Give a warm welcome for author Cassandre Dayne today.
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How long did it take to write the story? From the day
you came up with the idea to the very last day of writing. CD: For my
piece called Done – I had an idea and wrote that down in the morning and in
truth had the entire 60k word piece done in less than two weeks.
Tell us about your latest release/Upcoming release. It’s called
DONE – in which two men are moving forward in their relationship and they adopt
a little girl together. One of the men calls one day and says he is done with
the relationship and takes the little girl. It’s a mystery though so not only
is this about the jilted man trying to figure out what happened and soothe his
aching heart but… just who is his lover anyway?
What made you want to write? I always have since I was five
years old.
What authors do enjoy reading in your downtime? Sadly I
don’t get as much time to write and I have personal favorites who are friends
of mine like Patricia Logan and Lisa Worrell and then some big names like Carl
Haissen and Tim Dorsey.
How important is the beginning chapter - the opening -
the first few lines? You set the tone of the piece. Whether it’s
terrifying or poignant, I think if you can really tell the reader and hook them
then they won’t stop.
In what order do you write? For example starting
beginning to end, combining parts, in random order or
in development cycle? I tend to
start and finish and then edit with the exception of the thrillers. I have to
go back and reread passages to make certain the twists and turns are there.
You are called upon, at a school, to tell those interested in
becoming an author, all the ins and outs of good writing skills and
getting published. What are the three important elements in writing,
publishing and promoting that you would give them? Write every day and
edit more than you think you need to. Understand the business is about self
promoting and that your footprint on the Internet stays for a lifetime so be
courteous and put yourself in the best light and choose a publisher or two who
you can consider as a team but loyalty really is an important virtue.
Do you plot out each chapter? Or are you a seat of the pants
writer? The thrillers I plot and the erotics I plan but write.
Do you listen to music while you write? If so what are your
favorites Artists and or albums? God yes with music – a MUST. I write sex
scenes to Nickelback or Rev Theory and I write always to dance music or 80’s
music.
Out of all your characters which one do you identify the most with
and why? That’s too hard. I have so many characters but in truth I probably
identify with several of my male characters, tough but hiding behind a mask.
Out of all your books, do you have a favorite book/character(s)?
What is it about that particular book/character that you enjoy so much? I love
my vampire in the Fire Series with Naughty Nights Press – he is sophisticated
and yet very alluring. I also love my community manager, Nicky French, in my
Pinked Series. She can dish out dealing with a murder and handling assholes and
still keep looking sexy.
Do you have a book that you you just cringe? If so, which one
is it, and why? Not cringe at one but when I go back and edit say an old piece
that’s finally go out I have to go WTH?
What are your writing goals for the future? I would honestly love
to have the Pinked Series looked at for HBO and I would certainly love to bring
erotic again to the New York Times Best seller list.
Now a few fun
questions:
How
would you describe yourself using only five words? Bold, opinionated,
passionate, kind, wicked
If
you could write a warning label for yourself as a person or an author, what
would it say? If you don’t want to know, don’t ask.
Do
you have any guilty pleasures? Red wine and cheese
Name
one thing readers would be surprised to know about you. I was a licensed
Financial Advisor for American Express.
If you could go any place in the world and to any time period,
what place or time period would you choose to visit? Camelot – hands down
What is your favorite super power and why do you want it? I want to start fires with my mind and you
need to ask why? LOL
DONE by Cassandre Dayne
Simon Preston loved his
life. Between his job as a highly paid architect and his lover, Chad Murphy,
things couldn’t be better. And since adopting the precocious little girl who
was the love of their lives, he was ready to take the next step - marriage.
After a grueling day at work, Simon decided to surprise his melded family with
a homemade dinner and a selection of the finest Disney movies available. He
also had another surprise in mind. Gay marriages were legalized in the state of
New York and even though their relationship
wasn’t perfect, Simon knew it was time to make it official. The feast prepared,
he waited. And waited.
When the call came,
Simon's life was immediately shattered. In disbelief, he fell into a state of
despair. How could Chad leave him and take the
baby? Hell bent on getting his life back, Simon fought his inner demons, an
abusive past and false truths and walked a twisted path until he was a changed
man. And suddenly, he was faced with the fact no one believed Chad was really in his life.
Was he truly going mad?
Michael Dayton was a
private investigator and former decorated cop. And he was the only man who
believed Simon’s story. As both men slipped down a trail of lies and deceit,
Michael attempted to drag Simon back from the brink of revenge and the ravages
of insanity but he had demons of his own. Could the love and honesty given
freely be their salvation or would Simon lose what was left of his humanity?
