Debbie Cassidy - Anything is Possible

When Debbie Cassidy isn't daydreaming, building new worlds or conversing with characters in her head, she likes to write Fantasy. In this genre, anything is possible and Cassidy enjoys taking everyday themes and weave them into an out-of-this-world setting. As our author of the day, she tells us all about it.

Please give us a short introduction to what Beyond Everlight is about.

Ooo, okay. Hmmm. Well, its set in an Alternate London after the world has been torn apart by a huge scientific experiment gone wrong. London, or Lindrealm as it is now called, has become attached to another dimension that can be accessed via two gateways.   The story is about one woman’s struggle to protect the world from the denizens that find their way into Lindrealm through breeches that form in pockets of darkness. Kenna Carter, our protagonist, is a Fearless officer able to dispatch the denizens and close the breeches. Beyond Everlight is filled with dark dangerous djinn, shadowy entities and shady alliances. There’s also a slightly fairytale edge to it in places.

Tell us more about Kenna Carter - who is she and what makes her tick?

Kenna Carter is a Fearless Officer with a secret. Marked by fate, she is drafted to fight the denizens and keep the city safe. Passionate, stubborn and fiercely loyal are just a few of her best traits. She does have a little bit of a potty mouth at times, but anyone would be hard pressed to hold back the curses when faced with a denizen of Evernight. Her only weakness is her younger sister, Bella—Kenna absolutely dotes on that kid. But Kenna also has a secret. One she is trying desperately to understand.  

What inspired you to start the Fearless Destiny series? Did you plan from the start for it to be a series?

It was a dream actually—one of those really vivid storybook dreams. I get them from time to time, and they stick around in the back of my mind. I tend to leave them to percolate for a few weeks before doing anything with them. The Fearless Destiny was one of those. It was a dream that became a series.

Tell us about the book cover and how it came about.

I have my awesome cover designer and close friend Julie Nicholls to thank for that one. I had a vision, and she brought it to life. So if you need a fantasy or urban fantasy cover then check out JMNART. Julie is a dream to work with.

What draws you to Fantasy as a genre?

The anything-is-possible aspect of it. I love the fact that you can take an everyday theme, like prejudice, or bullying, or oppression, weave them into an out-of-this-world setting, tell an amazing tale and still put across a message. I love the pure escapism of it. And most of all, I love researching different mythologies to weave into my books.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

I can sing a lullaby to my four year old while reading a book on my kindle. Okay, that may just be a mum thing.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Start writing now! Learn the craft. Don’t wait. Don’t let self doubt stop you. And enjoy your 24 inch waist while you have it!

Any advice to an aspiring writer on how to go about planning a character's traits and quirks, and then sticking to their personality the whole way through?

Gosh, this is a hard one. I don’t think there’s a one fits all answer for this one, so I’m just going to tell you what I do. I imagine my character. I talk to her, I get into her head. I make copious notes, and I build a back story. Once she starts to speak to me I’m ready to write. If I get stuck, I stop and question her motives. I look back at her actions and ask myself, would she really, say/do/think this?

Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see where an idea takes you?

I like to have a rough outline for the plot before I start, but I stop and move things around and add stuff as I go. I like to leave room for the story to grow and do its own thing. I love it when characters surprise me by throwing in a twist I didn’t see coming.

What are you working on right now?

Right now I’m working on book 3 in the Fearless Destiny Series. It’s called Under Twilight and it will be the final book in the series. It’s going great.

Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?

I love interacting with readers! You can drop me a message on my Facebook page or website.  And you can check out my books on my Amazon Author Page. If you want to stay up to date on my releases then make sure to join my newsletter, there are a couple of free ebooks for new members. Links below.

Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Debbie-Cassidy/e/B01EBBJN1K/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Newsletter: http://www.subscribepage.com/f6u2k8

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/debbiecassidyauthor/

Website: https://debbiecassidyauthor.com/