Hi friends! As you see we have the fabulous and lovely Jax Cassidy visiting with us today! Enjoy the eye candy she’s providing.
I never set out to write multicultural characters—although I’d always wanted to see more Asians as leads in romance novels because I wanted something to relate to. Almost all of the books I’d read in my youth had Caucasian heroes and heroines so I thought that was the norm. Of course, even knowing that, I was never one to follow the rules. I decided I would write Asian characters into my books anyway. I figured if I wanted to read them, someone out there would too. Even when those stories didn’t sell, I never stopped writing them at the same time as my Caucasian romances—which did sell…
What’s really funny is that up until five years ago, I wasn’t drawn to Asian men at all. My ideal type was mostly blond haired, blue eyed, clean cut men. Those surfer boys and GQ model types. Perhaps I wasn’t exposed to enough Asian males growing up to really find them attractive. However, when I discovered K-pop and K-dramas, I saw Asian men in a whole different light! I started becoming obsessed with Asian heroes. Who could resist those bad boys—and if they happen to put on a bit of guyliner—I was totally hooked! These celebs know how to represent themselves in public and their polished image, attitude, and fashion sense created a unique celebritydom that sucks you in.
For years I’ve written proposal after proposal of Japanese, Chinese, and Korean characters but I’ve learned it’s a hard sell in New York. Editors have a specific vision of what stories they want and they focus on what sells for them. Sooner or later I know my international settings will make it onto the shelves so I haven’t given up on that dream. Although I continue to write multicultural characters, the past few years I started to write stories with Korean heroes. I’m also adding historical romances set in the Joseon Dynasty as well as more contemporaries set in Seoul.
This December my holiday release Seoulful Kiss, a sweet romance, is set in—you got it—Seoul. I’m hoping it will give readers a taste of why I love writing about these characters and the wonderful setting. Now that Psy’s hit song “Gangnam Style” has finally infiltrated the US market, I have to admit it gives me hope that my stories will finally grab the editors attention. I’m extremely fortunate and grateful I have an agent that supports my choices. No pressure. It simply means I have to work harder and prove that all my efforts to bring Asian heroines and heroes to the public will happen.
In the meantime, I’m going to share a little bit of yumminess—er, research with you. Whenever I start a project, I have to have a clear vision of who my characters are. It’s such a terrible chore to look through hundreds of images of hot, gorgeous men for just the right hero. C’mon, tell me the truth, you never thought Asian men could be this drool worthy? Well, they are. So now you can see why it’s not so difficult for me to write them into my romances. Enjoy!
Jax Cassidy 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 and paranormal romances and is Co-Founder of Romance Divas, an award winning writer’s website and discussion forum. Jax is also known as one-half of the retired writing team of Cassidy Kent. Jax Cassidy is represented by Roberta Brown, Brown Literary Agency.
Website: www.jaxcassidy.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorjaxcassidy
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaxcassidy
We already know Jax is incredibly generous. She, on the behalf of Romance Diva is contributing to SMSG12. But you get the chance to win today too! Jax is offering one lucky commenter a copy of Siren’s Seduction, or an ebook from her backlist!
So tell us – what do you think of heroes? What appeals to you? What would you think of an Asian hero?
And… I hope Jax will forgive me, but since she mentioned Gangnam Style, I had to share it here. Just in case you haven’t seen it before. 😉