Heidi Hoe Ranger Joe! I've always wanted to say that, so there we go. Got it off my chest. Now today I have a very special guest. Someone who thinks steamy isn't just a word to describe a bathroom after someone took a shower. Well, maybe if it were two people, but I think you get where I'm going with this. I'd like to introduce you all to Romance author Kate Fargo!
Welcome Kate, tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? Do you have pets? Family?
I’m Canadian, but I travel a lot out of the country. I like a lot of outdoor activities: camping, hiking, kayaking and usually incorporate those things into my stories. I have an eleven year old miniature schnauzer who never complains that I hog the remote. ;)
Tell us a little about your writing. When did you start writing, and why?
I started writing in primary school. My first stories are in crayon. Orange crayon. Some of those stories are still around although I won’t inflict them on anyone outside my family.
Ha! I think we all have something like that lying around the house and would be mortified if someone outside the family found it. Tell us, what do you write, and why? What do you enjoy about what you write?
I’m just finishing up a serial. It’s a steamy contemporary western romance set in the Rocky Mountains. I didn’t intend for it to have as much mystery and suspense as it does, but I love writing those scenes. I knew before I started writing Book 4 (Rocky Mountain Holiday) how I wanted it to end, and it was torture waiting to write that ending scene. I love being able to write a happy ending. Life doesn’t always have one, and I love that romance does.
Hmm, interesting you say you waited to write that ending. Me, I would have just jumped right on it and wrote it out to ease the ache in my heart. But that might be influenced by me being a bit of a planner and can bounce around without a whole lot of issue. How about you? Are you a planner (plan your books meticulously) or a “pantser” (write by the seat of your pants)?
I do a very loose outline. Sometimes, at the end of a book for example (especially with the serial), I just write through to the start of the next book until I run out of story. In that case, I might take 5-10 minutes and jot ideas on paper. Just two or three words per chapter or plot point, then I keep going. Once I’m into a story, the characters tend to drive where it’s going next.
Tell us, Where do you find inspiration?
All around me. Sometimes movies or television shows, a story a friend will tell me, or even a snippet of conversation overhead in a coffee shop. I may not even notice it at the time, but it will work away in the background and then … boom … it comes out in a story.
Writing can be both gratifying and excruciatingly painful. Can you name a positive experience from your writing and a negative one?
I’ve won a few writing awards. I once had a university professor tell me I’d never amount to much. It’s anybody’s guess which was negative and which was positive. :)
Sounds like you turned that negative into a prossitive by not letting it get you down. Good on ya. Do you listen to music or watch TV whilst you write? Do you do anything unusual while your write?
I like to write in a cave. No noise, zero distractions.
It's no secret most authors like to read. I mean, how else did we fall in love with stories enough to want to write our own? Tell us, what have you recently finished reading?
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman. Beautiful story with a rich historical setting and four very different, strong female characters. I enjoy reading about – and writing about – and meeting – strong female characters.
Can you name your favorite traditionally published author?
Paul Auster. Most important living author of our time, in my humble opinion. Especially his early works like the New York Trilogy. Genre-bending and intelligent fiction.
And your favorite indie/self-published author?
So many to choose from. Plus, many of them know where I live. Sorry, have to pass on this question. :)
Smart answer ;) Let's keep on the topic and focus on your work. You have quite a few books out now, so marketing is something many authors focus on once they have a handful of books to offer. get it, hand full? Yeah, I'm not as funny as I like to think. Moving on! Do you find marketing difficult? What strategy do you use, if any?
I think the most important thing is to write good books, that people will love. Your readers will get the word out for you. That’s the ideal situation. But as indie authors, we have to be prepared to market. It’s easy to create a long to-do list, so I try to focus on just one thing at a time. Get your platforms built (web site, social media, etc.). Then move on to other things. Maybe promos or Facebook ads. Just keep adding things as you are comfortable and things will build. I can’t remember who said it but they boiled their Author business down to three things: New Releases, Pricing and Ads. That just about sums it up.
Also, I think marketing one book is futile. Write several books so there is something for people to buy – and then market.
I agree with your method and pholosophy. It's a hard one to argue. Tell us, what is your latest book or series? Any forthcoming books?
Rocky Mountain Hook Up is Book 1 in the To Love Again series. The fifth in the series – Rocky Mountain Heaven - was published earlier this week (August 2, 2015). I’m busy with the final book which will be available in September. It’s a modern day take on the Mrs. Robinson theme. A forty-year-old sex therapist and a young psychology student – she needs to explore sexually, and he wants to be schooled. They have a blast together, in and out of the sack.
Is there any project you started and are just completely stuck on?
Do you mean the poem I got a B on in grade five and never went back to revise?
....Wow, I really wish I had a good comeback for that one. Well played dear, well played. Haha. Let's continue to dive deeper into your books and the worlds of them, shall we? Tell us a little about the world of your latest or favorite book or series.
