This month I got a rarity for me! I got to interview the charming husband and wife writing duo, Cait and Michael Moore! Please read on to find out more about this talented couple.
Cait Moore's Bio - Cait Moore, studied commerce and law in Australia and pursued her career in the capital markets in London. Since she was knee-high to a kangaroo, she’s harboured a deep love for the written word. Her fervent belief in the “one” has led her to explore in her fiction, what binds two hearts and souls. Hers, belongs to her husband, author, Michael J Moore.
Michael J Moore's bio - Michael J Moore lives with his wife, author Cait Moore, in Seattle, Washington. His books include the bestselling post-apocalyptic novel, After the Change and his horror novel Highway Twenty. His work has appeared in Blood Moon Rising Magazine, Horrorzine Magazine, Minutes Before Six, Schlock Magazine, Terror House, Siren's Call, Black Petals Horror/Science Fiction Magazine, Hellbound Books anthology "Ghosts Spirits and Specters", has been adapted for theatre and produced in the Seattle area by various organizations, is used as curriculum at the University of Washington and has received an Honorable Mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest.
Tell me a little about yourselves.
Michael - I live with my beautiful wife, author Cait, in Seattle, Washington where we spend our days exercising our bodies, minds, and spirits, and challenging each other every day to be better than the last. I quit working as a personal trainer last year to focus full-time on writing, and have since come so far, so fast that I'm convinced it was the right move. I've had stories accepted in more than a dozen magazines, anthologies, and literary journals, signed four book deals (one of which was a bestseller and is used as curriculum at the University of Washington), won an honourable mention in the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest, had a book adapted into a play and performed in Seattle, and am currently on the preliminary ballot, along with ten other authors worldwide, for the Bram Stoker Award for superior achievement in a novel. And over to Cait.
Cait - I'm Cait wife of Michael. As a young child, I was always conjuring up stories and filling them with colourful characters, sharing them with anyone and everyone who would listen, but I never thought to put them on paper. Since then, I’ve progressed quite a bit to formulating longer and more complex stories and sharing them with much larger audiences. Now I am the author of Bronte’s Ride and Lake City Way - Ninja Girl.
What got you both into writing?
Michael - There were a lot of factors. I was always good at putting words on paper, and I always sensed that it was my calling, but never took the time to explore it. Then, a few years ago, I needed a mode of escapism, so I started writing short stories. Then books. Then, last year I started submitting my work for publication.
Cait - It certainly wasn’t destiny that is for sure! I have a law degree and a business degree and obviously wrote a lot during my law career, but I would never have progressed further than that had it not been for my husband, Michael. He surely but slowly got me involved and interested in writing.
It sounds like Michael was a huge influence Cait, I imagine writing fiction is very different from the law! What's the main thing you love about writing?
Cait - The main thing is I absolutely get to spend every waking hour with my husband. We write, we market, we live and breathe the written word together. My mother always said to me that you can’t make money out of writing and so I was never encouraged to write. Michael is the opposite. He encourages whatever makes me happy. Michael - I don't know if there's anything I don't like about the craft. I eat, sleep, and breathe writing. What I'm not crazy about is when people treat one style as if it's inferior to another. Like pulp is somehow less important than literary or academic pieces. I do grant writing (academic) and literary as well, but my favourite thing to write is horror. Stories follow basic formats that are programmed into humans, and that's why they're so pleasurable to experience. As long as the earth is populated by humans, there will always be a need, and a market for genre fiction.
Who's the worst villain you've ever created?
Michael - Carol Estes, from After the Change. An ex-televangelist, who after surviving the zombie apocalypse, used her charisma to form a cult-like militia, which hid in an old grocery store and thrived on cannibalism, rape, and murder.
Cait - Jazi, in the second book of the series, Lake City Way. I won’t give too much away because the first book is about to be published.
Okay, Michael has now ensured I don't go to bed without a baseball bat and pickaxe! Cait is being very coy, which makes Lake City Way all the more interesting. What's next on your list?
