"My Shibuya Moment" by Jax Cassidy

Please welcome guest blogger Jax Cassidy to the Fictionistas blog today! She has just released an e-book that raises money for the victims in Japan.

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In my imagination, Japan is like a magical paradise on clouds. I don’t know why I’ve always viewed it as such. Maybe it’s because I grew up watching Japanese anime and cinematically breathtaking love stories that left me yearning to visit someday.

Frankly, I blame my obsession on the cherry blossoms. Whenever I see a photograph of those pink and white petals, it conjures up the idea of romance and love. That’s probably why I’ve always wanted to write a love story set in Tokyo. The combination of cherry blossoms and the vibrant city leaves me tingly all over. Humm, maybe it’s the body lotion.

But when it comes right down to it, there are so many things to love about Japan.

1. Sushi
2. Fashion
3. Hello Kitty
4. Kimonos
5. Techno gadgets
6. Godzilla
7. Outrageous game shows

Well, you get the point.

I’m sure as I listed off some of those items there’s an immediate visual image that comes to mind. See, that tells me just how powerful an impact Japan has made on you—that’s the same reason why it was so important for me to do something to help out in any small way.

After seeing the destruction and devastation in the media, I was seriously jarred. I had always viewed Japan as a strong force and with all the advancements in technology; I hadn’t expected Japan ever being in such a vulnerable state. I won’t lie, I cried for all the lives that were lost and I was certain the road to recovery would take years and years. I didn’t hesitate donating to the Red Cross and it still didn’t seem to be enough, so I decided the most meaningful thing I could do was write my love story to Japan.

One of the reasons I chose Shibuya was because it’s such a unique place. It’s 1 of 23 wards of Tokyo with a population of a little over 208,000. You’ve got everything at your fingertips, from the trendy fashion district that’s in walking distance of the park and temple, excellent cuisine, to a killer nightlife scene. It reminded me of New York City in a sense, and based on all the research, I knew I’d picked the perfect place to write about.

This story is special to me and every line that’s written held a lot of meaning and thought. As I was writing it, I had my own Shibuya Moment. Meaning: that no matter how much suffering the citizens of Japan faced, they drew from their inner strength and continued to move forward courageously. Just like writers. We may face adversity but we rise to the challenge and we fight for what we love. With that catch phrase I’d coined in my head, I wanted to paint a vivid picture for my readers about a heroine who’s faced loss and emerged whole again. This may sound kind of silly, but in writing this short story, I was able to help rebuild the damaged parts of Japan in my head. I truly believe that someday when I finally get a chance to visit—this country will once again be the magical paradise I’ve always dreamed about.


P.S. I’m doing an awesome giveaway to help raise money for charity. The prize is valued at over $500 and includes a Kindle 3G & Amazon Gift Card. All you have to do is visit my website and blog (http://jaxcassidy.com/shibuya-giveaway/) for more details.

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SHIBUYA MOMENT...

Freelance photographer Seren Takahashi wants to heal her wounded soul after a devastating loss. While embarking on a personal adventure into Tokyo’s Shibuya district, she discovers a city rich in culture and vibrant in its exoticness. What she hadn’t expected was finding closure and rediscovering the true person hidden inside. When she gives into destiny’s pull, her journey awakens a need to live in the moment, embrace her fears, and open her heart to love.

Author’s note: All author proceeds from the sale of this story will be donated to the Red Cross and ShelterBox for the relief effort in Japan.

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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, paranormal, and multi-ethnic romances and is Co-Founder of Romance Divas, and award winning writer’s website and discussion forum. Jax is also known as one-half of the retired writing team of Cassidy Kent.

To learn more about Jax, visit her online at www.jaxcassidy.com.

Social Networks:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaxcassidy
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jaxcassidy