Little Birdy Book Blog: What inspired you to start writing?
Marnie Cate: I always wrote something as a kid and then I stopped. One day a scene came to my mind and it spawned my need to write my first novel.
LBBB: How long did it take for you to write your first book?
M.C.: Three years between moving and jobs and life road blocks. Then, there was learning the ropes of indie publishing.
LBBB: How do you come up with ideas for your stories?
M.C.: I honestly don't know where the ideas are coming from. I have always been very imaginative and could play by myself for hours in my own world.
LBBB: What is your writing routine like? Do you have a set schedule or are you flexible?
M.C.: I get up in the morning before my pay job and head to the local coffee shop. I start out with a bit of social media and then straight to writing for a few hours. If I am inspired at lunch, I will write a bit.
Evenings are hit or miss with writing.
LBBB: What inspires you to write?
M.C.: The love of my story and the characters.
LBBB: Are any of your stories written from personal experience, or any character traits that mirror yours?
M.C.: I wish I could say my family were the protectors of magic but I cannot. The main character, Mara, does struggle with confidence and doubt -- something I think comes from me. The grandmother is a mixture of my own grandmother's strength and spirit with the zest for life that Judi Dench shares with the world.
LBBB: When in a slump, what do you do? If you read or listen to music, what are your go-to books or music?
M.C.: I just allow myself to be in that moment. Watching Britcoms on YouTube especially Bob Larby series is a good way to just relax my mind.
LBBB: How do you respond to negative feedback/comments with your work?
M.C.: First instinct is protect mother bear but the moment fades and I am willing to listen. Everyone will have an opinion and some should be heard.
LBBB: What is your writing space like? Do you work anywhere or do you have a special place just for your writing? Messy or clean?
M.C.: My writing space consists of my laptop, a mouse (track pads will be the death of me) and a place to sit and type. Coffee shops have been my most productive sit and type series.
I also find using a text to speech program where I can just talk out the story has been the source of some of my greatest ideas.
LBBB: Do you have a favorite author? Series?
M.C.: Jennifer Estep - The Elemental Assassin Series
Gail Garriger - The Parasol Protectorate Series
LBBB: Any fur-babies?
M.C.: My dear kitty, Lilli. My muse and my tether to reality. :)
http://www.marniecate.com/the-cat.html
LBBB: Thanks for stopping by and letting us pick your brain!
Marnie Cate: I always wrote something as a kid and then I stopped. One day a scene came to my mind and it spawned my need to write my first novel.
LBBB: How long did it take for you to write your first book?
M.C.: Three years between moving and jobs and life road blocks. Then, there was learning the ropes of indie publishing.
LBBB: How do you come up with ideas for your stories?
M.C.: I honestly don't know where the ideas are coming from. I have always been very imaginative and could play by myself for hours in my own world.
LBBB: What is your writing routine like? Do you have a set schedule or are you flexible?
M.C.: I get up in the morning before my pay job and head to the local coffee shop. I start out with a bit of social media and then straight to writing for a few hours. If I am inspired at lunch, I will write a bit.
Evenings are hit or miss with writing.
LBBB: What inspires you to write?
M.C.: The love of my story and the characters.
LBBB: Are any of your stories written from personal experience, or any character traits that mirror yours?
M.C.: I wish I could say my family were the protectors of magic but I cannot. The main character, Mara, does struggle with confidence and doubt -- something I think comes from me. The grandmother is a mixture of my own grandmother's strength and spirit with the zest for life that Judi Dench shares with the world.
LBBB: When in a slump, what do you do? If you read or listen to music, what are your go-to books or music?
M.C.: I just allow myself to be in that moment. Watching Britcoms on YouTube especially Bob Larby series is a good way to just relax my mind.
LBBB: How do you respond to negative feedback/comments with your work?
M.C.: First instinct is protect mother bear but the moment fades and I am willing to listen. Everyone will have an opinion and some should be heard.
LBBB: What is your writing space like? Do you work anywhere or do you have a special place just for your writing? Messy or clean?
M.C.: My writing space consists of my laptop, a mouse (track pads will be the death of me) and a place to sit and type. Coffee shops have been my most productive sit and type series.
I also find using a text to speech program where I can just talk out the story has been the source of some of my greatest ideas.
LBBB: Do you have a favorite author? Series?
M.C.: Jennifer Estep - The Elemental Assassin Series
Gail Garriger - The Parasol Protectorate Series
LBBB: Any fur-babies?
M.C.: My dear kitty, Lilli. My muse and my tether to reality. :)
http://www.marniecate.com/the-cat.html
LBBB: Thanks for stopping by and letting us pick your brain!
Author Bio:
Marnie Cate was born and raised in Montana before adventuring to the warmer states of Arizona and California. Her love of Dame Judi Dench and dreams of caticorns and rainbows inspired her to chase her dreams. One great sentence came to mind and the world of elemental magic and the humans they lived amongst filled her mind. With Remember, the story has begun.