The Water’s Fine received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Janice Coy.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The Water’s Fine was published April 22, 2019.
What’s the book’s first line?
“I’ve always loved the ocean.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
A tragedy on their scuba dive boat sends Catalina Rodrigues and Bertie Clark into uncharted territory, questioning what they’ve always thought to be true and fostering an unlikely friendship. Will either trust the invitation to “come on in, the water’s fine” again?
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
My own week-long stay on a scuba boat in the Sea of Cortez inspired much of my story. Scuba diving is a wonderfully exhilarating sport that is also inherently dangerous. It wasn’t difficult to imagine tragic circumstances. Sadly, I couldn’t have foreseen the horrific events that subsequently unfolded in real life later the same summer on a scuba boat that caught on fire near the Channel Islands off the California coast.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Whether someone is a scuba diver or not, I believe she/he will resonate with Catalina and Bertie as they deal with the unexpected trajectory that causes them to examine their lives and the choices they’ve made. We can’t always control our circumstances, but often we can choose how we react and move forward. Plus, the suspense of the story is entertaining!
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
The most distinctive thing about Catalina Rodrigues is the fact that she is a dive master who has lived a nomadic life for more years than she originally planned. Bertie Clark, on the other hand, is surprised to discover how stuck she is in familiar family patterns. I was thinking a lot about The Odyssey while I wrote this book, so I would say Catalina is somewhat of an Odysseus while Bertie is a kind of Penelope.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I’ve always wanted to be an author. I grew up reading Nancy Drew and fairy tales, and those genres have informed the type of books I write: suspense with a bit of romance. Before I started writing novels, I worked first as a newspaper reporter, then as a free-lance writer.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
This is my fifth novel! I’m a little bit shocked that I’ve written that many. I’m currently at work on my sixth.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
Each novel takes me about two years to complete. The most challenging part of writing a novel for me is crafting the first draft. Creating a whole world and a compelling character arc is work!
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best and the most challenging part of being an indie author is the fact that I am in charge of my own time and my own deadlines. Every day offers up a new set of distractions from writing.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Stay true to yourself, your story and what you’ve defined as success.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
After writing five novels, I’ve discovered that my main motivation has to be the story, and doing my best to put out quality work. Fame and fortune might come knocking someday, but I haven’t met either yet.