We at the Cutting Edge Indies would like to take this
opportunity to introduce Donna Fasano to our readers.
CEI: In your own words, tell
us about Donna Fasano.
Donna: At the ripe old age of 53, I'm still discovering the
answer to this myself. Family is a big part of my life. I married my
high-school sweetheart 34 years ago and we're still together. I've got two
grown sons I'm very proud of. I have brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews,
all of whom I dearly love. I have tons of friends and enjoy nothing more than
spending time with them. I've faced a lot of tragedy in my life, but I'm not
the type of person who dwells on the negative; my glass is always half full. I
think I'm still growing, still evolving, and each day brings welcomed change
and new opportunity. In my humble opinion, that's the best way to live life,
with open arms and an open heart.
CEI: You live on the East
Coast of the USA.
Tell us a little about your corner of the world and what your life is like
living there.
Donna: I was born and grew up in Maryland.
When I married, I moved one town over to the east which put me in Delaware.
I live in the suburbs, but I'm close to parks and state forests, and I love
visiting nearby cities like Philadelphia
and Washington, DC.
And I can't forget the beach. Ocean City, Maryland
is less than 2 hours away. I feel I've got everything I need right here.
CEI: Tell me about where
you grew up. What was your life like as you grew from a child to an adult? How
did this shape you into the person you are today?
Donna: I had an idyllic childhood until the age of 13 when
my mother passed away. I feel like I went from 13 to 35 in one day. I ended up
practically raising my brothers; even today, my youngest brother feels more a
son to me. I think the tragedy of my youth taught me how important family
is…it's a lesson I've never forgotten.
CEI: If you could live
anywhere in this world that your heart desired, where would that be and why?
Donna: Actually, if I had my heart's desire, I would spend
time in lots of different places. I have visited southern California,
London, the south of France,
Rome, Brussels,
and I have fallen in love each place for different reasons. I'd love to spend
my life traveling the world, eating good food, seeing the sights, meeting new
people. That would be heaven.
CEI: The name of the
title you are promoting today is The Merry-Go-Round. I always like to hear
about the “behind the scenes” of a title and I am sure our readers would like
to hear this too. Tell us a bit about the “behind the scenes” of The
Merry-Go-Round. For instance, what was the catalyst that prompted you to write
this book? Is the book loosely based upon any happenings in your own life, or
anyone you know?
Donna: I knew I wanted to write about divorce, but I wanted to
write a book about the breakup of a marriage like none other that I have ever
read before. I also have a fascination with carousels and wanted to incorporate
one into the book. I was sitting on the boardwalk in Ocean
City, MD, thinking about
Lauren's predicament. As I watched the children on the carousel go round and
round, I realized that's exactly how my protagonist felt about her life; she
was going round in circles and just wanted to step off the ride. The way it all
came together for me seemed miraculous at that moment.
CEI: Tell me about what
you see as your future in the writing world, your plans and your desires.
Donna: I feel blessed to have been given this story-telling
talent. I see myself writing and selling books until I'm an old lady. I don't
think I'll ever retire.
CEI: Where can our
readers find out more about you and your books?
Donna: The first place to go would be
my blog. I can also be found
on Facebook and
on Twitter. I love to hear from
readers and always respond to them.
Donna, best of luck to you in the future. Is there anything
that you would like to add?
