Cassandra Jade - In the Realm of the Tiki Hut

As promised, my guest blogger today is Cassandra Jade. Cassandra is on a blog tour this month promoting her new release, Death's Daughter. I'm honored to have her visit all the way from Australia to tell us a little bit about herself.

I'm also pleased as punch to say I'm blogging at Cassandra Jade in the Realm today. So click on over after you read all about Cassandra here. And a big thanks to Cassandra for hosting me. It's a twofer day!

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CK: Hi, Cassandra, and welcome to Under the Tiki Hut. Please tell us a little bit about your new book.

CJ: Death’s Daughter is a fantasy, with a bit of mystery among other things mixed in. The story is narrated by the protagonist, Calandra Delaine, who is trying to make a life for herself only she keeps getting interrupted by things outside of her control.

CK: Is there a story-behind-the-story about how or why you chose to write this novel?

CJ: I think the reason I actually managed to finish this story was because I could relate to the main character in that she had really clear goals for what she wanted, but she didn’t really factor in all of the outside influences. Obviously in my life I don’t have gods conspiring against me, but every day there are small things outside of our control that derail our plans and it can get quite frustrating.

CK: What is your typical writing day like?

CJ: My typical day involves me either writing first thing in the morning, before I deal with work, or spending a lot of time working and then winding down by writing in the evening. Mostly during the week I write short scenes and on weekends I try to string them together and get editing done. It depends where I am with work.

CK: What are you working on now?

CJ: At the moment I have a couple of projects in the beginning stages and two that are closer to completion. I’m waiting to see which one of my more recent projects grabs me before I fully commit. Meanwhile I’m still looking for representation on another MS and have editing to finish on others. I seem to be going for a more urban fantasy style in my more recent projects than the medieval settings of Death’s Daughter. I’m not sure why, but that seems to be where I’m going.

CK: In Death’s Daughter, which of the characters would you like to spend a day with on a deserted island under a fully stocked Tiki Hut? And why?

CJ: I’d have to go with Tranya. Mostly because I think he has a lot of potential as a character that wasn’t explored in Death’s Daughter. Calandra, who was telling the story, was freaked by him and so she didn’t really get into extended conversations and the audience doesn’t learn a lot about him. However, we do know he is tall, good looking, ruthless and very ambitious. I’d love to spend some more time with this character.

CK: Thanks so much for visiting us today. I wish you lots of luck with Death's Daughter.

CJ: Thanks Carol for the opportunity to visit you on my blog tour.

Comments

This sounds very good, thanks for posting it. When I get rich and no longer have to keep a day job, I'm going to be able to read every book on my TBR list, including this one!!!
Unknown said…
Cool interview. I love the questions and those were well thought out answers. Hope your new project and recently completed one goes well.

CD
Helen Ginger said…
Cassandra, you must be really busy. You have a lot of projects to choose from for the next thing you're going to work on.
LR said…
Wow I wish I could go to a deserted island (with Tranya). :)
“…trying to make a life for herself only she keeps getting interrupted by things outside of her control” – this sounds like a real life scenario that anyone could relate to!
Carol Ann Hoel said…
Thank you for hosting Cassandra Jade. I also enjoyed your post on Cassandra's blog.
Mason Canyon said…
Cassandra and Carol, enjoyed the interview. Best of luck Cassandra with all the projects you have underway and much success with Death's Daughter.

Mason

Thoughts in Progress
Carol Kilgore said…
Thanks to all of you for commenting. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview.

We're working with a tiny time difference since Cassandra is halfway around the world from me.

I don't write fantasy, but Cassandra's book sounds like a good read.
Linda Kage said…
Congrats on your book release and good luck with lots of sales. Death's Daughter sounds interesting. The way you describe Tranya makes me think I wouldn't mind getting stuck on a deserted island with him either!
VR Barkowski said…
Excellent interview Carol and Cassandra. Who can't relate to that feeling of helplessness when "life" intrudes on carefully made plans? DEATH'S DAUGHTER sounds like a wonderful read. Wishing you much success Cassandra!
Hart Johnson said…
Oh yeah... I KNOW why you want to spend time in the hut with mysterious hot guy *nods*

Fun interview! Thanks for hosting, Carole! And Cassandra, your day sounds much like mine--dratted day job!
Wow, and I'm struggling to work on one manuscript - and Cassandra is juggling several!
Hannah said…
I've been told to only focus on one Ms. At a time but I have like four screaming at me.

thanks Cassandra and Carol!!
Joanne said…
Thanks for the interview, it's always nice to have a behind-the-scenes look at a writer's life. Best wishes with Death's Daughter!
Laura Eno said…
Death's Daughter sounds great! Best of luck with it.
Carol Kilgore said…
I'm glad all of you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for commenting.

Friday I'll be back with the Top Ten.

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