Cindy A.
Christiansen Interview
by
Billie A Williams
Hi Cindy, I’m so glad I get a chance to interview you about
your new release. First of all Congratulations! First or fiftieth it is always
an event to remember. So let’s get right to the questions.
1. Is this your first published book? How long did it
take you to write it and find a publisher?
I actually began writing
Legacy of Lies back in the early
1990’s. I took workshops, classes, joined RWA, and learned a great deal about
writing working on this book. I’ve done lots of rewrites and submitted it to
publishers off and on over the years, but I only got serious about writing again
these last couple of years. The thing I’ve found interesting is that Wings
expected Legacy of Lies as I
originally wrote it.
2. Tell us a little about Cindy A Christiansen. Who is
she when she is not author C.A.C.? What does your family think of you being a
published author?
I’m a middle-aged housewife struggling with health problems,
but still caring for my two autistic boys and trying to enjoy the things I love
doing. My family has been very supportive of my writing.
3. The blurb about this story makes me think of
adopted children searching for their birth parents, this could conceivably be an
issue for them--was Katelynn adopted? Where did the idea for the story come
from? Does it have any basis in real life?
No, it isn’t about adoption. Katelynn’s mother lied to her and
took her away from her father when she was sixteen. She was told lies about the
past, and when she returns to Comstock she hears many different stories. She
doesn’t know who to believe. She wants to find her father’s journal to learn the
truth. Walt finds out his past might be full of holes as well.
I believe it has a lot of basis in real life, which sparked
the idea of the story for me. Half my family believes my grandfather rode with
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; the other half doesn’t believe the story. It
makes for interesting family reunions. In this story, Katelynn wants to find out
the truth. Getting to the bottom of it is very complicated.
4. What genre is
Legacy of Lies?
Why did you choose to write in this particular genre? Are there others you’ve
written in or that you plan to try your hand at?
Legacy of Lies is a Romantic Suspense. It tends
to be my favorite. I feel very comfortable here. I may try my hand at a
non-fiction book about autism. I’ve had many people suggest that I write a book
on the subject.
5. What do you have in the works now that this book is
published?
I have another Romantic Suspense coming out in July with Wings
called The Royal Pain, and I just
finished up another book. Of course it needs lots of polishing.
6. When you write do you start with character or story
idea--plot or theme first? Do you write an outline?
For me it usually starts
with something from the news that really catches my attention--some idea I can’t
let go. I do story idea, plotting board, character development, and continue
from there.
7. Tell us about Katelynn Dobbs--what is she like? Who
does she remind you of? Did you use any of the people you know to develop her?
Who would you like to cast in her role if your book became a movie?
I made Katelynn a
computer programmer, because I have my Bachelor’s degree in programming. I had
her come from San Francisco, because I went there for training seminars for my
old job. I had her hate confrontations, because I really hate confrontations.
From there, our lives are totally unalike. Oh, except her slipping on the ice in
high school and her freezing to death on the desert.
I’m sure there are a lot
of great actresses out there, but I’m not sure who to cast as Katelynn. She
would definitely need to have strawberry-blonde hair and a spattering of
freckles because Walt is obsessed with her freckles and uses that as her
nickname in the book.
8. Walt Jeffries--describe him so that I would know
him if I met him in a coffee shop--who is he, what does he do, what does he look
like? Who could play him in the movie version of your novel?
Walt has brown eyes
flecked with gold and wild roan, wavy hair. His clean-shaven face exposes two
deep crevices in his cheeks that join his chiseled, dimpled jaw. He is tall and
has a broad, hairy chest. Christian Bale would make a great Walt. Walt has
integrity. He is concerned about the town and cares about the people in it.
9. Where do you see you in your career as a writer
five or even ten years from now? If you could have one wish come true for your
writing what would that wish be?
I just want to be
enjoying the cathartic feeling I get from setting my ideas to page. My wish
would be for my books to sell themselves so I could enjoy writing.
10. Is there anything you would like to tell other
want-to-be writers? What advice would you give them?
I would especially like
to say something to the challenged writers like myself. I have Chronic Fatigue
Immune Dysfunction Syndrome which affects my cognitive functions. Fibromyalgia
affects my ability to sit at the computer or do repetitive tasks for any length
of time without having a relapse. My advice is never give up the dream. If you
keep trying, it will happen. Write about whatever makes you happy.
11. What would you tell your readers if you could meet
them face to face? Would you be open to a chat or an online forum like the radio
shows if a group of readers wanted to talk to you in person?
I’d do my best, although
I struggle with holding my train of thought and experience delayed responses.
I’d much prefer email.
12. Is there anything at all you would like to add
that I have not asked you? Please tell us too where we can find out more about
you, your book(s) and where can we buy your book? Do you have a website? Blog?
Or one of the social network pages, like MySpace or Ning?
My website is
http://c.a.dragonfly.googlepages.com, and you can purchase my book from the
Wings website at www.wings-press.com. I
hope my books will bring readers enjoyment and a chance to escape their worries.
Thank you so much Cindy for agreeing to be in the hot seat and
answer our questions. I’m looking forward to reading more of what you write.