Catherine “Cat” Yaffe
One of my favorite things about being a reader, besides buying books, is getting to know the person behind the story. Without the author I wouldn’t have my favorite comfort read, favorite characters, or really any form of major entertainment.
I’m very fortunate to be able to work with authors in a more direct and personal way through my Instagram, blog, and soon my YouTube channel. Thanks to the connections I’ve been able to make, I can safely say that I am closer to getting to live my dream and start carving the way to the job I’ve wanted to have since I was young.
With all of that being said, I get the honor and privilege of giving you, my lovely readers, an exclusive interview with Catherine Yaffe. She is the author of 6 books, all available on her website: https://www.catherineyaffe.co.uk/ . She has another book coming out in June so be sure to preorder it through her website!
Catherine Yaffe is a best-selling crime author based in the UK. She has published 6 books, 2 of which are available for free in an e-book format on her website. She was gracious enough to say yes to an interview over email and I am forever grateful for her for agreeing! For format’s sake, it will be set up like a transcription from an audio interview.
Kenna: What is your writing process like?
Catherine: A little bit all over the place. I tend to get an idea and run with it, then go back and edit until it makes sense. Thankfully I have an amazing editor.
K: What is your favorite part of writing?
C: I’ve just moved houses and I’m waiting for my new Shed of Words to be built. Basically a garden office, with a candle burning.
K: Who or what inspired you to write?
C: My dad. He was always complaining that he could never find anything good to read so I attempted to write for him.
K: What did you grow up reading?
C: Lots and lots of different genres. Of course Enid Blyton but I grew out of them quickly and went onto the Bronte sisters, Agatha Christie. In my late teens I developed a love of historical fiction but once again my dads influence had me reading Frederick Forsyth, James Patterson, Wilbur Smith when i was probably too young to fully understand them!
K: Where do you get your ideas from/what inspires you?
C: Ideas can literally come from anywhere. It’s usually a ‘What If’ from watching a TV programme or perhaps an incident I’ve seen in a random place. Sometimes it’s as random as seeing a black bin bag dumped and wondering if there’s a body inside!
K: What is your favorite book you’ve written?
C: I have to say my latest which is due out in June – The Shadow Killer. But the one I’m more emotionally attached to is my third book, When We Decieve. I wrote it at my dads bedside when he was fighting cancer and he chipped in every so often with his opinions so it means the most to me.
K: Why do you write the books that you like?
C: A recurring theme here – my dad. He loved a good crime thriller so it’s what I was surrounded by.
K: What made you want to be a writer?
C: I’ve never known a time when I didn’t write so it was never a deliberate choice. it just happened. I love that there are just 26 letters in the alphabet but those 26 letters can create entirely new worlds.
K: Who are your favorite authors?
C: James Patterson, Philipa Gregory, Clare Mackintosh, CJ Sansom, Hilary Mantel – I could go on..
K: How do you feel social media has impacted the bookish community?
C: In some respects it’s been very positive. I wouldn’t have the audience I have without it but I also think that for new writers there’s a tendency to fall into the comparison trap and it’s also very distracting!
K: How do you find/make time to write?
C: I’m lucky enough to have retired from the corporate world so I tend to write for around 4 hours per day.
K: Did you self publish or traditionally publish?
C: I self publish after turning down a traditional publishing contract. I worked out I could earn more as a self published author.
K: What advice would you give a new author?
C: Don’t follow anyone elses path, forge your own. Take all the advice but only use what works for you. Everyone has a different journey, embrace yours.
K: What is your favorite part of being an author?
C: Meeting readers, hands down. And having readers email me – which was something I never expected and I now have so many new friends. I love it!
K: How do you get through writers block?
C: Take a break, get out in the fresh air, do something physical.
K: If you didn’t write, what would you do?
C: I’d be a farmer!
K: Any final thoughts for my readers?
C: These quetions are great, thank you for having me. And thank you for supporting the writing community, we’d be nothing without you.
Catherine, thank you for the interview and your amazing, fresh perspective! Remember to check out her website, preorder her newest book, and be on the lookout for her release day on my Instagram @tbr_isfull
Kenna's Bookshelf 