A word about ~The Cadence~
I recently came a across a little note I had written about my very first novel, a YA supernatural romance released in 2012:
The idea for this book was inspired…by a shower. If I had to guess, I would imagine a majority of the best ideas come to people while in the shower. This is just an observation on my part. After all, a nice long shower provides a good amount of time for thinking. I’ve even written a few songs in there.
I like my showers pretty hot. I stay under that steamy water much longer than I should. It’s always been one of my favorite perks. That…and sleeping.
So—it was in the shower one Saturday morning in 2007, that Emma King entered my world and took me on the ride of my life! She can enjoy the cascading waters of a hot shower far beyond any level I ever could—except—in my imagination. I have to be honest—I’m a bit jealous of Emma. But I am also grateful that I had the privilege of taking this awesome journey with her.
Emma had a story to tell, and her only request of me was to put it down on paper. So, I acquiesced, and our story unfolded. I say our story, because I’ve learned as an author that sometimes you lead, and sometimes, you follow a character wherever she chooses to go. I’ve surprised myself in rereads more than once. I’ll slave over a chapter into the late hours. In the morning, I’ll read a section and say to myself: “Did I really write that?”
Personally, I think Emma did a lot of the writing while I was asleep.
Writing is ninety-five percent thinking, which takes me back to the shower. Hot water seems to get my creative juices flowing. Before I knew it, I had a menagerie of characters dancing around inside my head. Pastor(the Spanish pronunciation) Sabrina, Courtney, who is named for my sister, Ben King, Erik: each one unique and beautiful.
My ideas for the Circle, the Cadence, the desired unity, and the act of sacrifice predominantly stem from my faith. When I started this journey, I did not have a clear intention of making the book spiritual, and I would not label it as such by any means. But inevitably, as a Christian, my faith tends to permeate whatever I do. It can’t be helped. So little pieces of it sprinkle the book here and there, even if only subtly.
Each character is dear to me in a very special way. Emma is nothing like I was in high school. She’s reserved and cautious and always thinks before she acts. She’s not looking for any kind intimate relationship when Gage enters her life. I have always admired people like her. She’s independent, sure of herself, logical, and fairly content with her lot in life. Even though Emma struggles with her extra sensory touch ability, she has learned to cope, and for the most part, she’s happy. Like I said, I was nothing like Emma. In fact, I was more like Ginger: boy crazy and all over the map. I’ll admit it, I had my share of crushes and I kissed my share of hotties. I regret most of that, which is why Emma is so keenly aware of what she wants and what she doesn’t. If I had known back in junior high and high school what I know now, I would have been Emma. It’s funny how it takes being an old married lady before you figure that out.
Gage Parmer is largely based on my own husband and my son’s personalities: quiet, reserved, observant, indescribably handsome, and virtually untouchable. He makes up his mind about something and he sticks to it. Gage was a very intricately designed character. I had to create someone who lacked emotions and still held a kind of passion that drew my readers in as much as Emma was drawn to him. His relationship with Emma had to reach intimate depths without ever exchanging a kiss. For them, simple touches and verbal encounters superseded every other form of intimacy. It was a difficult task, but in the end, I hope I achieved the desired effect.
One of my favorite characters to develop was Jay. Good looking, built, athletic, witty, and sensitive rolled into one neat little package. Those piercing blue eyes were a must for my guy with the extra vision sense. Very few girls can resist him, and although he is not necessarily a charmer, his very presence exudes charm. His past life is an important element that has great impact on who he is and the decisions he makes in this book. My goal in developing his relationship with Emma was to make it something that almost crossed a line into physical intimacy, but never did. They are so close that it’s surprising they never feel more for each other. This is a part of their bond that can’t be described. I, as the author and creator of this work cannot explain it outside of my own head. But it has to be there.
Developing Alexix Deveroux was extremely enjoyable. In the end, my goal was to create a villainess that was not a stock character, but one who had depth and personality and a sincere motive for her evil escapades. My first run-through with this character resulted in a baddie who was superficial and unoriginal, so I backed up and started over. She plays a background character for the most part, but her role is essential, for she is representative of the Cadence. Her presence has to exhibit the force of every Cadence member. So I took Alexis and transformed her into that very essence. I’m giddily happy with the end result.
The motives and the purpose of the Cadence and the Circles evolved from one rewrite to the next until they became what you see today. The Cadence is a force to be reckoned with, but as it turns out, so is Emma King. And I have a feeling that if my fans stick with me, they haven’t seen the last of Emma and her Circle.
Writing this book was the journey of a lifetime. It reconnected me with old friends and introduced me to new ones. It gave me a confidence in my writing ability and an excitement about what is to come in my career as an author. It educated me on the editing and publishing process and opened up a realm of possibilities for future characters and future projects. By the end of my first novel, I was exhausted, but I was also elated. It totally was worth it.
