CATHIE LINZ is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary category romances. Since leaving her career in a university law library, she has had over thirty romances published worldwide in nearly twenty languages. The Chicago Sun-Times describes her work as "charming," while Library Journal describes her books as "Light, lively, and sexy..." Cathie writes fast-paced,character-driven romances with lots of humor and dialogue. Cathie is also a contributor to DANGEROUS MEN AND ADVENTUROUS WOMEN: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance, a hardcover lead title from the University of Pennsylvania Press which won the distinguished Susan Koppleman Award. The mass market paperback edition was released by Harper Publishing in June of 1996. Romantic Times has given Cathie its prestigious Storyteller of the Year Award, as well as nominating her for this year's Career Achievement Love and Laughter Award. Last year, Cathie received Romance Writers of America's highest service award -- the National Service Award -- for her work educating others about the romance genre. She is also RWA's Library Liaison. Cathie lives in the Chicago area with her family. She has an office in her home, several walls of which feature her large collection of "keeper" romances. She's been known to wear t-shirts that say "So Many Books, So Little Time" and "Give me the Chocolate and No One Gets Hurt!
Suzie Housley: First of all, welcome to Beneath the Covers. I am thrilled that you took a moment out of your busy shedule to stop by and discuss what is going on in your writing career. Let us begin by asking how you started out writing. Cathie Linz: Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Suzie!
Suzie Housley: I just finished MARRIED TO A MARINE, I must say I am so impressed with the talent you so effortlessly displayed. Cathie Linz: Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Suzie!
Suzie Housley: What was your source of inspiration and what gave you the idea for this book? How long did you work on it? Cathie Linz: I was writing MARRIED TO A MARINE last September, when America discovered thousands of new heroes, people who step forward to do what has to be done, no matter the cost. They shrug off any claims of being heroic, and often use humor as a way of making it through tough times. These are the stories that have always compelled me to write, now more than ever. I worked on the book for 4 months.
Suzie Housley: I first discovered you through your column in Romantic Times. Can you tell us how you came to write this column? Cathie Linz: Happenstance! I happened to be having lunch with Kathryn Falk and Carol Stacy while they were visiting Chicago and was raving out the Prodigy bulletin boards (since my brother had given me Prodigy for Christmas a few months earlier), I commented about discovering new authors like Pamela Morsi as a result of reader recommendations and also how empowering it was for readers to realize they weren't the only ones with TBR (to be read) piles, that there were plenty of other readers like them out there. So Kathryn suggested I do a column about online romance and that's how it came to be born. I did the column for eight years before my book deadlines required that I give it up.
Suzie Housley: I like most book reviewers dream of writing a book one day in the future. Do you think it is beneficial to start slow by writing your own columns? How can someone that has this dream get their name in the right people’s hands? Cathie Linz: No, I honestly don't think doing a column helps getting your book published, as one is non-fiction writing and the other is creative fiction writing. I think joining RWA (Romance Writers of America) and attending their conference is a better idea. The best thing you can also do is write your book, finish it, and then contact the publisher you feel publishes other works most similar in tone to what you are writing. Again, joining RWA can help you with this as they list info on the business of writing (like submission policies) as well as educational essays in the magazine about the craft of writing. For info visit their website at rwanational.org
Suzie Housley: Could you tell us which of the ‘Wilder’ men was the most intriguing to write about, and refused to leave your mind once his story was finished. Cathie Linz: Usually the most recent one to inhabit my mind <G> although I must say that Justice Wilder (from MARRIED TO A MARINE) made a big impression!
Suzie Housley: Is there any one author who has inspired you to become a writer? If so, which one. Cathie Linz: No, not any particular author unless you count the author of the children's books UNCLE WIGGILY. They taught me the art of leaving them wanting more at the end of each chapter. <G> I've been a writer since I was a child and won an award for my "Book" about my summers spent with my grandfather.
Suzie Housley: What road led you to be published by Silhouette? Were there other publishers you had considered? Cathie Linz: I began with Dell's Candelight Ecstasy line in the 80's and had 12 books published with them before going over to Silhouette Desire. Since Desire was developed to be similar to Ecstasy I felt it was a natural transition for me.
Suzie Housley: What do you see for the future of your Special Operations military books? Do you think there is a growing interest in this type of romance? Cathie Linz: I think there is a continuing interest, yes, especially in the areas of honor and commitment regarding American heroes.
Suzie Housley: Which character is the next Special Operations hero we have the privilege of seeing? Could you give us a sneak peak of what we have to look forward to in the coming months? Cathie Linz: Next up in Sam Wilder -- the youngest Wilder brother -- in SLEEPING BEAUTY & THE MARINE coming from Silhouette Romance in January 2003. He's a Marine pilot and I matched him with a whiplash blonde Washington, DC reporter....
Suzie Housley: What do you want your readers to come away with once they finish one of your novels? Cathie Linz: A smile on their faces! And a feeling that they've really gotten to know the characters I've written about, that they came as alive to the reader as they do to me as I write about them.
Suzie Housley: There is much advice an author has to share with a fan. What advice would you give to an aspiring writer on the one mistake you made they can learn from? Cathie Linz: Hmmm, one mistake out of so many?<G> My advice is joining RWA as I said earlier, and also to sit down and write your book. Don't write what you think it hot right now, write to your own strengths (example, don't write humor if it isn't a natural strength for you). And then these three final tips: 1) Just Do It
Suzie Housley: How can fans contact you? Cathie Linz: They can contact me via my website at CathieLinz.com
He is a warrior. She is a healer. They come from entirely opposite
places. His mission is to search and destroy, hers, to touch and restore. Kelly is a top-notch physical therapist, and probably will be his best
chance in returning to the Marine Corps elite Force Recon, but Justice
is wary, due to his past experience with Kelly's older sister, Barbie.
The two had married right out of high school and divorced within two
years. Will his heart be able to withstand another Hart woman in his
life? |
