Cass Alexander
Another author has stopped into the Hybrid Nation for an interview. She’s an up and coming romance novelist. She resides in the Midwest of the good U.S of A and has many other hobbies, but we’ll let her tell us what she likes to do for herself. We’ve had the pleasure of reading each other's first books and as expected we got different, but great experiences! I have to say this is one of the more exciting interviews I been looking forward to doing! As seen on her social media platforms and website she is a hard-working author willing to pay her dues and is trying to write the best book possible, after all, isn’t that what we authors want to accomplish. Anyway, let’s quit the small talk, hehehe. Cass Alexander, welcome to the Hybrid Nation and let’s get this interview started!
1. When did you decide to become an author?
I don’t think I ever had a dream of writing. But I have always been a good reader. Even in college, when I had very little time, I read for pleasure. I started dabbling in some romance novels a few years ago when I read Fifty Shades of Grey. I had never read romance before, and the book changed my perspective on the genre.
2. Why did you decide to become an author?
Quite a few of the romance novels I had read were terrible (most were great). Talking with my mother one day in 2015, we were laughing at something in a book we had both read and she said, “You should write one.” I had a storyline in my head very loosely based on my college experience. In 2016, I had just moved to the Midwest for my husband’s job and I wasn’t working. I thought about my mom’s suggestion, considered it for about a month. Then one day, I sat at the computer, and it started pouring out of me.
3. What genres do you plan to write for the future or is romance your specialty to live and die by?
I think I will only release romance under the Cass Alexander name. Yes, it’s a pen name. I am considering a non-fiction with my real name. It will be in the comedy genre—if that’s even a genre. I don’t know. Obviously, I haven’t done my homework.
4. Besides writing what else do you like to do and what are your hobbies?
Both my sons play travel soccer. It’s time-consuming, but it does fill my competitive needs. My husband played soccer for our college, so it’s kind of a family sport. I’m a runner. I haven’t done much lately due to the cold weather, but I’ve started back up and my time per mile is pretty terrible. So maybe I’m not a runner, but I’m trying to be.
5. Who’s your biggest inspiration for your writing?
Oh, good one. I don’t know. I dig Alice Clayton’s sense of humor in her books. But I haven’t read anyone who’s really similar to me. My favorite authors haven’t typically been romance authors. I really enjoyed Stieg Larsson’s trilogy. It was super dark, which I like.
6. How much time do you dedicate to writing your books?
I don’t have much time, which people don’t believe since I am at home. I work for a publisher in the education world, grading student-teacher portfolios and giving feedback. It’s time-consuming. My kids are home by 3:00 and then it’s homework and dinner and practice for some sport or musical instrument. I’m lucky to get 5-6 hours a week in to write.
7. How important do you think writing is to the young generation?
I was a public-school teacher for 13 years. Language is what sets us apart from other species. You have to be able to articulate your thoughts in a coherent manner if you want to be understood, to be taken seriously. I hated writing as a student, but I now appreciate what I was forced to do and learn. I’m a better person for it.
8. How excited were you when you finally published your first book?
So freakin’ excited! I couldn’t believe I was capable of writing a full-length novel. Even if I never sold a copy, I had done something so few had. And that made me feel proud of myself.
9. What is the easiest part of writing in your opinion?
Turning something into humor. That’s my specialty, I think. My brother and I always laughed at everything. We were not well-behaved children. But life wasn’t fun so we made it fun. We drove our parents nuts!
10. What is the hardest part of writing in your opinion?
Aside from finding time? Knowing when to cut something out, that less is actually more. Thomas Jefferson said, “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” My father taught me that. I believe in being succinct. I never enjoyed novels that spent pages and pages on scenery and additional information that I didn’t need. Setting is important, but there is such a thing as too much.
11. What is your favorite and least favorite part of writing?
Publishing is my favorite. That means I finished something, I met my goal. I’m very concrete-linear, so I need things like that to feel like I accomplished something. Least favorite is editing. Bleh.
12. What can we expect from you next after your second book that you have coming out called “Working for it”?
I am working on a fantasy romance. Deciding now if I can make it into multiple books or not. Maybe a trilogy? Not sure yet.
13. How much more do you prefer romance over other genres?
Right now it’s my preference. But I also love serial-killer-suspense types of stories. I have a warped sense of entertainment.
14. How do you deal with writers block?
I don’t know. I can’t devote much time so I haven’t had to deal with it much. I have lots of time to think in between writing sessions, so that’s helpful.
15. Finally how does it feel to be interview by an author who thinks the complete opposite of you in book genres and loves 007 along with Tom Clancy? Although I do put a little romance in my books, hehehe.
I love that you’re interested in other types of writing. I would guess that most people like variety. I have no data to back that up, but let’s pretend I’m right.
16. If you like to say anything else such as advice, shoutouts, or just whatever’s in your mind say it now. The stage is yours!
Ugh, the dreaded open-ended question from English Class. I guess I would thank all the authors that have helped me in some way. People underestimate the power of niceness. It goes a long way and I think the world could use some more of that right now. And I appreciate every reader that has downloaded my book and given it a chance. I hope they get some laughs out of it.
Thank you, Angel!
Well, that’s a wrap ladies and gentleman. It was nice talking to this brilliant and kind-hearted woman. Cass Alexander, it was an honor talking to you and once again congrats on your books, that is certainly an honor to be proud of! I wish you the best on your future endeavors and may your success continue for years to come.
By the way please check out this young woman’s social media links, as they’re really cool and this woman is an overall cool person to be friends with. Give a check to her social links, her website: https://cassalexanderblog.wordpress.com/ and her book!
If you enjoyed this interview leave a comment on our Facebook page “The Hybrid Nation” or drop us an email on our Contact Us page.
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If you’re interested in getting Cass’s book, head over to her Amazon page and grab yourself a copy her book, you’ll bound to enjoy it!
Link to her books: https://www.amazon.com/Cass-Alexander/e/B01M7MUI7T/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Social Links:
Twitter: @cassalexan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013524643338
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassalexan/