An Interview with Catherine Brooks

Today, I welcome author Catherine Brooks to the blog to discuss life, her debut novel The Soldier and the Swan and all things writing. Welcome Catherine.

What inspired you to write your most recent book?

My mom was a caregiver for my dad during the last decade of his life. I watched her slowly lose herself to his care, even when it felt like he didn't always deserve the sacrifices she made after the way he treated her. I knew it wasn't the life she would have chosen for herself, and I kept wondering: what if she just chose herself instead?

Who is your favourite character in this book and why?

Vivienne is my favorite character because she shares a lot of my personality traits. I know she isn't always the most likable character, but that's often what happens when someone becomes a caregiver. You slowly lose pieces of yourself, and sometimes you don't even like the person you've become. Vivienne feels selfish, but underneath she's simply exhausted and desperate to feel loved.

What was the first piece you had published?

My debut The Soldier and the Swan is my first published work.

Do you have another story planned or in progress? When can we expect to see that?

I've completed the first draft of one novel and I'm currently drafting another, so now I have the difficult decision of which one to finish first. My goal is to publish another book early next year.

Who is your favourite author?

I love Amy Harmon and have read most of the books she’s written. I also love Irène Némirovsky, Jojo Moyes, Kristin Hannah and Diana Gabaldon.

What do you like to do when you’re not planning or writing your next book?

I’m also a photographer and a mom. My kids have a lot of after school activities and I love nature. I love paddle boarding, hiking and nature walks.

When did you know you wanted to write novels?

In 2020, I decided to jot down a few scenes for a book idea. I never intended to write an entire novel. But one scene led to another, and before I knew it, I couldn't stop. That book is sitting on my computer and will probably never be published.

Do you write in other genres?

Sometimes it feels like I don't write in any genre. I write for emotion and connection first, then let the setting determine the genre. I like to think I write love stories that can exist anywhere. My first novel was a romantasy. The Soldier and the Swan blends historical fiction and romance, while my next books lean more toward genre romance.

What do you like most about being an author?

I love hearing readers tell me they couldn't put my book down. It makes me feel like I've created something that leaves a lasting mark.

Do you have a specific routine for writing?  Is there a special place or particular tool you use?

I actually make a point of changing things up. I write on my computer, dictate while I'm walking, scribble on notecards, and fill notebooks by hand. I like switching methods depending on my mood because it keeps writing feeling fresh.

What advice do you have for other writers?

My advice is to always finish what you start. Often writers think they have a much better idea and jump from story to story. The best story idea is a finished one. Learning the process of writing a book to the end over and over is what makes you successful.

If your book were to be made into an Audiobook, who would you choose to read it?

My book is already available as an audiobook, narrated by Heather Daniel. I honestly didn't think I could afford to produce one, but after hearing Heather narrate another book on Instagram, I actually got teary-eyed. She brought so much emotion to every line that I knew she was the perfect voice for Vivienne's story.

If your book were to be made into a movie, who would you like to play the main character?

That's a hard question because the actress would need to be a believable ballerina. I once creepily stalked ballet company websites looking for someone who matched the image in my head and found Catherine McGregor with Colorado Ballet. She's always reminded me of Vivienne. Danny, on the other hand, was inspired by Josh Hartnett's character in Pearl Harbor. I even borrowed his name.

The Blurb

She gave up the stage for love.

Now the man she married barely looks at her.

A love story inspired by Swan Lake.

San Francisco, 1943: Vivienne Hartley was once San Francisco's most celebrated prima ballerina. But when her husband, Charlie, returns home wounded from the war, she gives up her dreams to care for him. The man she married has become a shell of the man she once loved. As Charlie withdraws further into himself, Vivienne tries to become the wife she believes he needs until she barely recognizes herself anymore.

When Charlie's younger brother, Danny, returns home, he sees the woman beneath the caregiver and challenges her to audition for Swan Lake. As rehearsals begin, Vivienne rediscovers the life she thought she'd buried forever. But the more she finds herself again, the harder it becomes to ignore the impossible truth.

The only man who truly sees her...is the one she can never have.

The Author

Catherine Brooks writes novels with love at the center.

As a former ballet dancer, registered nurse, and caregiver, she draws on her own experiences to write stories with emotional honesty. The Soldier and the Swan is her debut novel.

An Arizona native, she lives with her husband and two children, a diva dog, a very hungry tortoise, and a bird named Sprinkles.