Hello, everyone, and welcome to The Daily with Phil Stein here on Anchor. I'm really excited today because I'm continuing the series How to Write a Writing Draft, the first draft, and I have the pleasure of being able to speak to a fellow writer. Also, she's my boss at Coffeehouse Writers, but I'll go ahead and introduce her to you guys here listening today. And I really appreciate you taking the time to be with us today, Caitlin Haynes.
And I'm going to do a little introduction for you. Is that okay? Yeah, of course. All right, then.
Thank you for being here. Caitlin Haynes, pen name Kate Marie, is a Chief Operations Officer, Advertising Supervisor, Editor, and Writer at Coffeehouse Writers. Right now, she primarily publishes nonfiction, but loves writing fiction. Caitlin is currently enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University, majoring in psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology and minoring in English language and literature.
Her job is here at Coffeehouse Writers, and she loves to read, paint, and attend concerts. She runs her own website all about books, and I'll have her tell you more about that, called FunctionallyFictional.com slash books, and can be found on our team's main platform at coffeehousewriters.com. And she also does the medium, she also has another website, Medium.com at Kate Marie, Kate underscore Marie. And I'm going to have her talk to you now.
And thank you again for taking the time to be with us today, Caitlin. Thank you, or Kate Marie. Yeah, thank you for having me on. I'm excited to be here.
Thank you. And I'm sorry about the tech issues sometimes with Anchor. This happens like if I've already done the link or we get out of the app, it'll say that it's not working. So I'm glad that you didn't have to wait that long.
So I'm glad that you were still able to make it. Yeah, it's fine. I thought I just did something wrong. No, you're fine.
Like I said, for me, I always have tech issues myself. So, but I wanted to, you know, I did an introduction for you, but what can you tell your listeners or everyone that's listening about you? Well, you pretty much summed it up. I read a lot.
Writing is relatively new to me. You know, I hear a lot of stories about how people have been writing their entire lives. And I just started about three and a half years ago. And even then it's like, it's grown so much in the last like year, year and a half.
Yes. To the point where that's what I want to do. That's amazing. And like I said, you do, you do so much.
And that's one of the reasons I was very excited to have you on because you're a great boss for Coffeehouse Writers and advertising, editing, you know, I think you can do it all pretty much. And, and sometimes I see you, like I said before, like a soul sister, like very younger sister. And because you share a lot of the same things I like, like when it comes to Broadway music and writing and all of that. But I really wanted to get your insight because you do a lot of reading and I know you've worked on, you know, you're doing your own writing and also in fiction.
Now I wanted to get more of a insight into how you start or work on your draft. And has it changed from where you started to where you are now? Absolutely. So the first book I started, which I'm still actually writing, I, I started like, I'm writing it in order.
I'm actually writing it by hand, which is part of the reason why it's taking so long because I just don't have time to sit and write a whole, a whole by hand. But so this, the story I just finished a couple of months ago, I'm working on editing now. I did something completely different than any other story I've started. So I, I, well, I keep a notebook with all my ideas.
I write out the main idea and like an outline timeline sort of deal. But for this one, when I went to write, I got about three chapters in and decided I had no idea what I wanted to do in the middle. So I basically, I skipped to about the three fourths part of my book and went from there. I wrote the entire end and then I went back and it just evolved.
Like I was able to connect the beginning to the end because I knew what I wanted to happen. And then I, I actually, I had started writing chapters in between from a different perspective because my book, the main character goes off on this quest of sorts. And so while she's gone trying to find this thing, I wanted to know what was happening in her home. Like what was going on there.
That way at the end, when she returned, I would know what had happened, like where those characters were because it's still relevant. So I started writing those little bits here and there just so I would have an idea of what was going on. And then it evolved into an entire other story. So now half the book is from that.
Wow. So, so you started with initially one idea and then, and then you, it evolved, developed into another, correct? Yeah, it's, yeah. So now there are two storylines happening at the same time, but I mean, they're tied in together, so it's not like two completely different stories, but that's that's amazing.
And what, one of the reasons is because I, when I, when I write a draft, I also think that it doesn't matter that a lot of people didn't, I didn't understand this before, like, like what you shared about, you've really developed your writing in the last year and a half. When I first started, I used to think you had to have the story all beginning, middle, and end in order to write a book. But, but what I've learned in the last few years is that you can actually set an idea of what you want to write and work on the, some people work at on the end and then they go back to the beginning, right? So it's really great to hear your perspective because I thought, am I losing my mind here?
