Welcome Cyndi Redding to Love Romances! I am looking forward to chatting with you on your books and writing career. Your latest release is called Sensation of the Seas and tells an old-fashioned love story with a little erotic passion thrown in to tempt the reader to new heights! This is truly an author that everyone is talking about with her captivating characters and her intriguing stories grab the reader by the heart! Let us get to know this mesmerizing author and the voice behind the pen!

Wow!  What a nice introduction, Dawn.  I’ll have to try to live up to that!  (Don’t mind me, folks.  I’m a wicked tease.) 

Who is Cyndi Redding? What inspires you to make you happy in life and in writing? 

She’s a character.  You never know what she’s going to do or say.  She’s honest—a really scary thing for many people. She’s like the eccentric old woman who lives on the edge of town with cats.  (Even though I don’t consider myself old, yet.)  I’m the one your conservative mother would tell you to stay away from.  But you won’t listen to your mother, because you know the weird woman has lots of stories to tell, and she gives you candy.  : )  lol. 

What led you to write erotic fiction? What do you think is the biggest misconception of erotic romance fiction? How does your family feel about you writing erotic romance novels?

Part 1:

I wrote screenplays first.  When my agent couldn’t beg or bribe a producer to make one of my romantic comedies into a movie, I decided to try writing novels.  I monitored my reading choices for a while and discovered that I liked the hot stuff best!  Once this natural blond stopped blushing, I decided to turn one of my screenplays into a steam bath of a novel! 

Part 2:

Biggest misconception?  That this hot stuff is something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about writing.  At workshops I give to writers, I always get the question you asked in Part 3 only they throw in the neighbors too.  LOL. 

Part 3:

What does my family think?  My husband thinks I’m the coolest wife ever.  My daughter thinks I’m a flake, but that has nothing to do with my writing.  She’ll never read it anyway.  And I no longer have to worry about embarrassing my parents or siblings—or giving my poor grandparents a heart attack!  (The six people I grew up with are dead now.)  I miss them all tons, and not just because I don’t have people to buy my books multiple times with different e-mail addresses and rate them all excellent.  LOL.  It kind of sucks on holidays (tears of a clown) but my husband whisks me off to a warm tropical place every New Years.  It’s our anniversary and my birthday falls during that week, so I have something to look forward to.  Did I mention, I have to coolest husband ever?

Is there a specific way you write (outline, go with the flow)? Do you have a routine that you follow when you first start a new story? 

Yes, I finally discovered what works for me, and as a result, my writing is getting easier, faster and better.  I do some research and prep, first, even though I’m a “fly by the seat of my pants” writer.  I still think in terms of three acts as I did when writing screenplays.  I decide by word count how many chapters there will be, and then I do a very brief chapter-by-chapter synopsis, so I have a map.  It doesn’t pay to do anything elaborate since my characters usually hijack the story anyway.    

Describe a typical day for you, Cyndi. Do you have a job outside your writing career?

No.  I write full time.  I worked a nurse (RN) for 20 years, but quit when my parents became ill.  After they died I inherited enough to finance my dream of a full-time writing career.  Knowing that they would want me to follow my dream, I never went back to the work I had fallen out of love with.  Now, I volunteer as an instructor for the Red Cross to use the knowledge that’s stuck in my head. 

What is the biggest challenge to you in writing (storyline, character development, etc)? The best thing about writing you love, the least thing?

Part 1:

Biggest challenge?  Knowing when I’ve gone too far.  I’m always trying to push the envelope in order to stretch and challenge myself as an author.  Recently, I pushed myself right out of my comfort zone.  I managed to regain rights to Sensation of the Seas and rewrite it.  I’m glad I did.  I’m very proud of the result now, and there’s nothing worse than having a book for sale while thinking, “Boy, I hope nobody buys my book!”    LOL. 

Part2:

Best and worst parts of writing.  Hmmm…Should I be honest?  Sure, why not.  After all, that’s what I do.  Best feeling ever, other than typing “The end,” is getting a great review or sincere fan letter.  You realize the 9 months you spent stretching your imagination in order to give birth to this baby was worth it.  Your hard work meant something to someone.  Oh, and you can stop holding your breath!  LOL. 

Worst thing is the competition.  There are so many awesome writers out there!  Pardon me for being crass, but there just aren’t enough e-book readers yet, and when all I can buy with my royalty check is dinner for one, it’s depressing!  Some day I hope to be able to pay for my husband’s dinner too.  Actually it’s not quite that bad, but you get the gist.

What is the one thing readers would be surprised to know about you? 

Probably that I’m a real softy.  My characters can be sassy and snarky as hell, but I’m the kind of person who will help you paint your house if you ask nicely.   

You have a new book out at Liquid Silver called Sensation of the Seas. What brought this story about? How much research went into this and your other books? 

Bless you for asking this Dawn, because this book nearly killed me!  LOL.  The research was momentous, because the story is set on a cruise ship, and that automatically involves many diverse cultures, different voices and expressions, and lots of crew cooperation to do interviews.  It’s about the singles cruise that goes on below the passengers’ decks!!!  I was so fortunate to make a friend in the Spa who dished me all the dirt!  Watching a male crewmember looking like he wanted to make a meal out of her is what inspired the story.     

