JACQUI CASTLE
"Great Authors have a lot of things about them that separates them from other writers. Their stories help our imagination to come alive in their words. Some of their Fans and Readers live a normal life and they look forward to Reading something intense. When they are bored they can rely on the excitement these Great Authors provide them in each and every chapter. There is something about the way they balance a great story with just the right touch of romance as Main Characters become some your favorites as each page is turned. Jacqui Castle is one of these Great Authors. She let us know what motivated her."
Jason E. Foss
Jason: What motivated you to write "The Seclusion"?
Jacqui:
"The idea for The Seclusion came to me during the primary election campaign. I started it as a short story, and it snowballed from there. The first draft was finished in the summer of 2016, and since then it has evolved. It became a cathartic experience that I turned to every day for several months in a row as I started to play with some of the 'what ifs' that were troubling me at the time."
"Though it does walk the line between fact and fiction, more than anything The Seclusion, like other fictional stories, is about the characters. There is a splash of romance and a healthy dose of perseverance as the main characters explore what makes life worth living by finding joy in unlikely places. It is about digging deep, figuring out how to tap into your own truth in a society that conditions residents since birth."
Jason: "What characteristic of Patricia can you relate to the most and why?"
Jacqui:
"Patricia was named after my grandmother, and in my mind when I was writing her, I was imagining a young woman down the familial line a few generations. So, she basically transformed into an amalgam of many of the women in my family. I'd say one of the most relatable aspects that I wrote into Patch's character was her anxiety. It is something a lot of people struggle with in our current political and societal climate, and something that I struggle with, so I wanted to write that into my main character."
Jason: "For your fans and book lovers briefly describe "The Seclusion""
Jacqui:
"The Seclusion is a science fiction, dystopian novel that takes place in a future America in the year 2090. The country, at this time, is secluded from the rest of the world and is run by a group called The Board. Much like in books such as 1984 or Fahrenheit 451, surveillance is heavy and information is tightly regulated."
"The two main characters, Patricia (or Patch) and Rexx are scientists who stumble upon a cache of hidden contraband left behind by someone in the past. They start to question the information that they receive from their government, information that they have always trusted wholeheartedly. This leads them on a mission to begin unraveling the true history of what has lead the country to it's seclusion from the rest of the world and the very real impact it is having on people they know and love."
Jason: "Are you working on another book and if so what can you tell us about it?"
Jacqui:
"I am! I'm currently drafting the sequel to The Seclusion. The first book was a crowdfunding endeavor supported in its early days by over 400 backers, and then published by the reader-driven publisher Inkshares. The sequel will follow a similar path and after the crowdfunding campaign wraps up, production will begin, and I would like to think it will hit shelves in late 2020 or 2021."
"Anyone interested in becoming a backer for that project can learn more here, and will receive a free copy of book one plus other perks as a thank you for their support. I am also working on another, separate novel with a working title of 'Apate.' The story is still in the early stages, but I'm incredibly excited for it to develop. Apate will take place in the near future and will be told from two vastly different perspectives — a congressional intern's and a NASA scientist's. There will be an asteroid (named Apate after the Greek Goddess of deceit) plummeting toward Earth, and let's just say that all is not what it seems to be and that a few disgruntled scientists have reached their breaking point when it comes to disrespect and funding cuts and they have a few tricks up their sleeve."
Jason: "For those that want to read your book what is the easiest way to buy "The Seclusion"?"
Jacqui:
"The Seclusion is available at all major retailers including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Indie Bound(order to your local bookstore). You can also order directly from me, or as noted before I'm offering a free copy for all who support the crowdfunding campaign for the sequel."
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Seclusion-Jacqui-Castle/dp/1947848518/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=the+seclusion+jacqui+castle&qid=1567140910&s=gateway&sprefix=the+seclusion&sr=8-1
Link 2: https://www.inkshares.com/books/the-seclusion-part-2
"If you would like to connect elsewhere, you can find me most active on Twitter and Instagram."
CLOSING
"Jacqui Castle was motivated by the primary election campaign. There are plenty of things to like about this Great Author but here are some of my favorites. The fact that one of her main characters Patricia was named after her Grandmother and the way she imagined many women in her family generations was very creative. I know her family must appreciate that. Another one of my favorite things was how she lets us know that she deals with anxiety just like her main character. Many people deal with the same thing and can relate to that. When you look at her talent and all the great reviews from her book she proves to us that you can have anxiety and still be successful. If you are looking to read a book that's intriguing and gives your imagination a look at a possible future election this book is the one to read. Click on the Link 1 above and buy "The Seclusion". You can also go to the Crowdfunding Campaign for the sequel by clicking on Link 2 where you'll have the chance to Pre-Order "The Seclusion 2".
Jason E. Foss
Empowered-individuals.blogspot.com
954 743 8670
