New York based author CJ Cassidy has written plays and screenplays and poems, all with little or no commercial success. It wasn’t until he met Katherine Stark and wrote her biography that he developed an avid following. His first novel “A Tortured Soul – The Unauthorized Biography of Nicholas Anderson” tells the true (albeit fictionalized to protect her identity) story of a woman trapped in a world of domestic violence and the man who uses an unconventional method to free her from her bonds. Abused and battered women who have read the novel cheered and applauded her triumph over adversity.
His second novel, “The Confessions of Jennifer X” tells the story from the P.O.V. of the main antagonist in “A Tortured Soul…” More victim than villain, Jennifer’s story tells of the survival of a victim of child abuse and why she was the ‘bitch on wheels’ that everyone thought she was. It’s funny how, when you change your perspective, your judgment changes. Jennifer now has a following of her own.
Presently CJ is lending his editing talents to three protégés who, with his encouragement, are writing their own biographies of trial, tribulation and triumph. Two are soon to be released in the near future. He has also donated original work to other authors to help spotlight and expose the pain and heartache of abuse. Darkness only fears a bright, shining light that dispels it!
All of his novels are brutal, hard edged and sexually graphic and not for the faint of heart, but contain a positive message for victims and survivors alike. There IS a way out. Just learn to say ‘when’ it’s enough! All of CJ Cassidy’s novels are available through CreateSpace.Com, Amazon.Com, and some are available through Kindle Books worldwide.
To read an excerpt or to order go to: http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6y1fd/cjcassidy/index.html
Spotlight Interview – Learn to Love, Accept and Respect Yourself
Please share your name
C.J. Cassidy
Why were you interested in being involved in The 12 Stepping Stones to Learn to Love, Accept and Respect Yourself?
I’m interested in being involved in any project that helps people to realize that they are someone who is worthy of love and respect.
What prompted you to become involved in a love, relationship or sex related field?
I am a survivor of child abuse and I have friends who also are survivors of abuse and domestic violence. We need someone who can understand what we have gone through. I find that there are too many people out there who don’t know who to turn to. I’m here to listen, to advise, but never to judge.
Tell us how you contribute to the growing relationship community.
I put myself out there to anyone who wants to talk, who wants to listen or just needs a hug.
In a few sentences, how do you describe what you do and how you help people to be more positive about love, relationships and/or sex?
It’s not easy to describe. You have to be what they need, when they need it and here’s the hardest part; to know when you cannot help. You have to be able to be supportive but never judge not even the people who hurt them. You have to be the shoulder they cry on but the voice of reason when they go overboard. It’s funny, what I do without thinking about it, is so hard to explain in words. It’s like you have to sense what you have to do and forgive yourself when you get it wrong.
What sort of education, background, experience etc do you have for this work?
None! I am not an advocate, counselor or trained in any way to do what I do. Like I said; you have to have a sense for what you do, know when you can’t help and forgive yourself when you get it wrong.
What sort of additional training did you feel you needed to do more for your clients?
I would say that getting involved in personal relationships should have some prerequisites, but seriously, is there a degree in living? Does anyone have all the answers? Does any book? There are way too many variables involved to give a standard solution to anyone’s problems. Should someone have training in psychology? Sure. I am just empathetic to my friend’s needs and I listen when they need to just talk. I tell anyone that my opinion doesn’t count; it’s up to them to decide what to do.
How long have you been working in these fields?
I have been observing and talking to people about relationships since I can remember. It’s human nature to talk about your problems. I discovered at an early age that I could see problems from all angles and see where a solution may lie. I also have an uncanny ability to simplify concepts to the lowest common language. I don’t talk over anyone’s head and I do not patronize anyone. I have no problem telling someone that I can’t help and direct them to a professional or to 1-800-799-SAFE which is a national hotline.
How did your relationship journey begin?
High school; where everyone does. In college, I was everyone’s girlfriend. I was easy to talk to and was trusted with very intimate details of their lives because I always kept a secret. By the way, being a heterosexual male, that became disconcerting. No guy wants to be the ‘girlfriend’… but I resolved myself that I was a better friend to these women than I would ever have been a lover.
If you have a main focus or niche – what is it?
As a survivor of child abuse, and that my sisters were also abused, I have a tendency to gravitate to women that find themselves in an abusive situation.
What lead you to that specialty?
I was introduced to an amazing woman who was a victim of domestic violence who wanted her story written so she could help others. I took on the project never realizing the impact that the novel would have. The novel spawned four sequels.
What has been the hardest thing about your work?
Crying, lots and lots of crying; first about the pain and heartache I hear about; then I really cry when I hear that someone saved themselves because they realized that they weren’t alone. I lost it when one of my readers wrote to me that I saved her life. I cried when her son wrote a paper saying that he would never be like his father. I cry when I get a Christmas card from someone who says that I wrote ‘her’ story. I cry when one of my readers tell me that they love me. Damnit, I’m crying right now!
What has been the most rewarding thing about your work?
I’m just going to write the answer to the last question and add; Every time I look at the wall above my laptop and see the cards and letters I got. Every time I go on-line and I read posts from them, about their lives, that they laugh, that they cry, that they’re happy, that they’re free.
Do you have a website and/or blog?
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6y1fd/cjcassidy/index.html
How could someone get in touch with you?
I try to minimize face to face contact, the best way to reach me is through facebook – Cee Jay Cassidy (They won’t let me use my initials) I stay incognito in order to protect the subject of my first novel. I have friends that are ‘adult entertainer’ to grandmothers. I have a very diverse group of friends and I treat each one with love and respect.
How do you promote your business?
I don’t promote what I do, I promote my novels, and once the word got out how I am, I get a lot of referrals.
Have you written any books or developed any products for your clients?
I have written eight novels about survivors of abuse, helped three women write their own stories of tribulation and victory and donated work to other books to help victims of abuse.
If so, definitely share some details and links for more information.
All my novels are available from Amazon.com and CreateSpace, my website has all the links to purchase my novels – http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6y1fd/cjcassidy/index.html and has some free full length novels for you to read. “Internet Affairs”, “The Way of The Winterwolf” and “The Secret Diary of a Naughty Dancer” should be published soon.
What did I forget to ask?
My first novel “A Tortured Soul – The Unauthorized Biography of Nicholas Anderson” was the book that started it all. It made my ‘ministry’ global. At first, I didn’t want to publish the novel because they are sexually graphic, but I was convinced that it would do more good than harm. The heroine, Katherine Stark, is so pleased that her story has helped others and that it was paid forward. It was writing that novel that I was asked to write the sequels. I have met some of the most amazing women in the last ten years. I would not trade that for anything. Thank you for taking the time to share information about yourself and your experiences and your journey.
Love you! Cherish You! Adore You!
Namaste!
CJ Cassidy
