Cathy Elliott is a full-time writer in northern California whose cozy mysteries reflect her personal interests from quilting and antique collecting to playing her fiddle with friends. She also leads music at church and cherishes time with her grandchildren. Cathy’s other plot-twisting works include Medals in the Attic and A Stitch in Crime.
Connect with Cathy...
--> Website & Occasional Blog: www.cathyelliottbooks.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10212726-cathy-elliott
Facebook: Author Cathy Elliott cathyelliottbooks.com
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cathyelliott10/
Purchase: A Vase of Mistaken Identity
Author Interview | Cathy Elliott
You and Writing
Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...Since high school, I wanted to be a writer, something I kept to myself. When my first book was published, a friend congratulated me, saying she knew I’d always wanted to write. What? Did I say that out loud?
...But it must have been obvious. I’d spent years reading books about writing, The Writer Magazine, taking an occasional writer class, attending author lectures, etc. Since I worked in a college library, all the new releases on the subject passed right by me. First. So, dedicating myself to the craft was my destiny. My happy ending.
...I keep writing because it gives me joy. Having books and articles published is the lovely by-product of the journey. But I write because I love to put those words on the page. And I love the writer community.
What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
...After having three books traditionally published, that is a still hard question to answer. It’s all hard and all delightful. Most folks dislike the waiting, especially these days when they can just skip sending out a proposal and hoping for a sale by self-publishing their own books. Typically, we don’t like to wait for an editor to take a look or make a decision. I think that is hardest for most folks – but easier for me because I don’t mind waiting. In fact, I rather like my time in the waiting room. That’s where expectation & anticipation live.
Do you have a favorite character in this book? If so, why?
...A Vase of Mistaken Identity is the first of two of my books about amateur sleuth, Thea James, and the small town of Larkindale. I love Thea. But I cannot help but favor her grandmother, Gram, a British war bride with her bumbling ways. She is always “accidentally” spilling out Thea’s secrets. It’s great fun!
A Vase of Mistaken Identity
Murder in Larkindale?Writing
Thea James, proprietress of James & Company Antique Emporium, never thought murder would come to her small, surviving Gold Rush town of Larkindale. But when the Larkindale Lamplight reports the discovery of a body during the renovation of Larkin Lake Resort, Thea is caught up in the mystery.
Her world is further frenzied when she acquires a vintage vase from the town’s only homeless person. Thea finds a puzzling list tucked inside with four names written in a faded scrawl: two childhood friends from a summer camp, her sister Rosie, and . . . herself!
When the first woman on the list ends up in a coma and another mysteriously disappears, Thea knows she must save herself and her sister from harm. Her attempt to eliminate the vicious threat on their lives propels Thea to places she never wanted to visit.
Will she discover the connection before tragedy strikes?
Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...Most are a fictionalized combo of both – based on someone I know and also spun out of my imagination. Occasionally, a character may be based on pure fantasy, unlike anyone I’ve ever met. But usually, characters are reality-based with imaginary traits.
When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...I so admire the high purpose of many books and struggled for a time to find one for mine, as well. Then I received a letter from one reader who’d been given my book to read in the hospital during a chemo drip. It had helped transport her to another place, away from something hard for a time. I decided that providing a little mental vacation amid a difficult day was a good enough reason to write.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...No matter what the path – traditional publishing or self-publishing or another way - I would encourage every author to write for excellence over publication. Let good writing be your goal. Write the book of your heart, take the time you need, set your standard high, and in the end, you’ll have something to be proud of, no matter the publication path.
You
Do you enjoy hot weather or cold better?
...Hands down, cool weather. Maybe it’s getting older or something, but I never complain in the winter, even if it is a teeth-chattering, frigid day. I’m silent about rain, sleet, or snow. Low temps are always welcome. But June, July, and August, my mood revolves around the weather. Is today over 100 degrees? Is it humid? Oh, no! Sadly, I whine all summer long.
...Hey, that’s not a very good way to end, is it? Let me say my “heat impairment” has increased my empathy for others who suffer the same way. I can really relate! (Better?)
...Thanks, Emilie, for hosting me. I hope one of your readers will enjoy winning a copy of A Vase of Mistaken Identity, rereleased in January 2015, with a cheerful new cozy cover. I’m so pleased to give it life again!
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Thanks so much for visiting Thinking Thoughts today! I love that you mention the writer community as reasons you've continued writing. I just love the writer community as well and have met so many amazing friends (online and in person). Props to you for not minding the waiting time! I find I'm terribly impatient at times ;) And I love your answer to why you write - I think there is nothing better than transporting a reader elsewhere! Thanks again Cathy and readers, make sure you leave a comment to enter to win this deadly book - it's simply purrfect, don't you think? (Ok, sorry for the puns but I couldn't help it!)
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::WINNER::
It was awesome to have Mike on the blog last week sharing about Centralia. He graciously has offered 2 books for this giveaway which means 2 winners (of course).
I'm excited to wish congratulations to...
Shane Werlinger & Kris Hughe
Please contact me using the form on the sidebar so we can get you your books!
Please contact me using the form on the sidebar so we can get you your books!
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