Writer, Catharine L.J. Parks

Catharine LJ Parks is joining us today.

She has written several books on Amazon and some short stories.

Catharine, what are your ambitions for your writing career?

I am working with my sister on a book based on a real life experience that has been in the making for a good 12 years. To finally finish this project is one ambition that I have. I am thinking about writing mystery/romance fiction which I hope to start very soon. I have some other projects that I am also working on.

Which writers inspire you?

Writers that inspire me are Christine Feehan, Sherrilynn Kenyon, J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts).
Another J.D. Robb fan, awesome, glad to hear it Catharine!

So, what have you written?
I have written devotionals, a short story that has appeared in Fate Magazine, and I have 6 books out on Amazon.

Tell us a little bit about your book: For the Shattered Soul.

I write from real experiences that have a supernatural twist to them. And I also write about ordinary life experiences and the lessons learned from them. It speaks to those who have shattered souls and need healing.
Here's a blurb from the book
For the Shattered Soul offers solutions to the human condition that plagues so much of humanity.It offers hope, encouragement, revelation and sound advice to ‘heal’ the shattered soul.
This book shows ways to promote healing in all aspects of the mind, body and spirit, and leave you with peace, joy, love and freedom as you journey towards the light.

What are you currently working on and what is it about?
I am working on a book that I am writing with my sister, based on a fictional account of a true story.

When did you decide to become a writer?
I made the decision to become a writer in 2004.

How often do you write, and do you have a special time during the day to write?

I like to write in the mornings when my mind is the freshes

Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
I prefer to work with an outline, that way I know what to work on daily, and what roughly goes in each chapter.

Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors.
I read quite a bit, my favourite authors are Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon and J.D.Robb.

For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
I prefer paperbacks.

Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
It certainly does, readers are drawn by the cover of a book. A book is judged by its cover.

What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?

The main advantage to self publishing is the control the author gets to keep over their own book. There is more royalties that the author gets as well. The disadvantage to traditional publishing is you still have to do most of your own promoting.

Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
Keep learning, researching all you can to find out how to market your books.

What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book?
I have no set time, I am still working on my time management skills. It is an ever learning process but I do a lot of research on how to market my books.

You can contact Catharine via:

Amazon: amazon.com/author/catharineljparks

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/cljparks

Twitter: @catydid52

Bio:

About the Author

Catharine Leona Joy Minter Parks was born in Chatham Ontario to a Canadian mother and an American father. Her early childhood was spent in the church growing up under a strict upbringing but at an early age started to desire more. With an adventuresome spirit she would join her brother in escaping the house after bedtime and going downtown with him to dances, plays, and the movies, to enjoy all the things that her religious parents denied her.

That's all the time we have today folks. Readers, if you have any questions for Catharine please write them in the comments below.