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, I am Asta, 34 years old mother, living in London with her two sons and amazingly patient husband. I write Emotional Woman’s Fiction/Romantic Suspense series (IN YOU) under the pen name Cassandra Night.

Fiona: Where are you from?

Initially, I am from Lithuania, but I live now, for over a decade, in England with my very patient husband and two boys.

Fiona: A little about yourself (i.e., your education, family life, etc.).

I am from abig household of five loud and proud women. My family always placed huge significance on education; there was never an option for us, girls, not to study. Quite the opposite, it was expected of us, to get the highest education. Our family had this mindset, work hard to build your future; the failure was never an option.

Therefore, after four years of studies, I gotan engineering diploma in mass media technologies and marketing.However,I’ve never had a chance to work in the field,since my firstborn arrived a few days after receiving my diploma. We left the country when my son was 10 months old,and moved to London hoping to build life our children could flourish in.

I started as a medicaladministrator/receptionist at the private clinic in London, worked there for a fewyears until my second child arrived. After a few years being a full-time mum, I decided it’s time for me to build my own dreams.It was rather incredible alsoa scaryjourneyto partake. Yes, I am talking about writing and authorship.It is my dream to succeed and make readers feel that I gave them something special to cherish.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I just released two books that are available on Amazon.‘Tangled IN YOU’ and ‘Entwined IN YOU’books areheart-wrenching, full of angst and family drama, steamy love,and heartbreak. These books represent one chapter of the heroine’slifeas she tries to cope with her pain after she lost her children. I didn’t make it an easy journey to read, so don’t expect flowers and hearts just yet. No, I will rip your hearts apart even if I’ll heal it with love later.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

After I gave birth to my beautiful son, I felt depressed,andI wasn’t able to appreciate my new family the way I wanted. I found the book world during this dark period of my life. Reading became my obsession and my salvation. It was pure escapism and food for my inner beast that was awakened since the first book landed in my hands.

After a few years, I couldn’t ignore voices and characters living in my head. Those stories became too loud to ignore,and I realized I need to write it. After I typed the firstpage, I knew, this is what I should do. I felt enormous relief and joy, the elation of a new adventure. It was the feeling that I haven’t felt before.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

After I published my first book, November 7th, I finally started to call myself an author. But, I guess, I considered myself awriter after I finished writing first draft of my book.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

I watch a lot of reality TV shows. People fascinate me, sometimes I study their behavior and try to understand why they act the way they do. Perhaps watching them sparked something in mebecause Cassandra/Sandra and Logan came to life and started talking to me. I tried to ignore them, but Cassandra is a very compelling character.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

It was very obvious to me that this story is about tangled lives, lies and unfortunate fates. This is how ‘Tangled IN YOU’title was born; ‘Entwined IN YOU’ was the logical choice since I had to split the book in two. These books are like a duet in ‘IN YOU’ series.

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

I am a very emotionally driven writer. I can make people feel the emotions seeping through the pages of the book and awakening their feelings. My main focus is to make a person feel the story with their hearts, relate to their struggles and ultimately, to feel compassion.

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

I have written this book based on some of my own experiences, but the story on its own is fictional. I’ve never known the pain the way the main character does. We have a few things in common. She and I are mothers. I have two beautifulsons,and she lost hers. Some of the story elements I want to stay a mystery so I won’t give you any reference. But I can admit that I gave her my beloved fierce, protective sisters, Aisha and Raine.

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

I am somewhatnew at writing.I didn’t have to travel anywhere to write these books, I needed a quiet, intimate space to let go of this ocean and shape it into the story. It was more about allowing my own heart and mind let go of the fears and secrets I kept in there. It was a therapeutic process to have such a creative outlet to let go of all my heartaches and entwine it in the story.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Danielle Dickson @Vixen Designs created my covers for both books. She has done a fantastic job.

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

Tragedy doesn’t discriminate people; it doesn’t care what kind of person you are, or how many scars you already have. We must learn to appreciate its beauty even if it is hard to accept its cruelty.The end is only the beginning.

Some people come into our lives to teach us to let go of the painso we could learn to love again. These people spark our souls and light up the dark sky with hope. These people are giftseven if they’re temporary guests in our lives; they leave a permanent mark in our hearts and souls.

Life is painful,but it is beautiful, even precious. Perhaps that’s why we should allow ourselves a moment to mourn and appreciate what we lost. Grief is a journey;we can’t be forced ona person. We should give them time to process their feelings, a shoulder to cry, space to find themselves anew.

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?

Jewel E Ann and her Transcend duet made a significant impact on me during this writing/publishing process. There are other authors I love and admire. I am a huge fan of urban fantasy, PNR and other romance subgenres.

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

I was never good at sharing my secrets with anyone. That’s how I treated my new desire to writeand publish a book – as my little secret.

I was very vulnerable at the time of writing this unique and heart-wrenching story, it was hard for me to talk about it with anyone. So I didn’t seek authors or the community to help me out, I was afraid that I will scare myself out of this idea. So I kept it until the first draft was done. That is when all the learning curve started for me. It took me a whole year to figure it out. My editor was an outstandingtutorin this process and a few betas that gave me advice and feedback I needed. Writing community is another excellentsource I made sure to learn from.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

Yes, even if doubting myself, I knew that my commitment is absolute and unshakable. I already planned to release three more books in the very near future. I am learning new things about the business, hoping that I will be able to succeed and make an impact.

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

Probably, but what it is I can’t tell just yet. I need more time to process what it is.

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

Of course, I learned many things in the process, from plotting to editing, from marketing to social media intricacies. There are so many things yet to learn. I am getting there 😀

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

I haven’t yet seen any actors that could portray my lead characters the way I see them; I never compared them to any actors as I wrote this duet, quite contrary I made them one of a kind. They are unique andexceptional in every sense.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Do not make life-changing decisions to quit when you are at your lowest instead wait it out and push harder than you are at your best. Success is full of failures, you must learn to move past them and learn from your mistakes.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

You have to be ready to let my books swamp you under the sea of sorrow and let it drop you off at the shore of hope. I haven’t made it cheese read, no, it is full of struggle, steamy love and fight for the better life, family drama.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Just started A.K.MacBride – Shattered and loving it.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Yes, funnily enough, it all started from Twilight saga by Stephanie Meyers.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Great books and my childrenmake me cry and laugh with joy. I also don’t have thick skin so I could be easily rattled and hurt by people.

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

I want to meet all my favorite authors.

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

Music, I love watching TV Shows and movies and trying new cooking recipes, and home design ideas. I like to get lost in Pinterestand get inspired by otherpeople creativity and talent.

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

I love PNR/fantasy and Sci-Fi genre, comedies and adventure movies.

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?

Butternut Squash soup, but tomorrow could be something else 😉

I love all shades of blue and contrast between these shades paired with opposite pallet colors.

Listen to anything as long as it sparks some emotion that I want to work through.

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

Drink margarita in the paradise and listen to the ocean all day long.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

I would spend it with my family, and probably at home.

Fiona: What do you want to be written on your headstone?

Dream Chaser, beloved mother and wife. May your afterlife be another adventure.

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

Yes, of course, here are stalker links:

👉Goodreads authors profile: https://www.goodreads.com/CassandraNight

👉Facebook page: http://bit.ly/2L8ogAu

👉Twitter: http://bit.ly/2NvE6St

👉Instagram: http://bit.ly/2JElbCK

👉Amazon: https://amzn.to/2zh8FH0

👉BookBub: http://bit.ly/2yX74pD

👉JOIN my fan/reader GROUP: https://m.facebook.com/groups/174150760095110

👉www.cassandranight.com

 

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