AboutCathy Clamp Expertise I'm happy to answer questions about any aspect of writing novels, from the beginning kernel of an idea through completion. I can help with writing a query letter and synopsis to an agent or editor. I can explain publishing terminology and acronyms. I can also assist with questions about verifying the credentials of agents/publishers and how to proceed once you've been accepted for publication. I can teach the rules of formatting a manuscript, creating viable plots, characterization and flow in the following genres: romance, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, suspense, horror, women's fiction, mainstream and mystery.
Experience I'm a USA Today bestselling author of romance fiction in the Tor/Forge Books paranormal romance line. Along with a co-author, I've published eight novels (combination of mass market and trade softcover) since 2003, and have contracts for six more books through 2009.
Organizations Romance Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Western Outdoor Writers, Horror Writers of America.
Publications Tor/Forge Books, Western Reflections Publishing
Education/Credentials My educational background is limited to real life experience of publishing novels commercially for the past five years.
Awards and Honors USA Today bestseller, Waldenbooks Mass Market Paperback Top 20 bestseller, Nielsen BookScan Top 20 bestseller, Book Buyers Best Award for Paranormal, 2007, Romantic Times Best Werewolf Novel, 2006, Write Touch Readers Award, EVVY Best Historical Chronicle Award, The Lories Best Paranormal. Many others.
Question Hi, I'm ariel, I'm curently writing a book and I have it all out in my head. It's
about these teens who go cannoing and get straned on this island and then
they start geting killed off one by one by this spirit who was killed on this
island long ago. Trust me it's better then it sounds. Anyways, every time
someone dies there is a crow near by but I can't decide why. I've already
decided that I want a crow to be around everytime some one dies but I just
don't know how I can tie them in and make them signifycant. I'm thinking
maybe they could be signifycant to the real killers death but he was stabbed
by his best friend, so I just don't know. If you could help me out that would be
great!! Hope to hear from you soon!
Answer Hi, Ariel!
Well, one thing I can think of is to make the spirit killing them the KILLER rather than the person killed long ago. Whether the killer wound up drowning or dying of old age, or whatever, but the ghost still kills just like the human did. Then the crow could be the spirit of the FIRST guy killed. Who knows, maybe his SURNAME was Crowe or some such, or maybe a crow started to eat at his body before he was fully dead and his spirit got trapped inside.
