Caitlin first sold to Harlequin in 2009. Her Harlequin Presents debut was Pure Princess, Bartered Bride and since then, she has written twenty-seven books. What she loves most about writing for Harlequin is the freedom to explore all the facets of the human heart—our darkest desires and hardest emotional moments—in so many delicious ways! Don’t miss The Billionaire’s Innocent, Caitlin’s latest book – out now!
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1. What book first got you hooked on Harlequin?
I can’t possibly remember—I’ve been reading Harlequin as long as I can remember!
2. How did you celebrate selling your first manuscript?
My first sale to Harlequin was not my first sale ever, so I contained myself to a wild dance around my office. And dinner out later with my husband. It was fun.
3. Which of the many books you’ve written has stayed with you the most and why?
I think what stays with me are moments from each of the books, more than whole books. Little gleaming scenes that are probably the bits that got me to write the book in the first place!
4. What’s top of your TBR pile?
I have a new Karen Robards book that arrived the other day that I’m dying to jump into!
5. What book do you wish you’d written and why?
Anything by Michelle Reid. Why? Have you read her? She’s amazing!
6. What’s harder – first or last lines?
Last lines. The first lines are always the easy part!
7. How do you choose your characters’ names?
They either come to me, fully formed and named, or the names never quite sound right to me. So far there’s been no in between.
8. How do you push through writer’s block?
This sounds flippant, but I don’t have time for writer’s block. I really don’t. Which isn’t to say the blank page hasn’t swatted me down a time or two. But the only way out is through. You have to write something, anything. No matter how awful. Usually I find that when I go back to it, it’s not that bad and anyway, it’s led me on to the next scene. And you have to get to the next scene. That’s the only way to get to the end.
9. What’s the best career advice you’ve ever had
It’s not personal, even and especially when it feels like it. It’s business. So the best thing you can do is write another book.
10. Your preferred writing snack?
Anything chocolate, preferably by the fistful!
11. Who is your favourite fictional couple?
Whoever I’m reading at the moment. I’m an ALL IN, SUSPEND ALL DISBELIEF kind of reader!
12. If you could rewrite your life, what would you change?
I could stand to have been kinder, and to have had more of a sense of humor about things like my entire adolescence, but I don’t think I’d actually change anything that happened. Even the awful things, the dark things, the heartbreaking things. They all led me here, and I like here. I worked really hard to get here. I can’t second guess that journey now.
13. What would your readers be surprised to know about you?
How much I want them to enjoy each story!
14. What is your most overused word?
I refuse to answer this question and incriminate myself…
15. If I wasn’t a romance author, I would have liked to be…
A rock star and/or a Broadway star. Or maybe an astronaut. I dream big. 🙂
16. When was the last time you said ‘I love you’?
Probably within the last hour. I say it a lot.
17. What does love feel like?
Hope made of steel, deep and real.
18. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
I don’t like to think of pleasures as guilty! Indulge yourself, I say!
19. What’s your most romantic song?
I’m currently a bit obsessed with the new Taylor Swift album, 1989. So romantic!
20. Every hero needs a…
Perfect heroine to challenge him and make him feel safe and loved. Preferably while driving him a little bit crazy!
There you have it – a little slice of Caitlin’s world! We hope you enjoyed it! 🙂
2 replies on “Interview with… Caitlin Crews”
Great interview and I loved books 1 and 2 I am so glad 3 is finally out so I can continue the story.
Hope you enjoy it, Phaedra!
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!