Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Cathy Rafferty. Like me she is also a first time author, publishing her first book late last year. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.
Tell us about your latest book.
-I Am Not A Barbie is a self-help/relationships guide book. What I did with this book is adapt a writing style and tone that appeals to every reader. Meaning that it’s a quick and easy read. Every chapter starts with facts, followed by tips and advice, and ends with either a silly or funny personal story/anecdote or an interview. I wanted to make sure that my readers would reflect on their life situation and/or their happiness, that they would smile and laugh, maybe sometimes get a little emotional depending on what they are going through. Basically, I made sure that my book would touch women (even men) and bring them on a path to empowerment that will lead to happiness with themselves and others.
What do you have coming out in the future?
-A memoir. There are quite a few women who, after having read the first chapter in my book, are already asking me questions about my past relationship and how it was for me to go through the whole process of turning my life around from complete darkness to every day happiness. It was such a long, hurtful, and ever so challenging process to go from then and there to here and now.
From where do you draw your inspiration?
-I draw my inspirations from daily observations. From people around me. From conversations I have with friends. Simply from life, literally.
What authors inspire your writing?
-Jack Canfield, Eckhart Tolle, and Christine Comaford.
What kind of books do you like to read?
-Oh that’s an easy one! I am a compulsive reader. I read everything! Fiction, fantasy, YA, memoirs, biographies, self-help, and the list goes on..! I do not read anything gore though.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
-Read! I love nature so hiking and spending time in the woods is essential for me. I also make a it a point to spend most of my free time with my kids. I love it and they’re my priority! It brings me back to the core of my existence, to the reason I wake up every morning and work hard to do what I love.
-I Am Not A Barbie is a self-help/relationships guide book. What I did with this book is adapt a writing style and tone that appeals to every reader. Meaning that it’s a quick and easy read. Every chapter starts with facts, followed by tips and advice, and ends with either a silly or funny personal story/anecdote or an interview. I wanted to make sure that my readers would reflect on their life situation and/or their happiness, that they would smile and laugh, maybe sometimes get a little emotional depending on what they are going through. Basically, I made sure that my book would touch women (even men) and bring them on a path to empowerment that will lead to happiness with themselves and others.
What do you have coming out in the future?
-A memoir. There are quite a few women who, after having read the first chapter in my book, are already asking me questions about my past relationship and how it was for me to go through the whole process of turning my life around from complete darkness to every day happiness. It was such a long, hurtful, and ever so challenging process to go from then and there to here and now.
From where do you draw your inspiration?
-I draw my inspirations from daily observations. From people around me. From conversations I have with friends. Simply from life, literally.
What authors inspire your writing?
-Jack Canfield, Eckhart Tolle, and Christine Comaford.
What kind of books do you like to read?
-Oh that’s an easy one! I am a compulsive reader. I read everything! Fiction, fantasy, YA, memoirs, biographies, self-help, and the list goes on..! I do not read anything gore though.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
-Read! I love nature so hiking and spending time in the woods is essential for me. I also make a it a point to spend most of my free time with my kids. I love it and they’re my priority! It brings me back to the core of my existence, to the reason I wake up every morning and work hard to do what I love.
What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
-I decide to self-publish through CreatSpace. The decision was easy, but the rest that came with it not so much. There was a lot of research and work involved in hiring freelancers for editing, proofreading, the cover design, the interior layout. Also getting the copyrights and ISBN numbers. It was not all too complicated, but definitely time consuming, and I felt like a tiny fish swimming in a gigantic ocean. Next time will be like a fish in a large pool, and hopefully after that it will be like a fish in its tank. I want to master what I do!
How did you come up with the title of your book?
-I created a contest using Facebooks Ads. In order to participate people had to sign up for my newsletter and then they had access to read a 25 pages preview of my book. The prize was an ipad. It was a great way to draw traffic to my website and to have a larger mailing list.
