A Writing Journey Author Interview: C. A. KLUG

I have another author on the blog today who's joined me to talk about her journey to publication. I love hearing these stories because it makes me realise NO ONE has had the same experiences and EVERYONE has had to work hard and persevere.  

Please welcome, author C.A. Klug! 

C.A. (Catherine) Klug was born in Ontario, Canada on April 29, 1991. She knew she wanted to be a published author at age 5, and she came up with the idea for 'The Sought Six' series of books when she was 10. Throughout her life, she has developed many different story ideas into novels, all of them aimed at children, and she hopes to continue her career as an author bringing her many ideas to life. When Catherine isn't writing, she likes reading, acting/performing, keeping active (basketball, horseback riding, and biking are her favourites), and sitting down with a steaming cup of coffee. She currently works as a library clerk in an Ontario public school.

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THE INTERVIEW... 
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Who are you and what do you write?
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- My name is C.A. (Catherine) Klug, and I write children's novels.

Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you?

- I'd say it's a long story, but that's only because it started so long ago! I was five years old, and I had the great "epiphany" that books don't just appear out of thin air; someone has to write them. I thought, "hmm... I want to do that..." and the rest is history.

How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown?

- It's been a long--but necessary--journey. I've spent the majority of my life writing stories, which was a learning curve all its own. Luckily, you have no choice but to improve when you spend so much time honing your craft. When I wasn't writing, I spent a lot of time researching websites of publishers, literary agents, other authors, etc. I wanted to be as informed as possible when I started the process of querying myself. I also learned a thing or two from my very beginning query letters, which I'll admit weren't all that great. (Again, you get better at things the more you practice them!) Ultimately, I decided to pitch my book to Notebook Publishing, a hybrid publisher in the UK, and they were really excited about it. They took me on, and here we are!

What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable?

- The hardest part, for me, has been patience. I preach that patience is a virtue, but I sometimes have a hard time following my own advice. There's a lot of waiting in the writing gig. You're either waiting for writer's block to go away, or you're waiting to finish work so you can go home and write, or you're waiting on a response to a query letter you sent three months ago so *insert agent/publisher here* should be getting back to you any day now, or you're waiting for each stage of your book's cover to be sent your way, or you're waiting for your book to be released, or you're waiting for people to read it... the list goes on, and then it starts all over again with each new book.

The most enjoyable part, I must say, is my current stage. I'm at the point now with my book where kids are starting to read it and finish it, and they're all at pains to tell me how much they loved it. They want a sequel, they want a movie (ball's in your court, Netflix!), and some of them even want me to come visit them at their schools. This stage has been (and continues to be) a lot of fun.

Would you go back and change anything?

- I don't think so. If any one thing had been different, I might not be where I am right now.

Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future?

- 5-10 years from now, I would like to be wiser, maybe living in a new city, and I'll hopefully have a dog by then. My plans for the future include more books, including but not limited to book #2 of 'The Sought Six'! Hopefully more success as well! I'm not kidding when I say EVERYONE keeps telling me how visual 'The Sought Six' is so I'd love to maybe, possibly, hopefully, please-some-film-studio-or-streaming-service-see-this-interview, score some sort of film/miniseries deal.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out?  

- Keep writing and don't give up. You'll get there, wherever "there" is for you.

And for fun...

What's your favourite thing about Canada?

- The landscape: the forests, the mountains, the lakes... pretty much everything I put into the setting of 'The Sought Six'!

What's your least favourite thing about Canada?

- How expensive houses are in some parts.

What's the most Canadian thing about you?

- Probably the fact that I love the colder weather. Oh, and I will likely say sorry if you bump into me.

What's the least Canadian thing about you?

- I'm not the biggest fan of poutine... I know, I know.

Who is your favourite Canadian celebrity?

- Oh, I have lots. Funnily enough, my four main adult characters in 'The Sought Six' were based off four Canadian actors!

Ketchup or Mayo? 
- Ketchup. Especially Lays Ketchup Chips, mmmm.

Night or Day? 
- Day.

Inside or Outside? 
- Depends on the season.

Dogs or Cats? 
- Dogs.

Twitter or Facebook? 
- Instagram, lol.

Ebook or Paperback? 
- Paperback

Walk or Drive? 
- Depends--where am I going?

Sun or Rain? 
- Rain.

Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? 
- Keyboard (only because my typing speed is 100wpm, which also happens to be my brain's thinking speed).

Comedy or Drama?
- Comedy.

Chips or Chocolate?
- Chocolate.