Ask the Author: Cate Lawley
Answered Questions (8)
Cate Lawley
Hi Jessica! Thanks for the question =) Because Lina's motivation for investigating was resolved, I didn't plan for her and Bastian as main characters in the world again (not right away). She and Bastian pop into the spin off series Furry Fairy Holiday Hijinks. And I've planned for Sabrina to have her own series as well, but I don't have a release date yet.
Thanks again for asking! ~Cate
Thanks again for asking! ~Cate
Cate Lawley
Thank you for your question! I'm actually not sure. At this point, it depends on whether the audio publisher chooses to produce them.
I am moving forward with audiobooks on my other series, starting with Cursed Candy Mysteries. And since I'm publishing those myself, I have a better idea of timing. The third Cursed Candy book and the first Fairmont Finds book are both planned to release in audio later this year (2021).
I'm sorry I don't have a better answer - I just don't know myself!
~Cate
I am moving forward with audiobooks on my other series, starting with Cursed Candy Mysteries. And since I'm publishing those myself, I have a better idea of timing. The third Cursed Candy book and the first Fairmont Finds book are both planned to release in audio later this year (2021).
I'm sorry I don't have a better answer - I just don't know myself!
~Cate
Cate Lawley
Hi Lenka! I've rewritten and republished the Goode Witch series as Love Ever After. There are currently three books in the series: Heartache in Heels, Skeptic in a Skirt, and Pretty in Peep-Toes. If you enjoyed Goode Witch, you might like these re-imagined stories!
~Cate
~Cate
Cate Lawley
Hi Candice! I wrote the following short article based on your question. I hope it's helpful!
Ideas Falling from the Sky
Have you ever had someone approach you with a story concept? "Hey author lady, I have this great idea. You should write my story, because...(it's a fabulous idea, it will make you lots of money, I'm brilliant and the world should know it, etc.)" The reason varies, but the gist is always they same. They have the idea; you should do the work of making it a reality.
If you haven't, then you've done a great job of keeping your secret identity as a super hero/writer under wraps...or your day is coming.
As an author, you probably already know that a dearth of ideas isn't a typical problem for (most) writers. An excess of ideas? How to prioritize which ideas to write? Which ideas will "hit" in this crowded market? Those are questions that a lot of writers I know struggle with. Here are a few tips that might be helpful when tackling the "ideas falling from the sky" problem.
1. Shiny, pretty ideas that pop into your head while you're on a deadline.
This is the easiest. If I have a deadline to tell me "no," then I can more easily walk away from an idea. To keep that idea from interfering with my work, I purge it.
That purge may look like a short scene that was rolling around in my head, a quickly dashed off blurb, a story synopsis, some piece of world building, or a character sketch.
I've chatted with several authors who use some form of purging to clear their heads, but this only works if the scribbling done is actually purging and moving you back to your original project. If you're the type of writer to chase one shiny distraction to another, this might not be the best avenue for you.
2. But what to do when that deadline is over?
If the idea still interests me, I consider whether: it fits with my brand (an important business consideration), will be fun (an important creative consideration for me), and has potential to be profitable (those bills, they need paid). I weigh my long- and short-term needs, creative and business (frequently in conflict) before deciding. But my goals aren't yours, so I'll save that discussion for another post. :)
Finally, I look at my writing schedule (cry a little) and then decide where, if at all, I can slot it in.
3. Persistent ideas that won't die.
Chuck Wendig writes about this topic on his Terribleminds* site. (He's profane; you've been warned.) He doesn't consider brand, looks for ideas that stick like glue in his brain, and isn't concerned with documenting ideas as they pop up. For him, persistence wins. Ideas that will not die (plus a few other parameters) get written. Check out the blog (link below) to read his thoughts in his own words.
And that is how I, some unnamed author friends, and Chuck W. deal with a plethora of story ideas.
By the way, my answer to people who ask me to write their story? My writing schedule is packed, but you should definitely write that story! ;-)
* http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2018/...
Ideas Falling from the Sky
Have you ever had someone approach you with a story concept? "Hey author lady, I have this great idea. You should write my story, because...(it's a fabulous idea, it will make you lots of money, I'm brilliant and the world should know it, etc.)" The reason varies, but the gist is always they same. They have the idea; you should do the work of making it a reality.
If you haven't, then you've done a great job of keeping your secret identity as a super hero/writer under wraps...or your day is coming.
As an author, you probably already know that a dearth of ideas isn't a typical problem for (most) writers. An excess of ideas? How to prioritize which ideas to write? Which ideas will "hit" in this crowded market? Those are questions that a lot of writers I know struggle with. Here are a few tips that might be helpful when tackling the "ideas falling from the sky" problem.
1. Shiny, pretty ideas that pop into your head while you're on a deadline.
This is the easiest. If I have a deadline to tell me "no," then I can more easily walk away from an idea. To keep that idea from interfering with my work, I purge it.
That purge may look like a short scene that was rolling around in my head, a quickly dashed off blurb, a story synopsis, some piece of world building, or a character sketch.
I've chatted with several authors who use some form of purging to clear their heads, but this only works if the scribbling done is actually purging and moving you back to your original project. If you're the type of writer to chase one shiny distraction to another, this might not be the best avenue for you.
