Interview Catherine Greenfeder

by

Kate Henry Doran

1) How long have you been writing, Catherine?

I've been writing for a long time now. My first published book was with Wings. Angels Among Us, a paranormal romance, came out in February 2006. Wildflowers, a historical romance, is out in June 2007.

2) Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a full-time teacher, a mother of a teenage son, and I live in New Jersey. I've been an active member of both the New York City and New Jersey chapters of RWA. I've had non-fiction articles, newsletters, and poetry published. I've also written four novels. Two are published as e-books. I am working on a fifth, a paranormal romance novel.

3) Do you have a specific time you set aside for writing?

I write whenever I can, but most of my writing is done during vacations and weekends. I like to research and edit in between. I love to travel, go to the theatre, and museums.

4) Your latest book, Wildflowers is set in 1848 along the Oregon Trail. How did you research this period in history?

My research included trips out west, visits to Native American museums, and interviews with historians and park rangers. I also read a number of pioneer diaries, studied trail maps, and reviewed biographical material.

5) Have you always been a fan of Westerns or is this something new?

As a kid, I enjoyed the westerns on TV including High Chapperal, Bonanza, and The Big Valley. My fifth grade teacher piqued my interest in the pioneers when she created a pioneer day where we got to dress up and pretend we were pioneers. This included singing trail songs, eating venison stew, and learning about pioneer life. Trips to the West inspired me as well.

6) Do you find it more or less difficult to create paranormal fiction?

I find it easy to create paranormal fiction, and I've been increasingly drawn to it as a reader and a writer. I've been into the paranormal for quite some time and actually did some psi research several years ago at Princeton. My strong belief in guardian angels inspired my writing of Angels Among Us. Eviance Angelique embodies the qualities of a guardian angel who rescues Kay Lassiter and helps her to accept her psychic abilities. I'm currently writing a ghost story, something I've wanted to do for a long time. I'm an amateur ghost hunter as well.

7) How do your family and students feel about having a published author among them?

My family is very supportive. My son, in particular, has been a captive audience to my prose during the drafting and revision stages. My husband has been a proud partner and an inspiration for some of the romance scenes, not bad for twenty odd years! And Maxi, my Labrador retriever, is my ever present companion while I write at home. I named Baxter, the dog in Angels Among Us, after her.

As for being a teacher, my students are really impressed with having a published author teach them. I empathize with their struggles at writing, and I've become a bit of a mentor to the more serious students who aspire to be writers.

8) What is your opinion on critique groups? Do you find them a help or a hindrance?

I have been in a few different critique groups with mixed results. Right now I'm in a really good critique group. It's small and we meet once a month. I find it very helpful in that it prompts me to write, revise, and to keep learning the craft. We've also been supportive with one another which is really important. Writing can be a lonely experience, and it's easy to get discouraged.

9) How do you feel about contests? Would you encourage the new writer to enter contests such as RWA's Golden Heart or New Jersey's Put Your Heart in a Book contest? Why?

As a matter of fact, I've been both an entrant and a judge in the local RWA chapter contests. I've learned a lot from doing both. So, I would encourage new writers to enter contests, but also be aware that judges are not always fair or know what's best for your work. It might help to enter several contests. The main thing is to keep on writing and working on your craft.

10) Who are your favorite authors and why?

I don't really have a favorite author. I try to read widely, all kinds of books including non-fiction. I enjoy mystery, paranormal, and historical romance novels. Of course, I've read quite a few Wings books.

11) Where do you get your inspiration for your novels?

I get inspiration from several sources including everyday life, family, friends, the news, movies, and music. Sometimes song lyrics put an idea in my head. Television dramas also are a good source for ideas. I'm a fan of Ghost Whisperer, Close to Home, and Law and Order. I also try to read a lot, and other stories spark ideas.

12) What advice would you have for the aspiring author?

I would advise aspiring authors to write the story that they'd like to read. You don't have to write what you know if you have an interest and are willing to learn about it. Also, never give up! A motto I keep by my computer for those times I get discouraged reads “Do It Anyway!” In other words, despite the criticism, the naysayers, and the rejections, keep on writing!