Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

Carol’s Corner

July 8, 2007

Interview of for Storytime Tapestry Writer – Rosanne Catalano

This was originally an interview for inspirit magazine and now I present it to you.

1)         Tell me a little about yourself – are you single, married, do you have children, grandkids, and where do you live?

Although you know me as the publisher of The Cat's Meow for Writers & Readers Ezine, you may not know that I’m a 49 year old woman, author, publisher and wife to the love of my life. We reside in a one-family bungalow-type home in Queens, New York with our two fur-babies. What I like about our little town is the fact that people live close by. Whereas where I grew up on Long Island, I remember feeling so isolated from our neighbors.

2)         Do you work outside the home and if you do what do you do and for how long? Maybe you may want to list several jobs you had in your life time.

I work from home now, although this wasn’t always the case. For over 20 years, I wrote at night while working full-time as a secretary. It wasn’t until I was 25 years old that I began attending writing classes at-night; at St. John’s University. After one year I earned a Certificate in Creative Writing & Children’s Literature. While attending my writing classes, I had submitted a children’s story to the print-magazine Highlights for Children and they published my work. At that time, Highlights for Children wanted me to submit more of my stories. I, on the other hand, thought I had developed writer’s block; I hadn’t. What it was was that my first priority was the same as my ex-husband’s; a desire to have children. After twelve years of marriage, fertility treatments and one miscarriage, we divorced. A blessing in disguise, for I would not have met my second hubby otherwise.

3)         How long have you been writing? Do you write professionally? Have you been published? If so where?

I was seven years old when I discovered I loved to read and write. But I didn’t start writing professionally until 5 years ago when I had my work published in a book of poetry titled “Touch of Tomorrow” and on several websites, in an Internet-based magazine and a print-magazine. I have since also been published in Storytime Tapestry ezine, The Pink Chameleon – Online Magazine, on Medhunters.com, Gather.com, and other various websites and print publications. I created my own Internet-based magazine a year after going full-time with my writing, because I wanted to give new & established writers and authors’ a place to showcase their work and get helpful information of all kinds into the hands of readers who may not have this type of information at their fingertips.

4)         What first inspired you to write, a person, e.g. nature, animals, a certain topic you felt compelled to write about, etc.?

My third grade teacher and classmates were the people who inspired me to continue writing. They enjoyed my stories so much they wanted me to write one every week.  Also, I found I loved writing my stories for them. But most importantly I inherited my love for writing and reading from my mother, who was an editorial assistant and researcher at Newsday© for 35 years before she retired twelve years ago.

5)         What is the perfect atmosphere for you to write? e.g. alone in the house by the computer, out in the woods, etc.

I find that the perfect atmosphere for me to write in is when I’m alone at the computer with my two fur-babies quietly keeping me company. When I was younger, I would write my stories and poems in longhand on my bed. I now write all my stories, poems and articles on my computer. I then print my “draft” out to edit after I’ve written what’s in my heart; a style of writing where you don’t worry about grammar, punctuation, typos, etc.

6)         What are your current projects and future writing projects?

My book, Mirrored Images, was published and is now available to order. And although I’m excited about the fact that my readers have been buying my book, I’m not resting on my laurels so to speak. I have already started writing another book, which will be my very first fiction novel. And every month I type up the stories, poems and helpful articles that are published in my Internet-based magazine. I will continue to write my nonfiction / fiction stories, story articles and poetry to submit to various markets because I love what I’m doing! Although writing is my first passion, publishing is my second.

7)         What are your hobbies or special interests?

What I used to consider hobbies is now my living; writing, reading & publishing. But other hobbies I once enjoyed I no longer can. Since falling down a flight of stairs 13 years ago, I no longer dance or bowl. I once belonged to a bowling league, and loved dancing to my heart’s content. But the internal injuries I sustained in that fall were actually a blessing in disguise,  I would probably still be hating my jobs as a secretary today and writing only at night. God truly does work in mysterious ways.

8)         Do you find a place for God in your personal writing? If so how do you incorporate religion in your work?

Every morning before I begin work, I talk with Jesus and our Father by thanking them for all that my loved ones and I have here on earth. I read scripture every night before going to bed. Reading the Word started in high school when I took Bible as Literature and other Bible study courses. Once I'm done praying, I begin reading through submissions, new subscriber requests and letters to the publisher.

9)         What advice do you have for future writers?

My advice for aspiring writers is to soak up all the helpful tips, advice and constructive criticism possible from more seasoned and established writers. They’ve been through the hard-knocks of this publishing world, and know from experience what works and what doesn’t in order to get published and continue getting published. Being professional at all times is a must, even when you are friendly with your editor or publisher. Also take at least one writing class or course so that you will learn the craft and business aspect of writing inside and out. If you cannot take honest criticism and editing of your work from an editor or publisher, you are definitely in the wrong industry.

10)      What social issues concern you and why?

The issues that most concern me is stopping the cruelty millions of children and animals suffer at the hands of other’s, who have no regard for God’s little children. And trying to stop the stigmatization of the mentally ill and physically-challenged, who to me are awe-aspiring human beings. That’s why I’m an advocate for various organizations that help children, animals, the mentally ill, physically-challenged individuals and the poor of our world. No one should live in poverty in the year 2007, or suffer cruel treatment and judgment.

11)      Briefly talk about one or more important events that already transpired in your life?

One of the more important events that transpired in my life was when God sent an angel to save me. I wrote of this personal miracle in a story article titled “Saved by an Angel”, which was published in Sisters in the Lord’s Internet-based magazine [Feb. 2005] and Angels on Earth’s print-magazine [Dec. 2002].

12)      What is the one thing that you would like to do that you have not already done?

What I would love to do, that I have not yet had the finances for, is to travel the entire world and write about my travels. I feel to write my feelings and observations would give me a better understanding and closeness to other people and cultures. And in doing so, I would be bringing that country to life for my readers so that we can help the people of those countries.

To read The Cat’s Meow for Writers & Readers Ezine, my Internet-based magazine, go to: http://www.rosannecatalano.net. If you would also like to purchase my book, Mirrored Images, it can be ordered directly from my website’s home page. Thank you!

Rosanne Catalano, (aka R.C.Kayla)

Publisher/Author/Writer

The Cat's Meow for Writers & Readers Ezine

Mirrored Images (2007); www.rosannecatalano.net