Written by Teralyn Mitchell
Kasie West answered some questions from our contributor, Teralyn, about her recently released novel, her life, and writing. Check out the interview below to learn more about her and books!
Tell us a little about you as a person!
I draw energy from people and love to be with them but I also crave alone time. If I get a little bit of both I’m as happy as can be. On a more bio note, I’m the mom of four, graduated with a BA in elementary education, and love chocolate.
What made you want to become a writer?
I love stories so much! I’ve been a reader for as long as I can remember. I’m drawn to books and decided to try my hand at writing one. Once I dipped my toe in, there was no turning back.
Which book inspired you to begin writing?
I don’t have a specific book that inspired me to write. Really, all of them. My history with books in general made me want to tell stories.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love to binge watch television shows, read (of course), spend time at the beach or lake with my family, and eat good food.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Everyone writes differently so don’t compare your work or your process to anyone else. And while you’re working toward your goal, make sure you read read read and write write write. In other words, keep taking in stories, and practice your skill as much as possible.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
I don’t really have a younger writer self. I started writing when I was 30. I mean, I guess, technically I was younger then, but I’m not a writer who started off in my teens. That said, refer to the previous question on what I would tell my beginning writer self. Stop comparing. Eyes on your own page, Kasie. I still need to tell myself that.
You have written and published numerous books. Which book (or series) is your favourite that you’ve published so far?
*Gasp* You’re asking me to pick a favourite child?? That’s a hard question. I like them all for different reasons. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for my very first published book: Pivot Point. There’s just something about finally realising a dream that is so etched in my memory that happy feelings always accompany the thought of that book.
Fame, Fate, and the First Kiss was such an amazing and charming read! Can you tell us a about the novel?
Speaking of realising a dream, Fame, Fate and the First Kiss follows a girl who is realising her dream. The dream of becoming an actress. She is starring in her first feature film alongside a super-hot and famous actor and coming to learn that it’s not quite everything she dreamed it would be. Between her overbearing father and her handsome, yet distracting, tutor, she’s not sure if she’s going to succeed or epically fail.
What was the inspiration for the story?
This story was based off of a character, Lacey, from another book (Love, Life, and the List). In that book, Lacey just jumped off the page for me and I knew I had to tell her story next. She was so fun and spunky and bold that I knew I wanted to explore her story more. Sometimes characters can inspire an entire book for me, sometimes it’s a setting, and sometimes it’s a plot. This time it was definitely a character.
This book was so detailed about set life and the life of an actress. What sort of research did you do to write this book?
I have a friend who directs short films and he let me crash his set for the day. I was able to stand behind camera people, watch hair and makeup, interview actresses, and just soak in the whole atmosphere of the filming process. I’m sure there were things I still got wrong in the book, but that day on set was so helpful and it really brought ‘behind the scenes’ to life for me. I’m so happy I was able to do that so that I could write it more authentically.
Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
Not in the blurb is the fact that I tell a story within a story. There are sections of screenplay in the book that represent the movie Lacey is acting in. That was fun to write too.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
Donavan, one of the boys in the book, is named after my son and I love that character so much. When I name characters after my children, I don’t give them the same personality or physical traits, but it’s still so much fun to get to type my son’s name out so many times while I’m writing. The act automatically gives me a fondness for that character. And in the end, I adored the character that the book Donavan was shaped into.
What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book? What were some of the highlights of writing this book?
Sometimes it’s hard writing to such a specific industry because I know I probably got some things wrong, despite the research I did. I know when I see writers represented on television or in movies and things aren’t quite right, it’s very distracting. So sometimes when I’m thinking too hard about getting everything perfect, it can get in the way of the story and I have to fight hard to keep that worried part of me away so I can complete the project. The highlights, as always, are when I get to develop the romantic relationship. It’s so fun to be in the business of making people (even fictional people) fall in love.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for us?
There’s a book coming out this spring that I got to read early called I LOVE YOU SO MOCHI by Sarah Kuhn and I seriously adored it. It was a super cute romance.
