Q&A With Annie Cathryn 

This evening’s Q&A is with author, blogger, and podcaster Annie Cathryn. On Annie’s bio on her website she guest blogs for a blog titled Revision Division. Annie’s book podcast is titled Soulful Series. Her debut novel coming February 2023 is The Friendship Breakup. 

Q: How do you juggle blogging, writing a novel and having a podcast?

A: Ha! That’s the million-dollar question. I’ve always been focused and quick. I plan out my day almost to the minute. Okay, I’m not that detailed, but I do have a list of tasks every day that I find satisfaction in by checking them off one by one. I’m even one of those people who will do a task not on the list, add it to the list, and check it off. I’ve also learned to set boundaries so that I can get things done. I prioritize the most time-sensitive tasks first. After writing this, it sounds like I’m super organized—only in my head and my day—don’t check any of my drawers or closets.

Q: Where did you come up with the idea for your novel The Friendship Breakup?

A: The idea came from a painful time in my life when I lost a friend and I never found out why. Female friendships are important. These are people you will often tell your deepest secrets to and pour out your soul to. When the friendship comes abruptly to an end, it can be a devastating experience that we may not talk about. I wanted to shed light on this topic. 

Another theme that is highlighted is changing course midlife. I’ve seen this happening in many of my friends’ lives who are mothers. They’ve raised their children and think—what’s next? It’s never too late to begin a new career or follow a dream.

Q: Is it fair to say that the characters in The Friendship Breakup are based off of people you know in real life? I love it when authors can base the characters and places they create in their novels off of people they know and places they’ve been?

A: My characters are not based on anyone I know. They all have their own unique personalities. I will say though that Fallon, the main character, has some hobbies I enjoy, like reading self-help books. Although I don’t make chocolate, I do love to eat it. 

Q: What is your advice to anyone wanting to start a podcast? It looks like it’s fun and easy but I’m sure it’s a lot of work. 

A: It is a lot of fun. I enjoy speaking to authors who have unique experiences, guidance, and uplifting messages to share. As far as advice on starting a podcast, find something you are passionate about. Chances are if you love something, others will too. Set a schedule you are comfortable with. At this time, I am only interviewing one author a month because it is time consuming. I read every guest’s book beforehand, so I am prepared to speak with the author. To me, it makes for a livelier conversation. 

For more detailed guidance, I partnered with Prompted to help people start a podcast. You can follow the prompts to walk you through a pathway. Here’s the link:

https://app.prompted.io/pathways/183/information

Q: Are you writing a new novel now? If you are can you reveal any details?

A: I do have a first draft, but I am sworn to secrecy! I’ll say that it is women’s fiction and based on another experience I’ve had. Stay tuned.

Q: You lived an interesting life. I read your bio about you traveling to Italy and going on an African safari. You also started a marketing consulting agency. What was that experience of starting a marketing consulting agency like? Where in Italy did you go and what was that like? What was it like going on an African safari seeing all the wild life? 

A: Okay, first I must say everything you pointed out was inspired by the book Eat, Pray, Love! That book lit a fire under me. 

Starting my own marketing agency was a bit scary, but I had lost my marketing job due to mass layoffs, and I decided to go for it. I didn’t have anything to lose at that point. I had been freelancing on the side, so I already had some clients. I lived in Milwaukee at the time, and it is the best city for networking. There were so many networking events available on any given day and I went to a ton of them. I met future clients and soon with referrals (I did no advertising), I had a roster of twenty-five clients. I love marketing—it truly excites me.

I went to Italy with my mom, and we went with a tour group. It was fabulous! We literally ate our way through Italy. We went to Rome, Venice, Verona, and Florence. Verona is so charming, and Juliet’s Wall, the Juliet Balcony, and Juliet Bronze Statue is quite the experience. Here’s a great article that explains it much better than I can. https://www.solosophie.com/juliet-balcony-real-life-letters-to-juliet/

Florence is my favorite. I fell in love with the city, its art, and fountains. You can feel love in the air. David by Michelangelo took my breath away. I didn’t realize how massive it is—all muscles and marble and magnificent. 

Africa is simply spectacular. I also joined a tour group for this trip. I spent thirty days camping in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia. I am not a camper, but back then it was the only affordable way for me to go and experience everything I did. Since it was a tour, I felt safe with a group. Plus, camping allowed me to observe the incredible nature and wildlife up close, like a lion napping on the side of the road and a line of elephants making their way to a watering hole. Two highlights were Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world, and the stunning red sand dunes of Sossusvlei. Both are like nothing I’d ever seen in my life.