Catherine Spencer eBooks
Catherine Spencer went to a Catholic school. She worked as a High School English teacher. She married and had four children and five dogs. When the menopause approached, Catherine began to write. She published her first novel in 1986. With friend and fellow writer Judith Bowen, she is a co-sponsor of the biennial Singletree Workshop, a weekend retreat for romance writers. Now, Spencer lives with her husband in White Rock, in south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Their four children are adults, and they have five grandchildren.
Interview with Catherine Spencer
Do you base characters on real people you have known?
My characters are never based on one specific individual. Rather, they’re a composite of people I’ve known either personally, or indirectly through television programs, books, magazines, movies, and even other people’s anecdotes about complete strangers. For example, the aunt in my second Harlequin Presents, The Loving Touch, was based largely on a friend’s account of her husband’s elderly aunt. I dedicated the book to this remarkable nonagenarian and consider her vital to the success of the novel which was the first Presents nominated as a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA contest.
Do you ever feel that writing romance novels clashes with your Catholic upbringing?
I’m Anglican, not Catholic and have no idea where this misinformation came from! Nor do I feel that writing romance has any bearing on my religious affiliation. If the real question here is, does it embarrass me to write novels in which passion, desire and sensuality play prominent roles, the answer is no. These elements are intrinsic to the genre, but only insofar as they represent honest commitment between consenting adults. Graphic sex scenes written for shock value have no place in a romance novel.
Name a book that you'd blush to be seen reading on the bus.
Portnoy’s Complaint!
Which deceased author would you most like to take out to dinner?
This is tough! If I must choose only one, it would be Daphne du Maurier, with apologies to the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen and Ernest Hemingway, to name but a few.
What is the best writing advice you've ever been given?
I’m paraphrasing here, but in his book On Writing, Stephen King essentially said stop relying on props such as how-to manuals, workshops and such, and simply sit down and write.
Are there any books you wrote that you wish you wrote somehow differently?
There’s no such thing as a perfect book, and not one of mine where, after the published fact, I don’t see room for improvement. Hindsight is wonderful!
What are some of your favorite books from your childhood?
The Yearling – (Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings)
Black Beauty – (Anna Sewell(
Little Boy Lost – (Marghanita Laski)
The Secret Garden – (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
Anything written by prolific English author Enid Blyton, but especially the Famous Five and Malory Towers series
How do you primarily interact with your readers?
Primary interaction is through the Internet and my web site, www.catherinespencer.com
What do you think of eBooks? Do you support digital publishing?
No question but that eBooks are the way of the future, and indeed of the present, so yes, I support digital publishing. One huge advantage of this format is that it makes my titles available at retail indefinitely, much as mainstream fiction is, instead of for only one month with print editions.
If you could choose one superhero power, what would it be and why?
Courage. Being brave enough to tackle impossible odds and not give in at the first sign of defeat is, to my mind, the mark of a true hero or heroine.
