Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I’ve always loved the idea of a broody man faced with a Little Miss Sunshine who eventually manages to break down his barriers and make him smile. I wanted to explore that concept but I wanted it to be deeper than just a broody guy and a happy go lucky girl. I then thought about a few people I know who are always smiling and so positive about everything, to the point of being annoying at times and it made me wonder whether happiness and positivity were a character trait, a feeling or if it could also be a choice for some. So I came up with the idea of exploring the theory of happiness in my book through Molly and Adam and I’m really happy with the way things turned out. It’s funny and light-hearted, but deep and moving too.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I discovered chicklit/romantic comedies in my twenties and loved the fact that a book could make me laugh out loud. And I’ve been hooked since. The authors who inspired me were Jill Mansell, Catherine Alliot, Cathy Kelly, Marian Keyes, Judith Mc Naught, Sophie Kinsella and Cecilia Ahern.
What are you working on now?
I haven’t been working on anything since I finished my first draft of “Stuck with Me” last year. It’s taken so much time to edit and re-edit – and re-re-re-edit – that it didn’t leave me time for any other writing. As writing is simply a hobby, there are just so many other things that come before it unfortunately. I’ve been writing in my head though and have ideas for my third novel, but I’m just not sure where it’s going to take me yet. I have to find the time to sit down and start writing and see where it goes.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not very good with promotion but I’m lucky to have my sister who helps me a lot with this side of things. It’s been such a huge learning curve in the past year and it’s so hard getting people to buy your book!! We now tend to promote every three months when I can have a Kindle Countdown deal and we apply to 99c promo sites and have some sales over the promo days and pages read tend to increase too as a result. But after a few weeks, it’s back to a plateau until the next time!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
*Don’t do it for the money, do it because you love writing.
*Never forget that there will always be people who don’t like your books – and that’s okay. Just concentrate on those who do.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
* Never give up.
* The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall – Nelson Mandela
* I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy. I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.
What are you reading now?
Flawed by Cecilia Ahern – one of my favourite authors.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to get a paperback version of “Stuck with Me” published for the Mauritian market next year and find the time to write my third book.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
* How to Survive on a Desert Island – Guide and Survival Kit
* How to fall in Love by Cecilia Ahern because it’s my favourite book ever. It’s uplifting and wonderful and is sure to make me feel better.
*The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram because it’s a great YA book – and I’m so in love with Grayson. He makes me feel sixteen years old again and that will definitely cheer me up.
Author Websites and Profiles
Cassandra Piat Website
Cassandra Piat Amazon Profile
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