Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

Hello, everyone. My name is Albert Casper Graham, but all of my books are written under the name Casper Graham, and I’ll turn 34 years old on July 22.

 

Fiona: Where are you from?

I was born on an island called Celebes in Indonesia. My hometown is small and it’s underdeveloped. However, I currently live in Jakarta, which is the financial and governmental center of Indonesia.

 

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

I have a dad, a stepmom (my mom died as a result of complication due to breast and liver cancer back when I was 19), a younger sister, and three younger brothers. I also have a boyfriend, who is almost 12 years younger than me. We’ve been together for almost 4.5 years now. Our anniversary is on January 21. =)

I learned US English when I was around five years old. Then, I was sent to study in Singapore to learn UK English and Chinese (Mandarin). I lived in Austin, Texas for two years between the age of 17 and 19 before moving to Bloomington, Indiana for the last two and a half years of my college education. I worked for a year in San Francisco, California before returning home. My family life is complicated. If I talked about it, you would be spending the next 100 years of your life reading just that portion alone. LOL! Suffice it to say that I’m a physical and mental abuse survivor. Family sucks, but homophobic assholes suck even worse. I was suicidal when I was 15 and 17 years old, but I survived.

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

Hmm, where should I begin? I have ideas swirling inside my head ALL THE TIME. Currently, I’m trying to finish up the second book of a new trilogy called “Almost Taboo.” The first book is almost incestuous, the second book is kind of self-incestuous, and the third book is not quite step-incestuous. LOL! They are paranormal romance, though. I have several more ideas, but there are too many for me to list them out one by one. Most of them are paranormal romance. =)

 

 

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve always loved writing. However, my first “professional” writing piece that was published was back in August 2016. It was a short, non-fiction one and it was part of an anthology. My first book was published on December 17, 2016. There was a submission call for a holiday romance with the publisher, JMS Books LLC. It wasn’t my first submission to a publisher, though. I was rejected MANY MANY MANY times prior to that. I lost count after 250 rejections between August and December. LOL!

 

 

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I still don’t consider myself as a writer. LOL! I mean, writing isn’t my only job. I think I’ll start labeling myself as a writer when I’m finally doing it full-time. =)

 

 

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

Hallmark! Life is difficult enough, so I really like fluffy, “non-angsty” stories. All of my books have happy endings so far. All of my books are inspired by my boyfriend and me, and our combined life experiences. Sometimes, I’ll also include inspirations from other people in my life, past and present.

 

 

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

There’s no sure-fire way of coming up with a title. At least, not in my case. The title usually comes to me when a book is almost or finally completed. =)

 

 

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I don’t have a specific writing style. I tend to write the way I speak. Since all of my books are set in a modern setting, I haven’t found it deeply challenging to use my own voice in my writing.

 

 

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

All of my books are based on my boyfriend’s or my own life experiences, but I make them fictional, especially when I want to write a contemporary paranormal romance. =)

 

 

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

Nope. I generally pull from my memories or I do some research online.

 

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

The publishers take care of all the covers with minimum input from me.

 

 

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I don’t have a specific message for my readers. Everyone perceives things differently. If the readers manage to obtain some messages from my books based on their POVs, that will be awesome.

 

 

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

J.K. Rowling is still my favorite. I read her books at a time in my life when everything was breaking apart. I guess that’s why I love her so much. Her stories pulled me away from my own pain and heartache.

 

 

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

Aside from my bf, the readers are the next most supportive entity, especially the ones who have been with me since DAY ONE. I love them very much! I honestly don’t know how to put my appreciation into words because there is no word good enough to describe how grateful I am for all of their support.

 

 

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, and I hope to become a full-time writer someday. It will be a dream come true.

 

 

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Yes! LOL! I think most authors will understand my point. There’s always something that you want to change after reading through the story again when it’s finally published. It may be something minor, but there’s always, always something that will make me go, “Damn it! I should have caught that during the editing process.”

 

 

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

My most recent book isn’t published yet, but there are parts of it that I find very difficult to write. It’s something that I’ve been struggling with for a while now. It’s a book called “Moving On.” I’m not sure when it will be published, but I hope that it will be out as soon as possible.

 

 

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

I’m obsessed with Matt Dallas at the moment. LOL!

 

 

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

We can’t please everyone. No matter how well-written our books may be, we will always find someone who hate them. Don’t be discouraged. =)

 

 

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Two words: THANK YOU!

 

 

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Too many to name. LOL!

 

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Can’t remember.

 

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

I’m an emotional person. A lot of things happening lately have tugged at my heartstrings. I cry the fastest when a child dies. Too painful for me.

 

 

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

Mariah Carey. There are lots of people who hate her, but her music saves my life so many times. =)

 

 

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

I sing in the showers. LOL! I also enjoy watching movies and doing yoga.

 

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

I’m not really into any specific TV shows or films. I think it all depends on the storyline. =)

 

 

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

I prefer pastries. I don’t really have any favorite colors or music.

 

 

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

I would probably be a stay-at-home dad with a couple of adopted children while my husband (hopefully I’ll be married to my bf then) brings home the bacon. LOL! 

 

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?

He lives and he loves as he should. No regrets.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

Blog: http://alcasgraham.blogspot.com/

I’m “ALCASGRAHAM” on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

My book links are as follows:

  1. JMS BOOKS LLC

http://bit.ly/2oVagLK

  1. Siren Bookstrand

http://www.bookstrand.com/casper-graham

  1. Evernight Publishing

http://evernightpublishing.com/a-perfect-beginning-by-casper-graham/

  1. Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/author/caspergraham

  1. iTunes

http://apple.co/2oLsleP

  1. Barnes & Noble

http://bit.ly/2qdFnlF

  1. Smashwords – JMS Books LLC

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/caspergraham

  1. Smashwords – Evernight Publishing

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/caspergraham1