About Celeste Barcaly:
Celeste Barclay, a nom de plume, lives near the Southern California coast with her husband and sons. She has been a teacher for nearly 15 years.
Growing up in the Midwest, Celeste enjoyed spending as much time in and on the water as she could, but cold winters often got in the way. Now she lives near the beach. She's an avid swimmer, a hopeful future surfer, and a former rower. When she's not writing, she's teaching or being a mom.
What inspires you to write?
Stuck in bed after surgery a few years ago, I discovered romance novels as a means to while away the time. I fell in love with the genre (no pun intended) and have read hundreds of them since downloading my Kindle app. Recently, I decided to give writing a try. I have enjoyed writing since I was a child but for the past twenty years, it has been almost all academic. I'm enjoying tapping into my more creative side.
Tell us about your writing process.
Ever since I was a child, I have had stories that run through my mind as I try to fall asleep at night. They can be almost as vivid as watching a movie or TV. Now, I am trying to capture them on paper or computer screen. I am inspired by my favorite authors, such as, Eliza Knight, Emma Prince, Monica McCarty, and Elizabeth Rose. I try to imagine what might interest them or what I have learned from their styles. I consider my characters first, who they are and how they can develop throughout the story. I research setting for the Scottish clans and some history relevant to the setting. I've taught English literature for so long that I create plot diagrams in my head, so I have a general idea where each story will go, but most of it involves allowing my fingers to keep up with whatever direction my mind goes.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
My characters become very real to me. By the end of a story, I feel like they are actual people I know, even friends. I become so involved with their lives and characters that I often find myself thinking and nearly speaking like them.
What advice would you give other writers?
Writing is a process, as I always tell my own students. I know that my first attempt will never be my best. I have recommend reading each paragraph as you go and then proofreading it at least twice. Sometimes your mind moves faster than your fingers. What made sense in your mind in the moment may not make sense to others on paper. Be patient. Be patient as you write. Be patient as you edit. Be patient as you publish. Be patient as you wait for reviews and sales.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I decided to self-publish because I knew I was starting out small and wanted to retain control of my work. I also want to limit my expenses until I know whether I will find success. I recommend that you look at all the digital and print on demand options. Take the time to investigate different ways to market and advertise your novel.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think that there will always be people who like the feel of a book in their hands, and there will be people who like the convenience of digital copies. Either way, people will always continue to read for knowledge and for pleasure.
What genres do you write?: Romance
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Celeste Barcaly Home Page Link
Link To Celeste Barcaly Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
