Author Interview: Cat Clayton

Tell us about yourself and your books.:
Cat Clayton was a gypsy in a past life. In her current life, she’s a wife, a mother, a writer, and an artist. She writes best with gallons of coffee, Goldfish, Raisinettes, and dill pickle slices. Although, usually not all at once. Writing from somewhere in Texas, she loves to put her amateur sleuths into precarious situations, force them to stumble upon dead bodies, and help them solve the whodunits. Think Murder, She Wrote, but with a caffeinated, contemporary, & sometimes chick-lit vibe. (Oh, and at least one hot cop.)

How to Leash a Thief is the 1st installment of the Steely & Cuff Mystery series. How to Kennel a Killer is the 2nd and published November 9, 2018. Book 3 How to Fetch a Felon will release September 2019. The series is set to include (4) small town murder mysteries with a colorful cast of characters, large doses of humor, and stories dog lovers are sure to enjoy!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I'm not planted in a chair at a coffee shop, I've got "coffee shop chatter" (Noisli.com) playing in the background through a Bluetooth speaker.

What authors have influenced you?
Jana DeLeon, Diane Mott Davidson, JB Lynn, Ann Charles, Joanne Fluke, Charlaine Harris, and Janet Evanovich.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
I'll pass on a bit of advice I got from Charlaine Harris one day: Never, ever give up.

What are you reading now?
Tin God by Stacy Green

What’s your biggest weakness?
Procrastination

What is your favorite book of all time?
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

What has inspired you and your writing style?
Reading lots of mysteries and watching the goings on in my small town. There is inspiration all around us; one just needs to look, listen, and let the imagination flow.

What are you working on now?
The 3rd installment of the Steely & Cuff Mysteries.

What is your method for promoting your work?
Mostly Facebook and Instagram, but lately I've begun adding my books to promotional websites.

What’s next for you as a writer?
To finish this series (a total of 4 books), then begin my next mystery series.

How well do you work under pressure?
Ugh. Sigh. It depends.

How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
When writing mysteries, the tone comes naturally. But I always like to add in humor to my mysteries. I believe it helps ease the shock factor of a gruesome act such as murder. Like Mary Poppins's philosophy, a spoonful of humor helps the murder go down!

Author Websites and Profiles
Cat Clayton Website
Cat Clayton Amazon Profile

Cat Clayton’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Instagram Account

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