Meet Heidi Catherine, a self-published author whose journey into the world of fiction was inspired by her mother’s passion for writing. In this interview, Heidi shares her experiences, insights, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Discover how she handles criticism, the book that changed her life, and the power of positive motivation in her writing process.
What inspired you to become a fiction author?
My mother! Apart from being my number one fan, my mother is also a published children’s author. She encouraged me from a young age to write, then inspired me as an adult when I got to hold her book in my hands. She made the ambition of being an author seem achievable rather than just a crazy dream. I’m very grateful to her for setting me on this path.
How do you handle criticism and negative reviews, especially being self-published?
I once heard that reading a negative review about your book is like someone saying you have an ugly baby. Ouch! I’ll be honest…I really struggled with my first few negative reviews. There were tears and sleepless nights, along with chocolate to console myself. But I’ve come a long way since then by learning to focus on all the positive reviews, which thankfully far outweigh the negative ones. Nowadays I read a critical review and am able shrug it off and move on. I’ve realised that you can’t please everyone, and often hateful words say more about the person writing them than the work itself.
Looking back at your journey so far, what is one thing you would have done differently?
I would have embraced self-publishing far earlier than I did. It’s given me the freedom to make my own decisions and learn about every aspect of the publishing process from when the first word is written to when a reader holds the book in their hands. I have a degree in business and it’s been wonderful to be able to use those skills to further my author career. This feels very much like the path I was meant to take.
Can you tell us about a book that significantly impacted your life and your decision to become an author?
The Hunger Games! That book was a game changer for me. It was what made me realise I needed to write the kind of book I’d like to read myself. I was writing category romance novels at the time because I thought they’d be easy (tip – they aren’t!) yet these weren’t the books that had me turning pages until late at night. Having also loved Twilight and being firmly on Team Jacob, I decided to come up with a unique story that revolved around an impossible love triangle. This is how my reincarnation love story of The Soulweaver was born. It took my writing in a whole new direction, and I haven’t looked back since.
What keeps you motivated during the difficult periods in your writing process?
Beautiful reviews and pre-orders! The books I write are normally part of a series, so one trick I use when I need motivation is to look at my reviews and focus on the ones that say the reader is looking forward to the next instalment. I’m a people pleaser so this is usually enough to get me moving! Also, as an Indie author I have access to my pre-order numbers, so I’ll sometimes pop in to look at those. I’ll imagine all the people who’ve pre-ordered the book sitting in a room impatiently drumming their fingers as they wait for me to stop procrastinating and start writing!
What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your writing and how did it pay off?
Deciding to co-write a series with my friend and fellow Indie author, Tamar Sloan. When Tamar approached me to team up and write a dystopian series, I jumped at the opportunity. It sounded fun and I figured even if it didn’t go well, it would be a great learning experience. I wasn’t sure how our voices would mesh and if we’d drive each other crazy in the process. I was also worried it could impact our friendship. Thankfully, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. My co-written books with Tamar have sold more copies than we could ever have imagined, and we’ve just started work on our twentieth book together!
What of your book(s) are you the proudest of, and why?
I’m really proud of all the positive messages I’ve woven through the pages of my books. I want my readers to leave my stories feeling uplifted about life and love. The world we live in today is sadly lacking in kindness, and while there are some cruel characters in my books, good will always triumph over evil. Plus, there’s nothing more satisfying than writing the chapter where the baddie finally gets what’s been coming to them!
What is your most recent book and/or what are you working on currently?
I’m currently working on a new series I’m writing with Tamar Sloan. It’s about a group of teens who get trapped in a strange world and have to learn how to tap into the power of the elements to fight their way out. It’s a lot of fun! I also just released a prequel novella for my romantic fantasy series called The Kingdoms of Evernow, which is currently free to download on Amazon. I’d love you to check it out!
Is there a book project you have in mind that you plan to write one day? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?
When I’m not writing as Heidi Catherine, I dabble in writing domestic suspense as HC Michaels. I’ve published two titles under this name and would love the time to work on my third novel. I have the story planned out and the first part of it written and am really happy with the way it’s shaping up. It’s the story of three new mothers and a missing baby and is set on the Mornington Peninsula in Australia. Does anyone know how to put more hours into a day without having to get up in the dark?
You can find Heidi Catherine on her web site, or on Facebook.
Damian Vargas's author blog 