Author Interview: Cindy R. Williams

Today's Author Interview is with Cindy R. Williams, a new author who writes children's picture books. She lives in Arizona with her family.

Welcome, Cindy. I'm glad to talk to you. How long have you been writing? What made you start?
I believe I was born a story teller. I wrote my first book when I was five or six about being a Mermaid Princess. I cut art paper in eighths and stapled them together to make a book. I used pencils and crayons to illustrate it. As time went by life events would trigger a spark and a huge desire to write. A story would just flow out, sometimes rhyming, sometimes not. Then I would get back to my daily life.

I created numerous series’ of bedtime stories for my children. I didn’t know what to do with my tales so they sat in my private collection for years, until it was finally my season to take the next step. I realized life is too short, so I’d best make my dreams happen now.

What is your first published book?
Chase McKay Didn’t Get Up Today was published in April 2008 by Goodfellow Publishing Services, of Mesa, Arizona. I will never forget selling the first copy of Chase McKay Didn’t Get Up Today, through my website, cindyrwilliams.com. I was so thrilled that I looked at the sells confirmation a bunch of times, to make sure I hadn’t imagined it.

Do you have any authors that inspire you?
Oh yes. Many members of American Night Writers Association (ANWA) inspire me. I see so many creative women writing and doing a million other things. They are truly incredible. I love to read. I think two authors that gave my love for magical worlds an identity as a child were L. Frank Baum, the author of the “Wizard of Oz” Series and Marian Cockrell, the author of Shadow Castle. There really are so many others. I have a list of books and their authors that inspire me on my website, cindyrwilliams.com, on the “About me” page.

What is your daily schedule like?
I am psycho for being organized. I hate to waste time. I plan my days to streamline and maximize my priorities and to reach my daily goals. My day starts with family scripture study usually at 6:15 am. After scriptures, I often write for about an hour, then get my last child off to school and do my exercises and morning chores. I take care of my various responsibilities as Mommy, Wife, House Keeper, Financier, and run my errands, practice my harp, visit teach, work on house and financial projects, volunteer at my children’s schools, and rescue people and animals . . . all before lunch if possible. Then I try to spend several more hours writing until my children get home from school. I put on my “Mommy” hat again until the children are in bed. I put on my “wife” hat for awhile after that. When all are nestled in bed asleep, I usually get into my “Writing Place”. This is a special place I set up with all my dragon and fairy props around me. I write until I can’t keep my eyes open anymore.

Sounds good on paper, but we all know “Life Happens”. One little trick that helps tons is I take my lap top with me almost everywhere. I write as I wait in doctors and dentist offices, concerts, as I am waiting for my children in the car when I am the family chauffeur. It is surprising how much time we waste waiting. Instead of being frustrated, I accomplish something rewarding by writing. If I don’t have my lap top with me, I often think about my stories, and create scenes in my mind.

How do you handle life interruptions?
Sometimes I do okay with interruptions and other times, not so well. I really try to write when all my other responsibilities are fulfilled. I don’t put my writing last, but I must take care of pressing tasks or my creative side isn’t free to fly. I decided a long time ago, that no matter what, my family and my church callings come first, so I try hard to take care of those things, then get right back to writing. Sometimes I ignore the phone, unless I see it is one of my children calling from school, which means they really need me. If I am on a roll, and the story is flowing, I do find I get frustrated by being interrupted. I try to take care of the situation quickly and get right back to where I was. I go back a few pages and reread what I last wrote, and more often than not, the story starts to flow again. If not, then I put it aside and take care of whatever tends to be the squeaky wheel at the time.

You mentioned that you play the harp. Do you write music?
Yes, I write music primarily for my harp, and some for guitar. Both can be played on the piano as well. I tend to write songs that are a bit eerie, like being out in the shadowy night on a fairy hill dancing in the moonlight. That is why I love the harp so much. It is mystical and magic. I usually start with the melody and harmonies first, and if it strikes me, I will add lyrics. But I have found that more often than not, harp music speaks directly to the soul and words are not necessary.

I am working on my harp CD project along with my books. My goal is to have the release date coincide with the publication of Thundertail’s Tale. Many of the songs I have written for my harp are a bit Celtic, and go back to my Scottish and British heritage. The Harp CD will fit well with my magical dragons and fairies, and will also be a great lullaby CD to play at bedtime for children and tired parents too.

What food or snack keeps the words flowing?
CHOCOLATE! I also love ice water, which I try to sip it often, and save the chocolate for rare occasions or I’m sure I would turn into a grand chocolate mound.

What one thing do you like most about writing? Least?
I love story telling. I love to do presentations on my book and my harp. I love to create names and backgrounds of characters. I love to write bantering dialog. I love to create tough situations then mull them over and figure out how to get my protagonist through them. I do not like to rewrite drafts. I find it so much more fun to let my imagination run free and write rather than fix things.

What is your advice for other writers?
Write and write and write and write and write. Take classes, attend seminars, take advantage of a critique group. Being a member of ANWA is a great opportunity for LDS women writers for learning and critiquing if you get in a group that understands the process. As far as writing classes go, I have been taking a series of creative writing classes locally and it has changed my world. If you live in the greater Phoenix area and are interested in taking Creative Writing Classes, email me and I will give you the information on these classes. I feel it is important to never stop learning.

We each have to believe that we have something worthwhile to say, because the world needs wholesome voices. And did I mention to write and write and write and write and write . . . .

Tell us about your book.
Chase McKay Didn’t Get Up Today is what I call a “Snuggle, Giggle Book.” It is a rhyming story inspired by the youngest of my five children playing possum when it was time to get up for Kindergarten. It begins with; “Chase McKay would not get up, so Mama made his bed. She straightened the covers and pulled them, right over his head. Chase McKay cannot play; he didn’t get out of bed today.” The story goes on to include; “his breakfast is cold, soggy and old. His chores are undone, no time for fun.”

It’s so nice to cuddle up with a little one and share the story. The book has a catchy rhythm, and the original illustrations by Seattle artist Donald Jenny are charming.

What is your next project?
I have several children’s picture books completed. Naptime (working title) is currently being illustrated. My publisher has requested two more books in the “Chase McKay” series. I also have Good Doc Flo, The Prankster, The Hero, and Ruffle Buns. Some are completed and others are in the final editing stage. However, I spend most of my time on my novel, the first book in the trilogy of “Thundertail’s Tales”, about a boy and a dragon, magic and choices. I do have one serious novel waiting to see the light of day. It is called Alzheimer’s Antics, from the Viewpoint of a Daughter. It is a sometimes humorous, often bittersweet book about my father, and how he and my family handled this ever-so-sad disease.

Thanks for letting me interview you, Cindy.
Thank you, Marsha, for this opportunity. You do so much to teach, lift and support authors!