Ask the Author: Catia M Rodrigues
Answered Questions (7)
Catia M Rodrigues
That really is a hard one!
Let's face it, I'm a helpless romantic, so there are a lot of favorites out there! Belle and Beast, Raistlin Majere and Crysania, Christine and The Phantom (yeah, the phantom!), Bela and Edward. Why? I have always had a thing for tortured souls on their way to redemption through love. And all those stories portrait just that. =)
Let's face it, I'm a helpless romantic, so there are a lot of favorites out there! Belle and Beast, Raistlin Majere and Crysania, Christine and The Phantom (yeah, the phantom!), Bela and Edward. Why? I have always had a thing for tortured souls on their way to redemption through love. And all those stories portrait just that. =)
Catia M Rodrigues
The characters, especially Nathan, Vince, and Lisa had been hovering in my head for quite some time, long before I started writing Dubhán Reborn. Walking the cities of Oporto, it was crystal clear that I had to turn this story into more than a YA romance. It needed magic, darkness, depth.
The fantasy element was introduced with the Dubhán, a magical civilization inspired on the Enchanted Moors (Mouros Encantados) from the Portuguese, Galicia's and Celtic Mythology.
The fantasy element was introduced with the Dubhán, a magical civilization inspired on the Enchanted Moors (Mouros Encantados) from the Portuguese, Galicia's and Celtic Mythology.
Catia M Rodrigues
Usually, music helps. A lot. I have always been a music lover. And I always listen to music while reading. So, it only made sense that I would need music to write too, right?
Another inspiration is walking down the streets of my old Oporto... Always so magical and enchanted... =)
Another inspiration is walking down the streets of my old Oporto... Always so magical and enchanted... =)
Catia M Rodrigues
The feedback from the readers, of course! And to know that you made a difference and that your books, the product of your hard work, have actually touched people's lives.
It's the most rewarding feeling ever when you receive a message at 3 am from a reader who was so hooked up with the story and the characters that she couldn't put your book down... =)
It's the most rewarding feeling ever when you receive a message at 3 am from a reader who was so hooked up with the story and the characters that she couldn't put your book down... =)
Catia M Rodrigues
I'm currently working on Dubhán Unveiled (The Oporto Series, #2) and on my new Contemp Romance novel, based on true events and approaching the inner struggles of a blind person.
Catia M Rodrigues
Hmm... Updating Goodreads Q&A and Social Media accounts is one of the scapegoats. :P
I usually reread the previously written chapters, go through my plotlines again and just write. Even if the first 500 or 5000 words end up being discarded or in need of a huge editing, it usually sets the pace and allows me to keep writing.
And music. Music is a must-have! =)
I usually reread the previously written chapters, go through my plotlines again and just write. Even if the first 500 or 5000 words end up being discarded or in need of a huge editing, it usually sets the pace and allows me to keep writing.
And music. Music is a must-have! =)
Catia M Rodrigues
Ok, I really have to quote Meg Cabot for this one.
“Write the kind of story you would like to read. People will give you all sorts of advice about writing, but if you are not writing something you like, no one else will like it either.” ― Meg Cabot
Then grow a really really really tough skin to endure and overcome all the ordeals, criticisms and less pleasant feedback. It will be hard but so so worth it in the end.
After my experience with Dubhán Reborn, the key word is edit, edit, edit... You may have the most brilliant story to tell but if it's not edited and revised to exhaustion, it won't flow and the readers will just put it down.
“Write the kind of story you would like to read. People will give you all sorts of advice about writing, but if you are not writing something you like, no one else will like it either.” ― Meg Cabot
Then grow a really really really tough skin to endure and overcome all the ordeals, criticisms and less pleasant feedback. It will be hard but so so worth it in the end.
After my experience with Dubhán Reborn, the key word is edit, edit, edit... You may have the most brilliant story to tell but if it's not edited and revised to exhaustion, it won't flow and the readers will just put it down.
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