Truth be told, I am a magpie. I love to collect words, inspiration, ideas, news…anything that glitters and lights my imagination. Today, for example, I collected a news article by Al Fayed abuse survivors on their friendship and how he would be ‘incandescent with rage.’ Into my story file that went!
Into my Evernote file entitled ‘Art Journal’ went some tips on writing by Susan Vreeland, whose art-related fiction novels inspired my own desire to write. The title of a keynote speech she gave, “Be a Person On Who Nothing is Lost,” inspired this post. I haven’t read the speech, but the idea intrigued me. When things are lost they can disappear forever, or be refound and used again. Which is why having a system for keeping ideas and inspiration is so important. When ideas flounder I can go to my various ‘storage units’ and refind them.
This is how I kept the seed of my idea for an art-related novel, Where is Salvator Mundi? based on the sale and disappearance of a painting said to be the Last Leonardo, Salvator Mundi.
DIRECT FROM CASSIE l AMAZON l APPLE l KOBO l BARNES & NOBLE
Having a storage area also helps me from becoming distracted by shiny new ideas. It also helps me keep important information, something I did during the pandemic years when so much was being thrown at us.
When writing, I keep ideas, research, threads in a Scrivener file, folders in my computer, sometimes a dedicated Facebook page, and Youtube. This way I can see, and hear my way through the information.
What else does ‘being a person on who nothing is lost’ mean? A quick Google search, and I find an article about Henry James, who penned the phrase and his call to imagination within writing a novel stepped in realism, or actual events.
Regarded as one of the most well known 19th century literary realists, Henry James was an American writer who wrote from a character’s point of view, allowing him to reflect on themes related to consciousness and perception.
James once wrote: “One ‘will not write a good novel unless you possess the sense of reality’. At the same time, he was very conscious of the novel problem; as he writes in ‘The Art of Fiction’, ‘Humanity is immense, and reality has a myriad forms’, and therefore it would be a ‘difficult’ task to ‘give […] a recipe for calling that sense [of reality] into being’. But to impose rules and restrictions onto what a novelist is allowed to take from reality and implement into their work would not only be misguided and futile for this reason, it would also waste the very potential of realist writing that makes it so appealing; as Spilka writes, such an imposition would have ‘denied the ranges of imagination’, to say the least.[
The single condition that Henry James does attach to the composition of a novel is that it be ‘interesting’
Beyond that, it is the novelist’s endeavour to use their own imagination, their own genius, in the work of catching even the briefest whisper of a muse heard in their own lives and cultivating it into a work entirely fabricated, and yet somehow, undeniably real.
With the whole broad scope of reality at their disposal, all the novelist need do is be ever watchful for the next story to tell.
James believed in writing to explore and to encourage readers to think deeply about some of the major themes of life, such as abuse, oppression, conflicts of moral character, personal relationships and how the abuse of power influences the outcomes of those relationships. James believed that all people, not just authors, should ” Try to be one of the people on whom nothing is lost.”
That may be one of the reasons the arts are so dangerous for tyrants who want people not to question, not to search for truth, not to think for themselves.
~ Jack Smith, Write and Revise for Publication
~ Robert Frost.
The element of surprise is why I love being a ‘discovery’ writer and artist.
To summarize, Donna Pryer, “if one is not discovering, the words will die on the page. And for those who do not write, if one is not discovering, the thoughts, goals and passions will die on the page. So, try to be one of the people on whom nothing is lost and find a way to raise a question to make us think.”
A missing masterpiece. A deadly conspiracy. A woman who won’t stop until the truth is uncovered.
Where is Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi? Has the world’s most expensive painting—da Vinci’s haunting portrait of Christ, the savior of the world—been stolen?
In this gripping fictional tale, award-winning artist and author Cassandra Gaisford explores the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the legendary painting. Was it an audacious art crime, a money-laundering scheme, a political ruse, or the boldest gamble of the century?
For Noor Charming, an art crime expert with a sharp mind and an unrelenting drive, the disappearance of Salvator Mundi is more than a puzzle—it’s a dangerous game of power, deception, and betrayal. As she delves deeper into the shadowy world of billionaires, royalty, and assassins, Noor uncovers a labyrinth of lies designed to manipulate history itself.
Turn the pages and discover for yourself: What if the world’s greatest art heist is a deliberate ploy to deceive us all?
If you love art-related fiction, mysteries, or thrillers, you’ll love this compelling story.
BONUS EXCERPT: Vincent’s Sunflowers
AMAZON:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RWH1W9M
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07RWH1W9M
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RWH1W9M
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07RWH1W9M
iBOOKS, BARNES & NOBLE AND OTHER GREAT BOOKSTORES:
https://books2read.com/u/brOZPM
DIRECT FROM CASSIE l AMAZON l APPLE l KOBO l BARNES & NOBLE
★★★★★ “Every chapter felt like a painting brought to life. The descriptions of Van Gogh’s sunflowers glow with the same vibrancy as the real masterpiece, and the characters are unforgettable. This is a story about connection, survival, and hope that lingers long after the final page.”
Sometimes, even in war, light finds a way to survive.
An extraordinary masterpiece. A world torn by darkness. Lives forever changed by a field of gold.
Vincent’s Sunflowers: A Tale of Love, Light and Legacy is a sweeping historical fiction novel that traces the journey of Van Gogh’s iconic Sunflowers through time, revealing its power to connect, inspire, and heal across generations.
In 1888, Vincent van Gogh pours his fragile hope and fiery passion into Sunflowers, creating a hymn to life and light while grappling with his own inner turmoil.
In 1942, Jakob Rosenfeld, a Jewish art dealer in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, risks everything to hide the painting, transforming his attic into a sanctuary of beauty during a time of terror.
In present-day Tokyo, curator Hana Mori uncovers the painting’s remarkable journey, revealing the sacrifices made to protect it and the secrets it carries for future generations.
Interwoven with historical and personal stories, Vincent’s Sunflowers: A Tale of Love, Light and Legacy is a heart-stirring novel about resilience, hope, and the enduring bonds that art forges across time.
Perfect for fans of Susan Vreeland and Kristin Hannah, this unforgettable tale will leave you inspired to find light, even in the darkest moments.
BONUS.
Excerpt: Where is Salvator Mundi?
An Emotional and Visual Feast
“Every chapter felt like a painting brought to life. The descriptions of Van Gogh’s sunflowers glow with the same vibrancy as the real masterpiece, and the characters are unforgettable. This is a story about connection, survival, and hope that lingers long after the final page.”
A Timeless Tale of Humanity
“With exquisite storytelling, Vincent’s Sunflowers captures the legacy of Van Gogh’s work while delving deep into the human stories it has touched. The historical accuracy combined with emotional resonance makes this a standout novel. Art lovers and history enthusiasts will find this an unforgettable journey.”
A Profound Journey Through Time
This novel is a beautiful exploration of resilience and the power of art to transcend darkness. Each timeline—from Vincent’s heartfelt creation of Sunflowers to Hana’s search for its provenance—comes alive with vivid detail and emotional depth. I couldn’t put it down. A triumph in historical fiction.
AMAZON:
US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR9SFFV9
CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0DR9SFFV9
UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DR9SFFV9
AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DR9SFFV9
iBOOKS, BARNES & NOBLE AND OTHER GREAT BOOKSTORES:
https://books2read.com/u/3R7qPL
Posted in: Blog
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