Jax's Artistic Journey...

Inspiration, that is.

I spent most of my adult years dreaming of writing this story set in my homeland and finally, the right idea has come along. This is going to be a challenging story and more women's fiction than romance. There's a magical element to it and I'm afraid I may piss off a few people because I've elected to use factual research as a canvas for the storytelling, while painting a fictitious village, lifestyle, non-profit organization, etc. around the idea. I'll be true to the taste, sight, feel, and smells of the country but with added flavor.

This IS the ONE. I feel that it's the story I was meant to write. Have you ever felt that way? Seized by an idea that you can't let go and no matter how many years you've tried to avoid it, one day it'll surface and you have no choice.

If I can execute this the way I hope to, I will feel accomplished. My heroine's story is so vivid in my mind's eye and I know she will be the real storyteller in this one. Muses are interesting creatures, they like to poke at you when your plate is so full it's overflowing. But they don't care, they want you to push the limits and prove to yourself that you can do it...

Isn't creation lovely?

Now, I've got to announce that SYLVIA DAY is our guest blogger at HOOKED ON ROMANCE. You should check it out! She's also giving away an autographed ARC of her SJ Day book.

I'm over at HOOKED and talking about taking control of your life.

The catch: Read all of it without thought to drawing a conclusion...

The economy hasn't seem to improve much since we rang in 2009. More and more people are getting laid off from the workforce and many are struggling to stay afloat even with a full-time job. Everyone is counting their pennies and writers are downsizing their conference trips or promotional efforts. Like many of you, I work in order to write. I'm a freelance graphic designer and the pay supplements my writing career. Since I don't currently have a New York contract and I haven't sold a series of books, I'm still at the beginning stages as an author. Contrary to what everyone believes, the journey of a writer is a long and complex road in which you have to really love to write to be in this career field. Not all writers make Nora bucks. We can only dream, but in order for her to reach that level in her career she had to work hard at it for many many years. I'm sure she's had to tighten her belt and if you've ever heard her story, you'd know that she started from basically nothing and built an empire...

So, What am I doing to tighten my belt while I wait out the slump in the economy?

Well, I've been eating out less and cooking at home more. I've been making home products that are environmentally safe to use at hardly any cost. I've been investing in online promotions versus physical promotions that I have to pay for. I've been very selective about what to spend in terms of contests and conferences. I make gifts instead of buy them. I don't shop unless it's a total necessity. Frankly, anything I can do to save, I do it.

Now, on the other hand, one of the reasons why the economy is in such bad shape is because most people are tightening their belts. In order for us to get things started up again and contribute to helping the economy IS by us spending money. I know, it's a double-edged sword but, although I skimp on a lot of things, I still find ways to spend to help boost the economic situation. Just not as frivolously. I still go to a nice dinner, to the movies, movie rentals, day trips, weekend excursions, buy books...I am more conscientious about the spending part, but I do spend.

I wish I could wave my magic wand and make everything better again...unfortunately, I'm just one person who can do so much. Well, while I'm waiting with the rest of you to see the proverbial 'pot of gold at the end of the rainbow' -- I'm hoping that we all hold on to faith. I'm not the richest person, but I will give money or food to a homeless person. I will send care packages to someone in need. I will put a few bucks in a donation jar. I will help anyone if I have the power to do so. For one second, just remember that those who lived through the Depression and were able to survive and tell about it...we can certainly do the same. We need to stop taking our aggressions and anger out on each other. We need to keep a sense of community, support, and faith to get us through these tough times. But, as I said, I'm only one person. I know it may seem impossible but by believing in something, anything at all, doesn't cost a thing. We can do our part by at least passing One Act Of Kindness to another human being...so the next time you have a chance to do something nice. Please do so.

I didn't really care for the new format of the Academy Awards this year, but it was worth watching just to see Hugh Jackman! He's such a charismatic actor and he's not hard on the eyes either....hubba hubba. I'm sure by the end of this post you'll either agree or totally disagree, but it's only my opinion...

