Today's Darklight On is ... Cassie Laelyn
Welcome, Cassie
How did you come to write speculative fiction? What attracted you to the genre?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of alternative worlds, and unearthly beings living undetected among us. Horror and thriller books with paranormal elements, filled my teenage years, and it was then that I started writing short stories.
Jane Austen and L. M. Montgomery also had a strong influence on me growing up. So, paranormal romance, the combination of a gut-wrenching happily ever after wrapped up in a paranormal world… is just perfect!
Someone once told me to write stories I would want to read. So, that’s what I do. My short stories (to date) are paranormal suspense, while my full-length novels are paranormal romance.
Are you a plotter? Pantser? Or somewhere in-between?
I reckon I’m somewhere in-between. I like to plot each novel on a timeline with major turning points and black moments. But when it comes to how each chapter plays out, I sit back and let the characters steer the way.
Do you have a favourite of your characters?
I like each of my characters for different reasons, and I tend to like the hero of the moment a little more while writing their story. But I guess I’ll always have a soft-spot for Raven, the Head Guardian and hero from book 1 of The Fallen Guardians. He whispered in my head almost 7 years ago, and kept pestering me until I finally wrote his story. Now, I imagine him relaxing in a chocolate-brown leather chesterfield, a neat glass of bourbon in his hand, and a smug look on his face!
What are you currently working on?
I’m writing book 2 and plotting the timeline for book 3 of The Fallen Guardians. It’s an adult paranormal romance series about a brotherhood of immortal Guardians, exiled from the Heavens, and their battle against Fate.
What is your favourite part of the process of writing?
My favourite part is that moment between completing the plotted timeline and just before the serious writing commences. The time when the character’s voices are loud and clear, and they’re coming at me from all different directions, and often at totally inappropriate times… while driving, in the shower, during dinner! This is when I’m madly scribbling random scenes and conversations being had, in my journals, which I explore in more depth when I fire-up the laptop.
What can we expect from Cassie Laelyn in the future?
I’d love to have The Fallen Guardians published and see just how far I can take the series. I’d also like to write a few more short stories.
Who are your favourite authors?
Kresley Cole would be my favourite, I devour anything she writes! Closely followed by JR Ward, Dannika Dark, Gena Showalter and many, many more!
YA authors I like include JK Rowling, Richelle Mead, Cassandra Clare, Stephenie Meyer, and Lauren Kate. But again, there’s heaps of others.
What are you currently reading?
I’ve just started Blood Fury by JR Ward, but I’m meeting the postman every day at the letter box to see if The Dark Calling by Kresley Cole has arrived in the mail yet!
Do you have a favourite spec fiction movie or TV series?
I love binging on TV shows. Some of my favourites include, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Supernatural, Lucifer… I’m sensing swoon-worthy immortals as a theme here!
Do you have advice for emerging writers?
The best piece of advice I’ve been given is to listen to, and trust your voice. Only you know the characters in your head and only you can tell their story.
I also love the quote by Stephen King – “You can. You should. And if you’re brave enough to start, you will.”
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Thanks so much for having me!
Cassie xx
great interview, and I hope you get the call for your stories, they sound fantastic (and you have great author role models!)
ReplyDeleteI hope to read your novels soon
ReplyDeleteLoved learning more about you Cassie!
ReplyDelete