Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Jacqueline Cioffa was an international model for 17 years and celebrity makeup artist. She is a dog lover, crystal collector and Stone Crab enthusiast. Her work has been featured in Brainstorms, the Anthology and numerous literary magazines. Living with manic depression, Jacqueline is an advocate for mental health awareness. She’s a storyteller, observer, essayist, potty mouth and film lover who’s traveled the world.
THE VAST LANDSCAPE her soul stirring Fiction Bestseller debut explores the universal depths of the human experience.
Fans of the emotional, heartfelt first novel will not be able to put GEORGIA PINE, the anticipated sequel down.
Jacqueline co-authored Model Citi-Zen, the guide and the raw literary fiction romance series THE VAST LANDSCAPE and GEORGIA PINE. (nothing fits neatly in one box.)
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
GEORGIA PINE is inspired by Harrison, the raw, brash character from THE VAST LANDSCAPE. Her story was not finished, the saga, beautiful family needed to carry on, much like life and legacy.
“Her granddaughters continue the story of Harrison, each one uniquely searching for her own happiness. Interwoven into is the story of the narrator, who, after an accident that left her permanently physically disabled, escapes her broken body into the vast landscape of her imagination. And in so doing unwittingly inspires a reader, who is walking a tightrope between living and dying, to opt for hope.”
I felt a visceral connection to “Georgia Pine” the moment I discovered the beautiful, haunting photographic image by Laura Makabresku now the cover. The cover image set the tone and mood for the sequel, “Georgia Pine.”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I ‘write’ best when I’m doing something other than writing, walking the dog, swimming, listening to music, digging in the dirt. I’ll hear a word, hint of an idea or get inspired by something visual. I store the thoughts in a holding pattern in my mind. Sometimes it stays there for weeks growing and omitting until the character or idea becomes a full concept. Then, I type fast. Odd, but works for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
John Irving, J.D. Salinger, Kay Redfield Jamison, Nicholas Sparks, E.L. James, Kristin Hannah, Italo Calvino, Sylvia Plath, Beckett, Paolo Coehlo, John Green. Nicholas Sparks books are easy reads and wonderful distractions. I try not to be a LIT-snob.
“Owen Meany” by John Irving opened my eyes to the wonder of creative freedom and artistic expression. “The Tao of Living and Dying,” “An UnQuiet Mind,” “Eleven Minutes,” “Firefly Lane.”
“The Book of Runes” has been in my backpack or on the nightstand over course of my travels the past twenty years.
What are you working on now?
“EverGreen” (working title) conclusion to “The Vast Landscape” and “Georgia Pine” Sagas. Stories never really end, they get passed on like legacies and bad habits. The narrator in the first two books isn’t quite finished with her part after creating two fierce warriors, brash female characters. Don’t worry, “EverGreen” won’t be neat because real life is almost always a combination of clean and messy.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Self-Publishing is a beast, it moves rapidly and makes it almost impossible to keep up. I use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and my blog to promote the books, the usual suspects. Rachel Thompson author, advocate, social media and book marketing maven has been a tremendous resource and generous wealth of information. Highly recommended, http://rachelintheoc.com.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Observe, keep your eyes peeled, head up and away from your phone. The potential for great stories is happening all around you. Find a group of encouraging artists, writers you can learn with and be inspired by. Great writing doesn’t happen overnight, as I was reminded just yesterday. Find your style and run with it. When someone says you can’t, answer I just did. And do it. Never quit your dreams.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write the truth.
What are you reading now?
“Broken Places” by Rachel Thompson and “Paper Souls” by Allie Burke are on my wish list.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing “EverGreen” so that Harrison, Georgia Pine, Opal and the amazing, complex, infuriating, stunning, colorful “CAST OF CHARACTERS” (ie: “Georgia Pine”) and I can move on.
What is your favorite book of all time?
“Owen Meany” by John Irving.
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