Book Lovers Inc.
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Interview Author Cathryn Brunet + Giveaway
Filed in Cathryn Brunet , Interview , The Geeky Lover Posted on October 1, 2010 @ 6:00 am
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We are happy to have Author Cathryn Brunet here at Book Lovers Inc today. Her last novel, Three over Par was released this summer and I have to say it totally blew me away (you can read my review here). I had to email her and ask her for an interview and I’m so happy she agreed to come over. At the end is also your chance to win a copy of Three over Par for yourself. Please give Cathryn a warm welcome.
Cathryn: Thanks for inviting me to Book Lovers Inc. I’m delighted to be here!
The Geeky Lover: Cathryn, can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Cathryn: I live in regional New South Wales with my much-adored partner. When I’m not writing you’ll find me on the golf course, haunting a local restaurant, or stalking my beloved Australian Rules Football team, the Sydney Swans. I also like to prance about in my kitchen making a mess, while deluding myself that I’m celebrity chef Nigella Lawson.
The Geeky Lover: Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser?
Cathryn: A typical day starts around 6-30am when I spend an hour or so checking emails and social networks before moving onto writing. My day ends at about 3pm, although, when things are going well, I can go a lot longer. But I prefer not to do that. Usually by finish time, I start to feel a bit stir-crazy and crave fresh air and exercise.
As a general rule, I don’t venture near the computer much on weekends. I undertake quick checks of emails and social networks, but writing and editing I do by hand in notebooks or on printouts. Time away from the computer keeps me sane.
As for whether I’m a pantser or plotter, well, I started out as a total pantser but now I do a lot more plotting, especially for longer, single title manuscripts. It’s too easy to lose the focus of the story otherwise. With novellas I allow myself more freedom. Knowing I don’t have the longer word count to play with tends to keep me on the straight and narrow.
I much prefer pantsing because it’s exciting. You never know where your characters will lead you, which means if you want to discover what happens next, you have to keep writing!
The Geeky Lover: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?
Cathryn: Someone who loves books is likely to own several groaning bookshelves and an extremely tottery to-be-read pile. They’ll love books not just for the stories but for their aesthetic qualities as well. You’re also likely to find them hanging around libraries and bookshops getting high on the smell.
I suspect readers don’t care so much about the actual physical books. Although, in the digital age, I wonder if this still holds true.
The Geeky Lover: In your book Three Over Par, we meet the characters in a golf club and I read on your website that you play it in your free time too. Please tell us what’s the appeal of this sport for you?
Cathryn: Number one it’s a HUGE challenge. I adore sport and am a very enthusiastic participant, but I’m also one of those unfortunate people who aren’t naturally good at it, which means nothing comes easy. I have to practice like crazy to improve and with golf it’s easy to see how you’re faring because of your score and/or handicap.
Secondly, it gets me outside in the fresh air for half a day, which is important after spending so many hours cooped up in an office in front of a computer. Plus, I rarely take a cart so the exercise is good, too, especially given the steep hills on my home course.
And thirdly, it’s a sport my husband and I can play together. When you’re both working hard that’s a big bonus.
The Geeky Lover: Tell us a bit about your latest release, Three Over Par?
Cathryn: Official blurb:
Wild, hot, addictive sex…
After seeing one too many patients die regretting the things they haven’t done, nurse Lucy Seymour realizes she’s been making the same mistake. So when Robbie, the sexy golf instructor, makes his move, she responds with uninhibited passion, telling him there’s nothing she won’t try. Long sessions of foreplay lead to thrills and fantasy fulfillment…until Lucy sees Daniel, the greenkeeper, watching them. Watching her. And then Daniel does more than just watch…he joins them.
Can it lead to love?
Lucy might be exploring all of her secret fantasies, but her reality is that she’s a one-man woman…and for her, that man is Daniel. But what does Daniel really want? Lucy or the fantasy?
As the blurb suggests, Three Over Par is a very sexy story but at its core the book is about making the most of life. No one wants to imagine themselves old and looking back at their existence with only regret in their heart. But what does making the most of your life entail? This is the question Lucy must answer.
The Geeky Lover: The Geeky Lover: What I loved most about Three Over Par is the way you told the story. Why did you choose to do it this way?
Cathryn: I always intended for Three Over Par to be Lucy’s story. The book is a romance, for sure, but the romance wasn’t foremost in my mind when I wrote it. Lucy’s journey was, and I felt the best way to tell it was in her voice. I wanted her to question her existence, act, and face the consequences. And I wanted her to emerge stronger at the end, having learned valuable life lessons.
Interestingly, the first incarnation of Three Over Par was structured quite differently to the final version. I wrote it in a combination of past and present tense, so the reader read Lucy’s history as the present unfolded but after feedback from my editor, I changed it. I literally took a pair of scissors and snipped the entire manuscript into present tense and past tense scenes. Much shuffling later, I had them rearranged into chronological order. Then I stitched them all back together with transitions. The manuscript turned out far less confusing and with much greater tension.
The Geeky Lover: The story is about Lucy. She is a nurse and one of nicest and sweetest characters I ever read about. She jumps headfirst into a wild adventure and feels more free but also more confused and unsure than ever. Tell us about her?
Cathryn: Thanks so much. I like her too. Lucy’s character evolved from some of the staff I’ve met at my grandmother’s nursing home. They’re incredibly patient and kind, even though their job must be very difficult at times, and I’ve often wondered if their dealings with the elderly ever made them question their own lives. Which, prompted by one of her charges, is what Lucy does, only to discover she’s stagnating. Suddenly, she finds herself facing a bleak, regret-laden future and it frightens her. So when an opportunity arises to take a physical risk, she jumps at it. But Daniel makes her question whether that’s enough. By the time she realises it’s not, she’s stuck.
