Reading by Deb: INTERVIEW with KATY BERRITT

I want to thank Katy Berritt for taking the time for this interview!

BIO:

Author Katy Berritt loves to write stories about not-so-perfect heroes, quirky heroines and off-the-wall secondary characters that bring laugh-out-loud humor to the story.

Her debut book, The Candy Capers, is due out May 26, 2022.

Katy lives in New York City, a city rich in history, weird residents and fantastic neighborhoods, a treasure trove to draw upon when writing.

When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?

When I was 10 I wrote my first story but I first knew writing was my thing in 8^th grade when my teacher told me she expected someday to read a book I wrote.

Did you have any influencing writers growing up?

I read all the classics, Dickens, Dumas, Melville but my favorites were Sir Walter Scott because he also include romance…Ivanhoe.

Are any of your characters based on people in real life?

Sometimes they share characteristics of real people, sometimes I like to borrow people’s names but so many of my supporting characters are so loony they can’t possibly be real people.

My hero/heroine are not quite as nutty but I like to tailor who my characters are to the plot that I have designed.

Where do you draw your book inspirations from?

I don’t know! Things just pop into my head and I don’t know why. I’m dyslexic and that’s kind of how dyslexics think. Our brains aren’t linear. Ideas just happen. This non-linear thinking is why I’m a pantser. It’s also why I have trouble tying up all the loose ends; because I don’t know how to plan ahead. Things just happen, and often go astray.

Do you use have a basic outline when starting a new story or do you let the characters lead the way?

The characters lead the way. I’m a pantser.

When you are picturing the characters in your book, do you have a cheater photo for inspiration?

Generally no but right now I’m writing something that has 16 supporting women so I did download photos and created bios for each one to keep the story straight. Also, once I’m done with this book, six of the 16 ladies will get their own book.

Many people read as a form of escape and relaxation. What is your favorite way to sit back and relax?

I play some video games. I read. I take walks.

Who are your favorite current authors to read?

Lisa Kleypas, Grace Burrowes, Susannah Nix, Eloise James, Karen Robards, Sandra Brown. Susan Elizabeth Phillips

What are your favorite books by others?

Too many to mention

Do the locations in the stories have any meaning to you?

I live in NYC but also lived in NJ so a lot of my stories take place there.

Do you write in single or multiple POV?

Multiple, always multiple

What do you find to be your best research tool?

Google for nitpicking stuff and talking to people in the industry I’m writing about.

My current book has a girl who is a movie set electrician. My neighborhood frequently has TV and movies shot here. One day, they were shooting Law and Order, SVU down the street so I interviewed the lighting/electricians on the set and have been sending clips to one of them for accuracy verification.

Do you write under a pen name? Also, do you write under more than one name?

Yes. Only one

What genre do you write and why is this your preference?

I’ve written one thriller (but have ideas for a bunch more) six contemporary romance and 3 historical romances. Other than my thriller, all my books are comedies.

Tell me something about yourself outside of writing. Jobs, accomplishments, family, quirky trait...what led to you being you?

My dad was in the army so we moved all the time. I was in 11 schools by the time I hit HS.

I was always artistic so I started out doing art kind of things-- publishing then window design for stores but somehow or other I ended up in finance. Who knew.

I have a weird sense of humor.

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

Keep trying, keep improving, seek advice from lots of people re: your work but be true to yourself.

How do you deal and process negative book reviews?

Haven’t had any yet but I’m sure I will. I’ve had negative critiques. I try to learn from them.

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?

The fact that I’m a pantser. I ALWAYS get to the end and don’t know how to wrap up all the disparate threads.

What do you need in your writer’s space to keep you focused?

Quiet.

What is your naughty indulgence as you are writing?

Nothing. I guess I should get one.

If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose? And why?

Sandra Brown.

I found writing a thriller the hardest thing I’ve ever written because of the mystery part. That same concept exists in my comedies because most of them are plot heavy and often include some kind of crime that I then have to figure out how to resolve.

I’d love to figure out how authors manage to do that. Is there a technique for it?

What is your schedule like when you are writing? Do you have a favorite writing snack or drink?

No

Do you listen to music when you write – what kind of music is your favorite?

No

Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?

Only by standing on my keyboard and typing aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Seriously, almost all my books have pets in them. I love the humanity and comedy that animals bring to a story. In Wild and Wooly Texan the hero has a sheep as a pet. In Heart-2-Heart, my hero adopts a three-legged, one eyed dog while drunk. In Heart Breaker, my heroine has a cat that is being tormented by a white rat who got loose in her apartment. In Heart Burned, my hero has a lizard.

What is your kryptonite as a writer? What totally puts you off your game?