Cait- Lake City Way – Ninja Girl is about to be published by Floricanto Press. The second book in the series is already written and ready to go. Michael has pointed out a few flaws, so they are being edited.
Michael- I haven't named my latest novel, but I plan to put a bow on it in the next few weeks and find it a home. It's another of my fast-paced horror rides and I think the readers who enjoyed my latest novel, Highway Twenty are in for a treat. Who's your favourite author?
Michael - Stephen King. I know it's a bit cliche, but I grew up reading his books and he really is just a well-rounded storyteller. I've been very pleased to see his movies redone lately, and done well.
Cait- Unlike Michael, it’s not a horror author. I’d have to say that I truly don’t have one. I read any book I can get my hands on. That being said, Michael did ask me to read The Institute so we could discuss it together and that’s the last book I read. Who encouraged you the most to write?
Michael - That's easy. My wife.
Cait - Michael J Moore, of course! It's honestly heartwarming to see how you both encourage each other with no jealousies between you. Are you as avid a reader as you are a writer?
Michael - No. Though I am a reader. I don't believe it's possible to be a good writer without reading often, but the truth is, it's hard to find the time to do it as often as I'd like.
Cait - I absolutely love reading but with three children I can barely find the time to do anything. I love reading whilst I’m waiting for them at their various events and you’ll often find me lugging a book around. Sometimes I use my phone or iPad, but I like the feel of a book. I agree with you there Cait, there is something about the feel of a book. Curling up with a tablet isn't the same as curling up with a book! What's your favourite genre?
Cait - It’s romance. You may even see some of it creep into Michael’s books because he writes his books to please me and I like a bit of romance. Michael -Horror. Anything dark, really. From a very young age, I've always found an exquisite beauty in the darker forms of art, and macabre really is just a lot of fun, isn't it? I mean you don't even have to be a genre nerd who knows every author, actor, and director, or the year every horror novel or slasher film came out to enjoy where they take you. I think it's unhealthy to never explore the parts of our minds that like to be scared.
Do you listen to music when you write?
Cait - No music for either Michael or me. The house is noisy enough with children so when I write, it’s silent. Michael - There was a time when I needed complete silence, but sometimes a bit of background noise is just unavoidable, so I got used to it. It's already loud as hell in my head though, which essentially is why I write. Yeah, kids can make a racket, I've five of my own, so sympathies! If you could interview any author, who would it be?
Michael - I'd interview my favourite author, Stephen King. I know it's corny, but it would be a total fanboy experience.
Cait- I'd interview Nicholas Sparks because I loved The Notebook and I loved the movie version of that novel.
Tell me a secret that none of your fans know.
Michael - If I told you that, it wouldn't be a secret anymore, now would it!
Cait - Michael is my biggest fan! Aww Michael! Any words of advice?
Cait- I think it’s important to be true to yourself and to do what makes you happy, not what others have planned out for you. I spent my whole life pleasing my parents then reached the young age of fifty and decided to please myself. Michael - Yes. Don't get lazy when it comes to reading, and don't grow complacent to the point where you stop learning and growing in your craft. Life is all about growth and becoming better than the person you see in the mirror.
Wise words indeed!
What a great interview with the husband and wife team. To catch up with them please check the following sites.
Cait's website: https://caitmoorewriting.wixsite.com/website
Cait's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cait.moore.5477
Cait's Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaitMoore7
Cait's Instagram: https://instagram.com/caitmoorewriting
Michael's Website: https://michaeljmoorewriti.wixsite.com/website
Michael's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaeljmoorewriting
Michael's Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelJMoore20
Michael's Instagram: https://instagram.com/michaeljmoorewriting
Michael's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-moore-28b800178/
Disclaimer. The opinions and views expressed in the article are the interviewees and may differ from the interviewer/general public. The works and images published here may be subject to the Authors copyright, please do not copy the images or claim them as your own.