18Q Cyndia Depre

Cyndia Depre

1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you?

It chose me years ago, but I didn’t start writing until my mid-forties. My parents convinced me to follow another path. One that ensured a paycheck every week.

2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.)

I have a degree in Accounting with a second major in Finance. After working for others for many years, I opened my own business. When I reached middle age I decided to follow my dream, closed my business, and began writing. I was surprised when I discovered how difficult writing is. I don’t believe anyone really understands the hours and tears that go into learning how to get words on paper until they try. Fortunately, I’m stubborn and never gave up.

3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer?

The first time a critique group liked my work. After having my early efforts shredded by them, praise came as a wonderful surprise and I thought, “I can do it! I really can!”

4. How would you describe your style of writing?

Characters always come first for me. I use a lot of dialog and inner thought in an effort to make them as real as possible.

5. What is your writing process?

I usually start with an ending, then write to it. Scenes pop into my head and I write them, then knit them in where they fit best. I guess my process could best be called ‘patchwork’. LOL

6. What was your path to publication?

I have at least 200 rejections. Probably closer to 300. But I never gave up. Every rejection spurred me to send two more queries. It took a couple years, but I finally landed a contract. When I became discouraged, I limited my ‘pity party’ to no longer than fifteen minutes.

7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea?

Getting my book into a gift shop. When people think of books, they think of bookstores. But, as we know, they are mighty tough to get into. A local gift shop agreed to carry my novel and has sold a tremendous number of copies. Many people go to her store needing a gift, but not knowing what. They see my book display (which says I’ll personalize book signatures) and buy. This has also caused several book clubs to buy the book. Then I meet with them. It’s turned out to be the best marketing technique I’ve used.

8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer?

My biggest surprise was learning how hard writing is, and that I didn’t know one single thing about it. I didn’t know POV from an SUV. I was also surprised to discover how difficult it is to find a publisher and/or agent. Nearly everything that’s happened since I began writing has been a surprise.

9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity?

I like ‘issue’ books. Novels that entertain and tell readers something they didn’t know. Books have introduced me to many fascinating areas I never would have explored on my own. Amanda’s Rib is a murder mystery/romance, but the sub-plot is domestic violence. Lots of people don’t know much about it, or how prevalent it is. They often blame the victim. I wanted to tackle that issue, and that desire spurred me to write Amanda’s Rib. However, life can be ridiculous. Every day I find something which may seem normal, but is funny if you look at it a different way. I wrote Oblivious to make people laugh. The issue in that book is quite simple. People should be nice to one another. Most of us are good folks, just trying to get by. It seems we are often pressured to be like everyone else. Let us be individuals, and accept us foibles and all. Maybe that’s not an issue, per se, but that’s what I wanted to get across. Wanting to get a message out there is my inspiration.

10. What is your proudest writer moment?

Most of the email I get makes me extremely proud of AR. People telling me how much Amanda’s Rib meant to them. One lady said, “You wrote my life.” Another said she finally felt someone was on her side. These letters are quite moving, and I’m very pleased to know AR has actually helped so many people.

11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing?

Oh, boy. This is a toughie. I’ve gotten so much. The best is probably learn the rules, and obey them as much as possible. Learn to self-edit rather than rely exclusively on others.

12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment?

I have a horrible sense of direction. In Amanda’s Rib I had a small town fifteen miles east of Chicago. That would have put it in Lake Michigan. I didn’t catch that gaffe until the final edit with my publisher.

13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer?

Promotion. Trying to get the most I can from my limited marketing dollars. I’m an unknown, and getting my name and book out there is one huge challenge.

14. What is your writer life philosophy?

Do my best. Never sit back and say I can’t do better. There comes a time to let go and send the work out. But I still think I could have, should have, done better.

15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun?

I have so many hobbies. I love puzzles, fishing, cooking on and on. I can honestly say I am never bored.

16. Who do you like to read?

Mysteries, with and without a romantic element. Suspense. True crime.

17. What’s your advice for new writers?

Make your protagonist(s) instantly likeable and/or interesting. Resist the urge to shove tons of back story into first chapters. I think that’s the mistake I run into most often when working with new writers. They love their protags and want readers to, too. So they begin by telling, telling, telling all about their hero/heroine. Big mistake. Make the reader want to know the characters. That is done by making them interesting or likeable or both. Try to accomplish this in the first or second paragraph.

18. What are you currently working on?

Nothing at the moment. I have a title, but that’s it. Ideas flit around my brain and I jot notes. But since finishing Oblivious I haven’t seriously written much. It’s summer and I live in Minnesota. There’s time enough to write when the snow flies.

Cyndia’s 18Q