To me, Lucy is one of life’s good people. She’s not perfect – far from it – but I think she deserves to be happy and loved by a man as compassionate and kind as herself.
The Geeky Lover: I loved the way you described Lucy’s work as a nurse and how it influences her life. What do you think is the most important lesson she learned?
Cathryn: That living life to the fullest is not all about taking physical risks. It’s about taking emotional ones, too.
The Geeky Lover: When we first meet the Pro – Robbie – he’s not only Lucy’s golf instructor, he evolves to something more. I admit at first I wasn’t really fond of him but with my reading progress I discovered his appeal. Could you describe him in 3 words for us?
Cathryn: Rural, sweet, romantically clumsy. Oops, that’s four. Sorry!
The Geeky Lover: Daniel is still a bit of a mystery for me. He plays a center role in your book but you never reveal much about him. Can you give us a few hints about him?
Cathryn: I found Daniel an incredibly sexy character to write. He’s beautifully constructed, ruggedly handsome, honest, kind, loyal and hard-working. The sort of man who, when he falls in love, falls hard and believes it’s for forever. He’s a definite man of few words, though. Tragedy has taught him to keep things close and he doesn’t like revealing much about his feelings, preferring to communicate through action. But Lucy struggles to interpret his actions because of his silence.
If Daniel was the superintendent at my local golf course, I think I’d be there every day!
The Geeky Lover: What is next on your schedule?
Cathryn: I’m currently editing an erotic medieval-style fantasy and doing preliminary work on another contemporary erotic novella, which will be similar in style to Three Over Par.
The Geeky Lover: Now to the mean questions. We apologize in advance. Can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read your books?
Cathryn: They’re sexy. They have interesting characters who question themselves and their lives. They make you feel satisfied and happy.
The Geeky Lover: Who’s your favorite side character?
Cathryn: Definitely Mrs Haddon, Daniel’s grandmother. She’s sweet and also a little bit sly, which is fun. I adore writing elderly characters. They can say and do things other characters can’t.
The Geeky Lover: If you were forced to only read books by ONE author for the rest of your life whose books would it be?
Cathryn: It’d definitely have to be a prolific author if it’s for the rest of my life!
I think Wilbur Smith would keep me content for a long time. I adore his books, they’re jam-packed with adventure and he’s a master story-teller. The Courtneys’ series was phenomenal and The Sunbird is one of the best books I’ve ever read.Thanks for inviting me to Book Lovers Inc. I’m delighted to be here!
The Geeky Lover: It’s completely our pleasure. =)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*~*~Giveaway~*~*~
Cathryn offers one digital copy to one lucky commenter.
Just leave a question for Cathryn
or a meaningful comment about the interview.
or a meaningful comment about the interview.
The Giveaway is open to everyone (international)!
Please leave us a way to contact you
(email in blogger profile or twitter name is okay.)
(email in blogger profile or twitter name is okay.)
The giveaway ends on Saturday October 9th and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Good Luck!
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I'd like to win this book.
See how this Lucy make's the most out of her life.
lucybeugelingramos@gmail.com
I'd love to read this! It looks and sounds awesome!
sealednectar_4(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would love to win this book! When did you start writing?Was it at a young age or later on your life?
vicky.vak8(at)gmail.com
This book loves great. Sometimes you submit to the forbidden but in the end, there is always one person who makes you the happiest.
Thanks for the giveaway.
smccar1 at hotmail dot com
Interesting to learn how "Three Over Par" evolved.
Hi, everyone. Sorry I'm late arriving to chat. It's a bit tricky trying to negotiate these time zones. Thanks to you all for dropping by and commenting.
Vicky, I've written for most of my life. Short stories mainly, when I was younger, and in my twenties I tried (unsuccessfully) to write longer novels. Then about 5 years ago I knuckled down and wrote my first book. Since its completion I've been at it non-stop and now I can't imagine doing anything else.
wow,this sounds really hot.Adding it to my TBR list.Love the cover too.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
By your definition, I'm more of a book lover than a reader. Thanks for the clarification! 🙂
ironss[at]gmail.com
i am totally a book-lover – groaning bookshelves and all! well put, cathryn! 🙂 can't wait to read your book!
k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com
Cathryn – when I'm not writing I live on the golf course. Should I be looking in the bunker or the rough to find a bit of what Lucy found? I really need your book "Three Over Par" to help me find my way. Lovelightandlaughter Valda hotmind@ihug.co.nz
Cathryn,
Thanks so much for sharing a bit about your writing life,
And golf is a fantastic way to spend your time- apart from writing of course,
Suzi
Thanks, everyone, for all your lovely comments.
I love the cover too, elaing8. I was so thrilled when I saw it.
Sheree and k_sunshine1977, I'm a booklover too, although sometimes I wish I wasn't. I keep running out of room!
Valda, how cool to see another golfer! I'm always checking out the greens staff when I'm out on the course. You never know what you might see!
And Suzi, yep, golf certainly is a fantastic way to spend your time….mostly. I've had my fair share of shocking rounds, when I've just wished it would end, that's for sure.
Wishing you all the best in the draw!
Hello, Cathryn.
Three Over Par sounds great; I look forward in reading it.
What is your opinion on book trailers? Do you think they help in book sales?
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Hi Tracey, thanks for dropping by.
I really don't know if book trailers work or not. I think perhaps they do for some. Those Quirk Classics ones are so hilarious they immediately make me want to go out and buy the mash-ups (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies etc.
I think the publicity can't hurt and if you can do a clever one that creates a buzz, all the better!