Ask the Author: P.W. Catanese
Answered Questions (15)
P.W. Catanese
Oh boy, I missed this question from a year ago. I really like to respond whenever I can. Sorry about that! If you're still out there, thanks for the message. My books get readers of all ages, but they are for technically for middle grade. So I know that readers might be as young as nine (and some advanced readers might be even younger) so I try to bear that in mind when writing my stories. My Books of Umber trilogy is at about the same level, while the Donny's Inferno books are a touch more daring. Thanks for reading!
P.W. Catanese
Happy to Michelle. Message me through goodreads, or find my contact info at pwcatanese dot com.
P.W. Catanese
Hello Emily! Thanks first for being a reader and wanting a signed book.
I will answer this question for anyone who would be interested: I wish it was easier than it is to sign books for readers. It turns into a complicated process where you have to mail the books to me, along with another envelope inside the package that already has the postage required to return the books; and then I sign them and mail them back to you. So it gets expensive. There is another option where I could send a signed, personalized sticker that you can stick in the book on the page where I'd sign it normally. A third option is where you don't already own the book you want signed - then you can send me a check for the price of the book and the postage and I'll send you a new signed book. For any of these options, go to my web site at pwcatanese.com and find my email address there, and send me an email so I can get you the address. Adults can go ahead and do this, but young readers should check with their parents or guardians. I'm always thrilled that someone wants a signed book so I'll do my best to make it work. Thanks for the question, Emily!
I will answer this question for anyone who would be interested: I wish it was easier than it is to sign books for readers. It turns into a complicated process where you have to mail the books to me, along with another envelope inside the package that already has the postage required to return the books; and then I sign them and mail them back to you. So it gets expensive. There is another option where I could send a signed, personalized sticker that you can stick in the book on the page where I'd sign it normally. A third option is where you don't already own the book you want signed - then you can send me a check for the price of the book and the postage and I'll send you a new signed book. For any of these options, go to my web site at pwcatanese.com and find my email address there, and send me an email so I can get you the address. Adults can go ahead and do this, but young readers should check with their parents or guardians. I'm always thrilled that someone wants a signed book so I'll do my best to make it work. Thanks for the question, Emily!
P.W. Catanese
This answer contains spoilers…
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P.W. Catanese
Hello Kino Kino! Thanks for reading. If I have written a 'controversial' ending, then it's the one for this story - I get a lot of interesting messages about it. But your reaction tells me that it carries a big emotional impact, and I think the story has earned it by the time you reach the end.
The Umber world is certainly ripe for more storytelling. if you read my earlier books, you'll find that you are poking around in different corners of that world, reading some of the places and creatures that Umber has encountered, and even meeting some familiar characters. I would not rule out a return to this world, though I am currently occupied with other ideas. Thanks for reading! - PWC
The Umber world is certainly ripe for more storytelling. if you read my earlier books, you'll find that you are poking around in different corners of that world, reading some of the places and creatures that Umber has encountered, and even meeting some familiar characters. I would not rule out a return to this world, though I am currently occupied with other ideas. Thanks for reading! - PWC
P.W. Catanese
I got the idea for my first book from reading fairy tales to my kids. Then I found that ideas lead to other ideas. For example, the idea for the BOOKS OF UMBER trilogy came right out of thoughts I had while writing my fairy-tale inspired book. Also, ideas come out of nowhere - I really could not tell you what prompted the idea for DONNY'S INFERNO. My advice is to read a lot, and learn as much as you can about a lot of things. If you get even a hint of an idea for a plot or a premise, think about it over and over again, and just start writing.
Also... I have looked at the reviews and really appreciate them!
Also... I have looked at the reviews and really appreciate them!
P.W. Catanese
My favorite book is usually the one I am working on or just finished, so at the moment I would say DONNY'S INFERNO: DOWN IN FLAMES. It's the follow-up to the first DONNY'S INFERNO book, and it's really fast paced, funny, surprising and adventurous. Besides that, I am very proud of the BOOKS OF UMBER trilogy.
P.W. Catanese
Hello Autumn! The second and third books are definitely still available as audio books. Here is a link to the Dragon Games audiobook, and from there you can see the link to The End of Time:
http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Games-Bo...
http://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Games-Bo...
P.W. Catanese
That question makes all kinds of sense and I know exactly what you are talking about, Elena.
My first thought is, I bet you are writing a single point-of-view story. In the books I've written that jumped from one character's POV to another, those lulls were easy to address. I would just switch over and see what someone else was up to - even the villain who would otherwise be plotting and acting "off-screen." This is trickier when you are planted in one POV.
If nothing important happens in between the events, the solution might be easy: Just skip all that stuff. Don't write it. It wasn't important. End the chapter, and when the next chapter begins, time has gone by and the next important thing happens. This might be the most likely fix!
If it is something your reader needs to know, then go ahead and write it. If you think it lacks entertainment value, but it's still essential information, then write it but make it as succinct and interesting as possible. Your readers aren't just there to experience the big events. They are there to get to know your characters, live in this world, etc.