Rocky Mountain Hook Up takes place in Calgary, Alberta and in Banff National Park. It’s not popular to set this kind of book in Canada, but I love that area. It’s spectacular and people come from all over the world to visit. I also love pitting my characters against the elements – Canadian winters can be tough. They do a lot of fun things in the books – skiing, for example – and a little al fresco naughty stuff, too.
Who doesn't like a little naughty stuff going on in their romance? Boring people in my opinion, but hey, to each their own, right? Why don't you introduce us to some of your characters. What do you like about them?
Isabel Chapel is a sex therapist who’s having trouble with her practice. She needs a little boost in her social life. I like her a lot. She’s wounded but determined to do what it takes to save her practice. She has a lot of courage. And huge, gigantic, enormous trust issues.
Tray is a psychology student who saves her the first night they meet. He’s tall, dark and charismatic as all get out, but suffers from lack of confidence with women. Go figure. I love him, because he falls fast and hard for Isabel and is willing to do whatever it takes to get her over her trust issues and be her man.
Hmm they sound like character I'd like. And people I know ;) Do you have a favorite character? Why?
Isabel’s best friend Jenny is hands-down my favorite character. She’s well-traveled, outspoken, and flamboyant in a down-to-earth way. She’s not afraid of anything – she’s been there and done that. I want to be just like her when I grow up.
Are your characters ever based on real people?
I would say there are elements of people I know in almost every character I create. Impossible that we don’t write life into fiction.
Have you ever used a person you don’t/didn’t like as a character then killed them off?
Not so far in this series, but it sounds like fun! Again, how would I ever choose?
Oh boy, sounds like you have some pent up agression. Have you tried fighting video games? They do you a major favor. Take it from me (not that it's saved any of my characters though XD). Anyways, tell everyone, what formats are your book(s) available in (E-book, print, large print, audio)? Are you intending to expand these and if not, what is the reason?
The books are available in e-book through Amazon. There are currently five individual books with the sixth one coming soon. Books 1, 2 and 3 are available in a Box Set.
They will be in print in the next couple of months. The Box Set of Books 1-3 will be available first, followed by the Box Set of Books 4-6 when the series is completed. Audio and Large Print are on the list for later.
Well we've come to the end of the interview, but before you head off you conjure up more steamy scenes, give a fun/silly fact you would like your readers to know about you or your book.
I got my pilot’s license about seven years ago. I’m not sure if that’s fun for anyone else, but it’s the most fun I’ve ever had with my clothes on. There’s nothing more empowering than taking off in that airplane, knowing you have only yourself to count on! Seriously, if you have ever dreamed of flying, please go and take a lesson. Most schools discount the exploratory lesson and even if you don’t continue, it will make a great memory.
And finally, is there any advice you would pass on to those authors who are still just starting out? Do's and don'ts?
Do: Write. A lot. Read. A lot.
Don’t: Give a damn what anyone else says or thinks. Be true to yourself. (Oh, that’s another Do.)
Ha! Well it's been great having you here Kate. Thank you so much for being so chatty with me, and for all my fans and stalkers, if you'd like to learn more about Kate and her books take a look below. As a special bonus, Kate's first book in the series is FREE today, tomorrow, and Sunday, so why not go get a copy and give your books a shot? What do you have to lose? (and don't forget to leave a review once you read it. We authors depend on those you know)
Still not convinced to snatch up a free book all whilly nilly? Read below for more information about it.
Synopsis – Rocky Mountain Hook Up:
She only needs one night ... but will one night be enough? To Love Again, Book 1 (This is a short read - two hours or more) One renowned sex therapist ... Dr. Isabel Chapel is scared spitless. She's losing clients faster than broncos toss cowboys at the Calgary Stampede. Tuition is due for her daughters, the advance for her second book is already spent... she can't afford to lose her practice. Reluctantly, she agrees to some 'field study'... just to observe... One buff psych student ... Tray Taylor is a studious and buff farmer who just returned to university after working the farm during his father's illness. Despite his killer looks and winning charm, he doesn't have much confidence with women and he's determined to find a teacher - his own personal Mrs. Robinson... One Hookup is all they need ... When Isabel arrives at The Shore - a club with a certain reputation for older women and younger men - she's not sure she can go through with it. But when she meets Tray, sparks fly, tempers flare, and she finds herself way outside her comfort zone ... She needs to get more in touch with her sexual side. He needs to learn more about pleasuring women. In one night, they both get what they need. But will one night be enough for them to get what they want? Warning: Hot dancing, public seduction, and no holds barred horizontal mambo. Ready to get hooked up?
Now are you interested? Get your FREE copy today! (click that free link or the image above to go to the amazon product page)
About Kate Fargo:
Kate Fargo writes steamy romance - featuring strong, mature women and hunky, outdoor types - set in the Rocky Mountains. She hopes you'll enjoy reading them as much as she loves writing them. A pilot and outdoors enthusiast, she has hiked, biked, skied and kayaked her way through five continents. She travels extensively and is always ready for the next adventure. She divides her time between Canada and warmer climes. When she's sitting still, you'll find her with either a keyboard or a good book in front of her. She has a special fondness for the Rocky Mountains and the people who live in and near them.
Find/follow her at: