1. Paperback, hardback, audiobook? Paperback

2. Pick a genre, any genre! I can’t pick just one … I love science fiction, fantasy, and romance equally 🙂

3. What is the first book you remember reading? The Hobbit

4. What book shaped your childhood most? The Dragonriders of Pern – Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey

5. When did you first start writing? I think I was six or seven.

6. What made you want to write? Does it still hold true? I realized I could make people feel things with my writing, and it was addictive. Yes, that ability to connect with others is definitely still my motivation.

7. What book/poem are you most proud of creating? My debut novel, The Drift. It was proof I could actually be an author, and the response from readers has been amazing.

8. Did you publish your first book or is it for your eyes only? It was published March 2021.

9. How many books/collections have you published so far? Just one. I’m editing the sequel with a plan for a trilogy.

10. What genres do you write in (or hope to)? SFF and romance

11. Do you do research for your writing or is it all in your head? Lots and lots of research. Google now thinks I’m much smarter than I really am.

12. To plan, or not to plan your plot? I do a mix. I know the major pulse points but the path between them isn’t planned. The characters tell me how to get there.

13. What route of publishing have you chosen? Do you plan to stick with it? I self-published and plan to keep doing so.

14. If you could live inside another author’s universe, which one would you pick? (Ex: Middle Earth, Narnia, etc.) Anne McCaffrey’s Pern, so I could maybe ride a dragon.

15. Do you currently have a WIP? Yes, the sequel to The Drift. It’s titled The Symbiosis, and I’m hoping to release it 2022.

16. Tell me about the character you’ve created who is dearest to your heart. Tristan is one of the protagonists of The Drift, and he’s very powerful but has no desire to BE powerful. He cares far more for others than himself, willing to throw away a life of luxury to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. He’s sweet and thoughtful with an old soul, but he’s definitely not to be trifled with either.

17. What do you consider your *current* magnum opus? I’d like to think my current series. When I complete the trilogy, it’s going to mean everything to me.

18. Do you have a favourite romance in your books? Or, if yours features no romance, tell us about your favourite character friendship! The Drift is a romance between Tristan and Samara, who are definitely opposites that attract. He’s an idealist, and she’s a jaded assassin and I love that he’s the softer, younger, slightly naive one in the relationship. He reminds her how to be hopeful, and she teaches him how to be tougher.

19. Do you listen to music as you write? Recommend a favourite writing song. I don’t listen while I write, but I sometimes do right before I begin. Right now by favorite song is Thunder by Imagine Dragons.

20. Do you have any character art for your books, whether by you or another artist? (Be sure to credit/link if you can!) My favorite art is a stunning piece of Samara and Tristan by @chromayera_art.

21. If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring author, what would it be? There are going to be times when you think your writing isn’t good enough, that no one will connect with your story, but do not give into those thoughts. If you love writing, never give up on it. You will find your voice and your audience, and there is nothing more rewarding – I promise.

22. Have you entered any writer contests? Tell us about your experience! I entered one, but I haven’t heard back yet. I’m exceedingly nervous to get the notes from judging, which should be sometime in April.

23. Who are your top 5-10 favourite writers? Anne McCaffrey, Dean Koontz, J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Ludlum, and Nicholas Sparks

24. Link us your book/twitter/goodreads or wherever we can best connect with you! My book is available on amazon and I’m on Twitter as @casieaufenthie.