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Cindy Pierre |
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Cindy’s 18Q |
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The Eighteen Questions |
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18Q |
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https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/author.asp?authorid=13902 |
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Bibliography |
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1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you? I think it is a little of both. I have been writing and reading since I was very young. By the time I was 10 I was already reading adult fiction books and writing short stories. I enjoy both immensely. 2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.) Originally went to college to study law. Circumstances prevented me from finishing college but I never lost the drive to write. I remember an English professor I had in college that was blind. We had to read each of our projects to him for our grade. I learned to control the point of view and voice of the characters from this teacher. Now I get requests to read stories out loud all the time. One of my favorite jobs I had when I lived back east was working in a library. I should have paid them to be there. 3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer? When another English teacher told me that with a little discipline I could do something great. He said I was an excellent story teller. 4. How would you describe your style of writing? Passionate. When I get an idea for a project I don't stop until it's finished, even at the risk of giving up sleep. Most everything I write is mystery related, but I have been known to have some fun with a few other things. 5. What is your writing process? As above, when I get an idea, I write from the minute I get home from my day job until I'm too exhausted to think anymore. I like to write long hand and recently got a Fly Pen notebook set up so it saves me a lot of time now transferring the documents to the computer. Once the project is finished, only then do I go back and start the editing process. Marketing is a whole other monster itself. 6. What was your path to publication? Long and frustrating. I am also a published photographer so I was prepared for the rejections. I just wasn't prepared for the all time consuming marketing that you have to do for yourself to get a foot in the door. That in itself is its own full time job. I was determined to get my story out so I self-published with Xlibris. I had backing from the Endometriosis Research Center. After the book was published, I was able to then start selling some of my short stories. 7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea? When I was promoting "For A Reason" I sent postcards to groups all over the country that deal with abuse and female issues. I think if you target the audience that is most likely to read your project word of mouth will carry it to people who normally wouldn't read your type of book. I also did book signings at "Slumber" parties. Since my story is part romance and does have the happy ending, the women attending these parties were very interested in what I had to say and wanted to read the story. 8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer? Scams. You have to be so careful where you submit your work to. I got scammed early on because I didn't know any better. Not only did my story not get published in the magazine it was promised to, but I was also out $80. I paid up front for extra copies of the magazine that never transpired. I research everyone now that I consider sending my work to. 9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity? I have a writing partner and several friends that are also writers. We are basically our own support group. Any time we have a problem, issue or block we try to talk it out among ourselves. Sometimes though, I get inspired by something as simple as a movie poster. I also save newspaper and magazine articles that I think are interesting as I may use them in the future for any number of projects. 10. What is your proudest writer moment? When I was able to send a copy of my book to my parents. I wish I could have seen their faces but my mom said she just stood there looking at the cover with my name on it, not believing it was her daughter. They both are very proud of what I have done so far. 11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing? Never give up and always write something, anything, even just a long email to a friend, every day. 12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment? Having a friend who I haven't talk to in 20 years read my book and point out a skipped detail in my book. 13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer? Spending, spending, spending and not recovering enough. 14. What is your writer life philosophy? Say what you mean and mean what you say. 15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun? Spend time with friends, play poker and bingo. 16. Who do you like to read? Rita Mae Brown is my absolute favorite. I also like Dorothy Cannell, Jennifer Crusie, James Patterson and all kinds of celebrity biographies. 17. What’s your advice for new writers? Never give up. Writing is an art like painting. It is very subjective. Sooner or later, someone is going to recognize your talent regardless of how different it may be. Get as much exposure as you can. Building your audience helps down the road. I am constantly being asked for new projects from all the fans I have acquired. 18. What are you currently working on? I have 2 projects going right now. One is called "Mirror Images" about 2 sisters that were sent to foster homes as toddlers, lost touch and when they found each other 60 years later they realized they had lived almost the same life. The other project is called "The Z Team: 50 Years of Comedy From The Woods" which is about the misadventures of a group of hunters and all the crazy things they see and do in the woods. |
