CJ Baty Interview Published on: 14, May 2021
Where were you born? Since how long have you been living in southwest Ohio?
I was born in Harlan County, Kentucky. I’ve been living in southwest Ohio since I was a child. Though, I do share an apartment with my daughter in the Pigeon Forge area of TN. I spend several weeks there every month or so.
Do you have a simple childhood memory that you could never forget?Oh goodness. There was one Christmas when my younger brother and I snuck into the living room and took a package back to the room we shared. Hiding under the blankets we tried to open them. My brother was so excited that he rattled the paper so loud our folks caught us! I will never let him forget that one.
How was the dream of writing your own stories started in high school?I always kept journals as a teenager and as an adult. In high school, I wanted to go to college for journalism. Alas, it never came to pass. Took me 45 years to start writing.
What is it about mountains that inspires you?Everything! The greens in spring. The rainbow of orange, red, yellow, and gold in the fall. The quiet. The scurry of animals in the underbrush. The sound of running water from a creek or a waterfall. It’s the sound of peace.
How does your family support you in your writing career?My son encouraged me to write fan fiction years ago. From there, he and my daughter never let me give up the dream of writing my own stories. My husband isn’t sure why I do it, but he knows I’m happiest when the words are following.
What sparked the idea for your book, Coal Dust?Coal Dust is extremely dear to my heart. Generations of the men in my family worked in the coal mines of Harlan County Kentucky. I’ve seen the conditions coal mining families live in firsthand. My grandfather died from Black Lung Cancer which he got working in the mines under very unhealthy conditions. When I started my paranormal series, the Legend of the Ghost Train, I always knew there would be a story about coal mines.
Who inspired the character of Lucky Valentino in Whispers, Rumors, & Lies?Okay, don’t laugh. Lucky Valentino is actually inspired by Robert Pattinson. I wrote that story during my Twilight loving days. For whatever reason, I could see RobPat playing a self-centered Italian guy with dark good looks and a lot of attitude. Of course, Angel (Angelo Martin) was inspired by Jackson Rathbone. Don’t hate me!
What's your opinion on shifter paranormal romance novels?I have enjoyed several shifter novels over the years. Though it isn’t my favorite genre, I do like the ones that tend to have unusual animal shifters. For instance, I read one that had shark, dolphin, and otter shifters in it. It was amazing and I really got into the story line.
What character's death in a movie or a TV series upset you the most?This was a really tough question. I tried to think of some powerful character that had moved me and all I could think of was Tony Stark! Here me out. I truly hated Tony Stark in the Avengers movies (not Robert Downey Jr. I adore him). He was ruthless, rude, pious, and I just couldn’t see him as a hero. That is until End Game, where he died saving the rest of his friends and loved ones. I cried shameful tears in the theater over his death. Don’t ask me why because I have no idea why.
If you were asked to live your life as any fictional character, which one would you choose? Why?Oh gosh there are so many! Sherlock Holmes immediately comes to mind. In my Pinkerton Man series, Lizzie Ferguson is a female Sherlock Holmes, and she is my hero. I would love to have been alive during that time period and been around when the world was coming alive in the Industrial Age. Solving murders, tracking down culprits, being free as Lizzie is.
Do you write your own personal fan fiction in your head?Not sure exactly what this question means. But – if you’re asking if I write myself into stories to have adventures. The answer is yes. If you look close enough, you will find me in most of my stories and I’m not always female.
Where is the best pizza in Southwest Ohio?The absolute best pizza in this area is Marion’s Pizzeria. It is a local place with several locations in the Dayton area. It’s not located in any other state so it’s our own special pizza.
What kind of experiences do you like to have in the mountains of Tennessee?Unfortunately, I can’t hike the way I used to, but I still drive up into the park and find an easy path to walk. Smoky Mist is based on a lumber camp that existed in the Smoky Mountain Park. You can locate some of the places where buildings actually stood and imagine what life must have been like in the 1920’s. Hiking out to the waterfalls hidden in areas is great too. Spending time with my daughter and best friend also makes it a special place.
Which is the next book you are working on? Is it a series or a stand-alone book?So glad you asked this. My next release will be a 4 th book in the Pinkerton Man Series. It’s titled Deep as the Ocean. Stiles, Lizzie, and Michael take an ocean voyage to cross the Atlantic. They are headed for a much deserved holiday. Along the way they are going to cross paths with someone from their past and solve a murder, of course. I’m also releasing a book with short stories that I’ve released in recent anthologies for charity. These anthologies were romances of all types, so this book will my M/M stories. It’s titled Sweet and Spicy. Can you guess why?
How has your experience of being associated with AllAuthor been?I adore AllAuthor! I have been thrilled with the attention to detail that has been given to me and my novels. I’ve seen growth in my audience, and I know it’s because of AllAuthor. I’m only sorry that I waited so long to become a pro-member. I’ll be sticking with AllAuthor for a long time to come.
