Jax Cassidy's Blog

“The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” —Helen Keller

Rockin’ Out to: WILD ONES, Flo Rida featuring Sia

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Lately my writing has been pretty sporadic, however, the one thing that’s been a constant this year is my muse. It seems she’s pushing me hard to get words down on paper by sprinkling an overabundance of ideas. I really can’t keep up with her and I know she’s pissed off that I’m going at a snail’s pace. Frankly, I’ll blame it on a thing called life.

I’ve already written a few proposals that were sent out this year and now I’m trying to finish two more before tackling 2 novellas set for release and, yet another proposal that is a genre I didn’t think I’d ever dare attempt. Seriously though, I’m excited about the challenge!

Well, I’d have to say I adore everything I’ve written so far and I hope the editors will too. Unfortunately, once my agent submits the proposals, it’s out of my hands. With publishers becoming more selective these days, it’s even more competitive between authors. This translates to longer wait times. I may not get a response from an editor for 2-6 months (if I’m lucky) while they review the materials and make a decision. This year I’ve probably already gotten a stack of rejections, either because they purchased stories similar to mine just weeks prior (which sucks), or they didn’t like my voice. I suppose my writing isn’t exactly mainstream enough and it’s really not literary enough…so where does it fall? I’m not quite sure, but I do know that when it lands in the right editor’s hands who will just “get” my voice…then I’ll be a happy camper. You see, this writer’s road is paved with rejections but it doesn’t discourage me enough to make me want to quit. In fact, it’s lit a fire under me. At least I know when the day comes that contracts are stacking up on my desk and I’m the one who can pick and choose, I will still appreciate the price of being an author. I’ll embrace the deadlines, the stress, the pressures, the high expectations because that’s what I signed up for…

The reality of all this is that I LOVE writing! I love weaving stories that will make a reader laugh, cry, and fall in love with my characters….that’s why when I get a fan email out of the blue, it is perfect timing, and it’s the most precious thing in the world!!!! The reader is telling me how much they enjoy my stories and I can’t tell you what kind of high that is! Their words inspire me even more and it gives me that extra push to continue penning stories, even when the going gets tough and the rejections keep flowing…

Right now, I’m cranking up the music and will be rockin’ out with my muse. It’s all about the writing tonight…

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." —E. Degas

I've been thinking a lot about art lately…okay, you got me…I've been obsessing over it! I can say my two favorite things could be painting and photography so I've been dying to get a live/work space that I can do both. In between writing, I like surfing the web for home art studio ideas. I have a vision of what I want and I'm totally excited about the prospect of finding the perfect place. My hands are ready to create!

It feels like forever since I showed my work and I've been dying to paint a series of pieces for an intimate showing. Right now, I'm still transient so I can't start a project I won't be able to finish from my current location so I'll just have to wait a tad bit longer.

The hiatus has been good but I miss so many things about painting. I miss the smell, the texture, the experimenting of styles…but what I really miss is the way my hands get dirty with the paints.  I miss how it gets under my nails and on my skin. It's a little erotic, non? Mostly, it's so freeing. I can't explain the exhilaration or the way I lose track of time when I focus. There were days when I would forget about eating when I was on a roll. It's like I'm lost in this world and the inspiration feeds my soul. I can express myself through the colors and images. I especially love doing life size pieces. In fact, the bigger the better but I will happily start off on a smaller scale. My style is more abstract and a little bit chaotic. I can blame it on my love for Jackson Pollack and Picasso as well as those incredible Impressionist masters like Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Cassatt, Renoir, Pissaro, Cézanne, etc….I'm totally stoked about experimenting more with mix media when I start back up again. I have a fascination with wood,  paper, glass and anything that would make the art just pop.

Painting is a rush.

Just thinking about art makes me deliriously happy inside. Writing may be my love but art has been my salvation. It's difficult to explain but both have saved my life. I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't express myself with these artistic outlets…

When writing a novel, one of the most important things for me is the music soundtrack. I like to make a playlist of songs that help guide me through the scenes. Most authors may find music distracting, but for me, I go stir crazy without it. It's almost like a soothing drug and it keeps me focused. The rise and fall of the beats, the way the tempo changes seem to draw out more of my emotions so I can pour onto the pages…it makes the characters more vulnerable and honest…well, at least that's what I believe.

I don't know when I fell in love with music and sound but I honestly feel the world is a darker place without it. One of my favorite experiences is having the fortune of working with talented music producers who taught me how to write lyrics. I can proudly say I penned a few songs that the artist(s) recorded for demos. Somewhere in my sacred memory boxes—that is now safely locked in storage—holds some of those masterpieces. So learning the beauty of writing lyrics, working side-by-side with the artists and producers in the recording studio, and watching the technicians lay down the tracks was an amazing opportunity. Let me tell you, it's hard work and once you get to hear the song played for the first time…it's a high you can't ever forget. Maybe it's because the words I've written finally has a voice and like writing, the characters are speaking a musical language that I hope will capture my audience. Whatever the genre may be, the hero and heroine is revealing their life's soundtrack on every page.

