Welcome all.
Today I’m very lucky to be
interviewing C.J. Cassidy, author of
"The Tortured Soul Trilogy",
"The Switch", "ClownTown
- Pop-257", "ClownTown II - The Return of Bo Rodgers", “Innocence
Lost", "Tales from the Dungeon of Pleasure & Pain"
ME: Hi C.J. Cassidy, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell
us a little about yourself and your background?
C.J. CASSIDY: Contrary to popular belief; I am NOT an erotic
author. I write about the human
condition. I write about women who endure
trials and tribulations. I write about triumph over adversity. It just so
happens…. They like to f**k a lot!
I started out as an unknown
writer and my very first novel was picked up by a fan who asked me to write her
biography. She was impressed with the way I told and set-up a story. I agreed.
The subject matter was dark and moody as she was a victim of domestic abuse.
About 100 pages into her story; it turned into a novel about BDSM. I balked. I
didn’t wish to be known as someone who wrote those types of novels. I was
convinced by my pastor to continue and I published my first erotic novel under
the pen name; CJ Cassidy. Since publishing the novel; over 50 women got out of
or redefined their abusive relationships. I am very proud of that. I cry when I
get a card or a letter for a reader telling me that my novel changed their
life. I am humbled by the path I have chosen.
I live in the shadows, writing
about women in pain and their deliverance. In my public appearances, I wear a
mask. I swore never to reveal the identity of my ‘Katherine’ and I wear it to
protect my family from any backlash from my work. I have also helped other
women write their stories as well. I like what I do.
And if you didn’t know… the novel
is based on the lives and loves of three REAL women and the ACTUAL events in
their lives! The names; places and time has been changed to protect the
innocent and their families
ME: What genre do you write?
C.J. CASSIDY: Any genre that enters my muse's mind
ME: What are you working on at the minute?
C.J. CASSIDY: "ClownTown 3 - Retribution" The third in a
murder mystery series about a town where half the population wears clown
make-up for no particular reason. We hope to have seven novels, so it can be
pitched as a web-series.
ME: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
C.J. CASSIDY: From; "ClownTown 3 - Retribution"
Angelina was about to make coffee
when there was a knock on her door. She put the water pitcher down and went to
the door. She hoped it was Jenkins or Matthews to give her some intel on
anything, especially where Sophie might be. Angelina slowly pulled back the
curtain on the door window to look to see who it was.
She screamed and threw the door
open. “BO!!!” She jumped into his arms and couldn’t stop hugging him. “They let
you out? You escaped? You on bail?”
“No… they had to drop the
charges…”
“What? Why?”
“They found crucial evidence that
someone else killed Louie….”
“Who?”
“They found a single partial
fingerprint on my knife and trace blood from the killer… Louie didn’t go down
without a fight…”
“And?” She knew there was more.
“They found partly burned, bloody
delivery man coveralls discarded on the edge of the property; it was covered
with Louie’s blood. They tried to destroy the evidence. The size of the
overalls fit a small person… It couldn’t have been me…” Bo paused. “Plus, I had
an airtight alibi…”
“What was your alibi?”
“I was in Parson’s County when
Louie was killed… In the office of Captain Thompson and three other witnesses…
cops!”
ME: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead
character from your most recent book?
C.J. CASSIDY: Michael Fassbinder as 'Nicholas Anderson' - "The
Tortured Soul Trilogy" which is being shopped to be made into a film as we
speak.
ME: While you were writing, do you ever feel as if you were one of
the characters?
C.J. CASSIDY: Each of my characters are a bit of me and my muse
'Lola Reeds' but they are based on actual people and real situations
ME: When did you decide to become a writer?
C.J. CASSIDY: LOL... I was struck by a bolt of lightning when I was
50, I've been writing ever since
ME: Which writers inspire you?
C.J. CASSIDY: Any writer that has the guts to tell their story
without trying to 'sell' a book.
ME: Do you write on a typewriter, computer, dictate or longhand?
C.J. CASSIDY: I write longhand, but my hand writing has become
unreadable even to myself. I use a computer now.
