Bio – Cassandra Gaisford, historical novelist
Cassandra Gaisford is an award winning artist and historical novelist of art-related fiction.
In 2008 Cassandra downsized her flourishing business as a life and career coach to write her first historical work of art related fiction. She turned deaf ears to parents and friends who pleaded with her to “get a real job,” and rented out her house and did a succession of freelance and contracting jobs to support “writing days.”
For several years prior she focused on penning contemporary romance novels with an eye on the lucrative Mills and Boon market. But her real passion, her true path with heart, was the seductive, sensual and evocative historical novels she loved to read.
A chance meeting in April 2010 with one of her favourite authors Sarah Dunant flamed the embers of inspiration. Sarah Dunant is the author of the international bestsellers The Birth of Venus, In the Company of the Courtesan and Sacred Hearts – all of which Cassandra read, adored and continues to cherish.
“I felt so inspired as I listened to her talk about her passion for history, and Renaissance Italy and for telling the un-told stories of women living in historical times. Sarah oozed passion and I think that it’s her passion, as well as her immense talent, that makes her writing come alive for me.”
Some of the most memorable things Sarah said while in Wellington were:
“I was completely intoxicated by that period”
For Cassandra that showed her the importance of feeling passionate about what you are doing, or planning to do. Cassandra’s almost obsessive acquisition of books and devouring of movies related to the Renassiance speaks of an intoxication that verges on addiction!
“I wondered what was it like to be an ordinary person during that time.”
Forming a question in this way has helped Cassandra’s writing hugely – imagining and then bringing to life a fictional character
“Writing a historical book is like painting – the dots are the facts, you step back and your have the story.”
As an artist Cassandra loves the idea of thinking of her story as a painting – laying all the ingredients at separate stages to create the total work of art
All the things Sarah shared re the craft of writing and her journey as a writer inspired Cassandra.
“But what really set my soul on my fire and gave me the courage to actively pursue a writing career was when, as she signed my copy of her book, Sarah said,” I brought a house in Florence and the Birth of Venus paid for it.
Who said you couldn’t make a living as a writer?! As I drove away my passion soared. I pulled over to capture my feelings on paper. I knew what I was experiencing was huge and I didn’t want to lose it. Here’s what I wrote:
‘I just met Sarah Dunant – one of my favourite authors – if not the favourite. I feel so inspired, and excited. My stomach is flipping and swirling, dipping – like it does when there is turbulence in an aircraft. It’s exciting. A feeling of real thrill – the kind you hope will never end. It makes me feel giddy, delirious. It fills me with a deep yearning, fills my eyes with tears. I cannot breath, cannot get the words down fast enough. I want to savor this moment – the moment I know with a passion what I felt called, compelled, excited to do – to write about ordinary women like me, living in historical times, a multi-sensory book filled with art, architecture, set in Italy, or France. Beautiful and intoxicating. To write stories that make others feel as I do – hungry for more and so delighted to have met the author.’
But as Betty Bender once said, “Everything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile…initially scared me to death.” So for 2 years, convincing herself that writing a historical novel, reliant on so much factual information, would be too hard, too difficult, too beyond her skill, she continued to pen romance novels and she denied her truth.
Writing for a market she did not even read, unsurprisingly she was rejected by many publishers and agents whose comments ranged from “your characters are dysfunctional” (referring to characters that were taken from Cassandra’s real life experiences!) to, “It feels too forced.”
She got loads of great feedback too – particularly re her ability to capture emotion and for writing sensually and evocatively.
“During this time, I continued to hone my craft, participating in many online writing workshops. While completing a course, ‘Write like a psychologist: empowering characters emotions’ I stumbled on an image that would change my life.
The image of Mona Lisa’s smile, propelled me head first in to the intoxicating and fraught world of Renaissance Florence.
Wondering “what if…” and struck by inspiration the image continued to hum with seductive appeal. Until finally, I pushed through my doubts and while participating in the Romance Writers of Australia challenge to write a book in 30 days I finally completed my first draft of Mona Lisa’s Secret.
A passion, a scandal, a masterpiece – this was the book I wanted to read! This was the book I wanted to write. Feeling as inspired as I was that day I met Sarah Dunant I knew with unswerving conviction this was the book I was called to write.”
Further validation came in 2010 whilst pitching the book concept at a writing conference in Melbourne. Representatives from Penguin publishing requested the full manuscript, and a highly revered US agent said she could already see the movie.
After years of research Cassandra is deep into the final throes of her novel ‘Mona Lisa’s Secret’ a vivid portrayal of impassioned sexual and artistic yearning, which unravels the mystery surrounding Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous portrait and the beautiful woman who inspired the masterpiece.
Cassandra aims to have the final manuscript completed by late 2012/early 2013.
Her earlier publications include romantic short stories, and a non-fiction book released in 2009 “Happy at Work: for mid-lifers a practical and inspirational guide for job-hunters and career-changers.”
She has one gorgeous daughter, and lives with her handsome partner near the sea in Wellington, New Zealand – voted the coolest little capital in the world:)
Advance praise for Mona Lisa’s Secret:
“A beautifully crafted story shot with vivid colours”
“Mona Lisa’s Secret is a story of passion and intrigue that compels readers to the very last page”
“Gaisford makes history come alive. A riveting novel.”
“Gaisford has the soul of an artist, the poetic prose of a poet, the mind of a sleuth. Her enthusiasm for her subject, as well as her dedication to historical accuracy, keeps the reader engaged.”
“A vibrant, sumptuous novel…triumphant! A beautifully written tale that mirrors the sensual poignancy of the painting that inspired it.”
“Never before has history been so seductive.”
“A book of international appeal”
“Great depictions of emotion. The prose absolutely sings!”
“A triumphant first novel, worthy of an award.”
Media
TVNZ One » Writing romance novels – check out this Valentines Day clip of Cassandra and fellow writers talking romance! Great for a giggle:)