I hope when you read my stories you'll be able to hear the music, feel it, and let my words stir those emotions within you…which tells me I've done my job…that I've transported you into the story and helped you erase the world around you at least for a few minutes, hours…

This year, I hope to bring more interesting and exciting stories. Stay tuned.

 

 

When writing a novel, one of the most important things for me is the music soundtrack. I like to make a playlist of songs that help guide me through the scenes. Most authors may find music distracting, but for me, I go stir crazy without it. It’s almost like a soothing drug and it keeps me focused. The rise and fall of the beats, the way the tempo changes seem to draw out more of my emotions so I can pour onto the pages…it makes the characters more vulnerable and honest…well, at least that’s what I believe.

I don’t know when I fell in love with music and sound but I honestly feel the world is a darker place without it. One of my favorite experiences is having the fortune of working with talented music producers who taught me how to write lyrics. I can proudly say I penned a few songs that the artist(s) recorded for demos. Somewhere in my sacred memory boxes—that is now safely locked in storage—holds some of those masterpieces. So learning the beauty of writing lyrics, working side-by-side with the artists and producers in the recording studio, and watching the technicians lay down the tracks was an amazing opportunity. Let me tell you, it’s hard work and once you get to hear the song played for the first time…it’s a high you can’t ever forget. Maybe it’s because the words I’ve written finally has a voice and like writing, the characters are speaking a musical language that I hope will capture my audience. Whatever the genre may be, the hero and heroine is revealing their life’s soundtrack on every page.

I hope when you read my stories you’ll be able to hear the music, feel it, and let my words stir those emotions within you…which tells me I’ve done my job…that I’ve transported you into the story and helped you erase the world around you at least for a few minutes, hours…

This year, I hope to bring more interesting and exciting stories. Stay tuned.

 

 

"Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be."

–Karen Ravn, Author

It's the mid-way point in November and many of my friends and peers are participating in NaNoWriMo alongside moi. I can happily say that it's been productive and although I'm busting butt, I still have to make sure I don't get totally burnt out trying to perform. After all, I want to write a good story so regardless if I meet the 50,000 word count to win, I'm focusing on the quality. I'm not one to do a rough and dirty draft. I try to be a clean writer so it's less editing work. The real truth is that I hate editing so, hence, the fanatical editing job before I reach the end. I've always worked that way so it will be difficult to break the habit. Right now, I'm at the half-way point in my manuscript so this post is appropriate in timing…

Okay, enough about writing…on to more important things…the holidays are coming! SQUEAL! Can you believe Thanksgiving is sneaking up on us and soon it'll be Christmas. I'll be honest, the holidays isn't about the gifts for me but something more meaningful. It's about being surrounded by family and enjoying each other's company. It's about that happy feeling that accompanies the winter season, when the Christmas trees and lights come up and decorations line the streets. Yes, this kid at heart will always see the magic of the holidays.

I hope this Thanksgiving you'll make more happy memories and pass the tradition on for seasons to come!

Until next time!

I'm totally stoked about participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) with all my writing buddies. I've signed up for it twice so far and both times I've won…so this year it seemed like a good idea to bite the bullet and do it again. Besides, I have to finish a novel to turn into my agent, so this came at just the right time. It's going to be grueling but I'm prepared and excited to see if I can meet my goal.

I'm happy to say that I'm off to a good start and exceeding NaNo's minimum word count per day. Based on NaNo's snazzy stats and calculations, even if I slowed down, all I need to write is 1,400 words a day to finish by the end of the month. If you really think about it–it seems daunting to write 50,000 words in one month but I'm going to face the challenge head on!

I'm well into Day 2 and the excitement just keeps building. I hope by November 30th, I'll have a solid product to brag about.

Wish me luck!

‎"Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world

are the ones who do."

—Steve Jobs

* * * *

We are about two and a half months closer to the end of the year and I'm trying to meet my goal of learning something new. I've spent a little bit of time working in the music industry and one of the things I loved most was writing lyrics. Of course, some of the songs I've written will never be released due to the talent quitting the music industry, but at least I have the tracks archived. It's a great reminder that I was lucky to have worked with talented producers in New York, had my music listened to by music execs, and I was so close to having a career as a lyricist. But we all know that the road traveled always has intersections leading elsewhere…

Although I've had some music training, I never pursued it further. I've always wanted to learn the guitar but never seemed to find the time to take lessons. This year I decided I'd learn the basics so that I could play a few notes. I'm sure I'll get better in time but what I dream of doing is writing music to accompany my lyrics…so this was a great opportunity to put it on my "to do" list this year. Unfortunately, I have very small hands, so my short fingers has made it difficult to play on a regular sized guitar. Thus the delay has led to me in search of a smaller guitar that will fit me just right. While I'm searching for the perfect fit, I'm learning the basics in between all my work load and writing.

