I had some near misses with agents. Since a friend had success with an Indie publisher, I decided to try that.

Catherine Bell – 02 November 2014

The Back Flap

When American pioneers set their hearts on a California valley where Indians had been living for thousands of years, a period of uneasy appraisal emerged, followed by conflict and soon enough by genocide. The epic greed and violence of the 1850’s and 60’s has been brushed aside by history, conveniently forgotten in the pride of conquest. Rush of Shadows brings to life two freethinking women, Mellie, a white, and Bahé, an Indian, who endure the clash of their cultures and come to an unlikely understanding.

About the book

What is the book about?

Settler and Indian contact and conflict in California in the 1800’s.

When did you start writing the book?

In the 1990’s

How long did it take you to write it?

20 years

Where did you get the idea from?

Family stories

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Deciding on voices – who could tell what.  One character wouldn’t know the whole story, and I thought an omniscient voice was inappropriate.

What came easily?

Dialog

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Fictitious

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Fyodor Dostoevsky – for his moral seriousness.  William Faulkner, for his exploration of voices.  Jane Austen, for her lively dialog and fascination with relationships.

Do you have a target reader?

Anyone interested in how the country was occupied, and at what cost.  Anyone interested in strong women doing the best they can.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I write whatever comes to me, take notes wherever I am, then edit over and over again.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I outline after drafting, to understand what I have and what structure might work.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

First draft I do not edit as I go, but after that I do.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Heaven forbid.  At most, the lapping of waves on the lake shore.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I had some near misses with agents.  Since a friend had success with an Indie publisher, I decided to try that.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Professional – but someone I know.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

In addition to my own initiatives, I’ve hired a publicist who has a plan.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

It’s more work than you can imagine, and not easy to figure out the landscape.  For some writer temperaments, besides, publicity may be profoundly unnerving.

About You

Where did you grow up?

New England

Where do you live now?

Washington, DC

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’m a veteran English teacher who loves reading great books with kids.

What are you working on now?

Another novel set in California, but this time in 1964.

End of Interview:

For more, visit Catherine’s website or like her page on Facebook.

Get your copy of Rush of Shadows from Amazon US or Amazon UK.