You're in charge of this little universe that you've created. If you have a lull, think of something surprising, fascinating or dramatic to put into that lull. I had this very issue in the first draft of the book I am writing now, the follow-up to DONNY'S INFERNO. My characters had just uncovered some crucial information, and they had to wait for someone to show up to tell him. I could have made the time pass with a chapter break but I wanted the feeling of "waiting" to be part of the scene. Then I realized it was a perfect time for one character to tell a quick story from her past that would give the reader a lot of insight into her personality.
Most important: Don't stop writing the story when a "lull" has you stumped. Skip to the next scene and go on from there. When you finish and you read your story, you may find that it worked just fine without whatever you might have written. Or your wonderful brain may have solved the problem for you while you had it on the back burner.
Happy writing!
PWC
My first thought is, I bet you are writing a single point-of-view story. In the books I've written that jumped from one character's POV to another, those lulls were easy to address. I would just switch over and see what someone else was up to - even the villain who would otherwise be plotting and acting "off-screen." This is trickier when you are planted in one POV.
If nothing important happens in between the events, the solution might be easy: Just skip all that stuff. Don't write it. It wasn't important. End the chapter, and when the next chapter begins, time has gone by and the next important thing happens. This might be the most likely fix!
If it is something your reader needs to know, then go ahead and write it. If you think it lacks entertainment value, but it's still essential information, then write it but make it as succinct and interesting as possible. Your readers aren't just there to experience the big events. They are there to get to know your characters, live in this world, etc.
You're in charge of this little universe that you've created. If you have a lull, think of something surprising, fascinating or dramatic to put into that lull. I had this very issue in the first draft of the book I am writing now, the follow-up to DONNY'S INFERNO. My characters had just uncovered some crucial information, and they had to wait for someone to show up to tell him. I could have made the time pass with a chapter break but I wanted the feeling of "waiting" to be part of the scene. Then I realized it was a perfect time for one character to tell a quick story from her past that would give the reader a lot of insight into her personality.
Most important: Don't stop writing the story when a "lull" has you stumped. Skip to the next scene and go on from there. When you finish and you read your story, you may find that it worked just fine without whatever you might have written. Or your wonderful brain may have solved the problem for you while you had it on the back burner.
Happy writing!
PWC
P.W. Catanese
Right now, as of November 2015: I am finishing up my first draft of the follow-up to "Donny's Inferno." Amazing because the first title isn't out until March 2016, and here I am almost finished with the sequel. By the way "Donny's Inferno" stands on its own as a story, so you can read it without committing to a whole new series. But this is a fun premise with so many possibilities. I think you will be eager for more.
P.W. Catanese
It's an interesting question Mia. In my earlier books, I created a medieval fantasy world. In my new one, Donny's Inferno, it's the world we know but also a surprising version of the underworld called Sulfur. I try to create settings that are full of amazing sights and creatures. But those worlds are also full of danger -- look at all of the terrors that my characters have to face! I'd rather visit and come back than settle down for good. On the other hand, I would enjoy meeting the nice characters. But the nasty ones, like Gnasher from The Thief and the Beanstalk or Occo from Happenstance Found? No thanks!
P.W. Catanese
Hello Mia. Most of the time, I really enjoy the process of writing. Being creative is fun, and the moment where you come up with a great idea for a scene, a character, a plot twist or even just a great line of dialogue is a real joy. At times like that it can feel like you have electricity running through your veins! Writing the first draft is a lot of fun too. There are moments that are not quite as enjoyable, like all the hours involved in editing and polishing the language, and trying to fix any tiny mistakes. That feels more like work than play. But overall - I love all of it.
P.W. Catanese
I love this question.
But uh-oh. I could possibly give you an answer and then discover that the text in the book contradicts me. Did I ever describe Umber putting sugar in his coffee at any point in the trilogy? Not sure. It's been a couple of years since the writing.
Here's what I think: Sugar and milk when he can get it. Black when he can't, for example when he's on the leviathan ship and refrigeration is a problem.
But uh-oh. I could possibly give you an answer and then discover that the text in the book contradicts me. Did I ever describe Umber putting sugar in his coffee at any point in the trilogy? Not sure. It's been a couple of years since the writing.
Here's what I think: Sugar and milk when he can get it. Black when he can't, for example when he's on the leviathan ship and refrigeration is a problem.
P.W. Catanese
Hello there. I have heard Lord Umber's emotional swings discussed as part of his character, but not criticized. I certainly did intend that to be his personality, and a challenge that he has to deal with, as do many people in real life. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you read all the way through the trilogy there is an interesting revelation about that quality of his near the end. Glad to hear that you enjoyed meeting him - he is absolutely a favorite creation for me.
P.W. Catanese
I have a great answer to this one! I was in a small town in Connecticut, on something called the Hop River Trail, by myself on cross country skis. I was just letting my mind wander and had one of those wonderful moments where one thought leads to another. First I had the setting for the story, which is not what usually comes first. After a few days of noodling the story emerged.
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