I am a couple of weeks (Read That Again! A COUPLE OF WEEKS, omg, my life) behind on my Author Interview schedule…but here we are. And here we go!
We are already into summer and more weeks have flown by, and it’s time for another Author Interview! Today I’d like to introduce you all to Casey Wolfe. Casey and I have known each other for a couple of years now – both of us published through NineStar Press, and although we both like our Urban Fantasy, Casey’s style is vastly different than mine and definitely intriguing!
So, welcome, Casey!
Casey Wolfe: <Squeals, leans over and gives a huge hug> “I can’t believe I’m finally here!”
JP Jackson: “I know! We’ve been chatting online back and forth for so long. I’m thrilled you’ve come to visit. Hope you don’t mind the demons, they got out this morning and refuse to go back into their abyss.”
Casey Wolfe: <pets a rather unimpressed looking gremlin >“OMG, no worries. They’re adorable.”
JP Jackson: “Just watch Scamper, there…he has a tendency to bite.”
Casey Wolfe: “Oh, no…I don’t believe it. You wouldn’t bit me, would you, Scamper?”
<Scamper looks up, snarls, but clings on to Casey’s leg>
JP Jackson: <laughs> “Oh, my dear, I think he likes you.”
Casey Wolfe: “He’s so cute!”
JP Jackson: “No biting, Scamper. Okay, question time!”
Casey Wolfe: “Woohoo! Let’s do it.”
JP Jackson: “What topic is just beyond you?”
Casey Wolfe: <waves hand in air dismissively and laughs> “Probably a lot of them. But I’m always willing to give things a go and try to learn something new. I know when I’m completely out of my league though and am not afraid to tap out if need be.”
JP Jackson: “What a great answer. I think a good majority of us have those “I couldn’t possibly” areas and just put the blockers up. You know? You get all the points for trying! Well done. Do you believe in magic?”
Casey Wolfe: “Ah, of course!” <Gives Scamper a scratch under the chin.>
<Scamper drools>
JP Jackson: “Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt?”
Casey Wolfe: “Ice Cream. Definitely, Ice Cream.”
JP Jackson: “Me too. Although I’ll still eat Frozen Yogurt. But then who am I kidding. I’ll eat just about anything.”
<pats bear belly>
<giggles>
JP Jackson: “Alright, tell me, what’s your most prized possession?”
Casey Wolfe: “My great-uncle’s dog-tags (and other things) from WW2.”
JP Jackson: “I’ve seen you post a lot of WW2 stuff online. You’ll have to tell me why that time period holds so much fascination for you.”
Casey Wolfe: “Well…I—”
JP Jackson: “Oh no! Save that for our next visit! How about this – what sound immediately irritates the hell out of you?”
Casey Wolfe: “High-pitched screeching/nails-on-the-chalkboard type sounds.”
JP Jackson: “Yeesh, yes. Scamper – you hear that? No whining.”
Casey Wolfe: “Oh, dear. Does he do that a lot?” <gives Scamper another scratch>
JP Jackson: “I’m afraid so.” <sighs>
Casey Wolfe: “Oh.” <looks at Scamper and frowns, while he hides more behind Casey’s leg>
JP Jackson: “Breakfast! Yes or no?”
Casey Wolfe: “Yes, a hot yes.”
JP Jackson: “Me too. I’m so hangry in the morning.”
Casey Wolfe: “Yup. Me too.”
JP Jackson: “Okay, define success for me.”
Casey Wolfe: “Being happy and satisfied with what you’ve accomplished and where you are currently in your life.”
JP Jackson: “I think that’s really hard for a lot of people, myself included. We often lose sight of the things we have accomplished and instead focus in on the next big goal.”
Casey Wolfe: “I’m really trying hard to focus in on the small things in my life that have been achieved and that have brought me great joy.”
JP Jackson: “Oh, like Connor? Y’all gotta see Casey’s puppy, Connor. He’s SO FLUFFY!”
Casey Wolfe: “Yeah. He’s my Floof.”
JP Jackson: “He’s adorbs! Nicer than Scamper that’s for sure. And way more floofy!”
<Scamper hisses>
Casey Wolfe: “Connor’s my rock. He is fluffy, isn’t he?” <Winks>
JP Jackson: “So cute. Next time you bring him? I’ll lock up the beasties” <gives side-eye to Scamper>
Casey Wolfe: “Oh no, don’t do that. I’m sure they’ll play well. Connor likes to play, and chew.”
<Scamper’s eyes go wide>
JP Jackson: “Oh well then, it’s a playdate! Okay, if you could live anywhere in the world where would that be?”
Casey Wolfe: “That’s likely a toss-up between Canada, Japan, and New Zealand. I’m pretty sure they’d all send me back.”
JP Jackson: “Well I can safely say we’ll keep you here in Canada. Ever been?”
Casey Wolfe: “I have! Loved it. So pretty.”
JP Jackson: “I think so too. Okay, last question: If you could be any animal, which animal would that be?”
Casey Wolfe: “A wolf, duh.”
JP Jackson: “Okay, fair. I had that coming!” <laughs> “Now speaking of wolves…Tell me all about your new book!”
Casey Wolfe: “Ooooh! Yes, well, it’s book two in the Inquisition Trilogy, and it’s called A Vampire’s Redemption. It’s a bit of a smash-up of Contemporary Fantasy and Paranormal.”