I will say there were a lot of unattractive dresses this year. You wonder what these actresses were thinking when they decided to pick the dress. There were some dresses I will not even waste blog time to discuss because you wonder if they have any fashion sense at all...As for the men, they did good this year. Except for a few who should have listened to their stylists...oh well, men will be men.



First off...I wanted to throttle Sean Penn for omitting the fact that his wife was sitting in the front row cheering him on. He was thoughtful enough to thank someone else for being his best friend when his wife, Robin Wright, has obviously been the biggest supporter and anchor in his life. Her elegance should have been noted at the very least. Wanker. I didn't see MILK and I'm sure he was great in it, but nothing pisses me off more than a man who doesn't acknowledge his family, even if it was a momentary lapse.... For goodness sakes! He wrote the list down!!!!!






C'mon, for a fashionista, Heidi disappointed. There was no rhyme or reason to this and it was simply 'blah' in the most obvious form no matter how gorgeous she usually is.









What was Jessica Biel thinking? It was as if the designer couldn't decide if he was worried about a Janet Jackson malfunction and threw it in just to cover her boob. I'm sorry, it was totally unflattering and she's a gorgeous woman...I should know, I've met her in person.









Was SJP confused at what function she was attending? Reliving her high school prom days? I didn't get the hair either, it was hanging and floppy and didn't accentuate her looks. I remember one year she wore a SIMPLE black dress and her hair was pulled up in a bun like a ballerina. She actually looked exquisite. I'm not really a SJP fan but I had to shake my head on this one.








I absolutely loved this dress. It had an Old Hollywood feel and the draping was done marvelously. How can one not want to try that on? I'm partial to the 'little black dress' but the natural color and detailed arrangements of the material made me appreciate the dress. Rachel Evan Wood looked the part of a starlet.








Last but not least, you can all boo me later, but I think they make a stunning couple. I know most of you are for Team Aniston, but she's a bit too whiney and always making it known that she's been the victim. C'mon, get over it. Hasn't it been like 3 years? Besides, you've got a new and younger beau, isn't that good enough you were able to rub it in their faces?

If you don't have anything to do this weekend, you can catch me at CataNetwork's Multicultural YahooGroup this Saturday and Sunday. I'll be popping in and out but I'll be there to answer your questions. Also they'll be giving away an autographed book of ART OF SENSUALITY. It's going to be a lot of fun!

Well, me and Mr. Right played hooky today. I woke up with the desire to be spontaneous. I know, I know. But sometimes you just need a break. Clear the mind and get you inspired a bit. Besides, it's easy to be excited about the weekend..who isn't?

So what does one do when they want to play hooky on a beautiful, sunny Friday? We decided to go the Dallas Auto Show! Hummmm, it was not as glamorous as I had hoped it would be but at least my happy butt got to sit in the driver's seat of a Mercedes SmartCar and a really smokin' hot Z4 BMW Coupe 3.0...Not to mention, I got a good look at the Aston Martin, Ferarri, and Lamborghini...I'll upload pics later...after a good walk around the convention center, we took off for downtown Dallas...the uptown area where it's a little more shi-shi and a little less rundown. Had some yummy sushi, picked up some books at Borders and then went off to Starbucks to--dare I say--write.

Saturday I'm going to my local chapter meeting and then meet up for a nice lunch with friends on Sunday before wrapping up with the Oscars. My favorite part of the event is the actual fashion segments and being able to scout out celebs who are not cutting it on the red carpet. Okay, okay, as a once hair and make-up artist, I tend to focus on this year's trend in make-up and hair. It's fun to replicate the look with friends when I do test shots on boredom days. Speaking of which, I've decided to get back into this line of work in the coming months. It's always fun to make people look fabulous! Besides, just because I'm out of Hollywood doesn't mean I can't do work on the sets or photo studios here in Texas. It's a creative outlet and while I can do it, I should at least try. :)

Once again, I'm going to a casting for a print job on Monday...if nothing else, I get a lot of character profiles for future books. I like going to these things. It's funny how people are so 'into' themselves. I'm there primarily because it's something to do. I haven't moved up to acting work yet, but I just might.

