5 Questions with: Kate Canterbary
1. What inspired you to write, the most amazing series, The Walshes?
Thank you so much!
I've always had stories wandering around my mind, and after my little one was born, I found myself with long, exhausted hours spent nursing, rocking, and changing. I started building the story of a complicated family, and typing my ideas while the baby slept on my shoulder.
When was putting the family together, I was also on a wonky Department of Education/Department of Environmental Management issue. There was new state legislation on the table that changed the construction regulations on old mill buildings. Even though the regulations were well-intentioned, they would have made mill conversions – particularly when it came to converting mills into schools – crazy expensive. So I was working on the behalf of some independent schools and preservation architects, both of whom didn't want to see this legislation pass.Over the course of several months, I gathered lots of architectural information, and treated them to lunch on a number of occasions to get a little more.
2. Out of all of the characters you’ve written, which one is your favorite?
I know this is a hard question because they are all awesome. My favorite is always the one I'm writing at the moment. I've tested this theory a few times over the years and it always comes back with the same results. My current characters are always my favorites--even when they're giving me trouble--and all my past characters are special for different reasons and in different ways. Right now, I'm rather preferential to Magnolia and Annette, and Jackson, too.
3. Since it’s Summer, what is your favorite thing to do during the summer months?
My favorite thing to do in the summer months is spend time on the water. I'm fortunate to live on Narragansett Bay in southern New England, and there's nothing better than digging my toes into the sand while working on a new project or reading an amazing book.
4. Are you working on anything currently?
I am working on several things! I'm deep into HARD PRESSED, the next standalone novel set in Talbott's Cove, I'm tinkering with my outline for BEFORE GIRL, the novel featuring Cal "Manbrick" Hartshorn who appears in the Walsh universe, and THE MAGNOLIA CHRONICLES, which also feature a character--Gigi--from the Walsh universe. I don't have any release dates yet but lots of projects on deck!
5. What do you love most about writing?
I love the people. I love spending time in their heads and understanding their struggles and journeys. I love spending time with these people, imagining their daily routines and pet peeves and favorite citrus fruit. I can't write them unless I really know them. My books are about just that--people. Real, regular people making their way in the world and trying to get a little love on the side.
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ABOUT KATE CANTERBARY
Kate Canterbary doesn’t have it all figured out, but this is what she knows for sure: spicy-ass salsa and tequila solve most problems, living on the ocean–Pacific or Atlantic–is the closest place to perfection, and writing smart, smutty stories is a better than any amount of chocolate. She started out reporting for an indie arts and entertainment newspaper back when people still read newspapers, and she has been writing and surreptitiously interviewing people—be careful sitting down next to her on an airplane—ever since. Kate lives on the water in New England with Mr. Canterbary and the Little Baby Canterbary, and when she isn’t writing sexy architects, she’s scheduling her days around the region’s best food trucks.