1. For readers discovering you for the first time, can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your journey into becoming an author?
My name is Cayenne, and I was in fact named after the pepper! I’m from the southwest and call my home Tucson, Arizona, but I currently live in Anchorage, Alaska. My journey into becoming an author was kind of spontaneous.
2. Your debut novel Between came out after you started writing in 2025. What inspired you to start writing your first book? I’ve had a book idea for 12 years, but I never really thought of myself as a writer. I love reading and always have, but I didn’t think I had the creativity or patience to write a whole book. This past year I had a dream that reminded me of my idea and I committed to writing 1,500 words to see if it was something I felt like I could keep doing. Somehow 2.5 weeks later I had my first manuscript finished. It was exhilarating and it’s all I want to do now! I think 2025 felt like the year because I’ve also been working in healthcare for 6 years now, so it helped strengthen my original premise about being in a coma by having more experience in medicine myself, which I definitely did not have when I thought of the idea in college.
3. What is Between about, and what can readers expect from the story?
Between follows our main character, Eight who wakes up in a mysterious liminal world after being hit by a car. She’s surrounded by strangers and has no memories of her life before her accident, only knowledge she possessed in the mortal world, dubbed “the Before.” She’s greeted by an animated marble statue named Sintra, who tells the group that they have an opportunity to wake up from their coma, as long as they survive a series of tribulations. If they die in the tribulations, they’ll pass away in their coma. But if they can survive, they have the opportunity to return to their lives in the Before.
4. What inspired the world or concept behind Between?
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of what happens when someone is in a coma. I think it started around the time my grandfather fell into one after having a stroke. My mom told me stories about how she swore he would smile when they played his favorite songs, or seem like he was trying to sing along. Or how he seemed to calm when more family was present and talking to him. I’ve always heard the term that people are “fighting for their lives” medically in a coma. The idea stemmed from this…what if they were actually fighting for their lives and we didn’t know it? Why do some people not make it while others don’t? I felt like there was something there that would make an interesting fantasy novel the genre-bends into metaphysical, Sci-Fi and dystopian at times.
5. Fantasy is such a creative genre. What drew you to writing fantasy specifically?
I love reading fantasy so much. I think it’s interesting when I see writers worry on social media that their book is too similar in premise to other books, because for me, I could read 10 books with the same premise back-to-back. It’s like candy, you don’t just eat it once and say you’re good for the rest of your life. I will say I wasn’t sure if my book 100% fit into fantasy because the books I read in that genre are typically fae, vampires, shifters, etc. But I felt like there were so many fantastical elements to my novel that it belonged in there. However, I would say it’s more rooted in fantasy, mythology elements.
6. Living in Anchorage, Alaska, you experience long, dark winters. Do those cozy winter months influence your writing atmosphere?
They do. And you know, I thought I would be more productive in the winter…but somehow I actually feel more productive in the summer when the sun never truly sets. I think I often lose track of time more easily in the summer thinking it's still early in the night, but that it’s actually like…11 p.m., the sun just hasn’t set yet! Lol. I do feel less guilty in the winter being a homebody though and working on my book since winter is the longest months of the year. I feel more guilty in the summer since we have such few days a year with true daylight. At least compared to where I grew up in AZ.
7. What does your ideal writing setup look like during those cold Alaska nights?
Usually I’m smack in the middle of my sectional couch. I have a glass of wine (pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc), Oglipop or sparkling water (if evening) or tea (with oat milk and agave nectar) in the daytime. I have my electric blanket on my lap and one of two cats lounging somewhere near me (bonus if both of them are!). My dog is also sleeping near on the floor (she’s turning 15 and gets hot easily, so she isn't about snuggles and the electric blanket life anymore). I have my gas stove on burning a fire for ambiance, a candle lit that smells like cranberry and pine and there’s a light snowfall creating fluffy blankets on the ground outside of my living room windows.