ME: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to just see
where an idea takes you?
C.J. CASSIDY: I don't write in linear thought. I write scenes as they
come to me and then edit and fix the continuity. I have worked on three novels
at the same time in this fashion.
ME: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors.
C.J. CASSIDY: My eyes have grown weak over the years, I rarely
read.
ME: What book are you reading now?
C.J. CASSIDY: I'm reading the WIP of an auto-biography a friend is
writing; "The Yellow Brick Road" about her life and becoming a
pornstar.
ME: Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
C.J. CASSIDY: I give books away to loyal fans and sometimes in
Author T.O.s I help build a positive repour with future readers
ME: How do you relax?
C.J. CASSIDY: I write to escape the 'real' world.
ME: What is your favorite quote?
C.J. CASSIDY: "It's the stuff that dreams are made of!"
-Casablanca- At the end of the film, it's discovered that the Maltese Falcon is
a fake, made of lead, and yet, it inspired dreams, adventure, murder and
betrayal.
ME: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
C.J. CASSIDY: Find your muse. Write, write, write, then edit.
ME: What does your writing process look like?
C.J. CASSIDY: LOL! Remove the spine of a book and toss the pages
all over the room
ME: What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing
process?
C.J. CASSIDY: Waiting for my editor to proofread and format the
novel and cover. Sometimes it has taken her longer to finish than for me to
write the book!
ME: Is there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write
than others? Love? Action? Racy?
C.J. CASSIDY: Any scene that makes me cry is the hardest to write,
but, if that's the emotion I wish to convey, that's how I know, I nailed it!
ME: Did you learn anything from writing your book(s) and what was
it?
C.J. CASSIDY: Focus on the story, the character development. Make
the reader identify with the character. Let them have an empathy and they will
be hooked for life. And when it comes to grammar and structure, to hell with
the norm. Focus on the story.
"It is like a finger
pointing to the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that
heavenly glory!" -Bruce Lee, Enter The Dragon-
ME: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family
members.
C.J. CASSIDY: LOL! You think my family supported me? I'm supported
by my fans and followers who have read my stories and feel the need for others
to read my body of work. They are a godsend who work tirelessly to help bring
my work to light. They are the true believers.
ME: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and
why?
C.J. CASSIDY: Jesus. I would like to walk with him. Let's face it,
he has all the answers
ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?
C.J. CASSIDY: I write in all genres, but it seems that my erotica
is the most popular
ME: What is your favorite theme/genre to read?
C.J. CASSIDY: I like any story well told.
ME: What secret talents do you have?
C.J. CASSIDY: But if I tell you... okay, I can write backwards with
my left hand.
ME: If you had a superpower, what would it be?
C.J. CASSIDY: I would love the prehensile tongue of Toad from the
X-Men (Need I tell you why?)
ME: Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been
before?
C.J. CASSIDY: Texas, no reason
ME: How can readers discover more about you and you work? i.e.
Website: Blog: Facebook: Twitter: Lnkedin: Pinterest: Amazon Author Page:
Smashwords: Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.) Goodreads.
C.J. CASSIDY:
ME: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t
included?
C.J. CASSIDY: My book trailer by the amazing; Yareth Gomez of Sweet
RED Productions
Katherine walked over to me and
put her finger on my lips. “Shhhh!” She wiped a tear from my eye and she
cradled into my lap, nestled her head into the crook of my neck and shoulder.
She put her hand on my heart… and went back to sleep. I held her in my arms and
gently rocked her… Katherine purred. I held her close to me and kissed her
forehead. This was the very first time I truly realized how much I love her.
The tears welled in my eyes. I never want this moment to end.
God… what has this woman done to
me? And I thank you for her.
-Nicholas Anderson-
We hope to have this made as an independent
film soon.
ME: Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy
schedule to take part in this interview.
C.J. CASSIDY: Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to share
myself and my work with your fans and followers. This means a lot to me.
Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteCJ is a great writer, a wonderful storyteller - and an inspirational man ☺