I’m so happy to be welcoming back my dear friend, author JAX CASSIDY today! Jax has been my guest before and she always has great insights to share about writing and how to keep following your dreams as a writer! Jax 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—finding Mr. Right was just an added bonus. She writes contemporary, paranormal, and multi-ethnic romances and is Co-Founder of Romance Divas, and award winning writer’s website and discussion forum. Jax is also known as one-half of the retired writing team of Cassidy Kent.
Jax is giving away a copy of one of her books to a successful challenge participant on April 3rd! And make sure you pick up a copy of her latest book, SHIBUYA MOMENT; all proceeds go to relief efforts in Japan.
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Visually Inspired
By Jax Cassidy
I’ve always been passionate about art since an early age and was blessed with the ability to create artwork without having formal lessons. When I found something that fascinated me, it would flip the switch on my obsessive need to learn and replicate whatever I saw. Arts and crafts were fun outlets for a hyper tomboy who didn’t like to study. It wasn’t until I was about eight that I turned to writing, never knowing that one day I’d actually pursue it as a career. I think about that same time I stumbled upon photography and fell in love with it.
Coming from a family of artists, it wasn’t difficult for me to follow in their footsteps when it came to hobbies. My oldest brother was the designated photographer for every family event and after seeing how amazing his photographs turned out, I took an interest in his Nikon camera. At the time, camera equipment was extremely expensive but he replaced my dinky plastic film camera for his older Nikon. It was a defining moment for me and no one was able to pry a camera out of my hand from that point on. Unfortunately after high school, the photography obsession waned and my interests in painting and graphic design took over.
Not a moment has passed that I hadn’t thought about returning to photography but I could never find time to fit it into my schedule. As time went on I turned into quite the workaholic with stress becoming a permanent fixture in my life. I was pretty drained from working full-time and writing full-time on nights and weekends. It got to a point where I was so mentally exhausted and creatively tapped out. That’s when I made the decision to do something fun, something I’d enjoy. All it took was one spontaneous moment and I was the proud owner of a brand spanking new Nikon camera, along with some tricked out accessories. It set me back a bit but it was the best investment I ever made.
The truth is, anyone can be a photographer but it takes a certain artistic eye to really capture the essence of your subjects. As writers, we are naturally creative creatures or else we wouldn’t be able to come up with all those elaborate ideas, plots and storylines. However, even the best writers run into road blocks along their writing careers…which brings me to the point of this blog post.
I am a firm believer that finding another artistic outlet will actually get the creative juices flowing. Being stuck only means that your mind is telling you to step back and relax. Allow yourself to get your hands dirty on something outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s creating Artist Trading Cards, painting, drawing, dancing, sewing or whatever else, you will discover a sense of freedom that will help you to move past a writing funk.
For me, photography quenches that thirst and fills my creative well. It’s an indescribable elation and, trust me, it shows in my words. I become visually inspired by the mood of the photographs. Proud of my ability to channel my creativity into one perfect image and that’s all it takes to breathe new energy in order for me to tackle another round of writing.
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What do you do to refill your creative well?
Thanks for having me back, Kelly! Always a pleasure to visit.
Just to let everyone know SHIBUYA MOMENT will be out in late April. I hope you’ll enjoy it and all proceeds go to the Red Cross & ShelterBox. I’ve written it for a wider audience so it’s more PG than my usual sensual romance…but the romance is still very much there!
I love photography too Jax. I need my camera fix. I have been taking pictures since HS. A dream of mine is also to have been a photographer or a director. Controlling much? LOL.
Kwana..I bet you’re awesome! One of these days I’ll have to start doing it more regularly. Maybe even set up a studio inside my home but for now, I’ll do photography just for myself
This came up with an earlier blog and I realized I don’t do anything that is not ‘word’ related so I decided to give it a try. Well, the cinnamon bread was great. The house smelled good and I was ‘inspired’ so I went and made a giant pot of stew with fresh rolls for dinner. I think I went a little overboard! If I do this again, I have to make less or add ‘jogging’ to the ‘to-do’ list so I can run the calories off. It was fun, though. And, yes, the writing came easier. (Must be the cinnamon!)
Sounds yummy, Mary! Hey–whatever gets you going works. I tend to cook big meals that could feed an army and there’s nothing more satisfying than creating in the kitchen while filling up the belly.
I think that writers tend to forget that they need breaks by doing something than their regular routine to get them inspired.
Good for you! Now I want some of your stew and bread!
Thanks so much for being here Jax! I like to paint as my creative well-filler (although i”m not much good at it!
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Kelly
Kelly–I bet your painting is good! Seems like we’re always harder on ourselves…it’s the internal critic in us
I read a new book, watch one of my favorite movies or shift through my idea journal. If none of those work then I change the location where I write. Simple, but it works.
Elke–I think you’re absolutely right…sometimes doing something so simple makes a big difference. That’s why I often hang out at cafes because I seemed to be inspired by the energy there. At home is comfy and sometimes it stifles the imagination.
I play trumpet. Someone once said, “What do I do when I don’t want to practice? I practice! It just takes a little longer to warm up, and it may not go as smoothly as other times. But I bet even James Galway doesn’t feel like playing all the time.” I can’t just dream about playing beautiful music and hope it happens. And, I’m learning that it’s the same with writing. For me, playing music daily and writing daily strengthen each other.