8. Your pets sound like perfect writing companions! Do they ever “help” with the writing process?
At the beginning of the book I included my dog “Snickers” because I love her so much. They definitely try their hardest to help, especially my cat Harry who very generously tries to add his input into my novels by sitting on my keyboard while I write. They are the best though at keeping me company and giving me breaks for snuggles and scratchies.
9. Since Between is your first book, what was the most surprising part of writing and publishing a novel?
How. Many. Steps! Wow. I don’t know what I was expecting, but the process is definitely daunting. I find myself often wondering how people did it before access to google or websites that walk you through the process. It still felt challenging, even with all the resources at my disposal about figuring out the next steps. Totally worth it, but was still surprising. I would still do it again over-and-over though.
10. What was the most challenging part of writing your debut?
Marketing. I was so excited to get it published that I missed critical steps like finding Advanced Copy Readers (ARCs) and just networking with readers in general to give my book a chance. It’s not something I think I’m particularly good at, but I’m trying. There’s some absolutely wonderful people on Booktok who are more than happy to share insight to other authors. I can’t tell you how helpful and supportive the community has been.
11. Do you have a favorite character or scene in Between?
I really love Lily. I knew that B, Eight and Rain were always going to be my characters. Maybe not by name, but that the three of them were going to present and the other characters I’d figure out more if I decided to write it. I wasn’t expecting to love her character so much, but she’s my favorite I think. I think the tribulation that takes place in the misty forest or the very last one are my favorite. I don’t want to ruin anything, but those ones challenged me the most as a writer.
12. When you started writing the book, did you already know how the story would end?
Yes, I did. I didn’t plan the epilogue, surprisingly, but I knew the main events of the ending. I actually started the book and pretty early on wrote the ending so I wouldn’t forget the exact way I wanted it to happen.
13. Are you more of a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between when writing?
I would say more of a pantser, but also in between (no pun intended). I know general highlights that I want in the book, but I don’t sit down with an agenda and I don’t map out my books. Usually I’m seeing where the writing is going to take me for the day. When I first started I would think I was going to write a certain sequence I was planning that day, but often would be surprised that I felt like something else needed to happen first. Or different plot points would come out while I was writing. It really surprised me, honestly!
14. What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most?
I’ve only fully written this book so far, though I’m currently working on others, but one of my favorite parts of the writing process was getting feedback from family and friends. My mom, dad and a family friend who’s like an aunt, Debbie, were reading chapter for chapter when I wrote. I loved getting their feedback, hearing their thoughts or when I’d have a day where I couldn’t get as much done, getting texts like “is the next chapter ready yet??” Their enthusiasm really kept me going and made the process so fun for me!
15. What part is the hardest?
Marketing and adjusting expectations. I was so happy to put Between out into the world, but really, I get as many readers as I put effort into marketing. That part is so hard to juggle with a full time job and can be defeating at times because I feel out of my depth. I don’t like feeling like I’m bothering people so reaching out to others on social media and asking them to take a chance on my writing gives me a lot of anxiety. I’m working on it though!
16. What authors or fantasy books have influenced you the most?
Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy was one of my all time favorite reads growing up. I also loved the existential crisis from the book Life As We Knew It. As an adult S.A.Chakraborty's Daevabad Trilogy and N.K Jemisin’s The Broken Earth Series are my favorites. I love a FMC that’s complicated and has a messy moral compass where you’re wondering if they actually made the right choice or not and are sometimes rough around the edges.
17. What do you hope readers feel after finishing Between?
I hope readers afterwards put the book down and almost feel like they need a moment to pause and analyze how they feel about what happened in Between. If they are left thinking, what would I do in that situation? Or feel like they have to reread it to see if they missed anything along the way after the ending, that would make me feel like people connected with the book in the way I hope they did. Or if there are certain characters *cough* Sintra, they want to know more about.
18. Has being part of the online book community on TikTok and Instagram influenced your writing journey?
Absolutely! I feel like I was able to really understand tropes and plot points people do and do not like. At the end of the day reading is all about preferences, but it did help me balance directions I want to go and whether it would be well-received or not. I’ve also been more involved in the beta reading community and it’s helped me explain thoughts and feedback I have for other authors as well. Side note: I’ve also realized I really like beta reading since writing my own book! I wouldn’t have known about beta reading or ARC reads had I not started this journey, so bonus for finding new passions besides just writing!
