Welcome romance author, Cynthia Eden, to Love Romances & More. We are excited to have the opportunity to speak with you and learn more about your work.

How long have you been writing?

I wrote my first novel (for the old Yours Truly Silhouette line) over twelve years ago. That book was rejected—and it really needed to be, by the way. I wrote off and on during the intervening years, and finally got serious—because, hey, this was my dream—about four years ago.

What inspired you to write in the first place? Does the same thing inspire all your stories?

I love having the power to create a world with my imagination. Paranormal stories have always been my favorites, and I absolutely love to create stories that twist reality and push the “normal” aside. All of my stories are generally inspired by the very simple, “What if?” question.

What influenced you to get published? How long did it take you to get your first book published?

I knew when I read my first romance novel years ago that I wanted to be published in this genre. I wrote 6 full-length manuscripts before selling to a publisher. How long did that take? Well, technically I guess it took about 8 years, with me writing and submitting as I taught middle school students (yikes!).

Often a writer’s first book is the toughest to write. Was this true for you? If so, what helped you get through it? If it wasn’t the first, which one was the most difficult to write? The easiest?

Every book is different. Some really are easy in the sense that they seem to write themselves—while others require extensive research. Deeper POV. Characters that you have to push and push to understand.

One of my stories that I absolutely loved writing was “Wicked Ways”—a novella that will be released in the June 08 Kensington Brava anthology, WHEN HE WAS BAD. I just…had a great time with the characters in that tale. I let my hero be as wild as he wanted (he’s a shifter, so he wanted to be pretty wild), and I let my imagination take off with him.

The most difficult story? Hmm…yep, that would have been the first one. Writing it—actually getting to THE END, that was a challenge. But after I completed that first book, I knew I could keep creating stories—and with each book, I love writing more and more.

Do you usually outline your stories before you write them, or do you "go with the flow"?

I use both methods—it just depends on the story. Sometimes, I like to sit down and write out every detail of my tale in advance, but other times, and with other characters, I start with an idea and then I just let that idea develop—and take me where it will.

Writing is work; do you have a set schedule for when you go to “work”?

My actual writing time varies each day—sometimes it’s in the morning, others the afternoon, and some days it’s very, very late at night. But no matter what time I write, I set page goals. When I’m working on a project, I write ten pages a day, everyday (weekends included). If I don’t get my ten pages, then I don’t go to sleep. Sleep comes when the goal is met.

Your characters come to life in your books. Do you feel each of your characters live with you as you write? Do their lives sometimes take over a part of your life? Can you name an example?

I try to get a very deep sense of my characters. Each character has different traits, different sayings, different favorite foods—well, you get the idea. Once I’m into a story, it is hard to shut off the characters—I think about them a lot and plot out their actions. Dr. Emily Drake, the psychologist heroine (who only treats paranormal characters) from HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT, was one of those characters that really lingered in my mind. When I created her, I tried to put in many layers for her personality, and as I wrote her story, layers that I hadn’t anticipated suddenly started developing! Her character stayed with me long after I’d finished the story—so much so that I’ve had to write more about her in other books.

Have you ever suffered from "writer’s block"? If so, what did you do to get out if it?

I’m suffered form it—and my “cure” was that I wrote. Sure, I’ve had days when the ideas just didn’t want to come, but I still sat down and I started typing. I gave myself permission to write crap—but I was still going to write. Sometimes the process of just sitting down, getting focused (okay, getting in the old writing zone), is enough to get me motivated.

I also keep an “Idea File” handy. Whenever a story idea comes to me, I write it in my file. My file is about 20 pages long at this point, so, when the old block strikes, I can always pull out my file and see if any of the notes I’ve written inspire me.

Most authors are also avid readers. Is this the case with you? If so, who are some of your favorites?

Oh, I absolutely love to read! I have so many favorites—Jayne Ann Krentz, Christine Feehan, Shannon McKenna, Alyssa Day, Julie Garwood—I could list pages and pages of favorite authors. Seriously.

Has anything influenced your writing from movies or television?

I love the fact that I’m seeing more paranormal shows on television these days. I’m a big fan of Medium. I love the fact that an ordinary woman can have such an extraordinary gift.

