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Interview with Kasey Grantham

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up in Golden, Colorado. I haven't strayed too far considering I now reside in Arvada. And my salon is in Lakewood. If your not from around here they are all the 'burbs' of Denver. Lol. Golden was a quaint tiny gold mining town when I was a kid. Just like in my book. Sometimes Cassie is me, and sometimes she is my beautiful daughter. She holds shades of both of us.

When did you first start writing?

When I was a fourteen, the words in my head would stir me from my slumbers. Not that I slept much during the night, but when I did, the sentences or thoughts would invade my sleep. I would wake abruptly and write until the words disappeared from my minds eye.I never though they would be much more than a poem or short little blurb. Now I have one book finished and two more slowly seeping out of my consciousness dripping from my fingers. It's strange where creative passion can take you if you let it. Writing like everything else in my life is just for fun. Evolving as I learn. After all, if it isn't fun, why do it? And if it isn't fun, make it fun. :)

What's the story behind your latest book?

It's a story about being flawed. Perfectly imperfect. We all can choose to unlock our inner powers. It,s about getting out of your personal story and choosing someone before yourself. If we all could do this in just a small way, every day the world, and all of us in it, would be better for it. We can change the world. What we believe is real.

What motivated you to become an indie author?

I had a dream. The manuscript was stuffed in a "All You Need is Love" Beatles bag. The second book laying in wait for me. I'm sure Jared's wondering when I would be back to help him along. He appears here and there completely beside himself, begging for another chapter. Desperate to move on from the last place I left him. Back to my dream, Sylvia Brown told me to publish the book, She said,"You will email it to me after it's published." The next day, all I could think about was finding the manuscript that I hadn't touched or even seen for years. If you don't know me, my word is my bond. If I say it, I do it. After a stirring dream (which doesn't happen often, dreaming I mean), I have a muse that won't let me go until the chore is over. I never expected to write a book, but the relentless dreams every night procured a book in three months. I had never really thought it would see the light of day. It was easy to post it. Not that it was supposed to be real, it wasn't to be honest. I never thought anyone would ever read it. I was wrong. As with everything I have ever done, it's never under the covers. It's always out loud. Now it is a much better version. Isn't that what life is about? Honing your craft? Trying things on and seeing if they fit? Redefining ourselves? Practicing and failing and studying and learning until you get it right? If I can do it, anyone can. I believe in a world where the only limits we have are the ones we place on ourselves. I can be everything and so can you.

How has Smashwords contributed to your success?

Smashwords has given my husband tools he would not have had. It's been fun to watch him become a book editor. Not because he loves books, mind you, but because he loves me. And I him.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

It's just plain fun. Mindless fun. It's about getting it out of my mind, like when you have a song stuck in your head, and it plays on the radio. It is a release from my subconscious. As with any art form, it ebbs and flows.

What are you working on next?

I'm about 25,000 words into the second in the Thalo trilogy. Out of the blue, the letters of a paragraph formed in my mind, it became 7,000 words in a few hours. This wasn't a dream, but a waking character. From some other book world that is forming. This was a first for me. Cassie and Jared were friends that bothered me every night until I awoke. But this new character is forming out of a haze of sunlight. I'm not sure of where it will take me, but I know I'll enjoy the ride.

Who are your favorite authors?

Pretty much anyone that writes a book and puts it into the world. I'll read and enjoy almost anything. I love fantasy, and more than that, I love perspective. Reality, suspense, business, you name it. Although I do have a squeamish side, I just cannot do horror or anything too graphic. My mind stores words and pictures. So I choose to only store things I want to recall.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

The promise of a new day. Enjoying my life. Finding a new goal to strive for. The idea of spending time with my favorite people. I feel blessed to work with my best friends everyday.After all, "behind every beautiful woman is a hairstylist that loves her." So true. There is always a new reason to be happy. I choose to love everything that I do. When someone asks me, "How are you?" I am always fabulous. Not good or okay (mediocre), fabulous. Happiness is a choice. 

How do you approach cover design?

Lol. Trial and major errors. bahahaha:) Then you buy one. There are amazing designs and designers out there. I felt bad dropping another project on my sweet husband, especially since this is my deal, not his. But it was fun to make the first couple. You just never know what you'll learn, if you're open to learning.

