Zigzag Timeline: AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Casey Keen

An interview with Casey Keen, author of the Anna Wolfe series.

Hi! Welcome to Zigzag Timeline. Can you tell us about your background as an author?

As a child, I’ve always been more creative than logical. Growing up, I loved to color, draw, create, scrapbook, etc. I excelled in English, and struggled with math. Challenges inspire me, and writing three novels has proven to be the biggest one yet!

I was born in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in the suburban outskirts of this amazing city. I love anything paranormal and/or supernatural - seriously I live in Philadelphia! This healthy paranormal addiction has provided me the motivation to write my first book, “I’ll Be Damned.” I graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and I'm currently working on a new series.

What got you into writing?

What encouraged me to even attempt writing? First, it began with a fondness. After I read my first paranormal romance series, I fell in love with the whimsical genre. I researched self-publishing and decided to pursue it, I mean, why not? Ideas, plots and characters piled in my head, waiting to be created. Once I opened the creative doors, I couldn’t close them! My imagination spilled out of me and onto my computer screen. I never thought I’d be a writer, or have anything worth writing about, until I opened my mind and blew the dust off my creativity.

What was the first idea you had for your book, and how did the story grow from there?

I read an H.P. Mallory book and fell in love with the paranormal romance genre (it was my first paranormal/romance book... ever)! After I found out she started as a self- published author, I thought “maybe I can too!”

I knew the setting would be in the south, most likely Savannah, because I am in love with that city! The main character had to be a witch and it took off from there.

Among your characters, who's your favorite? Could you please describe him/her?

Anna Wolfe is the main character in all of the novels and she is my favorite because the entire series revolves around her! Anna is a “normal” woman. That is until one day it’s revealed to her that she’s more than ordinary - she’s a Grand Witch! Once this discovery has been made, the ruler of The Netherworld tries to get his hands on her, along with a gorgeous werewolf and confident Warlock. She is fiercely protective of her friends / family and she struggles with her new destiny. She is strong and scared, which makes her vulnerable and relatable to the reader.

What's your favorite scene from your novel? Could you please describe it?

My favorite scene is when Anna and her friends are in the Netherworld and finally face off with Micah and his army of demons. The emotions, fear and description of battle, from Anna’s point of view, are intense and action-packed.

What's your favorite part of writing? Plotting? Describing scenes? Dialogue?

My favorite part of writing is creating the plot and describing certain scenes. In book one, I’ll Be Damned, there is a lot of description of Savannah. I love to try and immerse the reader in the plot and describing a scene or place helps do that.

How long does it take you to write a book? Do you have a writing process, or do you wing it?

It takes me a year from start to finish – including having it professionally edited. When I write, I just wing it!

What is it about the genre you chose that appeals to you?

I LOVE the paranormal genre. I’ve always loved anything supernatural, so this genre is right up my alley. I prefer the lighter and whimsical novels in this category.

I do read other genres! I love true crime, history and almost anything with an interesting plot.

Are there any books or writers that have had particular influence on you?

H.P. Mallory and the paranormal romance genre has influenced my writing.

Did you ever surprise yourself when you were writing your book? Characters who took on lives of their own? Plot elements that took unexpected turns?

Not usually. Most of the time I know which direction my plot and characters are going to go (or not go). Sometimes, I have an add-in, but the plot, etc. never deviates from the original idea.

Thanks for stopping by!

ABOUT THE BOOK

To Spell With It (Book #3 in the Anna Wolfe Series)

Valen disappeared.
Micah’s quest for world domination is underway.
An ancient bond threatens to destroy Anna and Roman.
A vampire who cannot be trusted.
Grand Witch Anna Wolfe’s worst nightmare has just begun. Valen is being held hostage by Micah and to make matters more complicated, an ancient bond brewing between her and Roman threatens their very survival. Anna will stop at nothing to get Valen back, even visiting the dreaded Netherworld and enlisting the help of Vlad, the King of the Vampires.
What Anna isn’t prepared for is battling Micah and his endless army of demons, while waging war on The Highers. Faced with terrifying encounters and disastrous black magic, Anna must do everything in her power to rescue Valen and protect both worlds.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bio:

I was born in Philadelphia, PA and grew up in the suburban outskirts of this amazing city. I love anything paranormal and/or supernatural - seriously I live in Philadelphia! For those of you who don’t know, this city is an awesomely haunted place! This healthy paranormal addiction has provided me the motivation to write my first book, “I’ll Be Damned."

Social Links:

Website: www.caseykeen.com