Love is a splendid thing when you can find it, but sometimes sex with a stranger can be more eye opening. Be careful when seeking validation in a state of desperation, because when the true you comes to the surface, you may not like what you see. CaSandra found this out at the very end, even though she knew that she was a fragmented woman with three sides to her personality.
What has CaSandra found at the very end fragments of her personality? Jacqueline Rainey, author of ’30: The Dragonfly Catcher’ has kindly joined with me to piece together the identity shards caught in the midst of CaSandra’s distress. Jacqueline thanks for sharing the fragmented journey of CaSandra’s life with the audience and myself today. Let’s take the readers back to the start, where did the CaSandra’s voyage commence?
I came up with the idea after ending a very long bad relationship.
I’m sorry to hear about your bad relationship. I hope that the process of bringing this novel to life has helped you turn a negative into something positive. What did you find was positive about the process of creation?
It was very therapeutic.
Writing is one of the best therapies out there. Quite a good deal cheaper than a therapist, and sometimes more effective too! As this idea was borne from the embers of a past relationship, how did you move your mind forwards to things like research?
No research was required as the main character was basically me.
Wow, I really admire your honesty to write a character that was very heavily based on your past tribulations and admit to it. That takes a lot of courage. What can you tell us about who this courageous CaSandra is?
CaSandra is a completely self-absorbed woman who looks upon the opposite sex not as men, but as objects to be used for her own sordid gratification. When she’s not referring to them as “dragonflies” she classifies them with the dismissive phrase, “testosterone and cologne”. A manipulative, narcissistic woman who is usually in control, CaSandra’s disastrous 30-year relationship with a married “dragonfly” ultimately leads to an irreparable personality schism.
A personality schism is a huge dynamic to describe and document for a reader. I wonder if it would be something that would be easier to convey visually on the screen. Is there any actor that you feel would be up to the task of presenting this personality schism to an audience if you had the good fortune of seeing your novel translated to the screen?
I have always wanted Vivica A. Fox.
Solid choice. I think that she could pull it off. If you had a chance to chat with Vivica before she took the part, what important elements would you like her to bring to the forefront of the minds of the viewers?
There is so much that I could probably write a novella.
*Laughs* You could write a novella on it, but I feel there’s more stories that need to come out before the novella. What story or stories are you working on at the moment?
Currently working on 4 new books, Small Town Arlington Dirty Blue and the Chronicles of Daisy Strange Fruit: Odd Tales Black Roses Purple Haze Poetry Also have done some work on 3 Screenplays which are on the back burner until the 4 new books are completed, maybe I can work on them during the editing phase, I hope, lol.
Wow, that’s a lot of writing projects you’re juggling! Awesome work! What keeps your metaphorical pen to the paper for each of these tales?
I just love to write I have been writing poetry since the age of eleven.
So you’re old hand at writing now! As you’ve been in the writing game for a decent amount of time now, have you developed a good system for keeping track of the wisps of ideas that appear before you have time to tackle each new writing project?
If I can’t get to my computer I make quick notes with the Notes app on my phone, my computer is filled with lots of great ideas for new books.
When you have a new story idea do you spend much time working on it to develop the details, or outlining to make sure you have a solid writing path to follow?
Usually when a new book idea comes I’m given the complete story.
That’s very handy! What writing rituals do you use to transcribe the complete story from your head to paper?
I write everyday, pushing to release the new books this year.
Well, with four different novel projects on the go alone, you need to write everyday just to work through those ideas, let alone tackle any new ones! Is there any music that you like to switch on each day when you’re writing to aid your writing push?
I listen to different genres of music, it all depends on what I’m working on, for instance I’m listening to the theme from the show ‘Haven” as inspiration for “Small Town Arlington”.
Who doesn’t love a good violin piece? I feel like I have the basic flavour of “Small Town Arlington” from just that theme song. Are there ever days that you find listening to your music doesn’t help get you in the top notch writing mode and instead you find yourself stuck in the depths of writer’s block? How do you restore your motivation?
I don’t even like to talk about those two words.
*Laughs* Fair enough, let’s not give the topic any more time and attention than it deserves. How do you approach editing?
I use editors, just being honest I don’t trust myself to edit my own work because I wrote it.
Editing your own work is difficult, but it can be just as difficult to place you trust in editors! How have you learnt to trust yourself in the world of self-publishing? What tips can you share?
Please do plenty of research. I learned the hard way while published under a company that cared more about how much money they could get out of you than making sure that your books were perfect when released to the public. This company I’m referring to set me back an entire year, I even had to fight them over ownership of my bookcover images and one of the images is a picture of me. So please do your research before signing anything. Also don’t allow an editor to take the power and message out of your story during the editing process.
Those are some very hard lessons to learn and thank you so much for sharing them, as I’m sure there are many other authors out there who can take your advice and avoid these mistakes themselves. On a positive note you’ve obviously overcome the setback of dodgy publishers. How have you developed your author voice and brand from these setbacks?
I’m a brand on Twitter. I created a hashtag #TheLandOfBlueHarmonie which has become a regular in the trending topics, I call it my alter ego ;-)
*Laughs* A Twitter alter ego! That sounds like so much fun! Are there any other Twitter techniques that you’re working on?
I also trend regularly under my Author name and currently trending as I complete this interview under the hashtag #AuthorJacquelineRainey.
We keep coming back to this concept of alter egos and multiple personality fragments, so before I let you continue creating new Twitter personalities, where do you think the line between insanity and creativity is?
Didn’t know there was one, LOL!
*Laughs* I’m not sure there’s one either, but it’s a good idea to check! Jacqueline, thanks for sharing CaSandra and the ’30: The Dragonfly Catcher’ with the readers and myself today and I hope readers enjoy delving to the depths of CaSandra’s world.
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Excited to read the book we discussed today? Find it here on Amazon: ‘30 The Dragonfly Catcher ( ASIN: B01BRT8B7Q )‘.
Want to find out more about Jacqueline Rainey? Connect here!