This week we hear from devoted You May Say I'm a Dreamer follower (thanks!) Catalina Egan, who tell us about her writing journey and her novel The Bridge of Deaths, which, coincidentally, revolves around this day in 1939.
Name: Catalina Egan
Location and one thing you love about living there: I live in Delray Beach, Florida. It is a wonderful area to bring up a child/teenager and thanks to our weather we have delicious fresh local produce. I could take a little less heat especially this time of the year but I am thankful everyday for the wonderful life we lead. I make it a point to thank my lucky stars every night!
Author of: The Bridge of Deaths
Available: AMAZON: http://amzn.to/IFvQpd AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/I2DRFa
BARNES AND NOBLE: http://bit.ly/I3Mz9r
AUTHORHOUSE: http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000463131/The-Bridge-of-Deaths.aspx
Social media:
Website: http://www.thebridgeofdeaths.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5004249.M_C_V_Egan
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bridge-of-Deaths/130675087014521
Blog: http://thebridgeofdeaths.tumblr.com/
Email m_c_v_egan[at]yahoo.com
Aside from writing I delve in many other creative outlets and I simply LOVE life, that is why I am a fan of You May Say I am a Dreamer.
The story was researched in various archives and other traditional sources as well as through the use of psychometry and past life regressions. All the documented data is footnoted and made easy to confirm by any would be doubter.
The story is told in a fictional manner from the perspective of a young couple Bill and Maggie in present day UK they find themselves researching their past lives to overcome Bill’s present day phobias and nightmares.
What sparked your passion for books and the art of a good story? I am ridiculously tall for a Mexican female, so when I was in Kindergarten my teacher thought I was older and felt sorry for me, so to “fast track” me she taught me to read…as a summer baby I was one of the youngest in the class. I was raised in a house full of a wide variety of books, but my lucky break was when I learned to read in English and my next door neighbour had the MOST amazing collection of books for my 10 year old mind, and a super added bonus the lovely lady Mrs. Gamble would make me an amazing ice cream sundae and discuss the books with me, I devoured her Nancy Drew, The Hardy boys and other collections. I thank my lucky stars for my old neighbour Mrs. Virginia Gamble as well.
Is there a particular book that changed or affected your life in a big way? Many to be sure, but I guess Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a great example of how a small book can make an enormous change! I so identified with the seagull that wanted more out of life.
What was the seed of inspiration for The Bridge of Deaths? The inspiration was my maternal grandfather and the mystery around his death in such a faraway land.
Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp? YES! Through knowledge we can try to achieve peace, the more informed we are the less likely we are to agree with our country’s involvement in any war.
What challenges have you faced in your writing career? The most limiting aspect was that when I started to research The Bridge of Deaths we did not have such an amazing access to archives on line as we now do through sites such as Ancestry.com or the Parliamentary Archive.UK
What has been your best moment as a writer? My first reviews, especially because they were from sources/people I did not know and they were REALLY positive. By the same token I was crushed by the first bad review…
Who is your author idol? There are really very many. If I must chose one I LOVE W. Sommerset Maugham!
Do you see yourself in any of your characters? Yes but not in the way many reader’s think. I am as sceptical as Bill, I wish I had Maggie’s courage and Catalina and I are only similar in that we are the granddaughters of Cesar Agustin Castillo. On purpose and to detach I made her lonely and confused. I have spent very little time in my life alone, I only lived alone for about 6 months…and I was young 27, divorced out and about having a blast and not lonely.
Do you feel like your dream has come true or is there much more to do? I feel so glad to have finally gotten this done, but my bucket list overflows and there is so very much more to do.
What is your personal cure for procrastination? Lists! Write a list of the MUST DO and make sure you have to face it.
What does your workspace look like? I have a lovely room of my own! The only girly/spiritual/bohemian room in my house!
Are there any occupational hazards to being a writer? Other than potential starvation? Well I guess if you asked Salman Rushdie or any other author who has written a book found objectionable en masse by a large demographic.
Have you ever had a day when you just wanted to quit? Yes, but a long time ago and far more because of the frustration at not being able to find the information I needed, the book I am working on now is a very different story AHHH the freedom of So MUCH fiction.
What do you do when you’re not writing? I take care of my home, cook, and parent a teenager. Hard work parenting, I take long walks in beautiful places. I love to travel. I paint, draw, sew, cook, enjoy a good film and READ!
What was the greatest thing you learned at school? Knowledge is such a valuable asset that no one can take away from you.
Did you have a moment when you realised you were meant to be a writer? I have a very clear childhood memory when I was certain and said so to anyone who cared to listen.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors? Your voice is unique, find it, and use it wisely and no matter how tough it seems, never give up.
If you are an author and would like to be featured on You May Say I'm a Dreamer, email me at: sarah.hardie[at]hotmail.com and I'll get back to you quick smart.
