Cat Grant visits Joyfully Reviewed…

What is your most current work ?
Fearless, which came out on December 10th from Riptide Publishing.

Tell us a little about Fearless, what inspired you to write Fearless?
Fearless is a sequel to Priceless, my rent boy story that came out last April. I fell so in love with my heroes Connor and Wes that I had to write them a wedding story – which also turned into a Christmas story.

When you start writing, do you already have the story plotted out or do you let the characters dictate what will happen?
I’m not a plotter, per se, but I do make every effort to plan out all the major turning points in the story. Of course, sometimes the characters decide to do their own thing.

What inspired you to write in your genre?  Is this the genre you started writing in or have you morphed to this one?
I started out writing slash fan fiction years ago (way back in the stone-knives-and-bear-skins days of classic Kirk/Spock fanfic), so the transition to m/m romance was pretty easy.

Do you have a favorite character you have written?
Depends on the book. Sometimes I have a favorite, but most of the time I love my MCs so much I can’t decide.

Who was the toughest character for you to “get right” that you have written so far?
That would be Gil, one of the heroes of my upcoming novella, Flawless. You’ll have to read it to see why.

What do you find the hardest part of writing?
Getting the first draft down. I have a hard time shutting off my internal editor. Some days I have to pull the words out of my brain with pliers. But no job’s without its downside. My worst day writing is still 1000 times better than my best day working for someone else.

Name one thing that your readers would be surprised to know about you.
I went to Catholic school for 12 years. Then again, maybe that explains why I’m so twisted…

Do you have a guilty pleasure?
Too many to count! Lindt white chocolate truffles are at the top of the list, though.

What TV Show are you addicted to?
I have to pick one? It’s a toss-up between Supernatural and Vampire Diaries. And Downton Abbey. And Nikita…

What do you need before you start writing?  Anything that is just a must have or the creative juice don’t flow?
Peace and quiet’s good. And on cold days, I curl up on the couch with my cat, my electric blanket and some hot tea.

Does music influence your writing?  If so, do any of your stories have a theme song?
Oh, yeah. I’m always listening to music while I write—usually symphonic or opera. Something rich and dramatic that I can get lost in.

If your story was optioned for a movie, who would play your characters?
Depends which book! Alexander Skarsgard and Darren Criss would be perfect for Cole and Marc in Once a Marine. I could see either Daniel Craig or Gale Harold playing Eric Courtland. And anybody who follows me on Twitter knows my fondness for James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. I’d be over the moon to see them cast as ANY of my heroes.

Where were you when you got your first contract?  Who did you tell first?
I’d just come home from the grocery store. I checked my email, and there was the contract offer. I was absolutely stunned, because this particular book had been rejected everywhere, and because I’d only submitted it to this particular publisher that morning. I’m pretty sure I must’ve screamed!

How old were you when you read your first romance book?
In high school, I think. All I remember is that it was one of those bodice-rippers I had to read under the covers with a flash light.

What author causes you to “go fan girl”/ squeal over/anticipate upcoming books?
Joey Hill. I did a BDSM reading with her at Authors After Dark last August. I was so intimidated, but she was so sweet and nice. She even liked the excerpt I read!

Do you have a favorite movie you have seen in the last few months and/or an all time favorite?
I have too many faves to count. But my fave movie from last year? The Avengers, hands down.

What are you currently working on, and what else is in the wings?
I’m in the middle of revising my fourth Courtland book, The Arrangement. I hope to self-publish the new edition next spring. (By Chance and Strictly Business are already available; the third book, Complications, will be out on February 1st.) Flawlessis also tentatively scheduled for next spring.

If you could co-write with another author who would it be?
I have plans to co-write with a couple of different authors. I’d rather not say anything more right now, lest I jinx it.

Where can readers find you Cat Grant?
Website: http://catgrant.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CatGrant2009
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cat.grant?ref=profile
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1912055.Cat_Grant
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Grant/e/B003ASUGUS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
You can contact her directly at: cat@catgrant.com

And for the silly side – What is your favorite type of chocolate?
Lindt white chocolate or milk chocolate truffles. Their peanut butter ones are pretty good, too.