Interview
with M. Cassol about her first novel
“Fanny
Fun - A Big Lesbian Drama in a Small Straight World”
www.fannyfunbook.com
1.
What’s your first memory of enjoying reading?
When
I was 5 or 6, I found my dad's collection of "murder-mistery
magazines". Although I am sure that I shouldn't be reading this
kind of things when I was so young, they awakened my imagination and
passion for reading. To this day, I love a good psychological
thriller story.
2.
What are you currently reading?
I
am reading another book from one of my favourite authors of Lesfic,
Jae. It’s called “Under
a Falling Star”. I believe that we should write and read a lot more
lesbian fiction, we must support new writers and keep treasuring the
classics of LGBT literature, so my plan for the year is to read 25
books. Any book suggestions?
3.
Which character you’ve created/written do you wish you could spend
a day as?
Definitely
Danny. She has been by far one of the favourite characters of the
readers due to her devil-may-care attitude. Surely a few of us would
like to enjoy more freedom, on the way we dress, behave, love, but
unfortunately, society still controls a few aspects of our lives.
Danny is not restrained by pre-concepts and prejudice. She is the
butch in all of us.
4.
Which character that someone else has written do you wish you could
spend a day as?
It
has to be Doctor Saxon Sinclair, Chief of Trauma at St. Michael’s
Hospital, on the novel "Passion's Bright Fury" by
Radclyffe. She is the epitome of lesbians dreams, powerful, strong,
sexy, mysterious. She also reminds me of my A&E days. A must
read!
5.
Have you created any characters you don’t like?
Absolutely.
What would be of our heroes without their antagonists? Take Anna
Harris, for example, even though she is a secondary character in the
book, she represents everything is wrong with us ladies as a group.
Lake of respect for other's relationships, worried about her looks
more than she should, opportunistic, selfish. She also can put a
mirror in front of us, can we be more protective of each other? Be
more united, thoughtful and less self-obsessed? Also, she highlights
that we should be more conscious of the impact of our actions in the
world around us, be mindful.
6.
What was the first thing you ever wrote that made you think, “I
want to be a writer”?
I
believe that everyone has a good book inside them. I always knew that
one day I wanted to extract mine. It was a dream that brought the
plot of Fanny Fun to light. Who would thought that sexy dreams could
be so inspirational?
7.
Do you edit as you go or as a full process after a first draft?
As
English is not my first language, I use the app Grammarly to help me
with semantics on the go, and after the book is finished, I use a
professional editor to correct the grammar as I do cringe if I read
back what I have just written.
8.
Where do you write? And what do you need around you?
I
can write anywhere, as long as I have my noise cancelling earphones
to create my own bubble and a skinny latte, I am ready to go. I do
believe a change of scenarios helps with creativity, and what a
better excuse for a little trip somewhere nice so I can "work"?
9.
Pen and paper, typewriter or computer?
Computer
and fast internet for lots of research and a bit of distraction when
needed. Checking the Planet Nation website, for example. ;-)