MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KYLEIGH CASTRONARO🦋

What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

Kyleigh Castronaro, I class myself as a Paranormal Romance writer.

Tell me about your books. How did you come up with that idea?

I write two series one is more YA/NA and is reincarnated Greek Gods (Grace of Gods series) and the other is Twisted Fairy Tales with supernatural creatures (rated WAYYY R). Grace of Gods started as the idea of what would it be like if the Greek Gods existed today, and Twisted Fairy Tales… Well, I’ve always loved fairy tales.

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre?

Generally, it is the genre I gravitate to when I’m reading so it only made sense to me to write what I would want to read.

 

What kind of research did you do for this book?

For Grace of Gods, I actually have a background in ancient history so I didn’t have to do much research beyond using notes from class to ensure I was true to the original mythology. For Twisted Fairy Tales, I re-read the fairy tale I’m retelling – always the original because I like the dark and scary aspect.

 

Do you have a favorite book out of this series?

I’m not supposed to have favourites, but Desecrated Beauty is definitely one of my favourites.

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

I’m actually in school doing my doctorate in History so most of my days are consumed with school work, classes or research. But when I write it’s always in my office and I try to write 3000 words a day if I’m going to write. Sustaining a habit of writing is very difficult and I wish I could do it.

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

I have several really… I always seem to be starting a new book. But the next one I hope to publish is called Last Chance.

 

Where do your ideas come from?

I get my inspiration from a variety of places. It can be other books, it can be my historical research, it can be songs, movies, tv, you name it. I’m a highly creative person and I’m an academic so I’m always thinking, inspiration can strike from a simple connection of seeing a road sign (and yes, I have a story inspired by a road sign!)

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

The middle. Beginnings and end come easily but it’s all that yuck in the middle I really struggle with. Also, getting into the groove. I love writing but forcing myself to find time makes my thoughts stagnant. I wish I knew the secret to easy motivation.

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

Finding my soul mate at a young age. Being in love definitely helps inspire my romances because what the world needs now is love, as Burt Bacharach would say.

What’s the best thing about being an author?

The community, I love how connected and open the indie community is from fellow authors to the fans.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Hopefully still here and still writing. Also, with a PhD and therefore teaching and sharing my love of history. I’d love to be a hybrid author at that point, traditional and indie publishing, but whatever the universe has in store for me I’ll take.

 

Have you always liked to write?

Always. From a young age.

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Just publish that first book. It’s not going to be perfect, it never will be but if you don’t hit the button to publish it you never will.

If you didn’t like writing books, or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?

I can’t imagine a world where I didn’t like writing books and even if I’m not good at it – I still do it!

Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?

Every review! I’ve actually never had the pleasure of my first 1 star review but I’m anxiously waiting for it. Can it happen yet?

What is your least favourite part of the writing / publishing process?

Editing. Formating. All the technical stuff. If I had the money it would all be out of my hands but alas… It is not and therefore I must do it all myself.

What are you working on now?

A new series called Chances.

Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?

Sure!

Standing in front of the mirror, admiring the image reflecting back at him he mused for a moment that he no longer looked like an old man. He was too comfortable in his standard tan slacks and golf shirts. He looked like every other 50-something out there, giving into the inevitable fate of time. Before him now stood a man who didn’t accept the fact that society told him he was over the hill. Age was relative and if he felt 25 again then goddamn it, he was 25 again.
​Chuckling to himself, uncharacteristically, he picked up his Old Spice and clapped a little onto his cheeks. From downstairs, he heard Adam shout for him as he grabbed a comb and ran it through his hair one more time. His appearance was as good as it was going to get between now and that damn date but at least if it was who he thought it was going to be she would be pleased.
​Stopping by the closet to grab his cowboy boots Shep made his way from the second floor down to the kitchen on the first. Adam had already set up the kitchen table for their little chat with two cups of coffee on coasters. Elle’s habit. The table was handmade and raw wood so she was always paranoid of water stains. Despite Shep’s constant reassurance that it had been finished with a varnish nearly as durable as the stuff for sailboats.
​Setting the boots down, he pulled out his seat and slipped into it, accepting the cup. Instant coffee, his favourite kind. One thing he had never developed an expensive palate for was coffee. Mostly because he couldn’t justify spending nine bucks on a latta-frappa-mocha-locha-chino with three pumps of pure sugar and half a hit of cocaine and no whip on top. Or something like that.
​He had dined on expensive caviar before but give him cheap, instant coffee any day.
​Shep took a large gulp, not feeling the burn of the hot water against the roof of his mouth. Playing baseball as a kid resulted in knocking all his front teeth out and wearing dentures for the rest of his life. It had it’s perks – no brain freeze and no second-degree burns from pizza or hot drinks. And it was always a party hit with kids.
​“Alright, so… Who was she?” Adam wasted no time as he sat down and watched Shep savour his first sip. With a heavier sigh than usual he set it down and resigned himself to telling his story. He was still somewhat lost on what Adam might gain from hearing the truth, but he knew there was no getting out of it.
​Staring deep into the dark pool inside the cup Shep cleared his throat and looked up again at Adam, “her name was Honey Halliwell and I hoped I’d never see her again.”

Where did your love of books come from?

My family, I grew up surrounded by women who loved to read so because of them I was always in the library or book store.

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

Harry Potter! I also love Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series. Michelle Moran is great too with her historical fiction, as a historian I would love to one day write something like that.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

It really depends. If I’m stuck and trying to plow through it is exhausting. If I’m on a roll my hubs has a hard time pulling me from the computer!

What is your writing Kryptonite?

Netflix and Facebook. Yikes.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I know I already gave a bit of advice but this is also something I’ve taken away from other readers… If I want to make money deliver to the readers. If I want to be an artist, write what I would like to read whether people like it or not. So, I do the latter, I’m not making any kind of income but I do have people who enjoy what I write and that’s all that matters to me.

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

Boxers or Briefs? – Boxer briefs because things shouldn’t have to be one or the other. Make your own rules!

Where can readers go to discover more about you and your books?

Friend me on Facebook!
Or Follow me: http://facebook.com/authorkyleighcastronaro
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thatkyleighgirl
Twitter: http://twitter.com/thatkyleighgirl
Website: http://kyleighcastronaro.com

Thank you for taking your time to do this interview ❤️