You know, cause I want to go into something else. So, so this is, this really intrigues me what you're saying now on that, because, you know, you didn't have that idea, but then you, it sparked your, you know, you knew what you wanted to write, but then you're like, wait a minute, I'm going to go back and do this now. Right. Yeah.
Isn't that so like, doesn't that give you a, like a sense of happiness when you do stuff like that? Like you're sitting there and you're like, I'm stuck here, but then all of a sudden. Yeah. Well, okay.
So when I jumped ahead, I was so, because like, you know, I pretty much jumped into what I call the exciting part of the book. And so I was, I was really excited because I was like, you know, this is the part, this is the main idea I had where everything came from this. So I'm really excited to be, or to write this part. And I was so excited about it that I ended up writing 30,000 words.
Wow. Oh my gosh. Yeah. There was one day I wrote 10,000 words.
I think I remember seeing it on your Twitter and you don't know Caitlin, you need to check out her Twitter because she is the queen of Twitter folks. That's all I got to say. I agree. It's okay.
My addiction is Instagram. So you know what? You know, don't, don't feel bad because I'm in the same boat, but with Instagram. Anyway, get back to what you were saying.
I didn't want to take you out. I always ramble. You know, you said I rambled. No, you, I do that.
So. Yeah. No, but that's, I think that was, that's like now my main piece of advice for people is find what part of the book you're most excited to write and start with that because it gets you into the story. It gets you enthusiastic about it and build from there.
Exactly. Now, getting now, since you touched up on that, I wanted to ask you another question on that. Do you think that your stories come from characters? Do they form from your characters or do you think it's more plot related?
Oh, that's hard. I don't, I think characters. Character. Well, okay.
I know when I read, I'm very much attached to characters in stories. So I tried to do that with mine, but there is an, obviously there's a very strong plot in mine as well. But I hope that people like the characters as much as I do. Of course, of course.
That's definitely. And that's where I'm at right now. I'm more into what my characters drive my plot. And, and, and for some people, the plot drives their character.
So, so it's really interesting to see that because, you know, when I write stories lately, it's been my characters that have been leading to where I need to go. You know? Yeah. This one, it kind of went back and forth with the main girl's story.
I think it was more plot driven. But when I added that second point of view, I think that storyline was more character driven. And that's interesting to know because I was going to say, do you find yourself like from where you started to where you are now, were you more of a pantser and then you, now you outline or did you always, were you always the type that outlined before you started writing anything? Oh, I always outline.
I make lists for everything in my job. I make lists for, I make a list for the podcast. Like You know, the advice you give and stuff, it's so awesome. And especially with what you do with your website, which is something I want to also talk about.
I don't know if you want to talk about it now, but if you could share a little bit about your website or more than a little bit, what you do, if that's okay. Yeah, that's actually, so what started my writing was my love of reading. I have loved books my entire life. And then, I don't know, three or four years ago, I started following these websites like Epic Reads and YADC and Booktubers and all these things.
And I was like, I want to do that. I was like, I don't know how to get started, but I want to do that. And in the fall of 2017, I started reading Sarah J. Maas' books.
And they just completely re-sparked my love of reading, like to an obsessed point. So I read all of her books by the beginning of January of 2018. And then, which there were like 10 books at the time. I think so.
I read all of them in about two months, which was fast for me at the time. You do love reading. I do. So in January, I set my goal for 2018 for 30 books.
By mid-February, I had already read one point. So I was like, you know what? This is getting out of hand. And I had no one to really talk to about the book.
Like, I mean, I have friends who read, but they're reading the same books. And, you know, I was in the book club, but we only read one book a month. And I was like, I want to create a place where I can literally just talk about all the books I read to whoever will listen. So I started Functionally Fictional, which is a book blog.
I do, well, I asked a few friends if they wanted to join me. So there's a small team of friends who are reviewers. So we all review books. But I also do more on the blog.
So I do other articles like Top 10 Tuesday or Friday Favorites, those type of things. But I also come out with books, which is what I'm primarily doing right now. Yes, and I wanted to say thank you because you've been so wonderful to my book. So thank you so, so much for that support because we really do need that in the writing community.
Yes, we do. Yeah, yeah, no problem at all. I love, I mean, I love books, so I want to help out. And you need to have your own podcast.
Not to put pressure on you, but we really do need to hear from you more about your books. I'd love to have you anytime you want to come, of course. But you need to be like those other websites. You see Bella Reese and SJP Hogwarts.
We need to have just FunctionallyFictional.com slash books have a podcast and be on air and everything. Yeah, I've actually thought about it. I was looking into it the other day. And now that I have like the anchor app.
