AUTHOR INTERVIEW + AWESOME GIVEAWAY ll NEAL CASSIDY II Saumya's Bookstation | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Author Neil Cassidy discusses his inspiration, the writing process, and the messages behind his novel.

Key Insights

• 🇲🇵 The novel was inspired by Cassidy's experience being stuck on an island during Hurricane Maria.
• 🧘 Writing and editing the book took about 13 months.
• 🛄 The author aimed to make the novel entertaining while addressing important societal issues.
• 🛟 The messages in the book focus on enjoying life and treating others with kindness.
• ❓ The grandma character is entirely fictional but represents kindness and goodness.
• 💦 Cassidy focuses on positive feedback and the messages he hopes readers will take away from his work.
• 📔 The book cover was designed to capture readers' attention with a provocative image.
• 🫠 Cassidy enjoys reading, exercising, and outdoor activities when he's not writing.

Transcript

hi guys i'm samya and i'm back again with another video i hope you're all well and safe and today's video is very special because i am going to be interviewing the author of the final weekend a stoned tale i've reviewed this book on my channel in july you can check that review out and i have with me neil cassidy thank you so much for doing this mea... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did you come up with the idea for "The Final Weekend: A Stoned Tale"?

Cassidy explains that the idea started with some notes he wrote while stuck on an island during Hurricane Maria. He wanted the book to be funny but also address real-world issues.

Q: How long did it take you to write and edit the book?

It took Cassidy about 13 months to complete the writing and editing process. He initially had 115,000 words but ended up with about 99,000 words after editing.

Q: What messages do you want to convey through your book?

Cassidy's main messages are to enjoy life and be kind to one another. He wants readers to find joy in the simple things and treat others with kindness, even if they have different values.

Q: How do you handle criticism and negative reviews?

Cassidy admits that he doesn't read all his reviews and focuses on the positive feedback. He believes that not everyone will like his work and chooses to focus on the messages he hopes readers will take away from his novel.

Q: Is the character of the grandma inspired by a real person?

The grandma character is entirely fictional. Cassidy wanted her to be the opposite of what people expect from a grandmother. She represents kindness and a good heart.

Q: Can you explain the cover of the book?

Cassidy chose a cover that would grab readers' attention with a provocative image. He wanted to draw readers in and make them curious about the story.

Q: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Cassidy enjoys reading, going to the gym, and engaging in outdoor activities like skiing and snorkeling. He also spends time with friends and appreciates the beauty of nature.

Q: Are you working on any new books?

Cassidy is currently working on turning "The Final Weekend: A Stoned Tale" into a screenplay. He also has an outline for his second novel, which explores the theme of the seven deadly sins.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Neil Cassidy got the idea for "The Final Weekend: A Stoned Tale" while stuck on an island during Hurricane Maria in 2017.

• It took him about 13 months to write and edit the book.

• Cassidy wanted the novel to be both entertaining and thought-provoking, addressing contemporary issues like racism and homophobia.