Have you ever had an idea for a story which scared you after you began writing it?
Scared? No. Bored? Yes. I have lots of unfinished stories that I just couldn’t get off the ground.
Have you incorporated actual events from your own life into your books?
Not usually big, whole events, but little snippets of things. A funny line one of my kids said or something I saw as I drove down the highway. Little bits of reality, but not whole chunks.
How much research do you do? Do you research first and then write, or do you write first, then research as needed?
Research as needed, and it depends entirely on the story. ForPhotographs & Phantoms, I spent hours researching Victorian photography. For a contemporary book, there might be very little—a search on Google maps for the right area and that’s it. It all depends.
Is there any message you want readers to take from reading your work?
That it’s okay to take a break from real life and enjoy a little happy-ever-after in the pages of a book. My books are meant to make you smile. Nothing more, nothing less.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? And have you ever had a story take on a life of its own?
I’m somewhere in between. I usually HAVE a rough outline. I don’t necessarily stick with it. Halfway through some idea pops up and I run with it—or it runs with me. They do all seem to have a life of their own.
How long did it take for you to be published?
About 7 years.
If you could go back and tell yourself anything when you first began your writing career, what would you say?
Be more proactive. I sat on several manuscripts when if I’d sent them out just one more time years earlier, I could have gotten started that much sooner.
Laptop or pen and ink? What are your ‘must-haves’ when writing?
Laptop is preferred, but I can write anywhere, anytime.
Who are your favorite authors? Who would you say influenced you the most?
Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels is the author who taught me about voice and first introduced me to strong, smart heroines. I love Jayne Ann Krentz for her productivity, great storylines and multiple genres. Elizabeth Lowell for her complexity and again, not being afraid to have her characters be smart.
What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?
I have no idea. I’m pretty straightforward. Actually when people meet me in real life, they’re sometimes surprised to find out just how short I really am.
For Fun:
What is your Prom story?
I didn’t have a boyfriend, so I went with a good friend. He was a junior but was moving, so it was his only chance to go to prom at our high school. We had a wonderful time, and the memory is never tainted with a break-up down the road. It was at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, and my brother had rented us a limo. I felt like a princess.
Favorite Mother’s Day memory?
I used to love the little hand-made things the kids made in grade school. I still keep a couple in my office.
If you have children, does the end of school signal loss of writing time for you?
My children are in college now, so not so much. They’re pretty independent.
Thank you for being here today! Please tell us where we can find your books.
My publishers are Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave, Total-E-Bound, and Resplendence Publishing. You can find all about my books, some erotic, some not, some paranormal, others contemporary or historical, at my website and other links below.
Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com
Blog: http://cindyspencerpape.blogspot.com/
Newsletter group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cspapenewsgroup/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cindy-Spencer-Pape-Books/102207923194253
Thanks so much, Molly for having me here today!
Matt has always known that he has a gift as a dreamwalker, and that Summer was out there and would someday be his, if he didn’t get himself killed first. Now that his career as an Air Force pilot is over, he’s moved to Charleston to find Summer and teach her that their shared erotic dreams are even better in real life, and that their love can last a lifetime.
11 comments:
Molly, thanks so much for having me here today!
Morning Molly and Cindy! I love your Holiday series. Great excerpt and thanks Molly for having her on your blog today.
This was such a sweet interview to read. Great questions from Molly and great answers from Cindy!
Midsummer Dreams... sigh, sounds pretty dreamy.
XXOO Kat
I love the Holiday series and this is a WONDERFUL book! Great interview questions, too!
Nice inteviw Cindy and I've seen you in public. What you lack in height you make up for in character. You're a very kind person and an imaginative author.
Thanks for sharing today.
Mary G.
I'm a huge fan of Cindy's books, and am getting ready to read Phantoms and Photographs:)
I also love Curses:)
Great interview and excerpt. Thanks for sharing, and I'm short too! Jean
Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone. Blogger's been funky today, so I've only been in and out.
Interesting interview, Cindy! I enjoyed your excerpt, too. Best of luck with your releases.
~Adele
Love your latest...and all your earliers. LOL!
Thanks for being with me today Cindy:) Looking forward to reading your steampunk books!
Post a Comment