Author Interview: Kay Cassidy

AUTHOR BIO:

Kay Cassidy is the author of teen fiction she wishes was based on her real life. She is the founder of the national Great Scavenger Hunt ContestTM reading program for kids and teens and the host of the inspirational Living Your FiveTM web project. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, movies, music, and reading. Lots and lots of reading. She hopes her debut YA novel, THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY (April 13, 2010 - Egmont), will help girls embrace their inner Cindy.

Q&A:

1. In The Cinderella Society, the Cindys work to combat the Wickeds. What inspired these two secret societies?

The Cinderella Society actually came from a magazine article about high school sororities. I'd never heard of that before and, once I started thinking about the kind of society I would create if I could, I realized I would want it to be an organization devoted to fighting the everyday battle of good vs. evil. The idea snowballed from there and The Cinderella Society was born.

2. The Cinderella Society contains a lot of positive messages about self-image, friendship, and cliques. Do you think these messages will have a positive impact on your readers?

I really hope so. I get a lot of email about the book that addresses those issues, actually. I've even had people tell me how using The Rule of Fives has made a difference in their lives. That's so cool! I use that one too. :-)

3. In your opinion, what's the hardest part involved with writing YA fiction?

I think that's different for every author… and sometimes for each book too. For me, I tend to write first drafts that are dialogue and action driven. I have to consciously go back and layer in description and sensory details because that's not what I'm thinking of when I'm first drafting. I'm just thinking of the characters and action as it appears in my head. It's almost like tunnel vision – I don't even think about where they are half the time because I'm so focused on how they're interacting with each other. It's only when I'm editing that I can see the bigger picture of the scene and bring that to the page more fully.

4.I know that I personally can't wait to learn more about Jess. Is there any possibility that a sequel could hit the shelves?

Right now, I'm working on the sequel to The Cinderella Society, titled Cindy on a Mission. It follows the further adventures of Jess and the Sisters as the Wickeds launch an offensive that threatens everything the Cindys hold dear. Cindy on a Mission will be on shelves in Spring 2011.

5. You're a creator, and active member of Living Your Five^TM, which focuses on making the world a better place. Can you briefly explain what LYF is, and do you have any suggestions for people who want to participate?

Living Your Five^TM is about choosing the five ways you want to make a difference in the world and then living your life according to those priorities. I created the concept in 2008 as a way to keep myself focused on what matters most when life gets crazy. It worked so well for me that I invited Alyson Noel and Tera Lynn Childs to join forces and create an inspirational web project where we share our progress on living our Fives. We encourage everyone to climb aboard and share their own Fives on their blogs too! All the details can be found at www.kaycassidy.com/lyf including how to become an Honorary Fiver. The more, the merrier!

More about Kay's book, The Cinderella Society:

OFFICIAL BOOK BLURB:

What a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn't want to wear it anymore?

Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider. So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it's like something out of a fairy tale. Swept up by the Cindys' magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she's finally found her chance to fit in.

Then the Wickeds--led by Jess's arch-enemy--begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there's more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside. She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything.

Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her. Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn't want to be seen with her in public? And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters?

BOOK TEASER:

I opened the card, my hands trembling in dread and the faint remnants of what I used to call hope, as a tiny silver high-heel pin bounced into my hand.

I juggled the pin for a second, barely managing to keep it from falling, and flipped open the note with my other hand. The words inside were not a message but an invitation that sent shivers down my spine:

Your presence is requested at The Grind.

Tonight, 7 p.m.

Wear the pin.

Discretion MANDATORY.

A huge thanks to Kay for answering my questions. You can check out my review of The Cinderella Society Here