I was thinking about all those things I used to be most passionate about and I realized that, although I'm a proactive individual, I allowed some of those passions to fall to the wayside. Which brings me to the present. Lately I've been thinking about what I want to do and even though I move forward and continue to be proactive, I must follow my passion because if I don't, I'll have another moment like this in which I ask myself why I had not done it. I'm sure plenty of us go through life saying "I wish I had done things differently."

I don't regret the things I've done or hadn't pursued in life because someday I'll come full circle, back to those things I've wanted to do...and I will have that chance to do. So I've decided that I will do one profound thing every year until I am fully satisfied that I have done everything I've wanted to do in this lifetime.

So, if you could do one profound thing? What would it be?

I can't help but love the musical arrangement and song...c'mon, you know you love Coldplay too!

YAY! I was interviewed by CataNetwork and you can catch it HERE!

Okay, I've been waaaaaay too laxed about writing. Although I did write 5 pages and edited 25 yesterday on the plane...so that's not a bad start. Wow, can you believe we're fast approaching March already?!! Hence the revelation. On my brief trip I decided I needed to WAKE UP and start being more disciplined than I am...

I have been milling over the possibility of making a life change. Sounds profound, non? Frankly, I'm tired of feeling sluggish and out of shape so I'm kicking up the health factor. I'm also starting to shed some unneeded things in my life and stick to the basics. With the economy in the shape it is, I figured I will have to make the extra effort to save! Mostly because I want to travel more for conferences so I'm going to need to buckle down and be smart about my choices. Not that I'm an extravagant person but there is so much you can do to cut costs and to put away for the future...I also want to do more promotions and hopefully sell some books!!!! Lots of books would be good.

Anyhow, I'm off to go write to meet my daily goals...

Pssst. I'm over at HOOKED today and talking about not writing....

Speaking of procrastination...Barbara Vey over at Publisher's Weekly put a little plug up about Romance Divas FREE READS. Isn't she fabulous?!

I hope everyone's had an awesome Valentines...for me, I will get to celebrate it when I return to Mr. Right. This trip has taught me to never ever ever go away during Valentine's weekend. I'm going to be boarding the plane tomorrow and then I will have the serenity I so desperately miss....

Growing up in a big family I used to think I wanted kids...but every time I have a moment of weakness, like when I see a pampers commercial, I just have to spend thirty-seconds with my sisters and their 'devils spawn' children and I'm ready to be at the head of the line to get my ovaries removed. As I get older, I can see why most of my girlfriends in my age group have opted not to have children. Child-rearing isn't like it used to be and the ideals I grew up of well-behaved children have diminished. On any given day I can go to the grocery store and see a bunch of preteens in skintight ultra low-rise jeans with shirts shrunk two sizes to small hanging out with equally 'uncool' hip-hop-wannabe boys in their diaper style, butt-baring jeans that showcases their latest Sean Jean boxers is enough to make me want to jump out of a speeding car. I guess after this trip I have officially decided that the baby factory is closed...but if the Universe has other plans for me and motherhood comes calling unexpectedly, I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it...otherwise, I'll be lounging on some exotic tropical beach sipping my Dacquiri in my two piece bikini.

Every February 14th there is a madness that overcomes the men on this earth. I've witnessed these last minute types as they dash to the nearest store to fight over the last batch of roses, chocolates, and other frou-frou stuff in order to stay in the good graces of their sweethearts. Of course, one can't help being smothered in all that pink and red--and any man who is clueless to this holiday are either single or in denial. However, their sweethearts aren't so subtle about dropping hints a few months in advance regarding what is really their true heart's desire...but how did this holiday come about? The real question is when did this holiday become more commercialized and less romantic?

