The Story Behind The Story: Echoes Of The Mind Anthology

 Hi everybody and welcome to the blog.

Today I wanted to ell you a little about my story in the Echoes Of The Mind Anthology. (Coming June 30,2025) The anthology is to help raise awareness for mental health, and my story was a little rough on my mental state. While the characters have different names and the story isn't the same, there are elements from a personal experience I went through with an ex friend. 

Things that happened between the two of us that happen between the characters. Things that are an actual part of the story that were said by this ex friend. There is a line from the story that my so called friend actually said to me. The very first line of the story and that was the hardest part to write. It brought back all those painful memories and thoughts. 

When this friendship ended suddenly I had no clue why. I couldn't remember doing anything wrong. The worst part was she refused to tell me what I had done, or why she wanted nothing more to do with me. For the longest time I blamed myself. I must have done something for her to stop talking to me. I was the one in the wrong, wasn't I?

It took me a while and a lecture or two from another friend to realize I wasn't. It wasn't me who had the issue with our friendship. It wasn't me who refused to talk things over. It wasn't me who didn't want to try to fix the friendship. No, that was all her. I also realize just how things had been throughout the friendship. I was only ever needed when she had a problem or she needed something. If I had a problem she would give me one or two sentences of advice and the next sentence would be her latest issue.

So, where is this post going? Since this anthology is about mental health I wanted to share my story with all of you. I am hoping that other people can find inspiration through reading this story. I want to tell everyone that the troubles you face with friends may not be your fault. Don't let it get you down. Be the best you and forget the people who don't want to share your journey.

Until next time... Sending everyone who needs it the biggest virtual hug ever!!!

Echoes Of The Mind Anthology

https://books2read.com/u/3LQKe0

Soul Chaser Preorder Now!!!

 The Soul Chaser Anthology is up for preorder now! This anthology includes 5 of my poems inspired by the betrayal of an ex friend. And it has such a pretty cover too! ;)  Coming June 23, 2025

Poetry; a unique and beautiful way to express feelings and ideas. Weaving words into perfect poetic prose, these authors remind you of your childhood, bring comfort from the hardships of life, fiercely spur emotions, and tell tales of old. All lovers of poetry will find a favorite here!

Featuring the following authors: Lee Clark Zumpe, Nick Armbrister, Anna Ross, Toastingfork, K.J. Watson, LindaAnn LoSchiavo, David J. Vowell, Roxana Negut, Vanessa Bane, Cassandra Jones, Andrea Tillmanns, Mathew Anderson, Fariel Shafee, Davion Moore, Afshan Q, Korede Badmus, Cara Hartley, Tanya Fillbrook, and J.E. Feldman.

http://books2read.com/DSPChaser

Writers Write, But Not Always. What I Do When Not Writing

 Hi everyone and welcome to this week's blog. Today I want to talk about something besides writing. Ooohhhh...but wait, isn't this a writing blog? Of course it is however everyone knows we can't write all the time. Writing 24/7, 365 days a year would really cause some serious burnout. Not only that it would be super boring. 

Obviously as writers we are also most likely reading a book here and there. We were readers first and old habits are hard to break, right? So my question to you today is what do you do in your spare time? What are your hobbies that bring you peace and relaxion? 

Reading is definitely one of my favorite hobbies. (You knew I was going to say that!) However most people have no idea what I do when I'm not writing. It's no wonder I love to do research for stories. I have been working on the family history for a while now. It's an interesting hobby for sure. Though it's not my only hobby. I also love to draw and do diamond painting. And did I mention reading?! ;) 

One of my favorite ways to spend my time when not writing is to make crafts. I especially love to make my creepy dolls. They started as a way to make some new Halloween decorations, but it became an obsession.  Here is one my most recent ones. 

What hobbies do you spend the most time doing? Why do they make you happy? Until next time...

Happy Creating!

1001 Dark Nights: Sparks And Surrender

 Check out this new arrival! 1001 Dark Nights: Sparks And Surrender. Featuring some pretty amazing authors!

𝓞𝓤𝓣 𝓝𝓞𝓦

When sparks fly, passion ignites. Sparks and Surrender is packed with fiery romances where enemies become lovers. From bitter rivals to the people they least expected, these characters discover that the line between hate and love is dangerously thin.

Includes:

Kayden/Simon by Laura Wright and Alexandra Ivy
Unchained by Elisabeth Naughton
Twist of Fate by Jill Shalvis
and
The Anti-Fan and The Idol by Rachel Van Dyken

Link (available in KU!): https://amzn.to/3PBiB4G

As a bonus, there is a Goodreads giveaway happening now until 5/19.

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/412728-sparks-and-surrender-collection

#rvdelite #rvdinfluencers #bloodinnoout #EnemiesToLovers #bookbundles #1001DarkNights

Get it now and happy reading!!

