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ALL THE WORLD’S A PAGE___Starring:__Cate Ellink

6/15/2013

11 Comments

 
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Welcome and thanks for treading the boards with us today!

1.      Are you inspired most by places, people or experiences and how do these work their way into your writing?

I'm inspired by all three. With people, I don't directly use them in my writing. I tend to create new characters who blend lots of different people's traits. Places and experiences I directly transfer to my writing.

 

The Virginity Mission is an invented story but uses a place I've been to (Daintree rainforest and river) and a scientific expedition that I went on. The same number of people are in the story that were in my real life experience but none of the character traits are real - I invented the characters to make the story more interesting. Although, there are bits of all sorts of people, including myself, in the characters.

2.      Please share one of your favourite moments of inspiration with us.

Inspiration comes in all forms and times but the most consistent moment is when I'm asleep or almost asleep. I have a notepad and pen by my bed and I've learned to capture these flashes because if I don't, they're gone. And yes, I can write with my eyes closed and it's decipherable (after years of practice!).

3.      How did you come up with the idea of The Virginity Mission?

When I was young I went on a scientific expedition to the Daintree (in North Queensland). It was one of the most amazing experiences in my life - tough, fun, challenging - and I thought it was perfect for a story. Enough time has gone by that I was able to fictionalise fact. Sometimes if there's not enough distance from the experience then I struggle getting away from the facts - and often facts don’t make a great story!

4.      How do you come up with your characters’ names?

Mostly they pop into my head as I'm writing or thinking about them. Sometimes I go searching the Internet for a name. I always check newspapers for fun names and try to remember any that might work.



5.      What is your favourite holiday?

Lord Howe Island is my favourite holiday destination. I love quiet spots, beaches, snorkelling and diving. Currently I'm writing a fun erotic story set there. It's the most magical destination.

6.      Do you read reviews of your books? What do you do when you read a not-so-nice one?

I’ve had two short stories published. One was in an anthology with 68 other stories. I read reviews, desperately wanting someone to say my story was the best - no one did, because it's not. But I learned from that. I can waste a LOT of time wishing for the impossible, or I can write and keep improving. So I don't look for reviews, I don't really want to read them (because I feel sick worrying) and I'm not tough enough to read the bad stuff. 

7      How many times were you turned down before you finally got published?

The Virginity Mission was rejected 6 times before being accepted by Escape Publishing. I've submitted a few other stories over time mostly with rejections...but a few "wins" along the way kept me going (contest judges giving great marks or feedback, a contest final, a short story acceptance).

8.  What reason(s) did the publishers give for their rejection of your manuscript?

I've not been given a reason for any of my rejections. Some have been form letters, others have been that long long silence until the time limit expires (or there's still silence years later!).

9.  Who do you most admire and why? OR  If you could meet anyone and spend an hour with them alive or dead who and why?

10.  What is your favourite book of all time that you can reread a hundred times, and it still feels like the first time?

It's rare that I re-read a book, although I keep my favourites because I think one day I will have time to re-read!

11.  What do you need to set the mood for you to write?

A bit of time - seconds will do!

12.  If there is one genre that you have not written in yet, but would love to try writing a book in that specific genre, what would it be?

I'll try anything! I have tried a few genres and mixed genres. I'm not good at world building, so fantasy would be difficult for me, although I enjoy reading it and am jealous of people who can build magical worlds.

13.  How many blurbs did you have to write before the final one?

Ha ha! I am useless at blurbs. I wrote gazillions and they were terrible - even I knew that! I got help from a friend, which included a very long phone call, but in the end Escape wrote my blurb! Thank goodness because it sells my story. Mine only told my story. Subtle difference but important.

14.  What are you working on now?

I have four stories written that need editing and rewriting. Two are erotic romances (one novella, one novel) and two are women's fiction. I also have a whole slew of ideas screaming to be written.

15.  Would you like to share an excerpt from your writing or a photo or music link that inspires you?

I thought you might like to meet Mac, the heroine of The Virginity Mission. This excerpt is when she’s introducing herself to the group she’s allocated.

“I’m Mac. Willow MacIntosh really but no one calls me anything but Mac. I hope you will too.” I hate my name. It sounds prissy and girly. Plus when you’re tall, curve-free and bony, Willow is a dumb name. I can’t believe my parents landed me with such a weird moniker. I’ve been known to completely ignore anyone who calls me anything but Mac. From the nods I receive from the group, I guess everyone will call me that.



 


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11 Comments
lily malone link
6/15/2013 11:02:03 am

Great to see you here Cate. I'll be looking out for the Lord Howe Island story now.
Thanks Susanne for putting Cate on your stage!

Lily M

Reply
Cate Ellink
6/15/2013 04:37:19 pm

Thank you so much for visiting, Lily. You are a great cheer squad.

Cate xo

Reply
Jennie Jones link
6/15/2013 11:14:35 am

Cate - I need to teach myself how to jot down plot points in the middle of the night, in the dark! Great interview ladies, thank you.

Reply
Cate Ellink
6/15/2013 04:39:25 pm

Hi Jennie,
I got sick of waking up fully so taught myself that grab pen, grab notebook, scribble, go to sleep technique in not that long, maybe a couple of weeks.

Good luck with trying it.

Thanks for visiting.

Cate xox

Reply
Jenny Brigalow link
6/15/2013 11:25:51 am

Hi Cate, thanks for sharing. It's always interesting to hear how writers work. The note pad is a great idea! And I must say I agree, Blurbs are tricky little customers. Congratulations on the publication of The Virginity Mission .

Reply
Cate Ellink
6/15/2013 04:41:15 pm

Hello Jenny,
Congrats on your Man for all seasons. I've seen it around and must have a read.

I'm glad I'm not the only blurb-phobic person!

Thanks for visiting,
Cate xox

Reply
Kate Belle link
6/15/2013 01:45:58 pm

Hey Cate, I get inspiration in the middle of the night too. It's true, if you don't capture it, it disappears. Last night I had a strong impulse for a story for the second night in a row. I got up and wrote it down, went back to bed, but it kept coming so I had to get up again. I figure it it appears twice its my muse talking and really wants me to record it, for a reason I'm yet to discover. The unconscious is a great source of inspiration. Good luck with Virginity Mission!
x

Reply
Cate Ellink
6/15/2013 04:43:33 pm

Hi Kate,
Oh, I'm glad your muse keeps you up at night too. My husband often finds me on a writing blitz at some crazy hour!

Your muse sounds like s/he really has something important to tell you. Hope you discover the reason for the persistence soon.

Thanks for popping in and for your wishes,

Cate xox

Reply
Susanne Bellamy
6/15/2013 03:03:53 pm

Thanks for being my guest today, Cate. I love that you've incorporated your early experiences into your work. I really do believe that such real life events make our stories richer. If truth be told, most of us probably subconsciously use moments we've seen, heard, read about and woven them into our writing.
Cheers!

Reply
Cate Ellink
6/15/2013 04:46:07 pm

Hi Susanne,
Thanks so much for having me to your "page" today.

I've received some nice feedback about the realism of the trip in my story, so I'm glad I used a real experience - even if some people were a bit shocked by me using real life!

Thanks so much, Susanne.

Cate xox

Reply
Marshmallow Recipes link
6/5/2023 03:53:54 am

Hi thanks for postingg this

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    Story elements surround us every day, from new places to a favourite piece of music or an odd moment witnessed in passing that becomes a scene in our work. On this weekly post, fellow authors will share some of what inspires their stories and their lives. Sit back and make yourself comfortable with the drink of your choice as the curtain rises. 

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