All I know about Valentine's Day is from a radio ad for Trader Joe's I heard while living in LA. I decided to do some research and came across www.History.com in which they wrote:

"According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France."

I'm not going to lie, I love the idea of the holiday because it offers a reminder of romance...it's sexy and a little naughty...but for me, it's not isolated to just that particular day. I get romance every day and I don't need February 14th to remind me, or Mr. Right, that I'm special to him and he's special to me. I guess I became less enthusiastic the past five or ten years about this holiday because I've noticed that some of my friends have just gone through the motions without understanding the message of what that holiday is truly about....LOVE, PASSION, and APPRECIATION for the person they're with. Don't get me wrong, it's a double-edged sword because women are just as bad...I should know, I'm guilty of it. From past experience, I have been accused of being such a dude about these things.

No, this post isn't about bashing the holiday...it's more of a reminder that we need to appreciate the people that are in our lives. We should celebrate each day with the ones we love and when February 14th comes around, we can make it even extra special without relying on being sucked up in all the commercial aspect of it. You don't need a lot of money to make something special. Why not create a handmade card and throw in your own bit of romance? Maybe buy some rose petals and blaze a path to seduction from the living room to the bedroom...cook a romantic dinner for two and draw a bath with a champagne toast included...and if the experience is a success, rinse and repeat the process every once in a while to keep the passion alive.

I'm not St. Valentines and I don't shoot arrows to bring lovers together...who needs Cupid when YOU are the one in control of sweet Amour.

For the past three years, Romance Divas has provided FREE READS on Valentine's Day. This year I'm participating in the E-Book Challenge--but as a special treat--I'm allowing my readers to DOWNLOAD my story HOT SHOTS now!

This is my way of thanking you for your support!!!! Also, this is the first time I've written in First Person, so I would love to know what you think! :)

HOT SHOTS by Jax Cassidy
Contemporary Erotic Romance
**This story is for those over 18 years old ONLY please**

Calla's daily morning highlights include drooling over her sexy client when he picks up his coffee from Café Destiny, but things heat up when he serves her an irresistible proposition she can't refuse.

Riley owns the photography studio next door and needs help with his latest project. What he doesn't expect is for Calla's steamy poses to light the fiery attraction he's carried for her, with just the click of a button.

I'm over at HOOKED today and talking about Hemingway.

If you need some motivation, it might spark some.

Today, I couldn't think of anything clever to write so I'm doing a bunch of ramblings, plugs, and stuff...just like the title suggests:

1. Well, the end is near and I'm lagging around at 3rd place for the Whipped Cream poll...if you love me, you should vote for my book HERE! Remember, you can only vote once. :) Psssst. Tell all your friends about me....

2. Maya Banks is our first guest blogger at HOOKED ON ROMANCE and she's got a juicy excerpt of her release Amber Eyes.


3. Larissa Ione has made ME her new hero! Wow, I'm speechless!

4. I'm on Season 3 of THE PRETENDER and I can admit I have an addiction...more please, more!

5. My inner self has told me to stop taking on new projects yet I can't help myself. Right.

6. What do you have planned for Valentine's Day? I will be visiting my family so I'll be missing Cupid's festivities. BTW, my friend Gwen Hayes's ebook OH GODDESS is out and all proceeds go to Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. If you haven't purchased it, it's so funny you'll spit out your drink. Er, maybe I am speaking from experience.

7. I've got an audition tomorrow for a national print ad and next week I have an audition for the new Leo DiCaprio movie. Just trying new things.

Did you know that 40 years ago, in 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first American to walk on the moon? Yes, and it was an event that marked the beginning for a lot of us...including opening our eyes to what we can accomplish in this world. It's no different than what we witnessed on January 20, 2009 or the leaps and bounds we've seen in technology and opportunities in our lifetime.

What this indicates to me is that each of us has the power to do anything we want to do in this life....

