When Catherine Miller became a mum to twins, she decided her hands weren’t full enough, so she wrote a novel with every spare moment she managed to find. By the time the twins were two, Catherine had a two-book deal with Carina UK. Her debut novel, Waiting For You, came out in March 2016.
Catherine was a NHS physiotherapist, but for health reasons she retired early from this career. As she loved her physiotherapy job, she decided if she couldn’t do that she would pursue her writing dream. It took a few years and a couple of babies, but in 2015 she won the Katie Fforde bursary, was a finalist in the London Book Fair Write Stuff Competition and highly commended in Woman magazine’s writing competition. Since then she’s had four novels published.
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For Tabitha, the day that changed everything started like any other.
She woke up, slid her feet into fluffy slippers, wrapped herself in a dressing gown and tiptoed out of her bedroom, leaving her husband Andy sleeping. Downstairs, she boiled the kettle and enjoyed a cup of tea as the sun rose.
Upstairs, Andy’s alarm sounded, and Tabitha took him a freshly brewed coffee, like every other morning. Except today, the incessant beeping rang out and her husband hadn’t stirred. She called his name, she nudged his shoulder. But Andy wouldn’t wake up.
Three years later Tabitha is trying her hardest to get by in the shadow of her grief. She may have lost the love of her life but she won’t give up on the family they dreamed of. Fostering troublesome teenage girls and a newborn baby is a chance to piece together her broken heart.
But being a mother isn’t easy, and neither is healing the heartache she carries around. After losing everything, could saving these three children help Tabitha save herself too? (Courtesy of Amazon.)
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
I’ve been very lucky to have had some wonderful reviews. I think my favourite has to be from fellow author, Rachel Dove, as I’ve always said it’ll make a great quote for my grave! It says: "Catherine Miller is an evil genius and she broke me. Amazing read."
It’s not what I set out to achieve when writing, but if the words on a page are able to connect to readers on that level then I’ve done something right.
What was the biggest reward and biggest challenge with writing The Day That Changed Everything?
The biggest reward was getting to know all of the characters and their development over the course of the story. The biggest challenge was for the first time I’ve run a dual timeline and bringing that together.
If The Day That Changed Everything were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
For Tabitha, I think I’d choose someone like Carey Mulligan or Michelle Williams.
Max and Syd, the identical twin girls that Tabitha fosters, would be harder to cast as I’m not aware of twins in their age-bracket who’d be suitable for that role, so that would be an open casting.
Lofty the dog could be played by my own dog, Tara. Many of Lofty’s habits are based on her, but as she likes to sleep for approximately 22 hours a day I don’t think she has the ambition or energy to become a movie star. Although I have been telling her she is a tiny-bit famous now. She doesn’t seem fazed by the news.
Tell us about a day that changed everything for you.
I think that would have to be the birth of my twin daughters. Not only was it an eventful day producing my two favourite humans, it was also the catalyst for my writing career. I developed the skill of making full use of any spare time. The girls are now six and I don’t know how, but I have six published books.
What would you tell yourself 10 years from now?
If the next ten years are the same as the last, it would be: You’ll never believe the journey writing is going to take you on. I’d also add some pieces of wisdom:
Look forwards, not sideways
Every word counts
Enjoy the highs, forget the lows
Be kind. Be present.
If you haven’t dyed your hair bright pink yet, why not?
What is the strangest item currently residing in your purse/handbag?
I have all sorts of paraphernalia in my bag thanks to my six-year-old girls. These items include a library book, a magnetic puzzle, kids’ gloves, snacks… The list goes on. The strangest thing is probably in my pocket. I have a stone with a hole in from the local beach that one of my girls wanted to keep as she liked it. She’s long forgotten about the stone, but it is still in my pocket so I can smooth over my favourite pebble if I’m ever missing them. Everyone needs a favourite pebble!
Thanks to Catherine for visiting with us and to Bookouture for sharing her book with our readers.
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11 comments:
The day that changed everything for me was when I was a student. My bullying, abusive boyfriend told me to join the OTC so I could get free driving lessons. On the day I joined, I had my introductory weapons training session. The wonderful young man who taught me to strip and clean a self loading rifle put all thoughts of my boyfriend out of my head. I stuck with the OTC but not with the boyfriend - and my weapon training instructor and I have been married for over 42 years now.
This storyline sounds heart wrenching and I’d enjoy reading it.
The day I adopted my puppy Lily! I adopted her a year ago yesterday.
The day I filed for a divorce.
The day I had my son. I had been to years before I wouldn't be able to have kids because of my endometriosis and blocked tube. I had already lost one pregnancy. He was a high risk pregnancy and there were complications. He was a week late and still a little runt but he did catch up. Now almost 36.
Hmm I'd say the day I went into the hospital..
graduating
The day that changed for me was when I became a mom!
The day I met my husband completely changed my life.
...
The day that changed everything for me was the day that my wonderful husband died of cancer! A terrible disease, a grief that has lasted eighteen years! Yes, I've learned to cope and reading does help! I pray that there will be a cure for all cancer someday!
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