Jax Cassidy on Writing

 

Writing was as natural as breathing for me. Of course, there’s always that transitional period when writing in diaries became writing poetry…and then, jotting down ideas turned into writing full-fledged scenes. I think I wrote and illustrated my first book when I five and then finished a short novel about a girl and her pig when I was eight. Writing was an addiction that didn’t stop there. It was a secret that I kept hidden from my family because writing was something so personal for me and kept me sane through those years of teenage angst and rebellion.

In middle school, I had an English teacher who totally changed my life. Ms. Cherry had big, bouncy blonde curls and a flamboyant yet infectious personality that wasn’t typical of any of the English teachers I’d ever known. She introduced me to the world of creative writing and opened my eyes to what literature could look like in my imagination, not from what was simply printed on the pages. She was also the one who told me I had the gift of storytelling and I should pursue it as a career. I didn’t know it then, but Ms. Cherry changed the direction of my dreams.

Creative writing took a back seat when I studied broadcast journalism in college but my focus was scattered. At the time I was trying to juggle school, acting gigs, and managing my family’s Chinese restaurant. It didn’t help that my parents were very traditional in thinking so it was added pressure for me—a person who had lost her direction.

During my second year of college I was offered an opportunity to work and live abroad. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Paris, France had always been one of those places on my bucket list and I spent three years immersing myself in the culture, cuisine, and lifestyle. Being so far away from home gave me a chance to re-evaluate my goals, and when I cleared my head, I was ready to return to the States with a fresh perspective.

I’m not going to lie, being a writer is difficult. The journey is plagued by obstacles, self-doubt, and fears. Along the way, some may want to tear you down or make you feel inadequate but you’ll also discover true friends who will weather the storm with you. Even with all the negatives, there are more positives as long as you have the drive and desire to succeed. Publishing is a tough industry and requires a thick skin but the only sage advice I can provide is: Never stop writing.

Yes, it’s that simple. Just write.

You can’t sell a product if you don’t have any.

One of my favorite quotes is: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” —Ernest Hemingway

Decipher it how you may but for me, it’s about giving yourself fully to the project. Mind, heart, and soul. Why? You can’t fool your readers because they will know when you’ve given it your all or when you’ve rushed a book because you lost your love for the story. I hear this often enough and I agree, “you’re as good as your next book”, so write, write, write!

You’re probably wondering if I’ve reached my goal. Well, I can definitely say that I’m inching closer and closer. After almost a decade of writing romance—not to mention another decade of prior writing experience as a journalist, copywriter, and screenwriter—I’ve finally signed a three-book deal for my WAR OF ANGELS paranormal series. Although I’m most known for my sensual contemporary romances, this was a challenge and direction I wanted to take. I’m not going to stop there because I have my eye on a few other genres…but as an author, I want to take chances, push myself, and grow as a writer. No matter how long you’ve been at it, there will always be something new to learn.

 

 

DEATH WARRIOR, Book One

 

War of Angels series

VIE  is Death’s warrior, the most skilled of soul collectors and a powerhouse who has spent centuries making up for the sins of her past. Trust doesn’t exist in her vocabulary after being burned by the Archangel who condemned her soul for eternity. When she is forced to make a swift decision to save the sexy scientist, she never expected the tables to turn. Now marked as a traitor, she’s unleashed an apocalyptic chain effect that leaves her soul ripe for the collecting from angels, demons, and the very one who created her

 HIRO MATSUMOTO   has returned from the dead, only to discover he’s become a human target alongside a sassy, foul-mouthed, and distrusting soul collector. A beauty that wields a mean set of miniature scythes, and a woman he’s willing to do anything just to crack her armor. While they figure out a way back into the good graces of heaven and man, he’s going to savor every moment rebuilding the trust that his savior has lost.

AUTHOR BIO

Jax Cassidy followed her dreams to Paris, then Hollywood to pursue a film career but managed to fall in love with penning sexy romances and happy endings. She writes contemporary, paranormal, and historical romances and is Co-Founder of Romance Divas, an award winning writer’s website and discussion forum. Jax is also known as one-half of the retired writing team of Cassidy Kent. She is represented by Roberta Brown of the Brown Literary Agency.

 

 

 

Website: www.jaxcassidy.com

 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorJaxCassidy

 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaxcassidy

 

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/jaxcassidy