Today we’re joined by Casey Wolfe. Casey is a wonderful author who writes in a number of genres with romance being a main feature in all their work. The author bio from their website: “History nerd, film buff, avid gamer, and full-time geek; all of these things describe Casey Wolfe. They prefer being lost in the world of fiction—wandering through fantasy realms, traveling the outer reaches of space, or delving into historical time periods. Casey is non-binary and ace, living with depression, anxiety, and PTSD, all of which informs their writing in various ways. Happily married, Casey and their partner live in the middle-of-nowhere, Ohio with their furry, four-legged children.” My thanks to them for taking the time to participate in this interview.
Please, tell us about your art.
I’m an author. I write everything from contemporary to fantasy and everything in between, with romance as a main element. My favorite genre to write has always been paranormal.
What inspires you?
Really, it can be anything and everything. I find inspiration in music, photography, artwork… I can find it while people-watching or in a random piece of conversation. I’ve even gotten my fair share of inspiration from dreams. I literally never know when something will strike.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I started writing in the sixth grade. We had to write a short story for an English assignment and from then on, I was hooked. I began writing more short stories. I didn’t start thinking it could be a career until high school. That was when I started to write my first novels – nothing that has seen the light of day, but it helped me shape my style and grow in my craft.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
I like to use star imagery in my work. I’m also a geek and tend to include quotes from movies/shows/video games. I’m always interested to see if people can spot the lines I’ve used.
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Write, write, write. You’ll never get better if you don’t practice. You don’t even have to show anyone your work – I know how hard that can be. Just as long as you’re writing, you’re getting better. You’re working on developing your voice and practicing technique. If you have a writing group in your area, or can find a trusted group online, then getting feedback is also a helpful step, but only when you’re ready for it.
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
Grey ace and demi
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
I’ve been very lucky to work exclusively with an LGBTQ publisher. Everyone involved in the publishing house, including other authors, are queer as well, so we don’t have any issues on that front. We’ve had people ask questions, wanting to know more. It’s a wonderfully open environment and we can all help educate as the need arises.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
We don’t have sex at all. Some aces certainly don’t. But we are a large spectrum with a wide array of comfort levels with sex. Don’t just assume because I’m ace that I’m sex repulsed or that my partner must “suffer from a lack of sex.” Trust me, he’s fine, and it’s really none of your business anyway. It’s pretty rude to try to assert yourself into someone else’s bedroom.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
You don’t have to “get it right” the first time. You’re allowed to change your mind about how you identify later in life. Never feel like you are being “fake” or you were “lying” because you identify differently now. And definitely don’t let anyone else make you feel that way. Give yourself time and space to explore who you are.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
Thank you, Casey, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.