Cass Andre Interview

by Ellen Anthony

1. Tell me a little about yourself and how you started writing.

About me...The quick sum up is: I'm twenty-seven years old, married to a loving and supportive man, and the mother of four brilliant, adorable, fantastic, "too-smart-for-their-own-good" children. For fun I enjoy designing websites, watching movies, collecting movie memorabilia, researching both history and religion, and writing.

Like many, I dabbled in writing when I was growing up. After my first two children were born I played with a story line or two, but I didn't decide to write "for real" until about 6 years ago. I had a better understanding of what being a writer was by then, but it'd be another two years until I'd actually sell anything. The passion (obsession) was evident, but not the know-how. So, I learned. And it's been a fantastic experience!

2. Is "Remembering You" your first published novel? If not, please tell me about your other published works.

My first books were closely contracted at the same time with Hard Shell Word Factory. Both books, WINTERS' DESIRE and VEILED HEARTS, are still available today and will be released in paperback in the near future. Both are also historical romances. DÉJÀ VU, my time travel romance will be available from Hard Shell as well. This book has received fantastic reviews and I'm overly eager to hear what readers have to say about it:-)

Earlier, this year I released SHROUDED HEARTS, the sequel to VEILED HEARTS. SHROUDED HEARTS is an absolutely free book to the public, downloadable from my website or by request.

Next year (May 2003), my first horror novel, EL CHUPACABRA, will be coming out from Amber Quill Press. This book is obviously very different than my others, a new flavor entirely.

And finally, I have my current release, REMEMBERING YOU, a historical romance from Wings. It has a special place in my heart. While I enjoy slipping into other genres on occasion, something in the historical romance reels me back every time.

Details of all of my books are available on my website at www.booksbycass.com

3. Was there anything which inspired you to write this book?

I'm so glad you asked this question. Yes! My children. When you have four children, you're bound to get material.

The short version is that while my mother in law and I were chatting one day, my oldest daughter (then 8) informed us that a deep hole had been dug in the side lot...and implied something about a small child being buried in it. I ran to where she spoke of to find just that. The neighborhood boy's head was the only thing sticking out of the ground. My kids were standing there speechless. My nephew, older than all of them, was keeled over and laughing so hard barely a sound came out of him. He insisted the boy had wanted to be buried---which we learned was true, but still no excuse. They should have known better, especially my fourteen year old nephew.

Of course, we got the little boy out, both frightened and grinning. The whole thing was pretty scary, but also somewhat comical. And when I sat, to work on my new book that night, the whole scene unfolded onto paper--the opening to my new book, Remembering You.

I decided at that moment to mold the children in my story after my four children and my nephew.

I ended up taking 75+ pictures of the kids when I finished writing the book, hoping that one day, if published, they could end up on the cover. And they have. One of the photos we took that day is now on the cover of Remembering You.

4. Do you have a day job?

Currently, I'm a student, studying to become a paralegal, but I should be done in about a year. My day job is still writing first. The main reason I'm at home is because my youngest (now 4 yrs old) isn't in school yet. But my husband and I have already decided that even when she does go to school, I'll probably remain at home for a couple more years to write full time...without distraction. I admire those who work a full time job and write. It can't be easy and I feel very lucky to be able to write at will.

I do have a few things I do from time to time to earn a few extra dollars. I've been designing websites for 4-5 year for other authors and businesses. And up until this year, I've provided daycare for other children. But these aren't things I HAVE to do. They're extras.

I still consider writing to be my day job, afternoon job and night job:-)

5. How do you balance writing time with family time?

What??? There's supposed to be balance???:-)

Actually, my children have never known me to do anything but write. And my writing schedule has always included family. They've basically existed together.

When my kids were newborns, I used to hold them in my arms and type with one hand while they slept. As a toddler, my eldest daughter didn't like to sleep without me, so when it was her bedtime we'd make her a blanket pallet on the floor beside my desk where she'd sleep while I worked.

Now that they're older (4, 7, 9, 10), all of my children know that although I don't have a "job" like other moms, when I'm at the computer I'm working. I take care of business and email first thing in the morning. During the day I take care of housework and spend time with my youngest. When the kids get home, we do homework, some television, dinner. Evenings are the busiest time of the day around here. Then it's back to the computer to write around 8 or 9 at night.

Being a writer can overwhelm family life. Family members can feel neglected and the house can be a disaster area in the blink of an eye. My husband takes our son to race RC cars every Sunday and the girls get stuck with me. I spend a lot of time with the kids doing everyday things like cooking, cleaning up the yard, etc. The girls' favorite pastime is lying on the bed and having loooong talks/gossip:-) We do things that are typical for most families...Friday movie rentals, board games, BBQs, etc.

6. How did you come to write for Wings?

One day, while on their site, I decided to submit Remembering You to them. It seemed that I was seeing their name more and more frequently. The response from Wings was amazingly quick. They offered me a contract that I was very happy with.

My experience with Wings has been mind blowing. Although they work on different authors' book daily I felt that my relationship with each person involved with putting Remembering You together was personal and special. I was contacted for information before I could even wonder what step was next. The entire company is run professionally and with the author's best interest in mind. No stone unturned. And obviously what they're doing is working because Remembering You has been released without a glitch.

7. Who is your favorite author? Book?

I don't actually have a favorite. While I thoroughly enjoy fiction, I prefer spending my free time with non-fiction. I enjoy learning and reading about others' life experiences. One of the best non-fiction books I've ever read is On Writing by King. I consider it more of an autobiography than a how-to book and recommend it to writers and non-writers alike. It's very good. And I'll read anything John Edward writes. I'm a huge fan of his work and I like his style.

8. Do you have any awards or things of note to report in regard to your writing?

A few, but not too many. Aside from the EPPIES, I don't generally enter contests. Not because I don't believe they have merit, but because it can become too expensive<g>

Winters' Desire was voted by readers at Read Romance as Favorite Hero Of A Romance Novel. Déjà Vu received 5 STARS from Simegen and ScribesWorld (plus the Reviewers Choice Award). Shortly before I released Shrouded Hearts, I entered it into the unpublished category of AEPRA's ERA award contest. What a thrill it was to recently learn that Shrouded Hearts won second place!

I can't wait to enter Remembering You in the EPPIES next year! Like every author that enters, I'm crossing my fingers to bring one of those babies home.

9. What book or class would you recommend to beginning writers?

I don't have much experience with either. I've been to one class, taught by Melinda Rucker Haynes on the subject of writing an effective query letter and a two-page synopsis. She's a wonderful teacher and I learned a lot there. To this day I keep my synopsis between 2-4 pages.

But I've never attended any other classes on the subject of writing and I've not read a how-to book. We each learn differently. For me, trial and error seems to work best. The ultimate teachers for me have been my critique partners. While I don't have one now, the critique partners I've had in the past were a Godsend.

I feel that the best way to learn to write is simply by writing. Write one book, then another, then another. My second terribly written book is much better than my first terribly written book. The third is better than the second. So, write, write, and write. And when someone points something out, listen, listen, listen (if they know what they're talking about) and then write some more<g>

If all else fails, read every book ever written by Cass Andre. Okay, sure, they won't teach you writing skills, but you WILL be entertained.:-)