AT2 Sisters Wave...to AT3 Finalist Cathy Pegau

We continue our American Title III interviews with Cathy Pegau who finaled with her book, Haunted.

AT2 Sisters: Where were you or what were you doing when you found out?

Cathy: At my computer, as usual, checking my email for the umpteenth time that day. I was home alone, so only the critters got to hear my whoop of joyful surprise. Then I called my best friend Sharron. She’s an author and has been mentoring me since day one. I knew she’d be as thrilled as I was.

AT2 Sisters: What is the best part of writing for you?

Cathy: Aside from the fact it keeps me sane, I enjoy the chance to share the stories in my head. The things I create aren’t going to cure any diseases, they aren’t going to bring world peace. But if someone reads my work and is entertained, perhaps allowing themselves to forget the world’s ills or their own ills for a short while, then I’d be happy. We’re bombarded with so much information we *have* to know, or feel we *should* know; having a chance to let our brains relax is imperative. Nutritional food for the brain is good, but once in a while you need a brownie. I want to be the brownie.

AT2 Sisters: What do you do when you're not writing?

Cathy: I’m a stay at home mom with two kids and a house full of critters. ‘Nuff said. Actually, I don’t spend nearly enough time doing housework, and I’ve got dust bunnies the size of rottweilers to prove it. I help out in my kids’ schools, co-lead a Girl Scout troop, read, and chat with friends online. I want to start cross-country skiing this winter. Goodness knows I’m in the right state for it.

AT2 Sisters: What is one piece of advice you'd give other aspiring authors

Cathy: Be open to revision.

First, don’t be afraid to revise your writing. Not everything we write is gold the first time it falls from our fingertips on to the page. Have a good critique group of writers you trust, people who will be honest with you and offer valid suggestions. Put your work away for a week then don your editor’s hat and re-read it.

Second, don’t be afraid to revise yourself. I originally wrote sword and sorcery fantasy and was sure that was the only thing I’d want to write. Well, the work that got me into AT III is a contemporary chick litty piece that is completely different from my fantasy stuff. It still has a paranormal slant to it (as will most everything I do, probably), but is not what I envisioned when I saw myself as a writer seven years ago. Change is okay.

AT2 Sisters: Name three of your favorite books

Cathy: To Kill a Mockingbird. I had to read it in high school, then I re-read it a few years ago. Powerful stuff that I didn’t quite get as a teen. I highly recommend going back to books we read as young people and take a second, more mature look at them.

A good dictionary. I’m wary of misusing words. And I love looking up odd ones. Plus, spellcheck isn’t infallible.

David Weber’s Honor Harrington series. I’m bending the question a bit here by mentioning a series, but the amount of creativity and organizational skills necessary to maintain an entire universe through 11+ books just floors me. And to do it as well as Weber does? Cripes! I feel like a little writer embryo compared to him (and some others who have done similar works of wonder). But I am inspired. :)

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The AT2 Sisters would like to thank Cathy Pegau for taking this time with us and wish her the best in the coming weeks! For more information about Cathy, check out her blog at: cathypegau.blogspot.com