Author journal

A Cuppa With Catherine

Pop the kettle on and settle in for truthful notes from the writing desk: book news, behind-the-scenes reflections, and the lived-in worlds Catherine brings to life.

The Grit and Heart of The Alpha Flame

Why real emotion matters more than easy answers.

Two women sitting close on a worn sofa in dim light, sharing a moment of quiet understanding

The Alpha Flame isn’t comfortable reading, it’s raw, honest, and deeply human.

15 July 2025

The Scene I Almost Didn’t Write, But Knew I Had To

Some moments demand more than words, and they demand to be written anyway.

A shadowed room with a door left ajar and a faint light beyond — heavy with atmosphere and unspoken tension.

One scene in The Alpha Flame: Discovery pushed me harder than the rest. It was graphic. Uncomfortable. Too much, maybe. But I wrote it, and I’m glad I did.

13 July 2025

Meet Catherine: A Q&A with the Author of The Alpha Flame

Answering your questions about writing, life in the 1980s, and telling the hard stories.

Catherine Lynwood at her desk with a microphone, smiling warmly at the camera

In part one of this special Q&A, Catherine Lynwood answers questions submitted by readers, with a little help from her daughter, Samantha.

12 July 2025

The Art of Pacing a Thriller: Lessons from The Alpha Flame

How character evolution and suspense can work together.

Explore how The Alpha Flame balances slow-burn character growth with page-turning tension.

10 July 2025

The Soundtrack of 1983, Music Behind The Alpha Flame

How the songs of the early '80s shaped the mood, memories, and meaning of Maggie and Beth’s story.

A vintage 1980s audio setup with cassette tapes, a portable tape player, and a pair of classic headphones, evoking the nostalgic atmosphere of The Alpha Flame’s 1983 setting.

From Spandau Ballet to Bonnie Tyler, the music of 1983 pulses through the heart of The Alpha Flame. Discover the songs that inspired key scenes, shaped characters, and anchored the novel in a year of synths, soul, and survival.