"There is, and always will be, such powerful magic in the pen."
Happy New Year, Everyone!
To start off 2018, I have a delightful author to introduce. Kathleen Shaputis is here to tell us a little about herself and her new release, Their Witch Wears Plaid. I read this charming paranormal romance and loved it.
Here is a peek from my review of Their Witch Wears Plaid.
I can’t thank Kathleen Shaputis enough for the enjoyable hours spent reading Their Witch Wears Plaid, the third book in her Baillie Castle series. On one hand, this story is a lighthearted read, lovable, funny characters, wonderful descriptive scenery of Scotland, castles, and a very handsome ghost who pops in at will. I loved our heroine Nell from the start. Her special ability—sorry—no spoilers—has always fascinated me....
You can find the whole review here.
On to the interview.Kathleen, I'm so glad you could come by for a visit. As you can tell, I truly enjoyed Their Witch Wears Plaid. To start off this interview, please tell us a little about yourself so my readers to get to know the person behind the writer.
I believe
I came into the world with a pencil in my hands. My first pieces were scripts
and plays acted out by my neighborhood friends in our backyard, using the
clothesline and a blanket as the curtain. In those days I dreamed of being a
hermit, living in a forest and writing best-selling novels. I got one out of
three so far, living in the Pacific Northwest on our two acres of woods, lol.
If I’m not writing a story, I handwrite missives to relatives and friends.
There is, and always will be, such powerful magic in the pen.
How about we give everyone a glimpse at your adorable cover and blurb.
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| CLICK IMAGE FOR AMAZON |
Even though Nell felt right at home as the palm reader at Scotland’s Baillie Castle, a romantic bed and breakfast, her own love life fell short. Surrounded daily by married and engaged couples, Nell enjoyed her independence, though there was this one sweet crush she had on a fantasy knight in shining armor.
Her delightful end of summer is shoved into a powerful hurricane of mystery when an evil druid battles for her service, throwing her into nightmares and catatonic trances. Will her infatuation with the professional knight rescue her from the darkness or is he entrenched with the dreaded Druid?
The hurricane reaches Category 5 intensity when a magic coin, the diva queen squad and a pair of witches collide at the castle. Will magic be enough to save Nell from a broken heart or cause certain death?
Tell us a little bit about how you came to write Their Witch Wears Plaid?
This is the last book of my Baillie Castle trilogy and I found the character Nell deserved her own HEA. She has carried a special place in my heart. I believe in palm readers and psychics and have had the good fortune of knowing a few talented ones. Nell is inspired by an incredible woman here in Olympia whose talent and love I’ve embraced for years. She’s gotten me through some tough times and encouraged my successes at others.
Kathleen sent along a couple photos I'm sure she used for inspiration. She was able to attend a writer's conference at Hever Castle. How amazing that must have been.
Kathleen sent along a couple photos I'm sure she used for inspiration. She was able to attend a writer's conference at Hever Castle. How amazing that must have been.
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| Kathleen in front of the gates of Hever Castle |
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| Hever Castler, Edenbridge, 30 miles south-east of London, England |
Kathleen, we both know that completing a book
is an enormous challenge. What was your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome
it? In other words, what do you think drove you to complete this enormous
project?
In the past twelve
years, I’ve been a ghostwriter as well as an author, busy with various projects
of other people’s dreams. But I was diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease in 2015, a
debilitating, incurable nightmare. My days now are bothered by feelings of
seasickness and dizzy spells. This makes it difficult to spend any major time
at the computer. I had to give up my day job, ghostwriting and find I am more
of a hermit shut indoors. Completing TWWP through these obstacles became
possible from the love of the characters and a “never give up” attitude.
I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I'm very familiar with the love of creating new characters and worlds to ease the struggles of daily life. The best medicine in the world is your never-give-up attitude.
So here an interesting question I love to toss at my guest. Do you believe writers are born or made?
So here an interesting question I love to toss at my guest. Do you believe writers are born or made?
For myself, I was born a writer. However, I had a practical mother who
caboshed my writing goals during most of my childhood. It was one thing to
entertain the neighbor parents, but growing up meant focusing on school and
getting a decent job. It wasn’t until the 90’s, I finally threw myself back
into my passion. I do believe there are others who are self-made as authors.
Their muse may have been chipping away for decades before breaking through to
their hearts.
How do you think your life
experiences have prepared you for a writing career?
I used to describe myself as a
headliner for the Baby Boomer generation. I was the first of my friends to be a
working single parent, take care of an aging parent, raise a grandchild, and be
a Prozac Princess. If I looked back further, other events and such were mere
fodder for the plot lines and characterizations yet to be.
LOL! I thought I held that title. I'm waiting for someone to write our story--The Amazing Baby Boomers. Life does feed our already overactive imaginations.
What is your ideal writing space?
What is your ideal writing space?
Though I carry a notebook with me everywhere so I can jot scenes or
dialogue while waiting at a doctor’s office, the majority of my work is at a
computer in my library. The room is in the front of the house with large
windows overlooking Junior’s memorial garden and our cul de sac. Often
black-tail deer are walking through the yard or my Pomeranians are going
hysterical chasing the trash truck who had the nerve to stop at the end of our
driveway.
Wow!! That is gorgeous. I can see myself hiding away in this space, warm, cozy, and doing what I love most, writing.
Now for a few giggles. There is someone you will never meet but whom you desperately need for them to know who you are. The only way to communicate with them is to send them a box with three items. What would those three ideas be?
A blank journal, a box of pens and a thick, fuzzy blanket.
Ahhh...yes! You have to have the fuzzy blanket. Here is one more if you don't mind. Write a love story in eight words.
He touched her hand and stole her
heart.
Perfect! I stole this last question from author, Becky Flade. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when
you arrive at the pearly gates?
You have an incredible crowd waiting for you.
Yes, that would be lovely! What is up next for you?
I had always wanted to participate in the NaNoWriMo challenge and I can
now check this off my bucket list. The manuscript titled Twinkies and Tranquilizers is about a confident, ERA supportive
single mother in the 70’s during the disco-dancing, sexual revolution years.
Her colorful, dedicated world is nearly destroyed by harassment and misogyny. I
have six months to revise and edit before attending the Pacific Northwest
Writers’ Conference where I hope to pitch it to a few agents.
Kathleen, I'll keep my toes and fingers cross that you find a wonderful publisher. Where can readers find out more
about your book and yourself?
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathleenShaputisAuthor/
I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of 2018. Please take a few moments to put your feet up and read a good book.
Hugs to all,
Nancy C. Weeks
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Kathleen, thank you again for taking the time to stop by. I loved getting to know you a little better. As always, if anyone has any questions for Kathleen Shaputis or me, please ask away by clicking on comments below. If you have trouble with blogger, please email me at nancy@nancycweeks.com and I'll post your question. I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of 2018. Please take a few moments to put your feet up and read a good book.
Hugs to all,
Nancy C. Weeks
