Link to her book on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/In-Between-Seasons-between-destined/dp/1477413685/ref=la_B00819WO56_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344366649&sr=1-1
Link to her website: http://www.cgiovanni.com/
1. Who would you most like to thank for their involvement in your writing career?
My parents, my husband and my mentor, Ellen. They all support me when I am at my best and when I am ragging on myself. They provide constructive criticism that isn't always easy to take, but it's honest, and that is what counts.
2. What is your favorite thing you have written? Why?"Seconds seem like a life time when the life you lived is slowly drained out of you by those who care not what you felt, hoped, or dreamed. When the darkness comes it is all consuming, there is no light and there is no pain. It is the never ending loss of hope that now consumes me as I die in his arms.*"
This is a scene from my up and coming novel Walking in the Shadows. I've carried that passage around with me ever since I wrote it about 3 years ago. When I wrote it just knew it was it. It's still the best thing I think I have ever written, and therefore my favorite.
3. What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself through writing?That I am a lot stronger and braver than I ever thought possible. Writing is who I am, it's what makes me, me.
4. Describe your process for writing/completing a novel.
I write in phases. The first phase is what I call the "sporadic phase." It's when I get the first idea for the novel, when I start seeing the characters and building them. I write sporadically whenever inspiration comes to me. I do this for a good amount of time, until I have about 10-15 important
scenes. All of these scenes are the "core" of the novel and are highly meaningful. The next phase is the "tie it together phase", this is where I start to tie all of the scenes together. Here I usually add in some funny scenes with humor, things that are less serious and give depth to the characters, and of course, ties everything together. Last stage, is the "editing phase", it's pretty much what is says it is. I read the book once over to make sure flow is good and take out major grammar/typos, next it's
sent to the kindle for a review in a different format. Then it's back to word to do final edits, and then off for redlining by my betas/editors.
5. What inspires you to write?
The thing that inspires me most is music, especially when I am driving. Nature is also something that gets to me, in particularly rain/thunder and lightning.
6. Is anyone else in your family musical/artistic/writers? Describe your family members' artistic interests and abilities.
My husband is an amazing musician, a talent I hope he passes to our children--whenever we decide to have them. My father is an amazing writer, not a novelist, but a writer in general. My mother is so multifaceted as far as being an artist. She creates amazing things from piles of molten glass, wool and fabric. My brother is a great graphic designer. I guess you could say I come from a family full of artists!
7. When and why did you start writing?
The second I could draw I started telling stories that way, then when I learned out to actually write I added words. The first time I was published was when I was 7 and won an American Girl Doll contest. Why? I don't know, it's just who I am.
8. What is the best part about writing?
What don't I like about writing? Everything even the grueling editing process is something I love. Even when people don't like my writing, the ones who do make up for it.
9. How do ideas come to you?
It's kind of creepy, but most of my ideas start out as dreams and then spiral into what they become.
10. Describe your ideal place to write.
Outside with a nice breeze, on a soft hammock or patio chair, ear buds in and music playing.
Thank you for your time, Cassandra :)
2 comments:
Thank you! I really enjoyed the interview!
Another great interview with Cassandra. Keep doing what you are doing my writer friend.
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