19. What has been your favorite interaction with readers so far?
I looooove it when readers really understand what I’m going for. Some of my favorites are when they tell me that Between is going to “stick with them for awhile” because it was thought-provoking. I’m definitely a writer who doesn’t like to overly explain things, I want readers to read between the lines and find patterns themselves. So when I get feedback from readers that it was “philosophical” and reminded them of humanities classes they’ve taken, it really warms my heart! I love it when a reader appreciates a style of writing that’s not as linear and leaves you wondering what the author could’ve meant. That was my favorite thing to do in school was analyze context, patterns, meanings and how themes could be applied to the world we live in. It’s something I draw inspiration from so I like readers “catch my drift”.
20. Do you have plans for more books or continuing stories in the future?
I do! I have another two books I plan on writing in the Between world. Currently I’m working on a companion series. The next book’s current title is Benevolence. It’s going to dig into more of “the After” which is the ultimate afterlife when mortals pass away. I’m also working on a Sci-Fi WIP I’m really excited about! I’m definitely taking the writing process slower this time than I did with Between this time though! lol.
21. If Between were adapted into a movie or show, what would you be most excited to see brought to life?
That’s so hard to pick!! I will say that I imagine my book as a movie while I’m writing. This sounds silly, but I find songs that I think fit the vibe and come up with movie trailers in my head. It helps me think about my writings in terms of appeal. I would love to see how my “movie” version in my head was the same or different from what was produced. I’d also love to see how brutal and ruthless the Between would be. I actually am not a huge fan of horror movies, and though Between isn’t inherently horror, there’s a few scenes I think would be hard for me watch in a movie. So that would be both fun and terrifying at the same time for me!
22. What advice would you give to someone thinking about writing their first book?
Just do it!! It helped me to tell myself “I’m going to just try to write x-amount of words and decide if this is for me”. Don’t listen to people who say that there's only one way to write a book. There’s not. You don’t have to plan it, map it out, or have an agenda. Just feel it out and go with trial and error. You’ll find what works for you. Just don't use AI! lol.
23. What has been the most rewarding moment of your author journey so far?
Along with my character, Eight, I felt “stuck” in life before writing this book. Not in the same sense as her, but still in a way of feeling like I was desiring something I felt really passionate about outside of work. Between gave me that. Even though it’s been a rollercoaster and is vulnerable to put a piece of myself out there in the world, I’m so much happier for it. That in itself is rewarding.
24. How do you celebrate finishing a book?
I had a really fun book launch with family and friends at a local brewery! It was so fun. My mom, sister and aunt came up to join me in Alaska. I’m so glad I did it. It made the whole thing feel that much more real!!
25. Where can readers find you online and keep up with your writing?
You can find me on Tik Tok and Instagram as yippiecayenneslibrary. I also have a website: cayennesirois.com. I plan on being more active with my newsletter and you can sign-up for it there!
Rapid Fire Fun 🔥
26. Coffee or hot chocolate while writing?
Can I say tea/wine? Hehe. 27. Morning writer or night writer?
Night!!! Not a morning person, unfortunately for me considering my work schedule. 28. Favorite fantasy creature?
Chimera 29. Paperback, ebook, or audiobook?
Ebook! I’d been into paperback if I had room for beautiful library though. 30. Favorite place to read?
The bath!! 31. One word to describe Between?
Choice. 32. Favorite writing snack?
Smartpop or Kirkland brand popcorn! 33. Music while writing or silence?
Music! The vibes have to match what I’m writing. 34. Winter or summer reading vibes?
Winter. I feel less guilty sitting on my couch in the winter in Alaksa haha 35. One thing readers might be surprised to learn about you?
I broke my hip at 28 and didn’t realize it and ended up finishing a triathlon on it, not realizing it was fractured. I had to get two pins put in it 3-months before I was supposed to get married and walk down the aisle!