Research Can Be Fun, Even If It's Time Consuming!

 Hi everyone and welcome to Cassandra's Writing World!

Today I want to talk about a project I am working on and researching. The book is about my hometown, Four States. A very small town in West Virginia. It has been quite an endeavor to work on this project.

(The original sign for the town)

 

I started off doing research on my own by simply using Google and hoping for the best. It helped a little, but then I thought of a better way to do research. A more interactive and fun way. I created a group on Facebook called Four States, WV History. It started as a way to keep in touch with people who grew up there. It quickly became a friendly community where everyone shared stories about the town. 

(Four States Mine circa 1980's)

I have been able to get a lot of information from the people in this group. Not too mention some great photos to use in the book. 

(Four States Tabernacle, I spent a lot of time in this little church)

I have also found information in books as well. There aren't many books that feature my tiny little town and that's the main reason I want to get this book out. It's a great way to not only tell people about our coal mining town back in a hollow, but to share stories and photos as well. 

(Four States Post office, and yes it is super small)

It has been a very fun project to work on, though it is time consuming. That's why it's a side project until I finish these other books. I have been getting my notes in order and saving the images to use. I plan to start writing the book very soon.

(Four States circa 1995. In the distance is the old company store)

This has been one of my favorite writing projects to ever work on. I hope you enjoyed a peek into my research. Until next time... Happy Writing!

Who Screams Louder: The Author or The Characters?

Hi everyone and welcome to the blog! The place where my scatterbrained thoughts are put on the page for you to read, and hopefully not think I'm a little nutsy kookoo. (But then again aren't we all a little?) Especially if you're a writer. I have a list of topics to write about saved in my email. However I don't want to go through them today. So, on that note we are just winging it for this post. 

I have been working on making sure I have all of my writing projects lined up in order, tied up in a neat little package with a pretty blue bow. (Said bow is blue because it's my favorite color.) Let's face it though we writers never really have those projects precisely as we would like them, now do we? There are those ideas that sneak up on us in the middle of the night. Those characters that slap you upside the head to say "Hey, you need to write my story so get busy." You tell those characters they have to wait they're turn only to hear them say "Fine, I'll just insert myself into your brain front and center so you can't focus on anything else. Or better yet I'll find a way to add myself to the story your working on, but you will listen to me!"

You silently think about what to do next. All the while thinking to yourself wow, this character is real pushy. Should they get their own story? When should it be written? Do I have a title, plot, anything at all to start with? Other than Mr. Pushy? The next thing you know you're plotting out a new story while trying to finish the current one. In all reality the winner of that showdown is the character that screams at you the loudest.

I am currently working on a story for an anthology, and at the same time plotting a new book. The anthology piece has to be finished by the deadline so it needs to come first, right? Right?! Yeah, that's what I thought. I am now working on one story on the laptop/phone and one on good old fashioned notebook paper. 

So I guess the answer is, and always will be, (Gasp!) the... Characters! Yep, it's the characters who rule the story, not the authors. We are merely their puppets to control. Whether we like it or not. We listen and obey their every demand. That's just how it is with being a writer. Let them take you where the story needs to go.

I guess that means I'll always be a complete mess when it comes to writing. Good thing we writers enjoy the chaos of our minds. 

Thank you for stopping by and until next time, Happy Writing!!!!

Helping Readers Interact With You and Helping Other Authors Too!

 Hi everyone and welcome to this week's blog!

Today I want to talk about all the things authors need to do to help their readers interact with them, and how we can help our fellow authors too! 

There's of course the website for readers to find all your work and maybe get to know things about you. There's also Facebook author pages and readers groups. They are great places to connect with readers. For instance in my reader group Cassandra's Place we have a weekly get to know the group question and also a writing/reading question. It's been interesting to get to know others.

There are also other social media platforms we can use such as Instagram, Threads, Pinterest, Tome and more. I'll share my links for all of them at the end of this post. 

What else can we do as authors to reach readers? Share about your work and yourself on social media. Make teasers for your books and share them with others. Share those reviews for your work. Make swag like bookmarks, pens, etc. 

Make sure you have an author brand and logo. Post about your newest WIP's and releases. Be friendly toward your readers and friends in the book community. Recommend not only your books, but those you have enjoyed. Don't be hateful just because another author seems to be doing better than you. It happens as sad as that may be. Happy reading and tell others about those books you love! And happy world book day as well!

https://linktr.ee/writergirl74

https://www.facebook.com/bleachfanforlife

https://www.facebook.com/cassandraswritingworld/

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1C6LATrYyC/

https://www.instagram.com/bookbaby78/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17151843.Cassandra_Jones

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/3907682069

https://www.pinterest.com/animefan78/

https://tomebooks.com/user/writergirl74

https://hinata7874.wixsite.com/mywritingworld

https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/

https://writebetweenthewines.com/members/CassandraJones