An intriguing blends of old world romance with a little paranormal thrown in to keep the reader enthralled. Were you ever nervous about reader reaction to this book (or other books) when they came out? 

Always!  Like many artists, I’m sensitive and I want to please.  It’s hard to develop that thick skin we all need to deal with the inevitable subjective opinions that crop up.  You just can’t please everyone!  By the way, if any of your readers know how to grow that thick skin, please ask them to tell me how.  I thought I was over the whole “bad review” thing, but I recently had one that was so snarky and mean I cried for 3 days.  That was for Guardian of the Angels.  It was rated a 3, which still means “a good read” but there was not one sentence I could quote.  I’m okay now.  I just had to realize the reviewer had his or her big head up his or her butt.  LOL.  Pardon me.  I call it like I see it, and this reviewer didn’t even have the courage to sign his or her real name!  Just initials.  (Coward!) 

What can you tell us about the characters in Sensation of the Seas? Is there a little of your personality in them? What makes them the most vulnerable yet strong? 

Not much, though I like this quote by Thomas Wolfe:  “Every work of fiction is an autobiography.”  Is that profound or what? 

What hero/heroine’s was the biggest challenge for you to write? Have you ever based them on anyone you know (family, friends)? 

I couldn’t intentionally base a character on a real person, not only ethically, but also because the characters wouldn’t let me!  Their own personalities emerge no matter what.  I don’t do exhaustive character sketches like some authors do.  It’s the same as plotting.  It would be a waste of time.  My characters will tell me who they are and why.  In Sensation of the Seas, my characters held this story hostage until I let them do what they wanted!  I dreamed about the direction in which they wanted to go for 3 nights, running. They woke me up and I was getting annoyed.  I finally had to give in and let them have their way.  The result is very hot!  Maybe they were right…or my muse was.  She was probably behind the whole thing. 

You also wrote several books for Venus Press and Triskelion Publishing. What lead you to each of these publishers for your work?  

I had heard that it was a good idea to “spread your name around” to reach more readers.  I’m not sure that’s true, and having 3 publishers to keep up with is an unbelievable challenge!   

If you could spend a day in one of your books, which one would it be and why?

Oh, Sensation of the Seas, definitely!  Who wouldn’t love a Caribbean cruise?  LOL. 

Your first book with Liquid Silver, Queen of Hearts is a romantic suspense story and the next one, Out of the Broom Closet, is a paranormal. Do you have a specific genre you like to write about? Is there one you have not written about yet that you want to try? 

All of my early books contained humor regardless of subgenre.  I found reviewers and readers were commenting on my sense of humor, regularly.  At Venus Press I had an editor who identified that as my particular strength and encouraged me to pursue it.  I did and Show Me the Bling was born.  It garnered several 5 star reviews and a reviewer’s choice nomination for the coveted CAPA.  That reviewer said it was the funniest story she had ever read.  I told her she was creating a monster.  LOL.  But did she care? No.  She recently repeated that on an erotic romance reader’s loop when I had an author’s day.  I didn’t even know she was lurking!

What do you think the level of sensuality/heat is in your books? What can readers expect from your books with respect to sensuality, sexual content? 

I hate being put through hours of sexual tension for little or no pay-off. If I have anything to say about it, that will never happen to my readers.  LOL. 

Did you ever expect your books to be so popular with readers? Why do you think the readers embrace your books with a passion?

Huh?  I am?  They do?  That’s great news!!!  LOL.  I’m pleasantly shocked.

Congratulations on your newest release from Liquid Silver, Sensation of the Seas. Are you working on anything right now? Can we get a teaser as to what is to come the rest of 2006? 

Man, do I have a secret for you!  After my story, Demolishing Mr. Perfect (in a Venus Press Anthology with JJ Massa and Isabelle Drake, tentatively, a late June release) I have my first Triskelion books that will be in print in bookstores like Waldens and Borders!  Don’t look for them under my Cyndi Redding name, though!  I’m taking on a new secret identity.  I’d tell you more, but I’d have to disqualify you.  LOL.  I’m thinking of having a contest for readers.  “Who’s the mysterious award winning author behind the mask?”  Okay—that’s enough hints!  

What do you feel is the most important thing(s) new authors need to remember when writing their own stories? Any advice for aspiring authors hoping to break into the business? 

I don’t know.  I used to have loads of good advice for new writers, but now I think they shouldn’t listen to me. They should just listen to that still small voice within themselves. 

Anything to add, Cyndi? 

Yes, if anyone would like to have the inside scoop about my new print books, just send me a self-addressed stamped envelope, PO Box 270, Raymond, NH 03077, and I’ll be sure to send them the news along with a couple of bookmarks.  They may have to be patient though.  Two books of the three contracted are written but not yet edited and are scheduled for a 2007 release.  I’d love to move that up, and sometimes it happens, so readers who send me that envelope will not only know who I really am, but they’ll get the first word on a release date! 

Thank you Cyndi for sharing your time with us at Love Romances and talking about your books! Please check out Cyndi’s Website (http://www.cyndiredding.com/) for more information on her latest books and check out Liquid Silver, Triskelion and Venus Press for more of her work. 

Thanks so much, Dawn.  As always your questions are challenging and specific, but that’s a good thing.  An author doesn’t get as much “wiggle room” that way!  LOL. 

 CAPICORN