Describe your desk

This is kinda a funny question. I do have a few. I don't know if I'm alone in this, but I write in my bedroom, propped up with six stiff pillows on my sleep number bed. My number is 80. Lol. I grab my laptop, and have a Netflix movie going as background noise. Most of the time, my kids are watching the movie next to me as I write. Or if it's during the day, I settle into the family sectional in the great room. Camped out with snacks, water, and some sort of 'trash talk, lie detector, not the father' television show. You never have to pay attention with those shows, but they are sure entertaining.

What do your fans mean to you?

You can never have too many friends. I love to meet new people.
Personally, I have about 1400 clients at the Salon yearly. I love them. I have been a Master stylist for years. I can't tell you how many people I have had the honor to work with. I am blessed to share the happy and sad moments with them. There is always room for more friends, I do not believe there is a limit to the abundance of this world. We all can have it. Together we can change the collective consciousness. We can leave the world a little better than we found it.

When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?

I am the president and Master Colorist, Senior Stylist at Chez Elle Salon & Spa in Lakewood, Colorado. I love making people feel relaxed and pampered. There is nothing like #happyhair or #chezelleswag and of course #hairlove ;) I am also a devoted wife and mother to 3 kiddos, and 2 extra kiddos. Making 5 in all. We adore them all. i don't mind being adopted by extra kids. Love it! Wouldn't have it any other way. The more the merrier.

How do you discover the ebooks you read?

Mostly, the clients from the salon suggest the books I tend to buy. If I hear a title three times, I know that it will be my next purchase. Although, I do have an amazing client that is on the best sellers list for her cookbook. And boy is she amazing! The Paleo Kitchen: Finding Primal Joy in Modern Cooking by Juli Bauer.

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?

I wrote about my family. I was probably 5 or 6 at the time. It was cute and of course fully illustrated. I have been an artist since I can remember. My mom says as soon as I could hold something. I love painting and drawing, pretty much any medium. I've always been creative. I originally thought I would be an starving artist and barely make ends meet. As long as I was creating, I felt like I wouldn't care. Well all to often, life comes up with better ideas for us. I went to Cosmetology school and had an a-ha moment. Hair was art. A craft to hone. An art with the power to make you feel beautiful. To help when you want to become someone else. A moment just for yourself. A gift of love when life knocks you down. For me, I will always be a servant to my fellow man. To be a shoulder to cry on, or a guiding light in the dark.

What is your writing process?

The muse has to bite me. It needs to be organic. It needs to flow through me. It can't be forced.

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?

I have read since I was four or five. In third grade, I read 'The Castle in the Attic.' It was amazing. It was the first time I was part of the story. It was a magical book in so many ways. I fell into that book and was lost. It was fantasy, but it was all the sudden my story. I was there, sucked into a world that my imagination formed through the words the author spoke.The words blurred and the story became real. It was the beginning with my love affair with books.

What are your five favorite books, and why?

That's a no-brainer, Pick any five of the Harry Potter books. I love Harry. Better question, who doesn't? Or four of them and 'The Castle in the Attic'.

What do you read for pleasure?

Whatever is sitting on my night stand. At the current moment it is 'Walden' by Thoreau.

What is your e-reading device of choice?

Whatever device that is next to me. I do have to say the ease of devices and the storing of books is a creature comfort. I still have fond memories and a place in my heart for old fashioned books. The warm oaky smell and the feel of the dry crackling paper rubbing the tips of my fingers as I flip the page, eager to read the next line..

What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?

I would imagine twitter.This book is a fun thing. A baby bird if you will, nurturing helps, but it will be what it will be. You can't change a bird if its a bird, lol. I have a lot of other irons in the fire. I'm always looking for new ways to market our Chez Elle Salon & Spa. Building relationships with new clients and building the Salon Family is always a constant goal.

Published 2014-11-14.

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Books by This Author

The Grail Court

By Kasey Grantham
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 50,590. Language: English. Published: February 20, 2014. Category:Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy

Would you choose the road less traveled? What if you could escape your high school existence just by closing your eyes? Would you? What if evil and the fate of the rest of the world was waiting for you on the other side of your eyelids? Would you choose: The ordinary...or extraordinary?