Cassy’ Corner- About Cassy

As you know we have been spending time hoping you’d be interested in knowing more about the four of us. Liz jumped in first, then Kari, and Mary will be on Friday. I decided that today I’d interview myself using basically the same questions given to the others. The four of us share many of the same characteristics, yet have fun with our quirky differences. I hope you have been enjoying Mysteries and Margaritas.

Question: Tell us about your career path. What jobs have you had?

Cassy: Let's see. I was a nurse (well, one never stops being a nurse). That was followed by graduate school. I started a business called ElderLife that placed companions in the homes of older people to promote independence. Then I was a university professor, associate dean at the Yale School of Nursing, more graduate school, construction manager of our home renovation (that took 18 fun- errrr- months) and now am writing.

Question: What then led you to being an author?

Cassy: I have done a lot of writing. But prior to my current work, it was the kind for professional journals- Publish or Perish. I am an avid reader of the mystery, thrillers, romantic suspense genres. I decided to jump into the pond and see if I could do that too. It is SO different an approach than my former writing; there has been a steep learning curve.

Question: How did you "find" your genre?

Cassy: I’m still working on what the name of my genre is. First I thought I was writing romantic suspense, then mystery, then straight suspense. My agent and I have had many conversations about how to steer the manuscripts and where they land. Right now I’m writing suspense. Though, I’d love to take a shot at a thriller.

Question: What are the settings you use for your books?

Cassy: My first manuscripts took place in Connecticut small towns along the ocean. That was fun because that’s where I live. My last two are in Italy. I travel there a lot and have a grand time describing the locations, the food, the people and of course, the setting for murder and mayhem.

Question: Do you have a household full of kids who limit your writing time?

Cassy: LOL. My daughters are basically grown and no longer live at home. But they do call daily. You’d think that would give me gobs of time. Somehow it doesn’t work out that way. Then, there are the two Golden Retrievers who ask for more of my time than I think my kids ever did. My younger Golden is a total scamp. When she is bored she brings me all the clothes she can find in the laundry basket. I found her one day on her hind legs with her paws on my keyboard making little slapping motions. I’m nott sure if she was trying to destroy the object that keeps “mommy” away from her or if she was writing the canine version of a murder mystery.

Question: Do you have a particular writing method?

Cassy: I’m definitely a plotter. I have pads of paper filled with details, large post-it notes plastered on the walls of my office, an a notebook that lives in my purse. I don’t take it as far as someone like Elizabeth George, but I need to know where things are going to end up.

Question: Do you keep to a particular writing schedule?

Cassy: Boy, I wish I did. I’ve tried so many approaches to find what is a good match for me. I’m getting close. I’m an early riser and do my best work in the morning. If I can get 5-6 pages done, I’m pretty happy. Also it gives me a chance to try and get ahead before the plumber, or the electrician, or whoever starts calling. Yikes, I’m always amazed at how many people are “at you” in one day. So, I start early and go for as long as I can.

Question: What are your favorite hobbies and activities, outside of writing of course.

Cassy: Travel is at the top of the list. In the last few months we’ve been to Italy twice, Arizona, New York, Paris, Washington and a few other spots. Thank God for laptops. My dogs don’t quite qualify as a hobby, more like caretaking. There always reading. And, my husband and I are giant “foodies.” There is little about food that doesn’t interest us.

Question: What is your favorite "ah ha!" moment with your work?

Cassy: The first time I typed “The End.” I danced around the room. I really CAN do this.

Question: Any good stories to tell about when Christine (our agent, folks) called you and asked to represent you?

Cassy: I first met Christine in Matera, Italy at the Women’s Fiction Festival (a GREAT conference if you ever have a chance). We were having wine at a get-together cocktail party. This lovely gal with blond curly hair was next to me. “So, she says, “tell me about what you’re working on.” I rambled on. You realize I had no idea who she was. This was filling in time at an event where I knew no one. When I finished my not so coherent explanation, she asked for a full. “A full?” I squeeked. “Yes, you just pitched. I’m an agent.” I nearly died.

I told it wasn't ready. "Whenever you can. Send it." Eventually I did. She called two days later with questions. As we discussed my manuscript I realized not only had she read it completely but was already thinking through how to make it better. After quite some time on the phone, I asked her if she was just being nice to me with her comments, or were we now working together. "I'm offering you representation." I could have fallen off my chair. It was worth every penny of that ticket to Italy. And, I couldn't have a better coach, cheerleader, whip master, and super smart agent than Christine.