What inspired your latest novel?
This time around, I’m writing a screenplay. I see a new space opening up in Transformation/ Transformation thrillers. The inciting idea was watching a young man open his 23ANDme results and discovering that he was not related to either parent or his siblings.
How did you come up with the title?
Serf, in early Christian times ignorant and powerless French peasants worked the land, handing most of their hard earned labours to the local Lord.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
When change happens slowly people don’t necessarily notice it until it’s happened. Politicians are corrupt, and groups of young adults attempt to publically prove the consequence of a bad political decision can be overturned. They captures the unwanted government attention, just as they are about to graduate.
- Anyone can capture anyone’s attention.
- Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
- It only takes one action to start a movement.
How much of the book is realistic?
It’s based on our normal North American history, but where one political decision made 4 years earlier launched a new direction, and how one privileged young man searches for answer to a personal dilemma in this new political environment.
Are your characters based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
They are completely fictitious and living in my head.
Where can readers find you on social media and do you have a blog?
I have a digital marketing Blog on my Website: TheNetworkingWeb.com
Connect with me: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook1 | Facebook2 | Instagram | YouTube (launching April)
Do you have plans or ideas for your next book? Is it a sequel or a stand alone?
This one is written specifically for the Netflix 5-year Series. No other sequel, but the books will spawn 2 more from the same Story World.
So far, I have over 200 story outlines. My biggest problem isn’t coming up with ideas; it’s finding the time to write and to STICK TO and FINISH 1 story.
Of the characters you have created or envisioned, which is your favorite & why?
Honestly, I don’t have favorites. Each has their uniqueness, secrets, and quirks. I just jump from brain to brain when the moment calls.
Do you favor one type of genre or do you dabble in more than one?
Mystery, missing persons, and thrillers have always been my favourites. Today I see the transformational writing space opening up and am interested in producing transformational thrillers.
Curious? The Matrix is one.
Do you plan your stories, or are you a seat of the pants style writer?
I used to be a seat of the pants style writer. Now I outline EVERYTHING to develop intriguing layers first, to ensure that it works. (Fiction) In business writing, you plan everything.
What is your best marketing tip?
It takes MONTH’s to launch a book properly.
Use your book as a tool to get interviews, lots of them!
Do you find social media a great tool or a hindrance?
Good question, as a digital marketing expert, social media could very well be the most disruptive tool ever seen, or when used effective, they greatest tool to grow your audience and sell more books, attend more conferences, and to maybe get a movie deal.
OPTIONAL QUESTIONS
What do you enjoy most about writing?
It’s cathartic. It’s my outlet. It lets me release the ideas in my head.
What age did you start writing stories/poems?
Maybe 6. I may have rewritten my cartoon to run stories the way I wanted them to turn out. Fan Fiction circa @1983
Has your genre changed or stayed the same?
I’ve always writing the mysteries/missing person thrillers in fiction.
For work, because social media and digital marking is ALWAYS changing, I’ve had to rewrite old books and keep putting out new ones. That’s why they are never in print.
What genre are you currently reading?
Thrillers, mystery, crime, Psychological drama’s in fiction – business and marketing books and biographies in non-fiction and biz.
Do you read for pleasure or research or both?
I use to read far more for pleasure, not I read mostly for work.
Who is your best supporter/mentor/encourager?
My brother from another mother. We are each other’s biggest content creation supporters.
Where is your favorite writing space?
Comfortable bustling coffee shops where I don’t know anyone.
Do you belong to a writing group? If so which one?
I used to belong to Inklings until a few years back, most crime writing, but not for a few years.
I belong to one of the many #12WeekYear now, for HIGH productivity
If you could meet one favorite author, who would it, be and why?
Two come to mind: For science and for decades I’ve always wanted to meet James Burke. These days, I’d love to interview Malcolm Gladwell.
If you could live anywhere in the world – where would it be?
I am partially connected to many cities. I’d like to live a winter to WRITE in Prague, Florence, or Seville, or most other locations where old cobble stone roads are the norm, little watering holes has people speaking English as a second language and the locals LOVE to share their stories, history, and folklore.
Do you see writing as a career?
Absolutely. For work, I regularly produce technical writing, copy writing, blogs, articles, even copy for explainer videos. For myself, I write Novels, Outlines and Screenplays.
Do you nibble as you write? If so what’s your favorite snack food?
I drink as I write all day; coffee mostly, then water, a specialty soda is a treat.
What reward do you give yourself for making a deadline?
Start the next project. No rest for the wicked
TITLE: Online Research Paths: Fake or Real?
Once the internet became available to the masses, new opportunities to collect and post data fueled new research.
However, not all information online is true. Still, there are many rich information resources to collect information, post queries to request information, and apply listening tools to seek information not yet posted. There is truly no limit.
How can you use this great online resource to your advantage yet not waste value time?
This interactive class explores online search methods, queries, and untapped resources.
Catherine invites you to bring your search queries, mobile devices, and questions.
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 