Cat Collins

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

It's hard for me to claim my favorite hobbies and interests when I spend so much time writing and reading. I simply love both of those things enough to call them my interests. I love to travel when I have the funds to do so, and I enjoy photography and I've been getting into graphic design when making my promotional items and book covers. I'm also serial binge-watcher at night when I'm not doing other things.

When and why did you start writing books?

I've been a writer my whole life. I remember getting a great grade on a creative writing assignment in sixth grade along with some high praise from the teacher. From that moment on, I've always been writing, either on paper or computer or in my head.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

When my daughter encouraged me to read one of her books (Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld) it relit my writing fuse, so to speak. After that, I began writing with the intent to publish. I honed my craft and went to dozens of writing workshops, retreats, and conferences, attempting the traditional route for years. I kept getting the same feedback: Your writing is great, but not right for my list at the time. I'm sure someone else will pick you up soon. Seriously, they pretty much ALL said that. I got tired of watiting and decided to put my writing career in my own hands and started working on self-publishing.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

That's tough. Of my published books I would have to say Terra, the main character in the Diminishing Magic series. She and I are a lot alike in ways and I enjoy slipping into her head, saying and doing things I wouldn't normally do myself. She's got this wicked wit and I love writing for her.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

My newest release, Guardian of Whispers is the third book in the Diminishing Magic series. I put my main character Terra, her love interest, as well as a third character through a lot of emotional trauma in that book. I knew what was coming, of course, but as I sat down to write it, I found myself going through their emotions as I wrote. There were a few really emotional scenes that brought a tear or two to my eyes as I wrote.

Who is your favourite author and book?

That waffles depending on the day and mood I'm in. Of course, Uglies as I mentioned earlier makes the short list. As well as A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle which was the book that turned me into an avid reader in my childhood. Right now, I'm going to list something controversial. Zodiac Academy 7: Heartless Sky by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti will always make my favorite lists. The way they merged humor, spice, emotional depth, and surprise ending was nearly perfect from a writing standpoint. As a reader, I was in total sync with the characters and felt all they felt. It gave me chills.

What book are you reading right now?

I'm so behind in reading since my publishing schedule is so packed. I'm reading "Duke" by Leila James. The third book in the Bastards of Bainbridge Hall series. It's been out for months and I've been dying to get into it, finally finding the time between book releases myself.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

Everywhere. I know that seems cliche, but it's true. I find myself picking things out of tv shows, movies, real life. I constantly have several notes open on my phone to record ideas as I get them. I've even emailed myself long chains of ideas to include in the books I'm currently working on and those in the future.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Sleeping? No really, I have a fulltime job on top of a rapid-release schedule as a writer, not to mention a family and household to take care of, so when I have down time, I use it wisely. Other than that, like I mentioned, I binge-watch all the shows. All of them.

Do you have any new books in the works?

Yes, I'm currently working on the final draft of a Christmas "Why Choose" paranormal romance about one of Santa's reindeer shifters. It's called "Fixin' Vixen" and it's set at an idyllic cabin retreat where Santa has sent Vixen to recover her lost Christmas spirit after a traumatic breakup with her ex, Rudy. There to help her mend her broken heart are Jack Frost, a lumberjack yeti, and Santa's sexiest elf (three years running.) After that, I will be getting down to business and writing the final book in the Diminishing Magic series.