I supposed I'm a bit obsessed when it comes to learning. I'm not afraid to tackle things once I set my mind to it and I will do whatever it takes to accomplish the goal. It's the part of my brain that is persistent so I feel confident I will be satisfied with the end result. Strumming the guitar has this sort of relaxing effect so it really helps me get into the mindset of the character I'm writing about. A rock star who is tired of playing the kind of music his record label wants him to play, when all he would love to do is play the songs he really wants to. This part of my research is always fun–and I get to pick up something new in the process. How I see it, it's a win-win.

How about you? Have you made a goal this year and accomplishing it?

‎"Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do."

—Steve Jobs

We are about two and a half months closer to the end of the year and I'm trying to meet my goal of learning something new. I've spent a little bit of time working in the music industry and one of the things I loved most was writing lyrics. Of course, some of the songs I've written will never be released due to the talent quitting the music industry, but at least I have the tracks archived. It's a great reminder that I was lucky to have worked with talented producers in New York, had my music listened to by music execs, and I was so close to having a career as a lyricist. But we all know that the road traveled always has intersections leading elsewhere…

Although I've had some music training, I never pursued it further. I've always wanted to learn the guitar but never seemed to find the time to take lessons. This year I decided I'd learn the basics so that I could play a few notes. I'm sure I'll get better in time but what I dream of doing is writing music to accompany my lyrics…so this was a great opportunity to put it on my "to do" list this year. Unfortunately, I have very small hands, so my short fingers has made it difficult to play on a regular sized guitar. Thus the delay has led to me in search of a smaller guitar that will fit me just right. While I'm searching for the perfect fit, I'm learning the basics in between all my work load and writing.

I supposed I'm a bit obsessed when it comes to learning. I'm not afraid to tackle things once I set my mind to it and I will do whatever it takes to accomplish the goal. It's the part of my brain that is persistent so I feel confident I will be satisfied with the end result. Strumming the guitar has this sort of relaxing effect so it really helps me get into the mindset of the character I'm writing about. A rock star who is tired of playing the kind of music his record label wants him to play, when all he would love to do is play the songs he really wants to. This part of my research is always fun–and I get to pick up something new in the process. How I see it, it's a win-win.

How about you? Have you made a goal this year and accomplishing it?

Until next time, I'll be cheering you on…

I don't know about other writers but I LOVE the research process before and during the creation of my manuscripts. It's incredible how much you can learn and it helps build a more credible story. Most of the time I get information overload, but it's very motivating when you're stuck since the information sprouts so many ideas.

Most of my friends know I am a huge K-Drama obsessed fan..er so it's only natural I'd have to write a hot Korean rock star into one of my novels. What is the appeal? Besides being stylish and edgy, I especially love when they rock the dark guyliner and black nail polish look. I find that extremely sexy…Ahem, of course, the more I researched the topic of celebs, the more I discovered that the road to celebrity is so unlike ours—and not necessarily in a good way. The management companies are tough on their talent and their expectations  are so high that it can be overwhelming for the young'uns. I would have to say the managers remind me of those hardcore Olympic coaches that will work the athletes 'til they drop. I could go on and on about their intense work schedule—but I'm more excited about discussing the kind of research that inspires my characters.

You see, I've probably seen a zillion dramas and have become a total fangirl of Song Seung Heon. I knew right away he was the perfect inspiration for my hero. Not only is he easy on the eyes, but he's got that natural sexy edge. He walks with a swagger and can go from dark and moody to polished and sophisticated effortlessly. Can you say Ooh la-la? There's no way you can miss those photos below.

 

Right, I was distracted for a moment there…anyway…I'm totally in love with this story! Although I can't cram all the juicy research into the book, I'm excited about bringing in some fun and interesting elements—along with my signature flair of combining the Eastern and Western together.

Can you see my enthusiasm? I'm hoping you'll really enjoy this read if it gets picked up.

The winner of this incredible SHIBUYA GIVEAWAY is….

CIA LEAH

*Pops the champagne cork*

YAY! Congratulations!!!!! You're the lucky name drawn at random for this awesome prize pack valued over $500!

A big THANK YOU to my SPONSORS for helping out with this awesome event!

And a big THANK YOU to my readers for purchasing the eBook and supporting such a worthy cause!

But there's more good news….

SHIBUYA MOMENT will be available in PRINT real soon. Please stay tuned for buy links and more goodness…

Also, if you happen to be in Atlanta from September 29 – October 1, please stop by the Decatur Hotel and say HELLO to me. I'll be at the Georgia Romance Writers conference (Moonlight & Magnolias) and hopefully be participating in their charity signing. I'm hoping to sign the hot copies of SHIBUYA MOMENT.

Now I've got to come up with a bigger and more extravagant contest in the future….hopefully by that time I will have some incredible news to share…until then, please come back to learn more about me and my everyday craziness!