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An Interview With Catherine Donaldson

Tell us a bit about yourself. What would you like us to know about you?

I am just starting out, trying to learn all I can and make an impact at the same time!

What are you doing now? (Career? Married? Single? Children? Pets?)

Currently I am 25 and living in Baltimore, MD. I work at an industrial hygiene firm full time to supplement my writing. I am in a wonderful relationship and have two cats, Charlie and Hermione.

What is your favourite food?

Sushi! Followed closely by Mexican.

What is your favourite colour?

Greens and earth tones.

What is your favourite sound?

The ocean, with seagulls. Those two sounds empty by themselves. Together - symphony.

Who is your favourite person?

Tough call, I have a few. If pressed to choose I would say my boyfriend, Rob. He's grounded where I'm flighty. He keeps me honest.

What is your favourite place?

It's a toss up between the U.S.S. Constellation and the Train Station in Oakland, MD.

What is your favourite memory?

This is complicated. My favourite memory is remembering something. When I was very little my parents took me to Disney World and we rode "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea." I was too young at the time to remember this in kind of coherent way. Years later I had a flash of an image. I was in a submarine and there was a mermaid outside the porthole. I knew it was a memory but it didn't make sense. I figured it was a dream I'd once had. I mentioned it to my mother and she told me I was remembering the ride.

What is your favourite article of clothing?

I'm actually wearing it right now, as I write this. It's a loose kimono-style blouse with bamboo leaves all over it.

What is your favourite word?

"Redundant." Don't ask me why.

What is your favourite writers' quote and why?

"Writing gives you the illusion of control, and then you realize it's just an illusion, that people are going to bring their own stuff into it." - David Sedaris

You spend so much time creating your world, or explaining your position (depending whether you are working in fiction or non-fiction) but no matter how long you slave away, making it exactly match your vision, other people will see what they see and it's not always the same. People are seeing things in my work that I never thought of all the time.

What is your most favourite quality about yourself?

My sensitivity. It allows me to feel the full spectrum of emotion so I don't miss even the smallest things in life.

What is the least favourite quality about yourself?

My sensitivity. For the same reason it is my favourite. There are highs and lows in writing. Sometimes the lows are hard to swallow when you're a very emotional person. But it is a lesson that needs to be learned.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

Crescent City, California. I miss my brother!

What inspires you to write and why?

What doesn't inspire me to write? There is so much possibility within the world and human experience. Every person is filled with worlds of potential emotions and dreams. We have billions of thoughts a minute. That leaves a lot of things open.

What is your favourite book and why?

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I love it because it is great and also because of the bond my brother and I had over it when we were young.

What is your favourite genre and why?

I enjoy writing in historical fiction. I love trying to apply the thoughts and emotions that I experience or people around me, to someone in another time. People change on the surface but our internal workings have remained the same through the centuries.

List your three favourite authors (any genre) and why?

I really don't think I could pick three favourite authors.

What do you think makes a writer successful?

Perseverance. Don't get disheartened or discouraged. Sticking with it and constantly trying to improve your skill is what opens door.

Whta is it that makes you successful as a writer?

I'm still working on this. Right now my passion for it keeps me going and as I improve I will become more successful, but for now it's just believing that I will reach that place.

What are your goals as a writer?

At this time my primary goal is to write full time. I would love to be able to support myself through my writing.

What is the best tip you can give to fellow writers?

Hang in there and write from the heart. And try not to be as cliche as that was.

What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writing?

Entertainment, above all. But I try to put as much emotion into my characters as I can. I hope people can connect with them.

List your three favourite online writer-resource sites and why (include URLS).

www.naww.org - a great organization. The teleseminars are always very informative. www.writersdigest.com - I love the magazine and the website is just as good. www.redhotinternetpublicity.com - great for promotion ideas.

If you have published a book, tell us about your publishing success (title, publishing date and company, where it is available to purcahse).

"The Captains Marshall: A Promise of Freedom" Aug 2006. Available on amazon.com and publishamerica.com

"Radiance and Shadows" May 2007. Same sites.

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

The first one took me two years because of the research involved. The second was a year and a half. It's a sequel and the research was already finished so it didn't take as much time.

What would you do differently if you could repeat the same publishing experience?

Do more homework into promotion. I wasn't completely unprepared but there is so much involved in marketing a book it would have been a great advantage to know more.

What have you learned about the publishing world?

You can't depend on your publisher to help you with marketing. Of course they will, they want you to sell too, but to make an impact you need to be willing to put in the work. Getting your name out there, making appearances, generating hype: These are the writer's responsibility.

This is your chance to 'Talk Back' to your readers. What would you like to say to them?

Thanks for your support and encouragement!!

What's the one thing that you want them to know about your writing?

It is the most important thing in my life. I want it to grow and evolve. To do that I need perspective and experience. I appreciate all feed back. You can leave any you have on my website, www.kindredpens.com.

Thanks again!

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