Behind The Words welcomes author Catherine Bybee to the blog. Today, we’ll be talking about her latest release ALL OUR TOMORROWS.
Welcome Catherine, we’re excited to have you on Reader’s Entertainment. First, tell our readers a bit about yourself.
Thank you for having me.
I’m a happily single mother of two adult boys. And soon to be a mother-in-law. I’m a New York Times bestselling author of over forty-four novels that have collectively sold over eleven million copies. I still have to pinch myself when I say that.
Where you’re from, where you live? Is writing your full-time job?
I was raised in Washington State. Can you say rain? Now I live in San Diego with the best weather in the nation.
Once upon a time I was an emergency room trauma RN, but now I just write about those experiences. Writing is my full-time gig!
How long have you been writing?
I started writing in 2008. Sold my first book in 2009 and hit The New York Times in 2012.
What does your typical writing day look like?
Hahahaha. Let’s see if I can capture this the way it “really” is.
I tell myself I need to sit at my computer and write while having my morning coffee…
I then pick up my phone and look at my email…often followed by opening up the many time-sucking social media platforms… where I fall down the rabbit hole. I then jump on my yoga mat, then take a three-mile walk. Then once again tell myself I need to be writing.
But then who would do the dishes?
And laundry?
You can pretty much rinse and repeat this for several days until finally I have an idea of where to start. Usually around seven at night. Then it’s off to the races and I’m writing until midnight.
Truth is, I’m a world-class procrastinator and often write my books in the span of two months, even if I have six months to do the job.
Once the story takes hold, however… my home looks like a hermit lives in it and my neighbors start checking in to make sure I’m alive since I don’t leave the house while I’m “binge-writing.”
Tell us about your latest release? Where the idea came from?
ALL OUR TOMORROWS is the first in The Heirs Series. I wanted to return to a billionaire romance with private jets and unlimited funds. Considering the price of gas and groceries these days, I felt it was time for pure fantasy when it came to the lifestyle of my characters. However… I needed to add real-life stakes surrounding my heroine’s journey. I don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll leave the plot twist out of this interview. But be sure and read my Author’s Note which does tell my readers exactly where my heroine’s plot came from.
Perhaps some fun moments, or not so fun moments?
Piper has a Rottweiler named Kitty. And the dog loves to growl at our hero every time the two of them are in the same room. (I actually know someone who has a dog named Kitty. It’s freaking hysterical.)
Who has been the most difficult character for you to write? Why?
My answer to this is universal. Anytime I’m writing a character that is loosely connected to someone in my real life, this becomes difficult. If I’m writing about a real-life experience, the books themselves become cathartic, and sometimes painful.
If you could be one of your characters for a day which character would it be?
Sasha from The Richter Series. She speaks several languages and takes zero crap from anyone.
If you could spend the day with your character, what would you do? What would that day look like?
Because I’m in the process of writing Alex’s book. (Book Three in this series) It would be her. I want a spa and shopping day with her and her bestie. (No spoilers) Once you read about her in ALL OUR TOMORROWS, you’ll know exactly why.
What’s your take on research and how do you do it?
Google is the BEST! I research as I go. If I need to know the structure of how a hotel business is ran, I dive into when I first get started, and hammer out the details as I’m writing them. I also try and avoid specifics that I haven’t researched completely. Readers are always happy to point out when you get something wrong.
But… but… location research is the absolute best. Does the book take place in London? Let’s get on a plane. Bali? I’m in. Did my character take self-defense classes? It’s time for Bybee to get bruised. If I can literally live a day in the life of my character… I do it.
What’s the most fun thing about being an author?
Outside of traveling for research, it’s meeting my fans. I spend my days alone at my computer. Seeing my readers face-to-face makes what I do feel less isolated. I may see a number for my sales…how many people have read the book, but it’s not until I’m talking to them that I really believe I’m reaching people.
Do you write multiple books at once, or one at a time?
God no. That sounds like my own personal hell. One at a time for me.
Cheez-its.
Do you have a secret talent readers would be surprised by?
I’m an ordained minister and have officiated two marriages. (I’m also agnostic)
Your favorite go to drink or food when the world goes crazy!
I have to go with coffee. It was wine in 2020 and all that did was make me gain weight. So…coffee.
What is your writing kryptonite?
Kryptonite? As in, stops me from writing? Social media.
What is the one question you never get ask at interviews, but wish you did? Ask and answer it.
Okay…
“Catherine Bybee. You’re a happily divorced woman who writes Happily Ever After. Do you see yourself getting married again?”
*spits coffee out*
“Married? Me? No! Long-term committed relationship with someone who meets and exceeds the bar that I’ve elevated to the top of the ladder? The kind of man, if I had daughters, I would tell my girls to hold out for? The kind of man my fictional heroes would be best friends with…that guy? I could see a committed relationship with him, but I wouldn’t get the state or federal government involved. It makes sense when you’re young and want children. At my age, (55), I do not need a piece of paper to keep me in a loving relationship. The next long-term love in my life will know I’m there because of love…not a piece of paper.”
Thank you again for having me. I hope you enjoy ALL OUR TOMORROWS.
Until the next one, Catherine
Ohh, another Cheez-Itz addict!!! LOL Thank you for joining us today, Catherine. Readers, here’s a quick look at ALL OUR TOMORROWS:
When Chase Stone’s estranged father dies, leaving his multibillion-dollar business to his children, no one is more surprised than Chase. Growing up outside of the high-stakes world filled with human vultures, Chase and his sister, Alex, are less than enthusiastic about stepping into their father’s shoes. That is until they learn of a half brother they didn’t know existed and must find to share their inheritance with.
Piper Maddox was the elder Mr. Stone’s übercapable assistant—abruptly fired two weeks before his death. She knows everything about Stone Enterprises and the man who built it. But Piper has no desire to work for another member of the Stone family. Even one as down-to-earth as Chase.
Desperately needing financial security, Piper agrees to return so long as kissing up to Chase and accepting unwanted advances are not part of her job description. A promise that becomes a serious hurdle for both of them. Piper and Chase scramble to find the third Stone sibling before the media does, sharing secrets along the way. Secrets that can bring them together or tear them irrevocably apart.
Learn more about Catherine and her books::
