Almost seven
years ago I was inspired by the philosopher Descartes to write a book. A book
that went beyond my understanding of the afterlife, a book that challenged my
own beliefs and made me question everything I’ve ever blindly accepted.
Seven years
ago, I got some questions stuck in my head “Is our reality real? Is everything we've been taught true? How do we know we’re not being
tricked by a higher power?”
As harsh
and as fast as a slap, the question stung and wouldn’t lessen until I explored
all possible answers. I didn’t write this book to be published. I didn’t write
this book for acknowledgement or praise. I wrote it because it needed to be
written. For a lot of people that may
not make sense, but I know a lot of other writers who have been overwhelmed and
sometimes overpowered by these ‘characters and ideas’ that they feel almost
possessed to write them out.
Hence, My Demonic Ghost, was born.
Originally
when I wrote about 14 year old banished spirit Lock, my biggest inspiration for
his character was based off the mischief of Peter Pan and the pure naivety of
Casper the friendly ghost, thrown in together with a touch of rebellion and
abandonment.
Rachael was the embodiment of kindness and bravery; she was the
perfect person to take on the incredibly dangerous and scary task in joining
Lock in his quest for redemption. In fact, in saving all spirits and the world.
Even
though I didn’t write My Demonic Ghost for publication it didn’t take away the
incredible feeling when I was offered to join Staccato Publishing based in Minnesota.
I was 21 years old when that happened and I cried and fell to the ground in
disbelief. Now that I’ve just finished the final
instalment to the Demonic Ghost series, I feel like falling to the ground in
tears all over again. It’s powerful. It’s unimaginable. And it’s finally
completed.
I look back
at all that has happened to me ever since I’ve gotten that yes, and I am still
speechless at how fast my life has changed. To Heather Savage, the Queen Bee
and mastermind behind Staccato, I can never thank you enough for the incredible
opportunity you gave me. You opened my world up, you changed my life, you did
so much more than just say yes. You said yes to me and proved that I could do
this. So thank you, thank you so much!
To my
editors, to my graphic designers, to my beta readers and bloggers, thank you so
much for reaching out to me when I was just a tiny, little voice in an
overcrowded room. You inspired me to be better, not only as a writer but as a
person too.
And of
course, to my new readers, supporters, fans, friends and family, I can never
express just how much you mean to me. I wish I could take this feeling inside
my chest and share even a small fraction of it with you, just so you could
understand how important you are.
I’ve had to say goodbye to a lot of friends in this series. To Lock and Rachael, thank you for your company, thank you for showing me your lives and letting me watch you fight for what you love from afar. I wish you both the happiness you so desperately seek. I hope they can rest in peace now, and that my readers are content with how they got to say goodbye. Demonic Ghost may be over, but my life as an author is just beginning and I can’t wait to explore many, many more worlds and characters with everyone. Thank you for your support, you’re all so amazing.
Much love forever,
Jacinta Maree.
