I like to do special things for my readers sometimes, and Kase (pronounced like Cassie) J. Reed offered me a prime opportunity to do just that when her idea won my contest at the end of December! In addition to taking the story concept she suggested and running with it, I also gave her the option of being a character in my upcoming novel, Dusk.
It takes a lot of faith in an author’s ability to be willing to serve as a character in someone else’s story, but when I sent Kase the original, unedited manuscript for Dusk, she was very pleased by it. This, of course, made me extremely happy, because writing a real person into a fictional story is always a delicate balancing act. So, as she’s an author in her own right, as well as graciously agreeing to serve as one of the characters, I thought it would be fun to do an interview with both Kase the author and Kase the character. I hope you all enjoy it…we sure did!
Author/Character Interview: Kase J. Reed
Kase the character
What is your character’s name? Kase Reed
Does the character have a nickname? When she was little and her parents had just realized her magick, her father would call her his little mind reader. After she grew older he didn’t do it as much.
What is your characters hair color? Medium brown with copper highlights
Eye color? Hazel
Does your character have a birthmark? She has two.
Where is it? There are three small dots or points that are arranged in a triangle at the front of her left shoulder, and a larger one on her inner left thigh.
What about scars? Small scar on left cheek, one at the base of her right thumb, and another on the outside metatarsal of her left foot.
How did she get them? When she was ten she got the small scar on her left cheek from one of the small cat-sized flying lizards that made their home on her father’s plantation. She’d been after one for a pet for days, and when she finally caught one it scratched her. The other two scars she received when a young man’s inappropriate thoughts about her made her trip and fall into the rocks while she was running with her friends along the beach. Her foot required sixteen stitches, and her thumb was cut so badly she had to have corrective surgery to repair the tendon so she could use it again. She was so angry with herself for allowing the boys thoughts to invade her head.
Who are the people your character is closest to? She’s closest to her best friend Olivia.
Who does she wish she were closest to? Kase would love to be closer to Merrick, who is Olivia’s lover. She has a huge crush on him.
Where was your character born? Kase was born at home on her father’s plantation. There was no time for them to get to the hospital in Galacia.
Where has she lived since then? Kase lived with her parents until she turned eighteen. After that she went to Galacia to live and go to school. She’s lived there ever since.
Where does she call home? A nice apartment near Olivia.
Where does your character go when she’s angry? She has a place on the beach where can hide among the rocks in a sandy cove. She can sit and brood quietly.
Does she have a secret? She puts on a brave face, but it’s hard for her to be psychic because certain people look at her like she’s a monster, like she’d steal their dreams, money, and maybe even their souls.
What makes your character laugh out loud? Going out and having fun with Olivia and Merrick.
When has your character been in love? Had a broken heart? She hasn’t yet found the right person to be in love with. Her heart broke when her father passed away, leaving only her and a mother estranged from her.
What is in your characters refrigerator right now? She keeps a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables, fish, wine, and some chocolate for those really rough days when it’s tough to be her.
On her bedroom floor? Yesterday’s clothes and shoes.
On her nightstand? Her book reader, a glass half full of water, and her alarm clock
In her garbage can? A few take out packages and old mail
What is one strong memory that has stuck with your character from childhood? The day she caught the flying lizard that scratched her face.
Why is it so powerful and lasting? It stuck with her because she wanted on of them so badly for a pet. She’d read about Earth kids having pets and she wanted one. It wasn’t but two weeks and her father had brought her one that he’d caught and tamed for her.
Your character is getting ready for a night out. Where is she going? Usually to the club where Olivia and Merrick go unless they’ve run off to have a tryst on the beach.
What does she wear? She tries to dress sexy, but can’t bring herself to follow Olivia’s scantily clad ways so she covers up a bit more.
Who will she be with? Once in a while she has a date, but most of the time she meets Olivia there.
Kase the author
What do you consider your greatest achievement? My greatest achievement in life was my two boys. They are gone now, but they were the best thing I ever did. In writing, I’m not sure I’ve found it yet.
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Having family and friends that love me, being able to stay home and write, and not to have too many worries.
What is your current state of mind? Right now, I’m a bit melancholy. It’s ten days (March 4) before my younger son, Patrick’s birthday (March 14). He’s been gone for four years this year.
What is your favorite occupation? Writer. I love being a writer myself. All the characters and worlds I have living in my head need a way to get out so I can share them with other people and being a writer allows me to do that.
When and where were you the happiest? I’m happiest at home, anytime.
What is it that you most dislike? I dislike fake people. You know the kind that pretend to be someone they aren’t. I also dislike liars and showoffs.
What is your greatest fear? Honestly, my greatest fear is being alone. Now don’t get me wrong I like time alone, but I don’t ever want to be left alone without anyone that cares about me.
Which talent would you most like to have? I wish I could draw. I’ve thought about taking lessons, but haven’t. Still not sure I have the talent inside me to do this.
What is the quality you most like in a man? Honesty, loyalty, someone who likes me for me.
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Same as a man. At this point in life, I’m sure not looking for anyone for anything but friendship. I’m happily married.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? My temper and mood swings
What is the trait you most deplore in others? Lying, showing off just to rub something in someone’s face, and being fake.
What do you most value in your friends? Their friendship.
Whose are your heroes in real life? My son, Patrick is my real life hero. He went through so much pain and other stuff in his short life, but never lost his smile and love of life.
Which living person do you most admire? At this point in time, I’d have to say my hubby. He goes out and works his butt off to provide for us even though he’s working through his own issues as well as continuing his journey through grief at losing our sons.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Ambition, because it doesn’t seem to mean what it once did. These days it seems to mean running over the other guy to get where you’re going.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Oh, wow. Well, non-cussing would be you know. I curse too much.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? The one thing I’d change about myself is hanging on to stuff that happens. I have to gnash the crap out of an issue if it’s something that bugs me. I wish I could quit doing that.
What are your favorite names? I love different names. Teagan, Kaidan, Merrick (I have a Merrick in one of my books), Kade. If it is different and unique, I love them.
Thank you so much for coming by and hanging out today, Kase! Be sure to look for Dusk, coming March 27th from Changeling Press…
