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Author Pen Name: Cindy K. Green
CA: What genre(s) do you write?
CKG: I write in several genres: Inspirational, Contemporary, Suspense, Historical, Young Adult, and Fantasy. I love to read in all these genres so it only follows that I would write in them. I think switching around keeps my writing fresh. Why do you write the stories that you write? I like to write stories that matter—that affect people in a positive way. I write mostly sweet romance, and I love to touch that part of my readers’ hearts.
CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
CKG: I always loved writing. Starting from the age of 12, I began keeping a folder with all my scribblings. I still have it. Story ideas to last a lifetime.
CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?
CKG: My inspiration probably came from the writer’s I read during my pre-teen and early teen years: L. M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables series and more), Louisa May Alcott, and Jane Austen.
CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing? Crazy! I am a stay at home mom with two boys ages 4 and 10. I also homeschool them. So finding time to write can be tricky. I do have a set schedule. I write Mondays and Wednesdays and a bit on the weekends. My husband makes sure to entertain the boys on those nights.
CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?
CKG: When my first print book released, the only word I could think of was Surreal. I saw my book listed online at Barnes and Nobel and Amazon, and it didn’t seem real. This is where I buy most my books and there was my book. Really amazing!
CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?
CKG: Finding the time and distractions. I have to get my mind into the correct mindset and if I am continually bombarded, it is hard to write anything worthwhile. I cherish those moments of quiet. As for the actual writing, my only problem is when I need to finish one manuscript and my muse revs up to write another. I have to keep focused.
CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?
CKG: I love to read of course. I would hope every novelist loves to read as well. My guilty pleasure is watching Period Dramas. I love them!
CA: How many books have you written?
CKG: I have 10 contracts at the moment for stories of varying lengths.
CA: Which is your favorite?
CKG: Of my released books, I would say that it would be A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding. I have been absolutely surprised at the reaction this book has received from reviewers and readers. I've received so many comments and email messages about how the story has touched and moved them. It is an Inspirational story and it made me realize what a responsibility we authors have in the way our stories touch the lives of our readers. This book began as a writing assignment in a Romance writer's workshop. Our heroine was supposed to meet the hero and ask for directions. What I wrote then is basically the first part of chapter one - through much editing. A Funny Thing… is essentially a story about forgiveness and healing with a smathering of humor thrown in. I love to include humor in my books. Oh, yes, and a yummy youth pastor. Can't forget that! I've been asked to write a sequel of this story and I may one day.
CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
CKG: I borrow from people I know, but never a complete person. I think we all borrow; it makes the stories more realistic because you as the reader will say, ‘I relate to this character because I’m like that’ or ‘because I know someone like that.’
CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?
CKG: Keep writing. Read in the genre that you plan to write in. Read instructional books on writing or take a writing class. Join a critique group and write, write, write.
CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?
CKG: Visit my website at www.cindykgreen.com. You can read the blurbs, excerpts and find the buy links. You can also visit www.thewildrosepress.com and www.bygracepublishing.com. Make sure to find out about my newest release, Meeting Mr. Right Online, a sweet Chicklit novella.
CA: Is there anything you would like to add?
CKG: I’d love for you to join my Newsletter. I send it out each a quarter. It includes: reviews, news, excerpts, and a free read short story in every issue. I also hold a contest in each issue. All you have to do is send me an email at newsletters@cindykgreen.com.
Thanks for having me today, Crystal.
CA: Thank you Cindy for sharing, and for visiting this week! Have fun!
CA: What genre(s) do you write?
CKG: I write in several genres: Inspirational, Contemporary, Suspense, Historical, Young Adult, and Fantasy. I love to read in all these genres so it only follows that I would write in them. I think switching around keeps my writing fresh. Why do you write the stories that you write? I like to write stories that matter—that affect people in a positive way. I write mostly sweet romance, and I love to touch that part of my readers’ hearts.
CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
CKG: I always loved writing. Starting from the age of 12, I began keeping a folder with all my scribblings. I still have it. Story ideas to last a lifetime.
CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?
CKG: My inspiration probably came from the writer’s I read during my pre-teen and early teen years: L. M. Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables series and more), Louisa May Alcott, and Jane Austen.
CA: What is your work schedule like when you're writing? Crazy! I am a stay at home mom with two boys ages 4 and 10. I also homeschool them. So finding time to write can be tricky. I do have a set schedule. I write Mondays and Wednesdays and a bit on the weekends. My husband makes sure to entertain the boys on those nights.
CA: Your book is about to be sent into the reader world, what is one word that describes how you feel?
CKG: When my first print book released, the only word I could think of was Surreal. I saw my book listed online at Barnes and Nobel and Amazon, and it didn’t seem real. This is where I buy most my books and there was my book. Really amazing!
CA: What was your biggest challenge in writing your book(s)?
CKG: Finding the time and distractions. I have to get my mind into the correct mindset and if I am continually bombarded, it is hard to write anything worthwhile. I cherish those moments of quiet. As for the actual writing, my only problem is when I need to finish one manuscript and my muse revs up to write another. I have to keep focused.
CA: What do you like to do when you're not writing?
CKG: I love to read of course. I would hope every novelist loves to read as well. My guilty pleasure is watching Period Dramas. I love them!
CA: How many books have you written?
CKG: I have 10 contracts at the moment for stories of varying lengths.
CA: Which is your favorite?
CKG: Of my released books, I would say that it would be A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Your Wedding. I have been absolutely surprised at the reaction this book has received from reviewers and readers. I've received so many comments and email messages about how the story has touched and moved them. It is an Inspirational story and it made me realize what a responsibility we authors have in the way our stories touch the lives of our readers. This book began as a writing assignment in a Romance writer's workshop. Our heroine was supposed to meet the hero and ask for directions. What I wrote then is basically the first part of chapter one - through much editing. A Funny Thing… is essentially a story about forgiveness and healing with a smathering of humor thrown in. I love to include humor in my books. Oh, yes, and a yummy youth pastor. Can't forget that! I've been asked to write a sequel of this story and I may one day.
CA: Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination?
CKG: I borrow from people I know, but never a complete person. I think we all borrow; it makes the stories more realistic because you as the reader will say, ‘I relate to this character because I’m like that’ or ‘because I know someone like that.’
CA: Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?
CKG: Keep writing. Read in the genre that you plan to write in. Read instructional books on writing or take a writing class. Join a critique group and write, write, write.
CA: How can a reader contact you or purchase your books?
CKG: Visit my website at www.cindykgreen.com. You can read the blurbs, excerpts and find the buy links. You can also visit www.thewildrosepress.com and www.bygracepublishing.com. Make sure to find out about my newest release, Meeting Mr. Right Online, a sweet Chicklit novella.
CA: Is there anything you would like to add?
CKG: I’d love for you to join my Newsletter. I send it out each a quarter. It includes: reviews, news, excerpts, and a free read short story in every issue. I also hold a contest in each issue. All you have to do is send me an email at newsletters@cindykgreen.com.
Thanks for having me today, Crystal.
CA: Thank you Cindy for sharing, and for visiting this week! Have fun!
3 comments:
A stay at home, home schooling mom of 2 young ones?! With 10 contracts at the moment! I'm in awe of Ms Green's discipline and stamina. Wow. That's wonderful!
Great advice to young aspiring writers...what an inspirational interview...love the stay at home mom...homeschooling...crazy days...sounds like life and living...
ADELANTE!!
Zulmara
Cindy,
I completely get your feeling of surreal-ness as the first book got ready to release. I kept thinking, "is this my life?" because this was something I'd wanted for so long and it seemed too good to be true.
Hugs!
Maggie
www.maggietoussaint.com
romance.danger.mystery
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