What is your book about?
From The Sky is about the relationship between Lucien Foster a being from another world and a young woman named Samantha Hunter who is dealing with a tragedy that changed her life forever. Lucien and Samantha come together by accident. From The Sky is a story about redemption, forgiveness and a friendship that grows into a love.
How long had the idea of your book been developing before you began to write the story?
I wanted to write this story for years. I day dreamed and brainstormed on how I would start the story of Lucien and Sam. I always felt there was something more than the stars in the sky.
What inspired you to write this particular story?
My sons inspired me to write From The Sky I always believed in life on other planets. It wasn’t until one day while having a bon-fire with my sons that I came up with the idea. My son had an unusual experience when he was child that woke him from a deep sleep that forever changed him. He saw a light in his room that came in from the window. What-ever it was it was not normal. That is where I got the idea of Lucien his name which mean ‘From The light’.
How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?
A lot of myself is hidden in the characters in the book. I would have to say there is a little of me in Sam and Lucien. I suffered a lot of personal tragedy in my life. I struggled with depression just like Sam. However, I overcame it, but I had no Lucien to help me through it. Some of my goofy habits found their way into Sam’s life like her hair twirling. I am a bit of Tom Boy like Sam. I would have to say Lucien is my idea of the perfect boyfriend. I wish I would have had a boyfriend like him as a young woman. I had a lot of sibling rivalry growing up even full fledge fights a lot like Lucien and Cassiel.
Tell us a little about your main characters. Who was your favorite? Why?
The Protagonist is a rebellious 17-year-old teenager that likes to have a good time without thinking of the consequences of her actions until it’s too late. She goes through a lot of changes, which made her so appealing to readers. She does not trust easy, especially when Lucien is involved. She is very cautious but once you win her trust she will do anything for her loved ones. Lucien is every super hero woven into one. He is strong, smart, and will grow on you. At first, he is odd looking not appealing at all and the more Sam begins to like him the more inviting he becomes.
Did you do any research for the book? If so, how did you do it? (searching Internet, magazines, other books, etc.)
I did a lot of research on UFO’S and Mufon. I even took my Field Investigator exam, so I could be better prepared to begin the writing process. I watch hours of Ancient Aliens, The History Channel and UFO’s Hunter. I spoke with the park ranger from Cibola National Park in New Mexico in length about the terrain of the Sandia Mountains. John Ventre Pennsylvania State Director of MUFON gave me valuable resources about major sightings in Pennsylvania and Colorado he even help me with a major plot dilemma my characters were involved without giving any spoilers it had to do with radar and Groom Lake within Area 51. I spend hours reading on the different types of ET’s and UFO phenomena before I began to write From The Sky.
Do you think writing this book changed your life? How so?
Writing From The Sky has definitely changed my life. I became a MUFON Field Investigator. I am activity involved in managing the local Allegheny and Westmoreland County MUFON Facebook page. I have a more open mind when it comes to things in life we don’t necessarily understand or see.
What was the first story you remember writing?
It was a short story I had to write in nine grade English class. I wrote a horror story. I enjoyed writing it so much. It was my first A! I actually thanked my teacher Mrs. Vanyo in a newspaper interview.
Why will readers relate to your characters?
I hope my readers will relate to my characters, especially Samantha. We all lose people we love at certain times in our life and sometimes more than we think we can handle. The week before I started writing From The Sky, I lost my sister. Four years prior my brother and two years ago my little sister and then my father died last May. We all have tragedy in our life, and often we use substances, some legal and some not to cope. And I hope my readers have someone in their lives they can count on to help him. If not I hope, my story will help.
What has been your greatest internal struggle to overcome in relation to your writing career?
My biggest struggle to overcome in my writing career is the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease called Sjogren’s Syndrome. It attacked me when my writing was just beginning. Luckily, I finished my first novel before it did most of its damage. The disease causes severe dry eyes that impair vision, and cause severe fatigue and joint pain that limit my writing. I write when my eyes will let me do so. I am going to try Dragon software text to type program hopefully it will help if not I will write when I can. I started a blog called Sjogren’s and Me http://mysjogrens.blogspot.com/ to bring awareness and educate people on this faceless disease.
Where do you get the names for your characters?
Originally, Samantha was Sara in the first draft which I got from the Bible, but I liked the idea of calling Samantha Sam for short. Lucien means light, and his siblings are angel names. I named Lucien’s sister after the Garden of Eden because of her beauty. I always wondered if angels were beings from other worlds instead of celestial beings from heaven.
Where can people learn more about your books?
Readers can learn more about my books from Second Wind Publishing and http://www.secondwindpublishing.com/#!product/prd15/3378588341/from-the-sky by visiting my websites and blog. http://www.authorjenicassio.com http://jen3963.wix.com/author-jenicassio https://authorjenicassio.wordpress.com/ https://fromjenniewithlove.wordpress.com/
Lucien, Did you get along with your parents?
Pat Bertram Introduces . . . 