In this installment we spotlight Caitlin Yager , a life-long Missourian who just published her debut book, Small Town Missouri: Legends, Lore, and Attractions in the Show Me State, with reedy press
Q) Tell us about your latest project. What inspired you to create it?
A) This question is always a bit tricky. I work closely with small towns in Missouri for my full-time job, and my publisher was familiar with that work, so I was approached and asked, “Do you know anyone who could do this project?” (“this” being Small Town Missouri). I hadn’t really thought too much about writing a book, but at that time, I thought to myself “Well, If I’m going to write a book, this is the book to write.” I have spent the last 10 years working with Missouri communities, learning their histories, helping to tell their stories, so it really was the perfect fit for me. And luckily, Reedy Press was open to a newbie author leading their new series!
Q) Do you know what your next project is going to be? Can you give us a preview?
A) Yes! I will be writing for Reedy Press again. They are a publisher known for their place-based book series, and one of their most popular series is their “Secret” series, where each book is based on a city or town, and promises to guide readers to the “weird, wonderful, and obscure.” Rather than doing another book on a city, Reedy asked if I’d write Secret Missouri, so that’s what I’m currently working on! It’ll highlight some oft-unknown histories, quirky stories, and other intriguing tidbits of history from all over Missouri.
Q) What was the first story you wrote down?
A) I’ve always been an on and off journal-keeper, ever since I was a young girl. So, I suppose you could say my first stories were those of my day-to-day growing up. As far as an actual “crafted” story, it would be the story of my experience as a first-time mom. My experience giving birth and raising a newborn with my partner wasn’t anything earth-shattering, but during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown, I felt compelled to write it down. I haven’t done anything with it, and my life has certainly had many other chapters since I last added to it (like a second kid!), but I do like that it’s there.
Q) What do you feel is the most important things a person should take from a work of fiction?
A) Things like imagination, possibility, creativity, the vastness of our universe, escapism.
Q) Do you have a set writing schedule or practice that helps you produce pages consistently.
A) No, and I probably need one! I typically can’t just sit down and write when I need to. Many times, I’ve told myself I would set aside time to write, and then I sit down and ready myself, but a few minutes later I call it quits without writing a word. I write when I “feel like writing.”
Q) What are your biggest dreams and fears around being an author?
A) Dreams: just hoping people learn something from my work and see all the good intentions I have for it! Fears: imposter syndrome, for sure. Finding a typo in a published work. Someone telling me I got something in my book wrong.
Q) What do you do to stay inspired, what other authors do you like to keep up with?
A) I stay inspired by reading, engaging with communities, asking questions, taking notes. As far as authors, I can’t say there’s any one author I’m keeping up with. I have gotten into the Sarah J. Maas craze, and am finishing up the Throne of Glass series, so I will be ready when more from her universe comes out. Same with the Fourth Wing series. The “romantasy” genre that has taken the world by storm is one I started into to see what the fuss is about, but have really found myself enjoying it! But I also have several other books I’m currently reading that are all over the place, like A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley, The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen, and History Matters by David McCullough.
Q) When you are starting out on a novel which comes first the characters or the plot? Are you a pantser or an outliner?
A) Well, I don’t write novels! But to relate the question to my writing, the plot comes first. I approach the writing knowing what the goal is, and build my “characters” (like the towns, or the stories within them) around that goal.
Q) If people want more information about your or your books, where should they go?
A) www.caitlinyagerauthor.com, www.reedypress.com, Facebook: Caitlin Yager-Author, Instagram: @caitlinyagerauthor, email: caitlinyager.author@gmail.com
Final four questions –we ask everybody.
Q) When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
A) Hopefully already gone!
Q ) What is your favorite Fandom (could be sports, pop culture, favorite director or author)
A) I love Outlander with all my heart (the series, I have not braved the books yet…) and am both excited and in denial about the final season coming.
Q) What book, do you think people must experience before they die?
A) Educated by Tara Westover
Q) Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
A) I’m also a film producer and have been nominated for 3 Regional Emmy awards!
Paper Phoenix ink 