Author Interview: Cassia Cassitas: Saga of Wealth: A Historical Fiction Novel

Cassia Cassitas made her career in technology. She has remained in academics both as a teacher and as a student, working on innovative projects including those that involve prospects.

She specialized in philosophy and existence, information engineering, and college didactics. Currently she studies French, due to her husband’s influence, and English to enlarge her world.

Mother to two adolescents who devour books, Cassia published her first work, Sunday, The Game, in 2010, a digital best seller in Brazil. Cassia Cassitas lives with her family in Curitiba, where her dreams prosper under the eyes of her readers.

Your real name and pen name?

Both are Cassia Cassitas.

Please share some of the best memories of your childhood

I lived in a big house in a small and sunny city with my sisters. It was a wonderful time. Since that time I wished to write.

What languages can you speak and write?

I speak Portuguese, English and French.

What is your biggest source of inspiration in life?

Life itself. If we look around, it is possible to watch something bigger than all, orquestrating everything. I really like seeing nature solve what we see as problems.

If you had to live a day of your life as one of the living or dead personality, who would it be and why?

Myself. I believe we have opportunities and talents together for living our own life. What to do in other life with my talents, without the talents for that life?

What is your favorite genre and why?

I love historical and contemporary novels but most of my readings are non-fiction related to social sciences.

When did you start writing? What is the purpose of your writing?

I started at eight, nine and never stopped. I want to introduce to open eyes, minds and hearts different ways to live.

Which of your work has been published so far? Would you like to share a synopsis of your work?

The title is “Saga of Wealth”, a historical fiction novel set during the financial crisis of 2008.

The novel tells a story of people who live in the era of finance, fund implementation risk and the quest for money and power. People that, despite real estate bubbles, subprime securities, and unemployment, envision and pursue paths of prosperity.

The chapters tell the story that originated the facts to the current developments. While the U.S. real estate bubble burst in 2008, leaving many people homeless and jobless, the first generation of the saga left Europe in search of housing and employment.

The main character is Ricardo, a financial executive torn between his own wealth and the ethical conflict of endangering an entire segment of society in favor of the profitability of his investment agency. Through his thoughts, the reader will learn a little about the rules of the economy and the alternatives governments possess in relation to the distribution of wealth.

Carolina, his wife, is an architect who decides to create her own company when she discovers that she is pregnant. Amidst her relationship with her husband, the international crisis, and the opportunities of the globalized environment, her trajectory reflects the decision making process of the contemporary woman.

The novel addresses several veridical events pertaining to Brazilian history, such as the transformations which occurred at the start of the republican society, the Estado Novo, and the real estate and economic expansion. The characters in this fiction live amid real facts. When the U.S. real estate bubble bursts, the characters react accordingly to their socio-cultural characteristics.

Saga of Wealth is a living book — a story that is not over. It goes on in countries that struggle with instability and unemployment.

What are your forthcoming writings?

I am finishing the Andrew’s story, a novel related to the universal searching of happiness. Andrew will live experiences around the world that will do you think about your own points of view. I am confident that Andrew will conquer your mind.

What four top most things you take care of while writing a book?

If you want to attract the reader, write about intriguing issues. My first book ‘Sunday the game’ treats the familiar Sunday dinner as a strategic game. ‘Saga of Wealth’ talks about money and wealth in a love story. And mostly, I write from my heart because, besides reading, the reader will feel the words.

How much real life goes into a fiction writing?

Fiction is firstly a point of view, which can be real, wished or feared. Then, in a way, real life will be there. What would you say about ‘Star Wars’? The portraits are fictional, but the characters, feelings and dilemmas are real.

Personally, I don´t write about my life. When I don´t know, I search for knowing. Then, maybe it becomes part of me and all fiction writing becomes parties of the real life. It is a possibility.

Your dream destination on Earth?

I love to travel! My dream destination is the next sunny peaceful place I am going.

Your favorite book and why?

The Miserables is a wonderful story full of truths written with emotion. Victor Hugo is a master for everyone.

Some quickies:

Sun or Moon, Laughter or Smile, Morning or Evening, Coffee or Tea, Mountain or Sea, Long Drive or Short Drive, Silence or Conversation, Water or Fire, Air or Earth, Mars or Jupiter, Moon or Sun, Tulip or Rose, Red or Blue, Left or Right, Glance or Stare

The last line of your autobiography would be…

”ela passou por aqui, viveu e seguiu.” [in Portugese]

which means - she came through here, lived and followed