It All
Started With Barbie Cathryn Cade
My first memories of reading are such good ones—carrying
home books from the public library in a pile so high I had to balance them
under my chin. And then devouring them as fast as I could. Being read aloud to
by my teacher after lunch every day. (My mother says she and my dad read to us
every night, but darn it, I can’t remember that, even when I look at the family
photos.)
Dr. Seuss was a favorite—Bartholomew and the Oobleck. Then
on to The Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, The Black Stallion, Tarzan of the Apes.
Hey, I didn’t say I was into great literature, just good stories.
So much so that when I grew up and went off to college, I
fell in love with a career. That’s when I knew I wanted to be not just a
teacher, but a librarian. And for many years I loved the job. Stayed home with
my two boys in the middle, then went back to it.
I still love a good adventure with some mystery, suspense, a
character who learns something important about herself, and a happy ending. Which
is why I find it so very satisfying to read romance. I think Jayne Ann Krentz said
it best in an interview with the Seattle Times.
“While the (popular) fictional
landscape may change, the players remain consistent. At the core of all the
genres are the archetypes. We know what a hero's supposed to act like. He's
still gotta have the classic heroic values—courage, honor, and determination.”
And
of course many of our favorite heroes are heroines!
With the same qualities as the male hero, but tempered with the best of
femininity—compassion, tenderness and a strong belief in family.
And that’s why, when it was time to move on to a new career, it
was romance writing that attracted me. Did I mention I’ve been writing stories
since I was old enough to draw those big, crooked letters on wide-ruled paper?
My stories sort of continued the wild adventures had by my Barbie and Ken
dolls.
So in a weird way, I have Barbie to thank for my career. No wonder
I write erotic romance with a muse like that—boobs like a stripper and
eye-makeup to match! Add the fact that she and Ken hung around naked in the
dark a lot, and there you have it. (In their Barbie carrying case, what did you
think I meant?)
What’s your favorite genre of romance? And can you remember the
reading path that brought you here? I’d love to know. Leave a comment!
Happy New
Year,
Cathryn Cade
... red hot romance!
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Continue the blog party!
Maggie Jaimeson - Take a Vacation
Jessa Slade - Get Organized
Paty Jager - Volunteerism
Linda Mercury - Creating a Literary (or Creative) Life
Jenna Bayley-Burke - Eat Healthier
Cassiel Knight - No More Procrastination
Cathryn Cade - Take Time for those OTHER Creative Passions
Su Lute - Reduce Stress: Find and Follow Your Bliss
Jamie Brazil - Shrink My Closet
Cathryn, you made me smile as I read this. I loved all the same "literature tomes" you read as a kid. I did have a Barbie at one time and another friend had a Ken doll. But somehow I didn't get into it. I think my lack of interest in fashion was my downfall.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you found your creative passion and you are living it. All those who love your books are fortunate you followed that dream.
Maggie,
DeleteThank God you followed your creative passion as well. YOur books have such important things to say, with themes of trial and self-rescue, and the triumph of love.
And I wouldn't say my Barbies were real fashionable--they had wild and weird costumes I sewed by hand. And eventually my Barbie had loooong red hair held in by pushpins--ouch! She never complained, of course.
best,
Cathryn
I love your books, too!
ReplyDeleteRe path: As a child there was no limit. But TV was extremely limited. Extremely! Because of my parents religious beliefs, as well as no cable TV. So reading became my sanctuary.
Jamie,
DeleteOur TV did not appear until I was out of high school, so I felt terribly underprivileged then, but am thankful now, 'cause I know I would have glued to it instead of creating my own stories.
From childhood trials spring adult vocations! Your storied also have a wholehearted creativity that I'm sure would not be there if you'd been a TV kid.
best,
Cathryn
best,
Cathryn
Cathryn, I was an avid reader from the age of 5. The library was my favorite place to be either the school library during recess and lunch or the county library when we made a once a month trip to town in the summer to get books. I loved how the books transported me to other places and I could live vicariously through the characters and learn about new places. I read Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, every Walter Farley book, and moved up to all the Gothic historicals and mysteries. But it was Sue Grafton that started me writing mysteries and Nora Roberts and LaVyrle Spencer who sent me on the path to writing romance.
ReplyDeletePaty, thanks for sharing the journey! We had lots of the same favorites.
DeleteI have to say Victoria Holt spurred me to write, because I read her Gothics when I was home with a baby, and I found them terribly frustrating--not enough romance. So I began to write my own. A matter of taste, since she was a very successful writer in the genre.
LaVyrle Spencer ... love her books. So heart-wrenching. Years will always be one of my top 5 books.
best,
Cathryn
I remember finding my mom's copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss's A ROSE IN WINTER. Yow! Ruined me for life :) It's still on my keeper shelf, and I think it stands the test of time quite well.
ReplyDeleteJessa,
DeleteI think the first 'big' book I read was Gone with the Wind. Wow, what a revelation that was. Romance, history, passion, that book had everything--and it was darn well written.
And then the heartbreak of learning that she never wrote another book ... oh, well, I found many others.
I'm just darn glad you found your way to writing. In fact, time for A Little Night Muse ... and a hot cup of cocoa. Cheers.
Cathryn
Linda,
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me! Fun reminiscing about my journey to red hot romance ...
best,
Cathryn