# Please introduce yourself and your book(s)
I am British Paranormal Author Catherine Green, author of The Redcliffe Novels series set in Cornwall England, also author of Vampire of Blackpool, Return of the Vampire Hunter, and The Darkness of Love.
# What is/are the real-life story(ies) behind your book(s)?
My books are centred around how people respond to each other. I am fascinated by emotions and what drives us as humans to behave the way that we do. My supernatural creatures display human behaviours in a far more powerful and dangerous way. In the Redcliffe Novels series our heroine struggles with the pain of loving a vampire and the complications with his werewolf twin brother. In my vampire hunter novels we see themes of revenge, forbidden love and power struggles.
# What inspires/inspired your creativity?
The paranormal world. I know there is a lot more out there than we can see or hear with our human senses. I use my natural clairsentient abilities to connect with my Muse and write the stories that demand to be written.
# How do you deal with creative block?
I don’t stress about writing the story, I allow my mind to wander as I walk the dog and perform mundane tasks at home. Eventually I return to my manuscripts when I have something to say.
# What are the biggest mistakes you can make in a book?
Grammar and presentation! If you have a tendency to miss out words like I do, it helps if someone else can proofread with fresh eyes, or if you can return to your manuscript a while later and correct minor errors that make a big difference.
# Do you have tips on choosing titles and covers?
Some of my titles were inspired by songs and some assisted in their creation by my friends. A very good photographer friend provided the covers for Vampire of Blackpool, Eye of the Tiger (A Redcliffe Novel) and Return of the Vampire Hunter because she had a vision that needed to be shared. I am very lucky to have her support because I would have struggled by myself!
# How do bad reviews and negative feedback affect you and how do you deal with them?
To be honest I am still chasing reviews and haven’t got anything to refer to on this point. Some people politely told me that my books weren’t for them and I left it at that. I see no point in trying to please everyone when we are all different.
# How has your creation process improved over time?
It may have changed slightly due to outside influences. My spiritual journey continues and I have learned a lot about mental health and mental illness during the past ten years, all of which influence my writing.
# What were the best, worst and most surprising things you encountered during the entire process of completing your book(s)?
The best thing was to see my name on a book cover, knowing that I had written a decent novel and someone else believed enough in me to publish it. The worst thing I encountered was learning that I should have built a platform before I published anything and that I will struggle now because nobody knows about me. The most surprising thing was how many books I was inspired to write within the space of five years. I only ever set out to write one book!
# Do you tend towards personal satisfaction or aim to serve your readers? Do you balance the two and how?
I don’t have enough reader feedback for them to influence my writing too much, so yes, it is mostly for personal satisfaction.
# What role do emotions play in creativity?
A big role. Sometimes I write to express my hurt and anger about a situation, and sometimes to relieve stress. It is a cathartic process, and I always feel better after a good writing session.
# Do you have any creativity tricks?
Go for a walk. Sometimes we need to get out of our own heads and clear the air to free up our Muse. I take the dog for a walk and usually find someone to chat with when I’m struggling. Or I might clear out some cupboards whilst mulling over the story I’m writing.
# What are your plans for future books?
I am currently writing book 6 in the Redcliffe novels series, which will be the last. Then I need to finish the manuscripts for a few novels in my vampire hunter series, including a sequel to Vampire of Blackpool. I am also querying a manuscript with agents and publishers for a vampire novel called Hunting the Hunted.
# Tell us some quirky facts about yourself
I’m a witch! I don’t conform to a specific magical practice so I prefer to call myself pagan. You can find me online @SpookyMrsGreen. I am also a ghost hunter and used to work with a ghost hunting company before I had children. And I’m a natural redhead – I have never dyed my hair.
Links
You can find me the following places:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TheRedcliffeNovels
Author blog – http://www.catherinegreenauthor.blogspot.co.uk/
Twitter page – https://twitter.com/SpookyMrsGreen
SpookyMrsGreen Blog – http://spookymrsgreen.com/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/paranormalauthor/
Amazon US Author Page – http://www.amazon.com/author/catherinegreen
Amazon UK Author Page – https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B005BTNHTG