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Dana Arpquest
Q&A with Author Cynthia Hickey
Cynthia Hickey has been making up stories since she was a child. How fortunate that she finally found an outlet for her, uh, fictional tellings.
Multi-published and Amazon and ECPA Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey has sold over a million copies of her works since 2013. She has taught a Continuing Education class at the 2015 American Christian Fiction Writers conference, several small ACFW chapters and RWA chapters. She and her husband run the small press, Winged Publications, which includes some of the CBA's best well-known authors. She travels between Arizona and Arkansas, depending on the time of year with her husband. She has ten grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that "Nana is a writer".
Q: Hi Cynthia, Thanks a lot for accepting this interview. Can you tell us about your chosen genre (s) and a little about you?
A: I write cozy mysteries and romantic suspense. I enjoy writing page-turners where justice is served. My cozies are more light-hearted where my suspense borders on thriller at times. I've been making up stories since I learned to read.
Q: Where do you get your ideas from?
A:Daydreaming mostly. Honestly, I have more ideas than I probably have life left in order to right them.
Q: Can you tell us a little more about the collection of Historical Stories?
A: I love history, especially the mid-to-late 1800s and, as a child, wanted to live in those times like Laura Ingalls Wilder. While I enjoy writing historicals, I focus more on my mystery and suspense now.
Q: Out of all your books, which one is your favourite and why?
A: Fudge-Laced Felonies will always hold that spot in my heart. It is my first published book.
Q: What do you hope your readers will take from your books?
A: That perseverance and good character always wins.
Q if your books were to film Hollywood blockbuster- Who would you like to play the role of the Hero/ Heroine? (which book)
series looks like Zooey Deschanel.
Q: Do you base your characters on people you know?
A: In my first book, Fudge-Laced Felonies, Summer's aunt is a conglomeration of all my aunts 😊
Q: You have a few Mystery Series. Are you planning to write more books in those series?
A: I'm finishing up the Tiny House series, then will start something new.
Q: When did you write your first novel- tell us about it?
A: I wrote my first novel in the early 2000s. It's so horrible I doubt it will ever see the light of day.
Q: Have you always wanted to be a writer?
A: Since I learned to read at the age of five.
Q: "Nana is writing books" have you any anecdote to tell us about that?
A: My grandchildren wanted to be in a book. Since most of them are zombie fans, I wrote a zombie series under Cynthia Melton and put them in. They love it.
Q: What are your writing habits? Do you listen to music or need total silence? Do you snack while you write?
A: Since I also own a publishing company, I'm up at 5:30 or 6:00 each morning. I work on my business things, authors things, until 8:00. Then I write 2,000 to 4,000 words on my work. If I've time left before quitting around 1 or 2, I'll see what else needs doing. I like complete silence when I work.
Q: Can you describe your writing space?
A: It's a custom-made counter in front of a window that looks out at my parents' house and a mountain rising behind that. I have a map of the world covering one wall and bookshelves on the other.
Q: What is the most difficult part about writing?
A: Marketing. Getting the word out there so readers can find your work.
Q: What are you working on at the moment? Can you tell us a little more about it?
A: I'm working on two things at the moment. One is a Christmas novella for the Tiny House series. The other is a fictional account of a true crime in Arkansas that was never solved. The Phantom murders in 1946. I'm doing a series of unsolved crimes and urban legends.
Q: What is your favourite part of writing/ publishing?
A: All of it. Writing is like breathing to me.
Q: What if your favourite book of all time (I know this is hard to pick just one) and why?
A: Gone With the Wind and Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. The strength of the characters stay with me.
Q: Any advice for someone who is just starting out writing or thinking about writing?
A: Put your behind in the chair and write. Set a goal and keep it.
Q: You also have a publishing house. How did it all start?
A: My agent had a small line for his clients' backlists. After two years, he called me and said it was too much for him to keep up with and did I want it? I said sure. He handed me the line and I opened it up to more than just his clients.
Q: Are you on social media? Where can people interact with you?
Yes, I'm on Facebook.
You can purchase Cynthia's book here.
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