Author Interview with Ava Catori

I’m hosting an interview with author Ava Catori today. Ava is the author of a contemporary romance novel named “More Than I Wanted”. Thanks for answering my questions, Ava!

The Interview

1) When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I’ve been writing most of my life. As a child and teen it was mostly poems and short bits, but words always were a natural form of expression for me. I think it’s just part of who I am. I wrote a non-fiction book years ago, when I saw the need for a particular topic – (under another name) – but never really looked at writing fiction as a career until recently. When self-publishing became an option, it seemed like a way to feel it out. Once I started, I didn’t want to stop – it was a natural fit.

“More Than I Wanted” was harder for me to write than “Compulsive Desires”. I didn’t start with a clear path, but more of an idea, and it took shape as I wrote it. I was searching images and when I saw one particular one, it spoke to me. I wanted to create a story to go along with it. That happens a lot to writers, you see an image and want to put words to it – at least for me!

I love the happily ever after ending, along with people working through their emotions and growing as a couple. As a married woman, that idea appeals to me, working with relationships and seeing a couple overcome struggles as a team, so that they can come out stronger in the end.

I started self-publishing as almost an experiment. I knew I loved to write, and it let me see if there was an audience for my work in a small way, without a lot of risk. I’m an “under the radar” kind of girl, so a lot of attention or having a spotlight on me feels awkward at times. This was a way for me to enjoy putting work out, and see how it went, without having an arrow pointing at me saying “pass or fail”.

Write, write, and then write some more. Honestly, the best way to get started is to create a daily pattern, because you’ll find a natural flow to your work. The more you write, the more you’ll want to write. It doesn’t even have to make sense, but getting words down is a great way to get in the habit of writing. Once you’ve got your habit, you’ll start to recognize your voice, and you’ll build from there.

I love to write in first person. So for me, writing as Kate Tanner was gripping and fun. When I’m in a character’s head, I get to feel the feelings, and push them out, so I can have as much realism in the story as possible. I try to put myself in the situation a character is going through and ask myself how I would feel in that moment.

I am currently working on “All That I Need”, which looks at the current state of Kate and Austin. It takes a couple you’re familiar with, and focuses on their new challenges, such as a baby and Austin dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Behind that story, I’ve got another book lined up that looks at an opposites attract situation, but with so many differences problems crop up, and the couple has to decide if they are things worth working through or not.

About More Than I Wanted

Tite: More Than I Wanted
Author: Ava Catori
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Kate Tanner sees everything she wants in Austin. After falling for a charming and handsome military man, Kate realizes he may not return her feelings.

Will Austin fall in love with Kate, or has he hardened from past hurts? Just as he starts to warm up, things are turned upside down. Kate and Austin have to decide if their feelings are worth fighting for, or if walking away will be beneficial to them both.

With the threat of being separated, can Kate and Austin find a way to make things work? Having Austin in her life is more than Kate ever wanted, but she’s learning he’s all that she needs.

Website | Amazon | B&N | iTunes | All Romance eBooks | Smashwords

Author Bio

Ava Catori spends her days tied to her keyboard, being happiest there. With a passion for storytelling, she gets lost in the details of building characters and analyzing their thoughts. With a conversational tone, she entertains with fast, fun reads. There’s nothing she likes more than putting a couple together, only to tear them apart so they can find their way back to one another.

Ava resides in New Jersey, but sneaks away to Florida as often as she’s able. She’s happily married to a patient man, who has the ability to sustain long hours of rambling thoughts spilling from her non-stop. With the company of three dogs and a cat, she sets her writing schedule around their inability to coordinate their potty breaks.

To see what’s next, be sure to visit AvaCatori.com.