Yes, and you know when you feel comfortable, some people feel more comfortable with their audio. Then when you want to dive into the live video, you could always do the Insta story to get you started slowly. You know what I mean? So you get that feeling where you're not nervous and stuff.
I think you would be a natural at it. I think so. Well, thank you. We'll see what works.
Oh, no, no, that's fine. You have a lot. I'm not trying to, you know, add more stuff, but it's just exciting for me to see you where you started. Could you share like where, like, if you don't mind, like the growth you've had or the impact you've had since you started your website?
Because I know you shared how your reading or followers has increased, right? Since you started that. Yeah, it's mainly my Twitter followers have increased a lot. I went from having, you know, I was stuck.
I've had Twitter for nine years and I was perpetually stuck at about 400 followers, 450 followers. Okay. And it would, it would not grow. But I was really trying to grow.
And then I joined the writing community and everyone is so supportive. It's incredible. Like I have more than tripled my followers at this point, just since being in the community. That's beautiful.
I love when people pay it forward because you do that for others. And I think it's just coming back to you for what you do. Yeah. And that's what I want to do now that I have this, you know, this growing following is I want to help other writers and indie authors specifically.
So yeah, so I'm trying to promote Functionally Fictional through my personal Twitter since it has the most following. Definitely. And I think you're doing that. I really do.
And this is why I did the podcast for the daily with Silstein on Anchor. It mainly focuses on helping authors, editors, sharing writing advice and promoting new authors and writers to come here and speak about new things that are happening. Like in your case, you're developing your, you know, your growth with your website and you're also going to be publishing books and possibly starting a podcast. So it all comes together, you know what I mean?
Yeah. And she's an amazing boss. She really is. Keeley's probably going to suck up.
Shout out to you, Keeley. I hope you're doing well. And Jess, Jess Canopel and everyone at Coffeehouse Writers. We love you guys.
But, but, you know, but I wanted to say, so what else did you want to add today? Because I really am grateful that you've taken the time to come talk to us, Caitlin. I know you're a very busy lady. You're working on a lot of stuff.
What advice or piece of advice would you like to share additional? Oh, I don't know about advice. I always feel weird giving advice because I'm so new to all this. But what's, what's an advice that has helped you?
You know, maybe say it like that. Like what's something that's helped you along the way? Just keep going. I mean, if it's something you love, just keep going for it.
I, like I said, I never thought I would be a writer or anything to do with books other than reading them. And now I have applied for the MFA program through MSU. So if accepted, I will be going for my master's degree. So it's just like, it's crazy to think that this is where I'm at now.
And it feels right. It feels like I finally found my place. So just keep going for what you want. That's awesome.
And I really, really am so grateful for you being, taking the time to be here, sharing your advice. And whenever you want to come on to the show, please feel free to do that. I really appreciate you being a part of the series on how to write a draft, but also introducing yourself to all the listeners for the podcast. And another thing I wanted to add is, is there other websites where we can find you that you want to share now?
Mainly just Twitter and Functionally Fictional. I have a page on Facebook for myself, like an author page, as well as Functionally Fictional has a page. If anyone wants their books promoted, it's completely 100% free. I do any genre.
We're not doing review requests at the time, unless you're willing to wait for a while because I have too many to do. Sorry, can you repeat that last part? Sorry, I had a phone interruption. That's the only thing about this app that's not good.
Sorry about that. No, it's fine. I was saying, if anyone wants any promotion at all, it's completely 100% free. We're not taking review requests at the moment unless you're willing to wait for a while because we have a bit of a backup at the moment.
But promotion-wise, everything is free. We do a featured book on the homepage every week. But we also have a promoted books page where it can go into a more permanent post forever to share. I also do cover reveals.
I'm going to start doing author interviews. Any possible way I can help promote your book, just let me know. I'm open to pretty much anything. That's awesome.
You've been, like I said, you're an awesome person, Caitlin, or Kate Marie. And you've been great. And we loved having you. And I'm going to share—once I share her link on Anchor, you'll be able to share that.
I'll put all her links on there so you'll be able to connect with her and what she said. And like I said, I really, really appreciate you taking the time to be here to talk to us here on The Daily with Silstein on Anchor. Thank you, and have a great afternoon. Thank you so, so much.
Have a great one. Thank you, everyone, for listening. We'll talk to you later. Bye-bye.
And this is Sylvia from The Daily with Silstein on Anchor. Have a great afternoon. The Daily with Silstein on Anchor. Have a great afternoon.