Interview Cindy A. Christiansen

by

Sylivia Rochester

1.) Hi, Cindy, tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been writing.

I actually began writing in bed in the early 1990s when I was stricken ill with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and Fibromyalgia. I loved writing, and it helped to keep my mind busy. I cut my teeth on my first two books, took classes and workshops and spent many years learning about writing.

With the birth of my two autistic boys, my writing took a backseat.  I occasionally sent out my manuscript, would receive a rejection, would do rewrites, and then start the process over again.  I never had the time to be very serious about it.

Now my boys are both older and I have found a little more time to pursue my love of writing.

2.) Have you published other books? Give us the title(s). Do you have other manuscripts pending before Wings?

I published my first romantic suspense, Legacy of Lies, with Wings this past May.

The interesting story behind that is; Legacy of Lies is actually the second book I wrote.  The Royal Pain is the first book I wrote.  They are being published in just the opposite order from how I wrote them.

I wrote The Royal Pain in first person and it wasn’t long enough to be published.  After learning a great deal on Legacy of Lies, I went back and rewrote The Royal Pain in third person and added a subplot.  It is much better the second time around.

3.) I see where you received quite a few glowing reviews. What prompted you to write this particular story? Do you foresee a sequel? If so, involving what character(s)?

I was very inspired by the setting of the piece.  Of course, it is set in central Utah , and I am from Utah .  You won’t find me writing very far from home.  Utah is a beautiful state and there is plenty to write about right here.  Also, there was something in the news that happened that sparked this story for me—something shocking that I just couldn’t get over.  I had to work it into a book.

I do not foresee a sequel, although I feel like the people in this book are my long lost family because they are so real to me.

4.) Do you plan to write other genres besides Romantic Suspense? If so, what?

If there is another way to write a book besides romance and suspense, I don’t know what it is.  I guess my head is just programmed that way.

5.) Are you a pantser or a plotter? Are you character or story driven?

I am definitely a plotter.  I do a great deal of plotting before I begin writing.  I also spend a lot of time on character development before I begin.  I like to have most everything worked out before I begin writing.  However, once I start typing those darn characters take over and write for themselves.

6.) How do you make your readers fall in love with your characters? What specific traits do you consider essential for the readers to develop an endearing relationship with the hero or heroine?

Make them real and believable.  I think it is important to make sure my characters have flaws just like we all do.  In The Royal Pain, Dallas has been physically abused by her husband and is afraid of men.  Tom has been accused of a crime he didn’t commit by a woman he loved which caused him public humiliation and now he especially hates women and scenes in public.  I think readers can identify with that.  It is especially important to help the characters work through those difficulties too.

Here is an example from The Royal Pain where Tom has to deal with going up in front of practically the whole town at the San Pitch Social:

Tom kept a smile on his face, shook everyone’s hand, and said “you’re welcome” at the right times, he hoped. His mind really wasn’t on the dinner. It all tasted like a fence post to him. He kept looking across the tables. His brothers sat at a table completely full of gals including Dallas . The guys had them all laughing. At least this thing was almost over.

Claude Jensen stood up and headed for the microphone. It was time to announce the mule winner. “Thanks to everyone for all the raffle donations this year. Before we announce the rubber duck winner, we have a special guest here from Utah Dairy Magazine. Can you come up here Tom Allred.”

Everyone applauded. He froze. What was this? He didn’t know if he could make his legs walk up in front of all these people with them staring at him. He couldn’t do it. For sure, he couldn’t do it. Ina leaned over and whispered something to Dallas . All he could see was a million eyes staring at him. His legs felt like lead weights.

Dallas came up and took his arm. She led him up to where Claude stood with some other man in a blue suit. He hadn’t seen him around here before.

“Tom, this is Jerry N. Dean from Utah Dairy Magazine. I’ll turn the time over to him.” Claude handed the man the microphone.

Everyone applauded.

“Well, Tom, you have done a fine job in making the San Pitch Dairy the top dairy in the state. We would like to feature you in November’s issue of our magazine.”

Everyone stood and applauded.. The Dean feller tried to hand him the microphone, and he shoved it back toward him. He wanted to tell him where to stick his microphone. Dean finally grabbed his hand and stuck the mike into it. He’d rather be in a pen of wild bucking broncs.

Dallas touched his arm. He knew she had to feel him shaking.

“Well…it’s…it’s really Ina and Jacob’s dairy. I…I’m just doin’ my job.”

Silence followed, and then Ina started the applause. He wanted to get out of there fast. Some men would have appreciated a moment in the limelight. For him it was like trying to find a hair on a frog--hard to do. As much as he knew Ina and his family wanted him to get over the past, he hadn’t been able to do it.

7.) Ever experience writer’s block? If so, what’s your cure for getting over it?

I’ve never experienced serious writer’s block, but if I’m having trouble: I take a break from it, talk to someone about what’s bugging me, or re-read the previous section.

8.) Is there any particular message you want your readers to glean from The Royal Pain?

I think standing up for yourself is very important no matter who you are—male or female.  I hope the readers see this from multiple angles in this book.

9.) What works in progress can the readers look forward to in the future?

I am putting the finishing touching on another Romantic Suspense.  It is more light-hearted and involves restoring a 1911 Tudor Revival bungalow.

Thank you for the interview. I know The Royal Pain will be a great success.