Casey Hays
2012
The idea for this book was inspired…by a shower. If I had to guess, I would imagine a majority of the best ideas come to people while in the shower. This is just an observation on my part. After all, a nice long shower provides a good amount of time for thinking. I’ve even written a few songs in there.
I like my showers pretty hot. I stay under that steamy water much longer than I should. It’s always been one of my favorite perks. That…and sleeping.
So—it was in the shower one Saturday morning in 2007, that Emma King entered my world and took me on the ride of my life! She can enjoy the cascading waters of a hot shower far beyond any level I ever could—except—in my imagination. I have to be honest—I’m a bit jealous of Emma. But I am also grateful that I had the privilege of taking this awesome journey with her.
Emma had a story to tell, and her only request of me was to put it down on paper. So, I acquiesced, and our story unfolded. I say our story, because I’ve learned as an author that sometimes you lead, and sometimes, you follow a character wherever she chooses to go. I’ve surprised myself in rereads more than once. I’ll slave over a chapter into the late hours. In the morning, I’ll read a section and say to myself: “Did I really write that?”
Personally, I think Emma did a lot of the writing while I was asleep.
Writing is ninety-five percent thinking, which takes me back to the shower. Hot water seems to get my creative juices flowing. Before I knew it, I had a menagerie of characters dancing around inside my head. Pastor(the Spanish pronunciation) Sabrina, Courtney, who is named for my sister, Ben King, Erik: each one unique and beautiful.
My ideas for the Circle, the Cadence, the desired unity, and the act of sacrifice predominantly stem from my faith. When I started this journey, I did not have a clear intention of making the book spiritual, and I would not label it as such by any means. But inevitably, as a Christian, my faith tends to permeate whatever I do. It can’t be helped. So little pieces of it sprinkle the book here and there, even if only subtly.
Each character is dear to me in a very special way. Emma is nothing like I was in high school. She’s reserved and cautious and always thinks before she acts. She’s not looking for any kind intimate relationship when Gage enters her life. I have always admired people like her. She’s independent, sure of herself, logical, and fairly content with her lot in life. Even though Emma struggles with her extra sensory touch ability, she has learned to cope, and for the most part, she’s happy. Like I said, I was nothing like Emma. In fact, I was more like Ginger: boy crazy and all over the map. I’ll admit it, I had my share of crushes and I kissed my share of hotties. I regret most of that, which is why Emma is so keenly aware of what she wants and what she doesn’t. If I had known back in junior high and high school what I know now, I would have been Emma. It’s funny how it takes being an old married lady before you figure that out.
Gage Parmer is largely based on my own husband and my son’s personalities: quiet, reserved, observant, indescribably handsome, and virtually untouchable. He makes up his mind about something and he sticks to it. Gage was a very intricately designed character. I had to create someone who lacked emotions and still held a kind of passion that drew my readers in as much as Emma was drawn to him. His relationship with Emma had to reach intimate depths without ever exchanging a kiss. For them, simple touches and verbal encounters superseded every other form of intimacy. It was a difficult task, but in the end, I hope I achieved the desired effect.
One of my favorite characters to develop was Jay. Good looking, built, athletic, witty, and sensitive rolled into one neat little package. Those piercing blue eyes were a must for my guy with the extra vision sense. Very few girls can resist him, and although he is not necessarily a charmer, his very presence exudes charm. His past life is an important element that has great impact on who he is and the decisions he makes in this book. My goal in developing his relationship with Emma was to make it something that almost crossed a line into physical intimacy, but never did. They are so close that it’s surprising they never feel more for each other. This is a part of their bond that can’t be described. I, as the author and creator of this work cannot explain it outside of my own head. But it has to be there.
Developing Alexix Deveroux was extremely enjoyable. In the end, my goal was to create a villainess that was not a stock character, but one who had depth and personality and a sincere motive for her evil escapades. My first run-through with this character resulted in a baddie who was superficial and unoriginal, so I backed up and started over. She plays a background character for the most part, but her role is essential, for she is representative of the Cadence. Her presence has to exhibit the force of every Cadence member. So I took Alexis and transformed her into that very essence. I’m giddily happy with the end result.
The motives and the purpose of the Cadence and the Circles evolved from one rewrite to the next until they became what you see today. The Cadence is a force to be reckoned with, but as it turns out, so is Emma King. And I have a feeling that if my fans stick with me, they haven’t seen the last of Emma and her Circle.
Writing this book was the journey of a lifetime. It reconnected me with old friends and introduced me to new ones. It gave me a confidence in my writing ability and an excitement about what is to come in my career as an author. It educated me on the editing and publishing process and opened up a realm of possibilities for future characters and future projects. By the end of my first novel, I was exhausted, but I was also elated. It totally was worth it.
Casey Hays
2012
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