Please welcome the lovely, and full of spunk and energy, Casey L Bond. Before Nashville, I knew Casey as the person who was first in line to show support on social media and share a smile or virtual hug. I wondered if she was as bright a light in person as online. No fear! She exudes joy and friendship. Love her!
Today,
I am fortunate to have her hanging out with me on the blog. Join me in getting
to know her a little better.
First,
I loved Reap, Resist, and Shady Bay. You sure know how to write feisty characters who steal the
reader’s heart. Any insight as to why these characters speak to you?
Casey:
Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Tia! Let’s dive in head first.
I
write characters that I would love to read. If they aren’t fun and feisty, as
you so-aptly put it, I lose interest quick and so do readers. Give me a strong
female lead and a complex male and I’m in reader heaven!
And
certainly, I hope that readers do fall in love with the characters in my books.
The feeling that someone loves your characters as much as you do is
overwhelming, humbling, exciting and awesome all rolled up together!
About Resist
Abby Kelley returns home from the Greater city of Olympus to find that things in Orchard Village are bad, very bad. The Olympian Guard has taken over village affairs. The Lessers are being worked to the bone in the coldest winter Orchard has seen. Villagers are being dragged away for the slightest indication of what they call “resistance.” She needs to keep her head down and her mouth shut. But, it’s so hard to do when everything within you screams rebellion.
Kyan is coming
on strong, trying to convince her to take a chance on him. Shocking news of
Crew’s activities in Olympus sweeps through the Villages. When Abby is taken
away by the Olympian guard, Kyan sends word to Vesuvius for help. But, no one
could have predicted their idea of help or what they might expect in return.
Who will be left
to pick up the pieces of Abby’s heart?
Casey:
**Snippet from Abby’s
point of view**
“What do you think is going to happen?” I asked.
“I don’t know, Abs, but whatever it is, I hope I’m standing
beside you.” His orange eyes burned into mine.
“I hope so, too.”
**And another snippet from Abby…***
Gray didn’t let me go. He pulled me closer. “He’ll cool off.”
“Why is he so mad?”
“Because he thinks he’s losing you. He doesn’t realize you were never his to lose.”
Love! This was such an emotional book for me, and it brought tears to my eyes at least twice. I also love the cover, which you designed. What do you
think makes an amazing cover?
Allyson contacted me because she liked my covers for The Harvest Saga and Sin.
I offered to make the covers for her new serial series, the Mortal Sin saga, warning
her that I wasn’t as skilled as most graphic artists. She was so fun to work
with and I enjoyed making her covers! Not all have been released yet, so I’ll
just share the first of her covers…
A cover needs to be eye-catching. Some of the best-selling novels have very simple covers. A perfect example is the cover of “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. It’s simple but fitting. I like a pretty cover. When I flip through books on my Kindle, the cover is the first thing that draws me in—like a moth to a flame. The synopsis has to then hook me in order for me to purchase the book. That’s why a cover is so important.
You can find more information about Bond’s books
via the following links:
A cover needs to be eye-catching. Some of the best-selling novels have very simple covers. A perfect example is the cover of “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green. It’s simple but fitting. I like a pretty cover. When I flip through books on my Kindle, the cover is the first thing that draws me in—like a moth to a flame. The synopsis has to then hook me in order for me to purchase the book. That’s why a cover is so important.
The
first thing that a reader judges is the book’s cover, despite the old saying. J
I agree. A cover draws you in. Now, tell
us about your Sin Series. What do you think readers love about serials?
Casey:
I like stretching my boundaries and Sin certainly does that. It is fast-paced,
fun and very sexy. Yep. (Look away, Mom). Serials are so fun. They’re similar
to episodes in a television show. They release very quickly in succession and
each segment picks up where the previous one left off. Serials aren’t a new
phenomenon. Even “The Green Mile” by Stephen King was released as a serial!
People
are busy. Some readers like to read just a little at the end of a long day. A
serial completely fulfills that need. Each part of Sin will consist of
15-25,000 words or about 30-35 pages. Easy reading! Fast and fun!
In a time-crunched world, I couldn't agree with you more. What
do you love most about writing?
Casey: I love to create something new and different.
My books are unique, I think. I try to make the characters very
three-dimensional and relatable. World-building is one of my favorite things.
For instance, The Harvest Saga is a dystopian novel that takes place in the
near future. I’m amazed and thrilled that Reap won the Indie Authors and Book
Blogs 2014 award for “Most Creative World-Building!”
But,
writing itself is cathartic and something that I truly enjoy spending time
doing. It isn’t something that I dread, but look forward to. It isn’t something
I have to make time for, it’s something I want to make time to do. I love it
and hope that with each book or piece of work I produce, that I get better and
further develop my craft.
When you have that kind of passion for something, it shows in the work. Last question... UtopYA
gathers an amazing group of people into one space. I came away with a lightness
in my step and a determination to be the best writer I can. What do you think
makes this conference so powerful and special?
Casey:
Girl! After Winter Shadows was published, I entered the world of social
networking. As I found more Young Adult authors, they pointed me in one
direction: Nashville, Tennessee and UtopYA! So, I bought a ticket, applied for
a table and in June set off to the south west!
It
was amazing seeing so many authors, your awesome self included, that I had
connected with online and had become friends with via social network sites. I
was fangirling all over the place and some people probably thought I was a
little crazy. (It’s true. J)
But,
UtopYA was like a breath of fresh air for me and one that was desperately
needed. I cannot tell you how much I learned about marketing and writing.
Meeting the readers and bloggers was so amazing.
I
left with a feeling of confidence that I hadn’t felt until that weekend. And it
has made a difference in my focus as well. UtopYA is never going to get rid of
me now that I’ve had such an amazing experience. You will be seeing me there
for years to come!
Quick Questions…
Favorite Punctuation Mark: Exclamation
Point!!!
Ocean or Mountains? I live
in the mountains, but love the ocean so much. I would have to pick ocean.
Favorite Alcoholic
Beverage: I rarely drink. If I do have anything at all, it’s a glass of
Cabernet. My drink of choice is Diet Sunkist! YUMMY!
Favorite Dessert: Apple
crisp.
Shower or bath? Bath.
Sweet or Sour? Sweet!
Casey L.
Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband Elton and their two
beautiful daughters, Juliet and Eris. When she’s not busy being a domestic
goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new
adult fiction.
Bond
graduated from Hurricane High School in 1999. In 2003, she graduated Magna Cum
Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University in the field of
Criminal Justice.
Thanks for joining me
today, sweet lady! I can’t wait to see you again in 2015. I’m going to tackle
hug you!
Not if I tackle hug you
first, Tia! LOL! J
Please come back for more #UtopYA2014 Lovelies (Unofficial), and check out the announcement post to see the schedule.
1 comment:
HUGE hugs for you both! I wish I had more time to read :)
Casey, that was one rockin' interview.
Great questions, Tia.
*warm fuzzies*
WRITE ON!
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