What is Normal anyway, asks Parnormal Writer
What is Normal?
by Christine Amsden
I don't know. I've never been
normal, personally, and I don't think I know anyone who is!
Some people are a bit more
abnormal than others, of course. Cassie Scot isn't at all normal, even if
that's what she's calling herself. For her, the term is a reactionary thing and
it has a negative connotation – one she tries not to admit to herself when she
says, right at the beginning of the first book:
“My parents think the longer
the name, the more powerful the sorcerer, so they named me Cassandra Morgan
Ursula Margaret Scot. You can call me Cassie.
I’ve been called a lot of
things in my life: normal, ordinary, and even a disappointment. After the Harry
Potter books came out, a couple of people called me a squib. Since I haven’t
read them, I have to assume it’s a compliment.
Personally, I prefer normal,
which is why the sign on my office door reads: Cassie Scot, Normal Detective.”
I think I'm like Cassie on
this. To me, normal has always had a slightly negative connotation. I don't
want to be normal. I want to be better than that. Superior.
Unique.
There's a stereotype about
writers. Well, artists, really. We're not normal. Some people don't even think
they can be normal in order to be a truly creative type. I disagree, but then,
it does depend upon how you define the term. If you think artists have to
suffer from some kind of mental disorder as characterized by diagnostic criterion
set down in the DSM, then no. That's not true. We're not all depressed or
bipolar or anxious or schizophrenic. “Normal” (as in not suffering from mental
problems) people can be creative.
Yet artists do have to have
something inside them to fuel their art. Something driving them. This isn't
something we do for profit. (Most writers and artists don't earn a living off
of their craft.) It's something we do as an expression of our unique inner
selves.
There's that word again –
unique. It is, perhaps, normal for humans to want to be unique. Ah, the irony!
The more we strive to be unique, the more normal we become.
It's enough to drive someone
crazy. :)
To tell you the truth, I do
suffer from diagnosed mental disorders. I have periodic bouts of depression that
are cyclical in nature (cyclothymia), and I suffer from generalized anxiety
disorder. I have dealt with these conditions through medication and
counselling, but writing has always been my best outlet.
I know I'm not unique in this,
but I refuse to believe that feeling sad is something I have to do in order to
reach the depth of emotions I need for my characters to come to life. Or at
least, it would seriously depress me to believe such a thing. :)
We all have an inner well of
something. And I believe that each of us has the capacity to be creative. I've
spent the past decade telling my husband that just because he's an engineer, it
doesn't mean he's not creative. He likes to invent things. My goodness!
Creative does not mean artsy. Creativity is nothing more or less than the
expression of the truest, deepest part of ourselves.
How do you express creativity?
Wow! What a fascinating question. I guess I express it in writing, but I expressed it in math and computer programing for quite a long time, so I'd agree with you that engineers can be creative. And depression's not essential. And...
...and now I'm tied up in your wonderful irony, because I do want to be unique, and it is quite "normal."
Thank you so much for revealing your normalcy, and letting us all enjoy Cassie's distinctly different version of normal too!
And now, to let readers know more about Mind Games:
Beware your heart and soul…
Evan broke Cassie’s heart two months ago, and she still
doesn’t know why. She throws herself into family, friends and her new job at
the sheriff’s department, but nothing helps. The only thing that finally allows
her heal and move on is the love of a new man, mind mage Matthew Blair. Cassie
finds him…irresistible.
Matthew may also be the only one who can help keep the
non-magical residents of Eagle Rock from going crazy over the murder of a
beloved pastor’s wife. It looks like a sorcerer is to blame, but while Cassie
tries to figure out who, others take matters into their own hands. With
tensions running so hot, a single spark might set Eagle Rock ablaze.
First Chapter: http://christineamsden.com/wordpress/?page_id=3118 (Warning: Contains series spoilers. New
readers to the series would be better off checking out the preview of book one
below.)
Buy Links
Print release June 15. Audiobook release TBA.
Enter the Rafflecopter...
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and read books 1 and 2 first for the whole experience!
Cassie Scot: ParaNormal
Detective
Cassie Scot is the ungifted daughter of
powerful sorcerers, born between worlds but belonging to neither. At 21, all
she wants is to find a place for herself, but earning a living as a private
investigator in the shadow of her family’s reputation isn’t easy. When she is
pulled into a paranormal investigation, and tempted by a powerful and handsome
sorcerer, she will have to decide where she truly belongs.
First Chapter: http://christineamsden.com/wordpress/?page_id=1712
Buy Links for Cassie Scot: ParaNormal
Detecitve
Secrets and Lies (Cassie
Scot Book 2)
Cassie Scot, still stinging from her
parents’ betrayal, wants out of the magical world. But it isn’t letting her go.
Her family is falling apart and despite everything, it looks like she may be
the only one who can save them.
To complicate matters, Cassie owes Evan
her life, making it difficult for her to deny him anything he really wants. And
he wants her. Sparks fly when they team up to find two girls missing from
summer camp, but long-buried secrets may ruin their hopes for happiness.
Buy Links for Secrets and Lies (Cassie
Scot Book 2)
And meet the Author...
Christine Amsden has been writing
fantasy and science fiction for as long as she can remember. She loves to write
and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her
stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great
speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through
extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and
relationships, and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction
and fantasy meaningful for everyone.
At the age of 16, Christine was
diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, a condition that effects the retina and
causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this
slow her down or get in the way of her dreams.
In addition to writing, Christine
teaches workshops on writing at Savvy Authors. She also does some freelance
editing work.
Christine currently lives in the Kansas
City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to
her success. They have two beautiful children.
Social Media Links:
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Website
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Blog
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Comments
The tour is going very well, thank you for asking. I was nervous about putting together my own tour but the support and encouragement I've received has been terrific! I plan to do my own tour again for Stolen Dreams (any I'll be setting it up day now ... seriously)
I am looking forward to the release of the conclusion to the series with anxious anticipation. :)