2. But what to do when that deadline is over?
If the idea still interests me, I consider whether: it fits with my brand (an important business consideration), will be fun (an important creative consideration for me), and has potential to be profitable (those bills, they need paid). I weigh my long- and short-term needs, creative and business (frequently in conflict) before deciding. But my goals aren't yours, so I'll save that discussion for another post. :)
Finally, I look at my writing schedule (cry a little) and then decide where, if at all, I can slot it in.
3. Persistent ideas that won't die.
Chuck Wendig writes about this topic on his Terribleminds* site. (He's profane; you've been warned.) He doesn't consider brand, looks for ideas that stick like glue in his brain, and isn't concerned with documenting ideas as they pop up. For him, persistence wins. Ideas that will not die (plus a few other parameters) get written. Check out the blog (link below) to read his thoughts in his own words.
And that is how I, some unnamed author friends, and Chuck W. deal with a plethora of story ideas.
By the way, my answer to people who ask me to write their story? My writing schedule is packed, but you should definitely write that story! ;-)
* http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2018/...
Cate Lawley
Hi Sarah! I hate to give a specific date, because I've been floating between a few projects (Fairmont Finds and Night Shift Witch, to be specific) - but I have committed to two Vegan Vamp mysteries in 2019. Since I love that series and have lots of requests for the next in series, I'm gonna do my best to make that happen!
Thank you for reaching out, and I'm so glad you're enjoying the series!
~Cate
Thank you for reaching out, and I'm so glad you're enjoying the series!
~Cate
Cate Lawley
What is an "aspiring" writer? If you write, you're a writer. If you aspire to write...and make a living wage, that's a different question. If you aspire to write...and win awards, entertain as many people as possible, tell your story, or teach people, then those are all different questions.
So I say, decide what kind of writer you'd like to be. In other words, set goals for yourself that reflect your underlying wants and needs. The clearer your goals, the easier it is for you to tackle them.
Finally, if you aspire to write and you don't write, well, you should consider starting ;-) Sending you warmth, hugs, and support, because sometimes putting pen to paper or typing those first few words can be hard.
So I say, decide what kind of writer you'd like to be. In other words, set goals for yourself that reflect your underlying wants and needs. The clearer your goals, the easier it is for you to tackle them.
Finally, if you aspire to write and you don't write, well, you should consider starting ;-) Sending you warmth, hugs, and support, because sometimes putting pen to paper or typing those first few words can be hard.
Cate Lawley
Sit down and do it = ) If I waited for inspiration, I'd write less. A lot less. When inspiration strikes--in the form of conversation snips, character names, story ideas, or series concepts--I write them down, but mostly I write based on a schedule.
When I'm not feeling the sweetness of writerly love, I plant my bum and make myself write for a certain period of time. If I'm not a roll after the allocated time has elapsed, I stop and do something else. And then rinse and repeat.
But I've spoken with a lot of writers, and many have different recommendations. You have to find what works for you. A few that have worked for myself and others:
-Pick your most productive hours in the day and always schedule time to write at that time of day. If you don't have the luxury of setting your own schedule, then at least schedule the time--preferably when the fewest distractions are present.
-Write to a deadline. Some people work better under pressure.
-Create a "starting to write" ritual. Prepare coffee, clean off desk, retrieve laptop from recesses of house, dance a lucky jig, write. Or, you know, whatever works. But do the same thing over and over so your writer brain starts to kick in when you follow those steps.
-Pick stories you actually want to tell.
Most importantly, don't wait for inspiration. Hunt it down, sucker punch it, and then sit on it so it doesn't run away.
Best of luck!
Cate
When I'm not feeling the sweetness of writerly love, I plant my bum and make myself write for a certain period of time. If I'm not a roll after the allocated time has elapsed, I stop and do something else. And then rinse and repeat.
But I've spoken with a lot of writers, and many have different recommendations. You have to find what works for you. A few that have worked for myself and others:
-Pick your most productive hours in the day and always schedule time to write at that time of day. If you don't have the luxury of setting your own schedule, then at least schedule the time--preferably when the fewest distractions are present.
-Write to a deadline. Some people work better under pressure.
-Create a "starting to write" ritual. Prepare coffee, clean off desk, retrieve laptop from recesses of house, dance a lucky jig, write. Or, you know, whatever works. But do the same thing over and over so your writer brain starts to kick in when you follow those steps.
-Pick stories you actually want to tell.
Most importantly, don't wait for inspiration. Hunt it down, sucker punch it, and then sit on it so it doesn't run away.
Best of luck!
Cate
Cate Lawley
I think writer's block is a myth, or rather a broad term that incorporates a variety of stumbling blocks. I do think there are story issues, lack of motivation, depression, and a number of other problems that hamper an author's ability to complete a story.
My advice? Stomp writer's block into the ground (with a pointy stiletto or a combat boot - your choice) and then pinpoint the specific problem that has you stalled. Only then is it possible to apply the right fix.
My advice? Stomp writer's block into the ground (with a pointy stiletto or a combat boot - your choice) and then pinpoint the specific problem that has you stalled. Only then is it possible to apply the right fix.
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