In the winter of 1974, my family fled in the early morning hours. The Vietnam War was still raging on and as my sisters and I were thrown in the back of a military jeep, while the tears and cries of our friends and neighbors echoed around us, I didn't know it then but I was about to embark on a long journey. In a blink of an eye, the flight to California where we were destined to board, we opted out of. We wound up taking a flight to another smaller state, all because our family wanted to stay together to take the flight to the new world as a family. The Fates were kind to us that day--for if we had taken the initial flight--we would have been another casualty destined to never see another morning. The nightmares faded in time but deep in my subconscious I knew that in this new life, I was meant for so much more...Every day I'm thankful that I was given these opportunities, to breathe another breath. No matter how high I've climbed on the ladder of life, I never take anything for granted. There were times when I had forgotten. Forgotten these memories but a child never forgets. A child remembers the stench of death, the anxiety of the unknown, the fear of being separated from family...those things I'll carry with me and every now and then I am reminded of my beginnings...

There are people I've met along the way that have asked me why I work so hard, why I am so hard on myself, why I dream so big...because when you're given chances in life, you have to seize them. You have to fight for everything you want. That's what I'm doing now, I'm fighting for a better future that will allow me to help others and do great things. These things I strive for are reminders of what I should never forget. Publishing has always been a dream of mine and my love for the written word began the day I held a piece of paper and pencil in first grade at the age of four. There are so many writers out there who want to accomplish what they set out to do, but there are only a handful who fight for what they want and succeed. I'm sure luck and timing has a lot to play but the bottom line is that it takes talent, perseverance, and lots of hard work. To me...when you can taste these dreams right within your reach, you're only halfway there.

So this post is to everyone who is writing, who is making an effort to realize your dreams while you have a family to feed, a full-time job to go to, a health issue to overcome in order to accomplish these dreams--CONGRATULATIONS!

After all, if a man can walk on the moon...ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Believe in yourself.

I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing but a few weeks ago Naughty introduced me to The Pretender. She loaned me the first season to watch when I was waiting for my cable to be hooked up...okay, at first I thought the show was a bit campy but after a few episodes the characters grew on me! In a few days I finished the four disc set...suddenly I realized it was like a bad addiction. I needed more, I wanted to see what happened to Jarod who escaped from the Centre and if Miss Parker ever caught him...If you don't know Miss Parker....you're missing out! She's every girl's dream of becoming...and instantly she was my hero! This character is so bad ass that I want to be her when I grow up! Maybe then I'd see some progress with my submissions! LOL

Now that I'm well into the second season, I have two more seasons to absorb and two TV movies that wraps up the show. Believe me, as campy as it may be, there's a certain charm, as well as a great escape factor in it. It reminds me of romances...sometimes I question the writing and other times I'm yelling at the TV with comments like "How predictable!" "No way can that happen!"...but that's not the point...the point is that it pulls you in and you're able to leave all your worries behind for a few hours. You get to enjoy the story and slowly buy into what they're trying to sell. All in all, it's for the sake of entertainment and as much as I scoff at some of the scenes, I really enjoy the show for what it is. No wonder I don't watch TV much, when you get this wrapped up, how the heck are you supposed to find time to write? Good thing for me I write all day and allow those few hours in the evening before bed to delve into this addiction....Mr. Right only shakes his head when I refer to the show as "Jarod" and when I discuss the episodes with Naughty, it's like re-hashing data about old friends...scary....Yes, I'm holding Naughty responsible for this!

You can call me Miss Jaxter...

I'm up for the Best Book of 2008 at Whipped Cream / Long and Short Reviews. Please vote for my book ART OF SENSUALITY on the poll which runs from Monday, February 2, though Saturday, February 14. You can find the information HERE!

Also....my writing pals Naughty Nikki and Abigail McKenley and I have just launched a new Blog called HOOKED ON ROMANCE. Come visit us...it's the most PG blog I've ever joined in on...it's sure to provide much needed entertainment about writing, life, and lots of laughter...

Come JOIN US!

Don't miss my post on Getting On Schedule. I even have a spreadsheet for you to download! See ya THERE....