Author q&a with cassandra fear

Today I got the opportunity to interview YA fantasy author, Cassandra Fear!

Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
I have never been able to whistle. Other than that, I read and I write. I take care of my husband and two kids. I’m a regular working mother. But, one who can’t whistle…


What made you want to become a writer?
I have just always loved it. I always felt the words I wrote. And, I’ve always loved to read. So, I figured it was in my blood.


Million dollar question, are you working on another project?
Always. I actually am working on the last book in The Flames Trilogy now, Conquering the Flames. Also, the sequel to It Starts With L, and the sequel to a new fantasy series, book one coming in October.


What is your advice to other Indie Authors? On writing? Marketing?
Write often and market more. I started marketing way too late. Building your author platform is not easy. It takes time. So, start posting early and get yourself out there in the writing community even before you’ve ever finished writing your first book.


What is your writing style?
I write with no music and complete silence. But, usually I don’t outline. I just let my characters guide me through each chapter. I might be crazy, but it works for me.


Pen and paper, type writer, or computer?
Computer for novels, but if I do need outlines, I use pen and paper.


Do you write Alone or in public?
Definitely alone.

Music or silence
Silence.


What tactics do you have when writing? (For example: outline or just write)
I already kind of answered this one and the last one, but I just write. Outlines hinder my creativity, so I just let my fingers glide over the keys.


What has your experience been like as an new Indie Author? Bruises, Highlights, and lessons?
It’s been hard. Even though I have a publisher, they are small and marketing is mostly up to me. They do some things, but not a lot. And, since I haven’t made a whole lot off my books, I don’t have a lot of money to pump into things. So I spend wisely. I utilize Facebook book groups and post promo posts once or twice a week. I get on social media a lot and just post about my day or my book or something. Either way, don’t think you will write a book and be done. The real work comes after the release date.


What have you put most of your effort into regarding writing?
Writing more books and connecting with people via social media, especially Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.


How did you get connected with so many authors for your interviews?
Heatherbloggs is a master at booking blitzes and blog tours. So many people signed up and I can’t thank her enough.
What is/are your book(s) about?
Demons are trying to take Earth as their new Hell and in order to do so, they have a certain amount of time to kill off every human. Jasmine and her friends were gifted with special powers to stop them, but haven’t ever been explained anything about any of this. Until nowish. 


Does your book have a lesson? Moral?
To fight for what you believe in and to never give up, even when it’s hard and you think you’ll never make it. Sometimes the sacrifice is worth the end result.



What is your favorite part of the book?
I love writing modern phrases for Amon and having him have no clue what any of them mean. It is a huge part of his character and one of my favorite parts to write.


If you were running the 100 yard dash with a new writer. What writing, publishing wisdom would you bestow upon him/her before you reached the 100 yards?
Get as many reviews as you can in the beginning and never stop writing or publishing.


Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
My characters are jerks and take the power right from me.


If you could spend time a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Probably Jasmine, or a new character from a new novel releasing in October, Princess Jovi. With Jasmine, I’d love to go demon hunting with her and with Jovi, I just want to go explore her land.
What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
I guess when I’m told how cliché my writing is or bad it is. That always hurts, but a lot of people like it, so I try to brush it off and keep going. I believe in myself. I have to. Even if others might not.


What has been the best compliment?
When I get messages from random fans that have just finished one of my books and they gush about how much they loved it. That never gets old.


What is something memorable you have heard from your readers/fans?
They finished my book in five hours. I could never read anything that fast, but knowing someone did that with my book is very flattering.


What book that you have read has most influenced your life?
Pride and Prejudice. I’ve probably read this book at least twenty times and any time I need to be pulled out of a funk I read it again.


Who is your favorite author?
Karen Marie Moning is one of them, but there are so many others. I can’t even begin to name them all.

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What is the most amusing thing that has ever happened to you?
I got hit in the face with a rotten tomato once. That was fantastic, let me tell you. But, it was a long time ago so now I see it for what it was. The funniest thing ever.


Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?
I love you all. You guys are the reason I keep writing and will keep going no matter how tired I am or how little time I have. I do it for you and won’t be stopping any time soon.


Do you have any hidden or uncommon talents?
Not really. I guess if I had to pick one, I’d say it would have to be I have an uncanny way of having wild animals come right up to me. Funnily enough, my son also shares this ability.