same choice?

Yes, I considered traditional publishing and sent more query letters than I can count. When that didn't pan out, I looked into indie publishers and hit dirt. ;) Unfortunately, the indie publishers I was with before had to close down and this was when I decided to self-publish.

For authors trying to decide which path to take, make a list of the pros and cons of considering a traditional or indie publisher or if you prefer to self-publish. Self-publishing entails that you will have to learn to manage your time between writing and promoting. Sometimes there aren't too many hours in the day to do this; but, if you are committed to making it as a writer, the rewards are well worth it. :)

I love, LOVE IN HER DREAMS. I love the cover and the book and just love it. What was your inspiration when you sat down to write that story?

Thank you so much!

The inspiration for this book came from my second visit to Scotland. There’s just something magickal about the place. You can really feel it in the air.

My family and I took a friend to Edinburgh and while walking along the Royal Mile, inspiration hit me. I wrote Love in Her Dreams in a weekend. While writing it, I had a mug that said Dinae fash yerself and hae a brew (Don’t worry about it, have a brew). I always have coffee when I’m writing but because it was about Scotland, I added a wee bit of single malt. J.

Since then, most of my stories have something about Scotland in them.

How do you come up with the different pieces your write?

Uh…carefully? Lol

Inspiration comes from a lot of things for me. It can be a song, an idea while writing a book, or even just that random thought while I’m strolling in the park. It can come from anywhere.

You have multiple different series out, can you tell me a little bit about them?

I’ve always been a paranormal fan. I love reading about vampires and werewolves, but it was always about vamps being at odds with weres. So, I thought what if I fused them together into one? That’s how the Cynn Cruors series was born. I took the best of both vamp, were, and human and put them into a hybrid.

Thy Cynn Cruors are immortal highlanders who try to protect humans from their nemesis, the Scatha Cruors. The Scatha were formerly Cynn Cruors until they wanted the world to know of the Cruors’ existence and to rule over the human world. Each book in the series is the story of one Cynn Cruor and how he found his mate despite the uncertainty of a supernatural war around them.

I now also have the spin-off to the Cynn Cruors – Firebinders. They’re a new and different kind of paranormal beings. Vulcan’s fire runs in their veins and this can be used to either heal or kill. I’ve just released the first of the series: Firebinders: Marek. However, this group of books will tie in very closely with the Cynn Cruors because that is the world I’ve created. That said, the firebinders also have their own nemesis whom they have to defeat.

The Second Chances series is about five men who each have a loft conversion in one building and how their lives become intertwined when finding the woman they will move heaven and earth to be with. I had planned for this to be just a five book series but some of the secondary characters will have books of their own as well. This was really something I had planned to publish in between the paranormal romance novels. I didn’t realize that it would a tall order to do that!

Then there’s my Dragon Heart Series! This starts with Dragonslayer, Dragon Heart. The next one which will come out in the anthology we are both in is Dragonslayer, Dragon Light.

I have another paranormal series about time travelling highlanders with a twist. ;-) I’m hoping to publish the first book by early next year.

How many books do you have published now?

Hmm...about 16... I think.

Do you have any books in the works at the moment?

Yes, I do. Right now, I'm writing the next installment of the Dragon Hearts Series, Dragonslayer, Dragon Light. I also have to finish the 4th installment of my Second Chances series, Slow Dancing, and continue writing the 7th installment in my paranormal series, The Cynn Cruors Bloodline. I have another series that's long overdue about time travelling highlanders.

What’s harder, in your opinion, writing a series, or writing a standalone title?

Hmm…good question.

I would have to say a standalone title. I think it’s because I’ve been so used to writing a series that writing a standalone feels incomplete. However, that’s not to say that I won’t try to write a standalone. There’s also something that’s refreshing when you are able to write the entire story in just one book.

When you think about losing yourself in a different world, whether it’s one you’ve written or read about somewhere, where would it be and why?

I’d want to lose myself in the Cynn Cruors’ world probably because it’s based here in Manchester, where I live, and in Scotland. I’ll admit it’s going to be scary bumping into the Scatha, but hey, I’m the writer…I can just erase them from my presence! Ha!

Any advice you’d offer up-and-comers looking to find their place in the literary world?

It can be daunting to try to make a mark in the indie world; but, the first thing you must do is to believe in yourself. Believe that you have a damn good story to tell and there will be readers waiting for your kind of writing.

Next, read and learn. You are a reader too, right? And it’s what you’ve read that inspires you to try becoming an author. Learn from your favourite authors as well as books on the craft so that you can grow to become the better writer and develop your own voice.

Last but not the least, enjoy the journey! You’re in for one helluva ride! ;)

*****

I just wanted to say thank you so much to Isobelle for taking the time to talk with me and answer my ridiculous fan girl questions. It's always so fun getting to know new authors, an I hope you've enjoyed getting to know new authors with me!

For Isobelle and all my Dragon Sisters, Thank You so much and I can't wait for your next books!!!