Cassandra Finnerty - Fast-Paced Sci-Fi With Plenty of Action, Cool Future Tech and Political Intrigue

Cassandra is the author of fantasy, science fiction, and romance. She has a passion for magical settings, and loves to transport her readers to unexpected places. She enjoys creating bold, untamed and endearing characters who struggle to overcome their flaws. Her novel Escape From Zero was inspired by her fascination with the future. As our Author of the Day, she tells us all about her book, Escape from Zero.

Please give us a brief introduction of Escape from Zero.

It’s a fantasy and science fiction novel set in the Kingdom of Canard, in the year 2268. In this world, a person’s worth is measured by points. Jason, the main character, has earned enough rewards to secure a beautiful girlfriend and lavish lifestyle. All that changes when he commits an unforgivable sin. Now, they’re trying to kill him. He’s at zero and running for his life.

What inspired you to write this story? Was there anything in particular that made you want to tackle this?

I’ve always been fascinated with the future. What will daily life be like hundreds of years from now? There will be innovations that are beyond our wildest dreams. Behind the glorious vision, though, lies the murky unknown. I wanted to create a story that illuminated the differences between both worlds.

Tell us more about Jason. What makes him tick?

He’s a flawed character, obsessed with earning points. Jason manipulates the system to serve his own interests, regardless of the consequences or impact on others. He has a dark past but transforms as the story progresses.

Why did you pick the year 2268 as the backdrop for your story?

It was an opportunity to create a world quite different from our own – and far enough into the future so that anything is possible.

Readers say the book is fast paced. How did you pull this off?

This dystopian world is hostile, and enemies are everywhere. As Jason and his band of allies join forces, they encounter constant challenges. The characters also have secrets that unfold as the story progresses, and this creates additional conflict. It’s important to me that my readers are immersed in the action.

Even though the novel is set in the future, your characters are very relatable. How did you go about creating their stories?

Each character struggles to overcome their flaws, as they grapple with the past. There’s also an element of unpredictability as they encounter one obstacle after another – and this creates a range of emotions that are familiar to readers.

Do any of your characters ever go off on their own tangent, refusing to do what you had planned for them?

Absolutely! When the stakes are high, Jason and his band of allies don’t always make the best decisions. Their actions impact the other characters, sometimes creating a snowball effect.

Does Escape From Zero contain an underlying message?

There’s hope that our world will be shaped by positive forces. Other themes of the book include forgiveness, compassion and redemption.

Do you plan your stories in advance, or do you write and see where it leads?

I’m definitely a planner. I’ll map out the story first – creating an outline and character profiles. As I write each chapter, there are always opportunities to explore new paths!

Do you have any interesting writing habits? What is an average writing day like for you?

I write every weekday, even if it’s for a brief period of time. I’ve found that it’s easier to keep up the momentum when you’re in the midst of a story. One challenge with writing can be the constant distractions, so I begin early in the morning to get a jump start on the day.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on a number of projects, including Book 4 in the Princess of Nature Series.

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

I love to hear from readers. They can send questions or comments to [email protected]. To learn more about my books, visit www.CastleSwanMedia.com Thank you!