JP Jackson: “I finished reading it last week. It has a very different kind of feel to it. And I like your description. It has elements of fantasy in it, and yet, there are cell phones and cars, but the landscape and the population are more what you’d expect out of a fantasy novel. And then you go and add Vampires and Werecreatures into the mix! It’s really quite different.”
Casey Wolfe: <Squeals> “Yes!”
JP Jackson: “It’s a solid read. I’m going to write up a review of it too – so all you readers can come back to the blog and have a peek at that too!”
Casey Wolfe: “Fantastic! Thank you so much.”
JP Jackson: “Totally my pleasure. Alright, now, considering the landscape in your book is so different, tell me, how did you go about creating your world?”
Casey Wolfe: “There was lots of binge-watching Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit going on, and replaying some of my favorite video games, but that was all mainly to get in the mood, get creative, and feel inspired. Or, really, if nothing else it was just a great excuse to do all those things.” <laughs> “Honestly, I’m just…insanely weird. I started crafting and never really stopped.”
JP Jackson: “I love that. It’s hard-throwing it all out there onto a page and then releasing it out into the world. Being that creative and doing things a little differently should be applauded, so…you know…” <claps> “Well done! There are a lot of characters in each book. How did you develop each character?”
Casey Wolfe: “Whenever I tackle a writing project, I always create in-depth bios for each of my main characters. I get as much down as I can to start with and then the rest gets filled in as I go. Basically, I let the characters tell me who they are. For this project, character development became something of a nightmare when we had the main group of eight guys. Then I had to contend with a whole host of “main” side characters, not to mention the rest of the repeating cast. It was…an interesting challenge.”
JP Jackson: “Oh my goodness, I can only imagine? What draws you into the Urban Fantasy/Fantasy Genre?”
Casey Wolfe: “I love the endless possibilities. There’s really no limits or rules, except those you impose on yourself as guidelines to the world you create. In that, you can create anything you like, and for me, that’s the ultimate draw to writing fantasy and paranormal.”
JP Jackson: “It is rather freeing, isn’t it. Okay, did you create a map for your world?”
Casey Wolfe: “I did! I had hopes for including them with my books but considering my versions are junk, well… Maybe one of these days I can get someone to draw them up properly so that I can share them.”
JP Jackson: “Oh, yes!!! I am desperately looking forward to fan art of my characters, but that hasn’t happened yet – but imagine fan art of a map of your world! That’d be so cool! Alright, one more book question – how did you develop the magic system?”
Casey Wolfe: “Alright, it’s no secret I’m a geek. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that I drew inspiration from sources like tabletop games, video games, and yeah, movies. I actually started shaping my magic schools and rules by looking at systems I was familiar with – D&D, Skyrim, Dragon Age. I then shaped my system in a rather similar manner. It’s pretty classic in the sense that it has schools (or classes) of magic, but I also have some modern twists in there that I think fit with the contemporary setting. And what would my very own magic system be if I didn’t get to make up my own types of magic? Of course, I had to have my mages use mana, cause, why not? It was a fun explanation for how mages were able to use magic and an interesting challenge to figure out how to make that concept work in a “real world” way.”
JP Jackson: “Brilliant. I lied one more question: I know I go out of my way to make sure the characters in my books do not reflect anyone I personally know. Do you do the same? Or do you sneak elements of your family and friends into your works?”
Casey Wolfe: <Laughs> “Back when I first started writing (in middle school), all of my characters were my friends. My stories were all about us and the adventures we would go on. Later, it became characters based on friends and family. Now, though, it’s all original characters. I suppose I wouldn’t be shocked if someone told me they saw themselves in a character, but it wouldn’t be intentional.”
JP Jackson: “I always find it interesting to see how people interpret what I’ve written. Okay, anything else you’d like to tease us with? Anything new you’re working on?”
Casey Wolfe: “Well, obviously I’m working on the final installment of the trilogy. After that, I have a few things in mind – including a magical realism WW2 novel and a historical western. But, before those, well…
I’m planning a prequel to the trilogy, set during the Integration, the time when magicae emerged from the shadows and were integrating into society with mundane humans. Which means it’s set during what would be considered my verse’s “medieval period.” It, uh, may or may not center around Arthur, Merlin, and the Knight of the Round Table.
JP Jackson: <gasps> “That sound delightful! I can’t wait to read them.”
Casey Wolfe: “One thing I want readers to know is that the books in The Inquisition Trilogy are not stand-alone novels. They are very much meant to be read in order. So, please, do yourself a favor and check out the first book, A Mage’s Power, if you haven’t already before diving into A Vampire’s Redemption. Otherwise, there’s not only a good chance at getting yourself completely turned around with the plot, characters, and world, but you’ll have some major spoilers on your hands as well – which is never good.
That said, the audiobook version of A Mage’s Power (the first book in the series) recently dropped, so now is as good a time as any to get your hands on a copy – or for fans to have a listen and brush up on the previous story before diving into the new one.!”
JP Jackson: “Fantastic! Alright, Casey, our time has come to an end, but before we go, how can readers get in touch with you?”
Casey Wolfe: “Here’s all the good stuff!”
<laughs>
Click any of these links to go to Casey’s social networks:
Facebook | NineStar | Goodreads
Click any of these links to get Casey’s books:
J.P. Jackson 
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