Hi Casi,
Tell us something about yourself.
Ha, be careful what you ask for. LOL. I had three names before I was three years old. How? I assume that would be your next question. I found out a few years ago my mother disappeared with my sister and I. She just took off with us in tow in the middle of the night. I don't remember, of course, because I was too young. I remember we moved all the time, though. I never had a chance to make friends before we packed up and moved again. I guess I thought everyone did that.
The hard part was not understanding why. My self-esteem dwindled. I believed my
biological father abandoned us––me––and if my own father didn't want
me, I must be worth very little. That premise dictated my childhood. My
mother wouldn't talk about my father, except to say, "You don't want to
know him, Casi. He's the kind of man who pulls wings off of
butterflies."
I
worked so hard to please people thinking if I could make them happy, I
would earn more value. In high school, I dated boys who wanted me, with
little concern about my own feelings. Note: It's worse to get dumped by someone you didn't choose. Most of my life I searched for validation in how others felt about me, always trying to please, bending my life around everyone close to me.
As an adult with two almost grown boys, I finally unraveled the secrets and lies in my past, and that changed my life. I realize now the bully reflected in my mirror validated my poor self-image; kept it thriving.
I was lucky though. A lot of people live that way a lifetime and never realize why. That's what fuels my fire––my passion. I guess you could say that's my brand, it's who I am. I challenge myself to help people realize their value and potential––to live their dreams.
My website is all about love: Romance Writing with HEAs and always a bit of inspiration and encouragement tucked into the pages. Authors Bare All is another segment that evolved from my passion.
I feature authors sharing life events that have changed them, and love
advice rooted in their lives, so they can encourage others too. The quotes I share throughout my website and on social media inspire too, and the tabs on my site all reach out to help others.
I guess I've taken up a lot of space on your first question. LOL. I'll try to be brief from now on.
Do you have a writing routine?
No. Except I try to carve out time every day. Not because I should, but because writing is a part of me.
Why do you write romance?
I think I answered that one, or maybe I live vicariously through my writing. Few people know I've written a memoir––with all 5-star reviews on Amazon. That was my first publication. I recently bought back the rights from the publisher and plan to update and re-release the journal soon. I also have some nonfiction books in the works and a course on my website, Directing Destiny, that addresses how people can change their lives.
But my real love is writing romantic suspense. Stories that have twist endings to stir readers imagination with oh my gosh, that's awesome or what if ...
How do you stay motivated?
It's odd, but I've never felt unmotivated. I guess I feel I'm making up for lost time since I started my writing career later than I would have, had I followed my early dreams. Or maybe I'm a neurotic type A personality. I just love what I do. :-)
Tell us about your current release.
Beneath The Lake is based on the eerie lore attached to a man-made lake just north of Atlanta GA. The ghost town submerged beneath Lake Lanier reportedly lures victims to a watery grave. In my story, Lacey Montgomery's car spins out of control and hurtles into the depths of the icy, black water. But she doesn't die. Instead, she awakens in the arms of a handsome stranger, in a place she’s never heard of –– 34 years before she was born.
When the 2012 lawyer tangles with the 1949 hunk, fire and ice swirl into a stream of sweltering desire.You'll have to read Beneath The Lake to find out if the couple discovers the key to the mysterious portal before time rips them apart. If they don't, their star-crossed spirits will wander forever through the ghost town buried beneath the lake, which would totally lead into book two in my three-book series. LOL.
I'd also like to share my Beneath The Lake book trailer, and my contact information:
Find me:
Website: casimclean.com
Twitter: @casimclean
Facebook: Casi McLean
FB Author Page: Casi McLean-Author
Goodreads: Casi McLean
Amazon Author Page: Casi McLean
