Author Interview: Cara Blaine
- fridaynightwritesi
- Oct 17
- 6 min read
Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Friday Night Writes! As always, our goal is to shine a spotlight on members of the book community and introduce readers to awesome authors, narrators, event hosts, influencers, and more.
This week, we'd like to introduce our featured guest, author Cara Blaine
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you?
I’m an elder millennial mom of two living in the Sonoran Desert. I’m also an award winning poet turned novelist, and a spoonie.
What are a few of your favorite things? Your least favorite?
My favorite things: food, art of all sorts, my family including my rescue dog, the smell of rain in the desert, books.
Least favorite things: early mornings, male entitlement, anything that makes me hands feel yucky, fascism.
Did you always want to be an author?
Yes!
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
Ever since I learned how to read and write.
Besides writing, do you have any hobbies?
I had hobbies before I started writing novels. I don’t have much time for them anymore, outside of reading. But I also love to draw and paint and play guitar and ukulele.
Do you have anything that you’re truly passionate about outside of writing? (Could be a cause, a project, etc.)
I’m passionate about a lot of causes. I grew up with a single mom who worked in politics, and she taught me the importance of activism from a young age.
How long have you been writing?
I think I wrote my first story in the second grade.
Which genres do you write in?
Fantasy and romantasy.
Are you independently published or traditionally published? Why did you choose this route? What are the benefits/drawbacks?
I was originally self published, and now I am signed with an indie publishing company for all of my adult books while my YA books remain self published. I chose to self publish because I wanted creative control and control over aspects like timelines. I ended up signing on with a publisher because the more books I released, the more overwhelming the small business aspect became. Since they’re not a big five trad company, I still consider myself indie, but working with this small publisher is still very different from being self published. There are pros and cons for every path in publishing, and I’m just trying to do whatever works best for me and allows me to keep writing.
What do you enjoy most and least about being an author?
I enjoy most aspects of being an author, from drafting to editing to chatting with readers. Probably my least favorite part is being so present on social media, because I’m introverted, anxious, and shy.
Are you a plotter, a plantser, or a pantser?
I’m probably a plantser leaning toward pantser, but I like the term exploratory writer better.
Do you have any writing routines (things you do that help you write)?
I almost always listen to music while I’m writing. I develop playlists for each book and listen to them through drafting, editing, etc. It helps tune out everything else around me, and it helps keep me in the headspace and mood of that story.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
Honestly I don’t. The closest I’ve ever come to writer’s block was this year when I was so overwhelmed with marketing and Kickstarters that I didn’t have the mental energy or focus to write. But it wasn’t writer’s block in the classic sense. In any case, I handled it by signing with a publisher who took some things off my plate.
How many WIPs do you have going right now? Can you tell us anything about them?
I’m finishing up a draft of my first high fantasy novel. It will be the first book in a seven book standalone series. I actually took my debut novel and the subsequent novel in that series and rewrote them into this single adult novel, and I plan to unpublish the YA versions. I’m also part way through the second book in my other YA series, Order of Terra, which is a witchy dystopian fantasy.
How many books do you currently have published? Tell us about them.
I currently have ten books published, with my eleventh scheduled to release in November. Three are YA fantasy novels, one is a mini collection of poetry, and the others are all adult romantic fantasy of various flavors.
Curse of the Soul Collector, and the companion novella Mateo, are sweet, cozy fairytale style stories.
Luxe’s Lullaby Trilogy is a romantic portal fantasy series with witches, fae, found family, world mythology, and slow burn, why choose romance.
My Venandi Venator duology includes Token of a Wolf and Promise of a Bruja (Nov release), and it’s a Little Red Riding Hood inspired romantic urban / paranormal fantasy with a mystery/thriller element.
Where do you get the inspiration for your books? Do you insert pieces of yourself and people you know into your books?
I get inspiration from a random variety of places. For my debut novel, I heard the name of a TV show that inspired a character, and then from there a story. I wrote my trilogy based on a one line writing prompt I came across somewhere. And yes, I definitely insert pieces of myself and others that I know—I think it’s impossible not to. It’s just a matter of if you’re doing it consciously or not.
Are there any other authors who have inspired you?
I’ve been inspired by tons of authors! Diana Gabaldon wrote my favorite series of all time. I currently have a plethora of indie author friends who have inspired me in so many ways, but I can’t possibly list them all.
Do you prefer standalone books or book series?
I like both, but if I had to choose, I’d say series.
Do you have a favorite and least favorite of your characters? Why?
I really don’t. I adore them all equally.
What is your most popular book?
Sales wise, it’s probably a tie between Curse of the Soul Collector and Luxe in Between. But if we take series into account, Luxe’s Lullaby Trilogy has made the most sales and has the highest ratings.
Which of your books do you wish received more love than it does?
Probably my novella, Mateo, which is a sweet MM romance set in the Curse of the Soul Collector world. Honestly, I just don’t focus on marketing it.
How do you handle the author/life balance? (i.e. writing/editing/graphic design/home life/etc.)
I’m still trying to figure this out. I’m hoping my new publisher will help with this in the long run. I’m a mom with two homeschooling teens and that is my first priority. But I also work (author-wise) a LOT, like seven days a week.
What do you do for your mental health and to recharge your creativity?
Right, I’m supposed to be doing that. See above. LOL. I read every single night and have since I was a little kid, so that’s a given. I like to hang out with my bestie; our favorite girls’ night is simple and involves food, wine, and talking. I’d like to get back to doing yoga again.
Do you have any advice for unpublished writers or people who hope to become authors?
Just keep writing! Most who want to write a book never start, and of those who do, most of them don’t finish. Finish that story!!
What was your most recent five-star read?
Devoured by Ava Thorne. It’s a dark monster romance novella. I don’t typically read monster romance OR dark romance, but I’ll read anything by Ava. It’s so well written and the setting and story are super unique. And I gotta say, with the monster being of the spider variety, the spice is very interesting.
What's the most daring thing you've ever done?
Probably cave diving in Belize. The water was freezing and it was so dark even with headlamps. Kinda freaky.
Do you collect anything besides books?
Sure: medical diagnoses. Hahaha
Do you believe in aliens? Ghosts?
Definitely. The universe is too vast for us to be the only lifeforms. And I have personal experience with ghosts.
Which inanimate object would be the most annoying if it played loud upbeat music while being used?
I don’t know what’s wrong with me that the first thing that came to mind was a vibrator. LOL. Feel free not to use this one.
Where can we find you online?
Do you have any planned events? (If there are many, please list only the next three to five events, provide a graphic, or provide a link to your events page.)
Tucson Author Alliance has an event at Barnes & Noble in November.
I’ll be at Tucson Festival of Books with Tucson Author Alliance in March 2026.
I’ll also be at Forbidden Love by Teas&Tropes in Nashville TN July 31-Aug 1 2026.
If you are offering a giveaway?
I’m offering a free copies of Luxe in Between on audio to anyone willing to subscribe to my newsletter. It’s a duet narrated audiobook. https://BookHip.com/GMPMFLR
Are there any rules or exclusions? (ex. Signed books available to the United States only)
nope
How can readers expect to hear from you?
Through email/ newsletter
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