Welcome one of my loveliest cyber friends Cate Masters!

Hi Cate,

It is so lovely to have you visit with me again! I feel as though we haven't spoken in such a long time so it is great to be able to catch up and find out what you have been up to. From the book cover, it looks as you are as prolific as ever with a new release, Surfacing. Can't wait to hear all about it - love the cover!

Over to you, m'dear...

1) Who is your favourite author and why?

First, thanks so much for having me today Rachel! Hm, I have a terrible time choosing favorites. I love so many authors, in so many genres. If I had to name just one, it might be T.C. Boyle – he writes everything from literary to historical to fantasy/speculative, and does it exceptionally well. But my bookshelves (and now my hard drive) are filled with a wide variety of authors.

2) When did you first consider yourself a writer?

First seeing my name on the front of a book cover was an amazing thrill! But I don’t know that I ever consciously labeled myself a writer. I just knew that I’ve always loved to write, everything from poetry to journalism, though fiction’s my real love.

3) Describe your writing space?

Definitely in need of some feng shui, lol. I’ve been trying to organize better, tossing notebooks of ideas into a basket, and filing articles related to stories in folders. Sometimes I have to escape the disarray, though, and just carry my laptop to another part of the house. :)

4) What are you reading now?

The books on my night table are threatening to topple over! Titles from David Sedaris, Angie Fox, Susan Gourley, Gena Showalter, Stieg Larsson and many others. Wish I could absorb them through osmosis!

5) How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?

Due to years and years of not being published, I had quite a backlog of stories sitting around, taking up space on the hard drive. It caught up with me these past two years, during which I’ve had 14 releases, ranging from shorts to full length novels. Two more novels are contracted, another I recently subbed to a publisher. A few others are still languishing on the hard drive, but those likely won’t see the light of day, unless I revise them extensively. :)

My favorite’s always the one I’m writing now. I actually have several in the works, and I’m very excited about them!

6) What comes first, plot or characters?

Wish I were a better plotter, but mostly I’m a pantser. Characters lead the way, and sometimes in strange and wonderful directions that surprise me. Though I love it when characters hijack a story, I’m trying to train my brain to think ahead a bit.

7) Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

Sometimes, but that’s why I work on a few stories at once. If I run into a wall on one, I switch to another. I believe writer’s block is the story’s way of letting me know I haven’t fully addressed something. By not focusing on it too keenly, it usually comes clear. Sounds like a contradiction, but it’s true, for me at least.

8) What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Sleep, lol. And spend time with my family. I used to have all sorts of hobbies, but they’ve fallen by the wayside, unfortunately. My poor garden is now a weed patch.

9) Tell us about your latest book?

Surfacing’s a really fun novel. It combines my love of music and fantasy.

Here’s the book blurb: AJ Dillon is trouble. The former lead singer of an indie band has no home, no money and no future. His grandfather is the only relative willing to take another chance on him. AJ arrives in Weeki Wachee, Florida, with his guitar, a few clothes and a bad attitude. The only good thing about Weeki Wachee is the ocean -- the one place AJ feels at home.

Grandpa lines up a job for AJ at Weeki Wachee Springs, where beautiful women perform as mermaids. Grandpa says real mermaids exist, but AJ doesn’t believe – until he meets Cassiopeia. She helps his passion for music resurfaces. But greedy Chaz finds out about her, and threatens to kill them if AJ doesn't go along with his plan to make a fortune with a real mermaid show. Can AJ save Cassie, even if it means losing her?

You can view the trailer, read reviews and an excerpt, and even see who I’d cast in the movie roles for Surfacing at http://catemasters.blogspot.com/2007/12/surfacing-contemporary-fantasy.html

10) What’s next for you? I just entered a new urban fantasy called Dead to Rights in the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest, so I’m nervously awaiting those results! In April, Whiskey Creek Press will release The Bridge Between, a mainstream novel set in my NJ hometown. In June, Lyrical Press will release Rock Bottom, a fun contemporary romance novel. I’m also awaiting word on a few other fantasies subbed to publishers. And as always, my WIPs outnumber the time I can spend on them, lol.

Thanks again for having me as a guest Rachel! I hope your readers will check out my blog at http://catemasters.blogspot.com, and I’d love more followers on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cate-Masters/89969413736?ref=ts

Surfacing sounds great, Cate! Is this your first book with Whiskey Creek Press? I wish you all the luck in the world with sales.

Cate is waiting to hear from you, folks!