Topic: Author Interview
Cathy Goodwin the person:
1. What three words do you think describe you as a human being?
Maverick, adventurous, dog-lover
2. How do you think others would describe you?
Maverick, adventurous, dog-lover
3. Please tell us what you are most passionate about outside of writing.
Enjoying life in the city.
4. Do you have any pets? If so, introduce us to them
Oh yes...One dog: Gracie, age 5, adopted January 2006 from a rescue group based in Bellingham. She's a mutt who thinks she's a princess. It's like living with Paris Hilton: she has her adoring fans and I'm the support staff.
We also have 2 cats, both female rescues: Tiger, an 18-year-old tabby, and Creampuff, a 5 year old calico. Tiger's a sedate old lady and Creampuff is...well, a Creampuff. They tease the dog.
5. What is your most precious memory?
My first dog Keesha, a chow-keeshond mix. We had many good times together in New Mexico, before I moved to Seattle. She'll always be the best dog ever. Don't tell Gracie.
6. What is your most embarrassing memory?
I don't know, but someday I may be embarrassed to say my most precious memory was about a dog.
7. If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing with your life?
All my jobs have involved writing. If I were a better driver, I'd be driving a truck. Maybe next life.
8. In two paragraphs or less write your obituary.
This one's easy. I've always moved a lot. In fact, I literally wrote the book on moving. It's been a joke for a long time: When I die, they'll write on my tombstone, "She finally settled down."
Cathy Goodwin the Writer
9. Can you describe the time you realized you were indeed a "real" writer
It never occurred to me that I wasn't.
10. What is going on with your writing these days?
Too much! I'm working on ebooks, ezines and also copywriting for own products and for my clients.
11. What are your future goals for your writing?
I'm working on a product that will combine audio and ebooks, introducing newbies to website marketing. Most books don't focus on copy: they just talk about design and techie stuff. So you get lots of people with beautiful websites with no content, and they wonder why nothing is happening. My book will help them.
12. Can you describe a typical writing day for you?
Depending on the project, I may write first thing in the morning...or after I work out at the gym...or late at night if I've got a deadline. No day is typical. I'm deadline driven.
13. Why do you write?
It's lucrative. And I love getting fan mail.
14. What writer most inspires you? Why?
Sharyn McCrumb. She writes mysteries and she's got an amazing command of the language.
15. How do you define your writing?
It's just something I do.
16. In one sentence-what do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years?
The kind of writing I do - self help and how-to - tends to have a short shelf life. I'll have to keep revising if I want to be current in 5 years, let alone 50. When I was an academic, I published research papers that are still being cited, up to 20 years after I wrote them. That's a good feeling. They're saying my work was important.
Cathy Goodwin the details:
17. Can you tell us where to find more information on you? Website? Blog?
http://www.copy-cat-copywriting.com/
Blog is suspended because we're moving to typepad. The address will be
http://www.copy-cat-copywriting.com/blog.html
I also have a career website:
http://www.midlifecareerstrategy.com
18. Is there a place where readers can reach you?
Sure! cathy@cathygoodwin.com
Just type my name into any search engine. I'm not exactly hiding!
19. Can you list all your book titles so people can look for them?
http://www.midlifecareerstrategy.com/books.html
http://www.copy-cat-copywriting.com/books.html
20. For new readers-what can they expect when they read your book(s)?
Information you won't find anywhere else, delivered with irreverence and style you'll rarely find on the Internet.
In conclusion:
21. Take as much space as necessary to speak to our readers-what would you like them to know about you and your writing?
I would encourage you to visit my websites and see for yourself. Sample my writing through my articles and ezines. Visit my "about" pages for my bio. Have some fun!
