Cate Nolan Interview

Q: How did you get your start writing fiction and what genre do you predominantly write in?
A. I actually got my start writing historical romance many moons ago. I used to make up stories in my head to help me fall asleep, but I always dozed off before I got too far in the story. I finally decided to try my hand at writing it so I could find out what happened next! Eventually I switched to writing romantic suspense since I loved reading it. I got my first contract through the Love Inspired Suspense’s Search for a Killer Voice contest in 2014.

Q: What part of a writing career do you find most difficult?
A. This one’s easy to answer – marketing my books. I LOVE to talk about writing and I love to talk about my stories, but I am awful at trying to promote myself. It makes me self-conscious. I’ve always been shy.

Q: What does your writing space look like?
A: That’s a tough question. I have a dedicated office space, but I rarely use it to write in because my dog whines if I’m in there. To be honest, he whines any time I try to write at a desk when there’s no room for him to climb up beside me. ?
My most productive writing has always been in coffee shops or on the subway on my way to work. These days, coffee shops are closed, and I drive rather than take the subway, so mostly I sit on my bed with Fenway beside me.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release, Texas Witness Threat?
A: Texas Witness Threat is the story of Christine, an assistant US attorney, and Blake, the Texas Ranger who is the only person who believes she witnessed a murder. As Christine puts it – “Since no body was found, no one is looking for killers, but the killers are still looking for me!” Blake is her self-appointed protector. Together, they try to figure out who the victim was, and how he tied in to a small Amish community in Texas, all while trying to outrun the men who want her dead!

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?
A: My favorite part about writing this book was discovering a newspaper article about Amish youth from Indiana who came to help out in Texas in the wake of Hurricane Ike. They rescued animals and rebuilt fences and buildings – just because they wanted to help people in need. Once I read that story, my brain got to thinking What if they liked it so much that they stayed? Once I had that piece, the rest of the story revealed itself quickly.
My least favorite part of the writing process was having to cut so much of the story I wanted to tell. I tend to write really long (hearkens back to my historical romance writing days). At one point this book was well over 170,000 words. I had to cut it back to 55,000!

Q: What is the main theme or spiritual message of this book?
A: The main themes of this book are forgiveness and trust in the Lord. The characters have to learn to forgive themselves as well as others who have done them harm. In doing research for the secondary Amish characters, I was impressed by the Amish focus on forgiveness and trust even when awful things happen. So I put that in my story. Even though my hero and heroine are not Amish, they learn a lot about from their visits with the Amish community. I like to describe it this way: Blake wants to protect Christine. She has to prove she can survive on her own. They both need to learn to trust in God’s plan.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I’m actually working on two projects at the moment. One is a book about Dylan, the brother of the hero from Texas Witness Threat. I’m also just starting a new book about a woman who has to protect her best friend’s baby after her friend mysteriously vanishes. She has help from a wonderful but reluctant hero who has his own demons to battle.

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?
A. I hope this doesn’t sound like too much of a downer, but the one person I wish I could have dinner with is my husband. He passed away after a very short battle with cancer while I was writing this book. I would give anything to share another meal with him.
The other person is John Adams. I’ve been fascinated by him since my aunt shared Irving Stone’s Those Who Love with me when I was a teenager. I still have that copy of the book! It’s the love story of John and Abigail Adams set against the background of all that was going on in their lives and the colonies/country in the 1700s.

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby?
A. Because I’m a full-time teacher, writing is as much my hobby as a second career. It doesn’t leave much time for anything else, although I have to say my main hobby has always been reading. I did sew and quilt a lot before I discovered writing.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing you have ever done?
A. You ask tough questions! Without a doubt, the most rewarding thing I have ever done is raise my two daughters. My husband worked long hours so I could stay home with them, and I cherish the memories of those years. But teaching has also been rewarding (as well as frustrating). There have been a few times over the years when I’ve known that something I did really made a difference in a student’s life. Being able to do that is a blessing I can’t deny.