I also like to watch the dark, gritty crimes show that are on television now. Those shows inspire me because I like to see all of the elements of a crime—the act, the investigations, and the after-effects on the victims.

HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT is a paranormal romance, what do you find most interesting about the “paranormal” genre?

I think the paranormal genre allows a writer to have enormous creative freedom. In a paranormal world, the only limit is the writer’s imagination—and I absolutely love that!

Are there any boundaries to the “paranormal” genre that you can’t cross or can you just let your imagination go wild?

I generally let my imagination go wild. I’ve written stories about vampires, demons, shape-shifters, supernatural serial killers, and even a tale about the “Bogeyman.” With the paranormal genre, I think the choices are limitless for an author.

How did you get the idea for Emily’s special ability?

I knew from the beginning of my tale that I wanted my heroine to be a psychologist, and I wanted her to get involved in a police investigation. But, I wanted a new twist on this tale. So, I thought about the job of a psychologist and how empathy is such an important consideration. I decided I wanted Emily to have a very strong empathic gift—but that gift wasn’t going to work with humans. I decided Emily could only use her power with paranormal beings—and, well, my Monster Doctor was born.

Are Colin and Emily how you envisioned them originally or have their characters undergone changes during the writing/editing process?

I was really lucky with this story—no revisions were required and I was able to keep my characters exactly the way I’d originally created them. And I sure am grateful for that fact! I really enjoyed creating Colin’s darkness and throwing him into Emily’s path. I like to think that those two balanced each other in the end.

I just loved Colin and Emily, will they reappear in your future books?

Oh, I am so glad you liked them! Yes, they will definitely appear again. MIDNIGHT SINS, my December 08 Kensington Brava release, will show those characters once more. Detective Todd Brooks, Colin’s human partner, is the hero in MIDNIGHT SINS, and in his book, well, he gets to discover the monsters who’ve been lurking in the darkness around him.

You have made many contributions to the “Secrets” series, how did that come about? Are these stories easier to write versus the full length books?

I’ve been a fan of the “Secrets” books ever since I read Angela Knight’s Blood and Kisses and MaryJanice Davidson’s Love’s Prisoner. I enjoyed those stories so much that I thought, hey, I’m going to try writing a novella, too! I was absolutely thrilled when Red Sage accepted my submission. (I’ve sold 5 novellas to them in all.)

I don’t know if I would say it is easier to write a novella as opposed to a full length book—the process is so very different. Due to the word count requirements for a novella, you’ve got to pack your story in quickly—the emotional connection, the sexual chemistry, the action and adventure—and that can be challenging.

I actually like to write a novel, then a novella, then a novel—well, I think you see where I’m going here.  I think alternating keeps me on my toes and helps me to hone my pacing skills. Variety is supposed to be the spice of life, right?

Your books contain highly erotic scenes; do you find it difficult at times to write love/sex scenes?

Love scenes can certainly be challenging! Sometimes, they can be the hardest part of the book. I try to make the scenes as sensual as possible—I want the reader to understand the desire and need that drives the characters as much as possible.

Congratulations on your newest release HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT in May. Do you have other books that are awaiting publication?

In June of 08, I’ll be in a paranormal anthology with Shelly Laurenston, WHEN HE WAS BAD. Then, in September, I’ll be in my first Kensington “Bad Boys” anthology—EVERLASTING BAD BOYS. At the end of the year, I’ll have another release with Kensington, another novel, MIDNIGHT SINS.

Are you working on anything right now and can you give us a teaser about these projects?

I recently finished a paranormal novella about a vampire and the lover who has just discovered that he isn’t dead (well, he’s undead, technically). She’s a shifter, he’s a vampire, and they should be mortal enemies—should be, but the desire between them is too strong.

Any final advice to aspiring authors?

Don’t give up! Keep writing the stories that you want to write. Learn everything that you can about the industry. Research publishers. Research agents. Submit. Then write more! Don’t ever give up on your dream.

Do you have anything to add?

Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me. I had a great time answering these questions—thank you!

If readers are interested in viewing excerpts from my coming books, they can visit my website at www.cynthiaeden.com

Thank you so much for spending time with us at Love Romances & More. We wish you the greatest success in all of your future endeavors.