Several years ago, I wrote a short story called “One Last Time” about a young woman who couldn’t seem to stop lying. Whenever she lied, she promised herself it would be the last time—that she would always tell the truth going forward. But if someone asked her a question, she couldn’t seem to resist the urge to fabricate a life she wished was really hers using a story she made … [Read more...] about It Ain’t Just a River in Egypt
writing
Trusting Your Instincts
Have you ever let fear keep you from doing something? If that something is physically dangerous, then fear might be the first step toward your survival. But what if the something you’re afraid of can’t physically hurt you? What if the fear of it holds you back—keeps you from moving forward or enjoying life to its fullest? Shortly after I started my first novel, I saw an ad … [Read more...] about Trusting Your Instincts
Smiling in the face of fear
Raising my girls is the scariest, most wonderful thing I've ever done. Publishing Symphony of Dreams is probably second on the list. I must admit it's neck and neck with being part of a live improv show which I did last Saturday. However, in an improv show, you work with others in the crew and the show is over within--say--two hours. In publishing, you're out there solo. And … [Read more...] about Smiling in the face of fear
Too busy to breathe
Lately, I've been stuck. Somehow, I over-committed. It was out of love, as usual. Love of words, love of writing, love of friends. Between work, trying to market Symphony of Dreams, helping a friend with his manuscript, working on a solo-performance, and trying to get The Courier ready for publication, I lost "something." First, my sense of humor seemed to vanish (except at … [Read more...] about Too busy to breathe
Marketing, Schmarketing
So I say to myself, "Now, Cynthia. How hard can it be to get a little attention for your book? I mean Symphony of Dreams is a great story. The people who've read it, love it. You love it. And we've all been in Symphony's position at one time or another. So . . . readers identify with it." I take a break from the build-up talk because the phone rings and/or I get a text … [Read more...] about Marketing, Schmarketing