The reason I chose I Am Not A Barbie is because of the contrast between Barbie and the everyday woman. I mention in my book how women, especially young girls, struggle with their physical appearance and their own acceptance because of the entertainment industry and what we are brought to believe to be the traits of the ideal woman. The idea of an ideal woman mold is ludicrous. I also press on the fact that you should be who you want to be, and not who others expect you to be.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
-I would say it’s my ‘get in the zone’ that is my biggest challenge. I’m sitting at my desk, pencil in hand, staring at my notebook, and waiting for my hand to move. But the second my pencil touches the paper and the first words are written, there is no stopping me! haha
What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
-Writing about the facts from my research. Definitely.
Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
-My inspirations are my three children. No doubt about that.
My ultimate influence is Christine Comaford. Not only because my writing style for I Am Not A Barbie was based on hers in her book Rules For Renegades, but also as an entrepreneur point of view for my other project and business that I am developing.
What is your preferred writing environment?
-My office at home. My desk is facing a huge window and I live in the woods, so no matter the weather the scenery is always magical! I need to have plants in my office and I always listen to soft classical music when I am writing. When I am doing some social media or my research though I tend to opt for heavy metal music.
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
-Five years ago, after I gave birth to my oldest son. I was on maternity leave and the simple thought of going back to a 9 to 5, five days/week job was so depressing to me. Like I mentioned before, I read self-growth books, and I remember reading that in order to be happy with your work all you have to do is figure out what your passion is and make a career out of it. So I took up writing courses, had two more babies, wrote my first book, and all the while I never stopped jotting down new ideas for books. So yes, there are much more to come!
-I decide to self-publish through CreatSpace. The decision was easy, but the rest that came with it not so much. There was a lot of research and work involved in hiring freelancers for editing, proofreading, the cover design, the interior layout. Also getting the copyrights and ISBN numbers. It was not all too complicated, but definitely time consuming, and I felt like a tiny fish swimming in a gigantic ocean. Next time will be like a fish in a large pool, and hopefully after that it will be like a fish in its tank. I want to master what I do!
How did you come up with the title of your book?
-I created a contest using Facebooks Ads. In order to participate people had to sign up for my newsletter and then they had access to read a 25 pages preview of my book. The prize was an ipad. It was a great way to draw traffic to my website and to have a larger mailing list.
The reason I chose I Am Not A Barbie is because of the contrast between Barbie and the everyday woman. I mention in my book how women, especially young girls, struggle with their physical appearance and their own acceptance because of the entertainment industry and what we are brought to believe to be the traits of the ideal woman. The idea of an ideal woman mold is ludicrous. I also press on the fact that you should be who you want to be, and not who others expect you to be.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
-I would say it’s my ‘get in the zone’ that is my biggest challenge. I’m sitting at my desk, pencil in hand, staring at my notebook, and waiting for my hand to move. But the second my pencil touches the paper and the first words are written, there is no stopping me! haha
What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
-Writing about the facts from my research. Definitely.
Who or what are your inspirations/influences?
-My inspirations are my three children. No doubt about that.
My ultimate influence is Christine Comaford. Not only because my writing style for I Am Not A Barbie was based on hers in her book Rules For Renegades, but also as an entrepreneur point of view for my other project and business that I am developing.
What is your preferred writing environment?
-My office at home. My desk is facing a huge window and I live in the woods, so no matter the weather the scenery is always magical! I need to have plants in my office and I always listen to soft classical music when I am writing. When I am doing some social media or my research though I tend to opt for heavy metal music.
When did you know you truly wanted to give writing a shot?
-Five years ago, after I gave birth to my oldest son. I was on maternity leave and the simple thought of going back to a 9 to 5, five days/week job was so depressing to me. Like I mentioned before, I read self-growth books, and I remember reading that in order to be happy with your work all you have to do is figure out what your passion is and make a career out of it. So I took up writing courses, had two more babies, wrote my first book, and all the while I never stopped jotting down new ideas for books. So yes, there are much more to come!
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