Hello and thanks for stopping by to get to know L. A. Cadieux.
L. A. Cadieux’s debut novel
ONE LIFE is being published on June 20th
through Evernight Teen Publishing. She is a YA/New Adult writer and social media-aholic born in Lac La Biche, Alberta, living in Calgary, Canada. Since childhood she's been mesmerized by stories of fairy tales, knights, Greek and Roman mythology and comic book heroes. Naturally, she wanted to create her own worlds/characters and set off on a long quest to write fantasy novels. Creative, yet business minded, she went on to earn a Degree in Management from the University of Alberta Augustana, specializing in Business Economics. She's a Project Manager by day (in IT) and by night she work on her stories. After shelving some of her earlier manuscripts she decided to focus on
ONE LIFE, the first in a series of Teddy Owens Stories. As a proud mom of two – she spends her days and nights multitasking. Random facts: Tim Hortons coffee and ketchup chips are her vices. She's also a fan of the HBO and CW Networks. Her favorite book is Jane Austen’s PRIDE & PREJUDICE.
ONE LIFE is an emotional and riveting coming of age tale of romance, lies, and difficult choices. It explores themes of self, family, duty, and betrayal.
What would you do if you were given the choice to save only
one person you loved? How would you choose? Imagine this ability at the young
age of only sixteen. This is Teddy Owens tragic fate. Teddy doesn’t even know
what is in store for her yet. Being thrown into the dangerous underworld as the
prized possession so many want to capture and exploit for their own purposes,
she is forced to run to New York City’s dense backdrop at the promise of a
mystery man, Leevi Koivu, who happens to be the heir to an underworld. Teddy
has no choice but to trust Leevi and make an oath to him swearing her ability
to save one life to him alone.
I'm so pleased to have you visit, Ms. Cadieux. Thank you for taking this time out of your busy schedule. Let's get down to business, shall we?
Dee: Is writing your full time job, or do you have a day job as well?
L.A.: I’m a
Project Manager in Information Technology by day.
Dee: Do
you work with an outline, or just write?
L.A.: I try
to create a one or two paragraph concept before starting, but for the most part
my inspiration and storylines have flowed best while sitting down at my laptop.
I like to start typing and just see where the story will take me.
Dee: Can
you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
L.A.: Seven
years. That is how long it took me to sign my first publishing deal. Four years
to find an agent. Seven years of rejections, three manuscripts, tears, self-doubt,
and a lot of learning. I never did find an agent to represent my first
manuscript, an Epic Fantasy.
ONE LIFE—my second novel—was the first of my works
to attract the attention of a fabulous literary agent,
Marisa Corvisiero. I
also wrote a sequel to ONE LIFE and hope to write a third in the series.
Dee: What
do you contribute your success to?
L.A.: Any
success I’ll have in my life is due to the rocky and winding road—I’ve had
to work hard for any success. If my road was smooth and straight I don’t think
I’d have developed a thick skin, or developed as a writer. This business likes to
hand out a few hard knocks before building you up—and I wouldn’t have it any other
way. The low points are important for creative growth…as much as I may not have
appreciated the value of those moments right after opening another rejection
letter. The truth is it’s hard to appreciate success…without knowing what it
feels like to have failed.
Dee: What
was your favorite part to write, and why?
L.A.: There
is a scene on a patio where my main character, Teddy Owens, is standing and gazing
out over Manhattan. Homesick for the Rockies, she is caught by surprise to be
taken with the bustling life of the iconic city. She doesn’t realize behind her
a grinning young man is leaning on a patio door watching her. When she does
finally turn around to see him their personalities clash immediately—but right
away there is an undeniable chemistry between them. His arrogance irks her. Her
innocence intrigues him. They end up in a charming argument over the proper way
to eat an Oreo cookie—I love this scene and still think of it every time I see an
Oreo.
Dee: When
did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
L.A.: My mother once told me, try to pick a career that will enable you to keep care of yourself. Naturally, I decided to be practical and earn a degree in Management, specializing in Business Economics. However it wasn't more than a couple years after graduating - much as I love my job - a little corner of my soul called out for me to create...something, anything. It's hard to believe now, but at this point I'd only written a couple short stories and a few essays. I couldn't remember having written anything longer than 30 pages!
I was 23 when I sat down at my computer to try my hand at being a novelist. At that point I couldn't fathom the incredible journey I'd started.
Dee: Is
there a message in your novel that you hope readers will grasp?
L.A.: I think
young girls especially are likely to feel inspired by Teddy and hopefully they
will be able to see themselves in her. At first she is conflicted and slightly
uncomfortable with herself. She starts off relying on people too much and then
really becomes independent and strong in her ideas. I hope readers take away an
appreciation for her transformation throughout the story—as she develops an
enviable strength and confidence.
Dee: I
have to ask: White wine or red? Vanilla ice cream or chocolate? Coffee or
tea?
L.A.: Red
wine—definitely red. I do love a good Malbec. Chocolate
ice cream…if I’m choosing out of those two options. Coconut ice cream is my
favorite. Coffee.
I drink a large double-double from Tim Hortons every morning.
Dee: Where
and when do you prefer to do your writing?
L.A.: I’ve
done my best work in coffee shops. More than a time or two my local Starbucks has
seen me settle in for several hours to write.
Dee: Do
you have a favorite quote?
L.A.: One of my favorite quotes comes from T.E. Lawrence, "All dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was in vanity, but the dreams of the day are dangerous, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible."
To learn more about L.A. Cadieux and her book
ONE LIFE, join her on her social network at the following locations:
You can find ONE LIFE for sale on
Evernight Teen website and third party retailers including
Amazon, All Romance e-Books, Barnes & Noble, BookStrand, Sony, Apple iBooks, Chapters-Indigo/KOBO, Coffee Time Romance.
Again, thanks for taking the time to visit. Don't forget to leave a comment for LA. and lend your support to this wonderful author.
I wish you all the best in your scribblings.
Dee Ann
