Cynthia Owens
Welcome, Cynthia.
Cynthia writes: First, let me thank you for choosing me as your Celtic Heart
of the Month. I'm a life-long Celtophile and history geek. I live in
Montreal, Canada, a city with so much history you could spend a lifetime
there and still not run out of new things to discover. I'm the mother of a
son, 11, and a daughter, 14. My first novel, "In Sunshine or in Shadow," is
a historical romance set in post-famine Ireland. Its sequel, "Coming Home,"
will be released soon from Highland Press.
Why do your stories have an Irish theme?
I don't think I ever made a conscious decision, never really sat down and
said, "I'm going to write an Irish story." "In Sunshine or in Shadow" was
just the book of my heart. Of course, I've loved everything Irish since I
was a very young teenager, so I suppose Ireland had an influence on me. But
when the story occurred to me, it was an Irish story, so I had to set it in
Ireland.
How long have you been writing?
I've been writing ever since I discovered the utter joy of stringing a few
words together to form a coherent sentence – probably about age six or so.
Of course, that sometimes got me in trouble. When I was in the first grade,
we all had to write a sentence or two about Dick, Jane, and their dog, Spot.
Well, I wrote about six and a half sentences. My teacher didn't like this,
and marked me down for not having finished the last sentence. Talk about
stifling creativity!
Did you always want to be a writer?
Yes. In grade school, I would write plays, short stories, even sequels to my
favorite Nancy Drew books. Later, I wrote romance stories set in the halls
of the local high school. So I guess I've always been attracted to romance!
What type of career/job do you have other than writing?
I've had so many different jobs – real estate secretary, library clerk,
typist, you name it. Right now, I'm a stay at home mom to my two kids, aged
14 and 11.
What is your writing routine like?
It's changed a little since I've been published. I've learned to
compartmentalize. If I'm writing, I usually get up first thing in the
morning, take care of business, answer e-mails, etc. After the kids are at
school and hubby's at work, I put on some music – usually Celtic music, of
course – sit down at the computer, and write until lunchtime. After lunch,
I'll go back for about two hours, until my daughter comes in from school. I
usually try to write about 1500 words a day.
Do you have a ritual that you go through before sitting down to write?
If taking care of business is a ritual, then yes. E-mail, blogs, etc. I like
to get that out of the way before I start the creative stuff.
How do you define the type of writer you are? Do you outline or are you a
"pantser"?
A year ago, I'd have said "pantser," but that's changed a bit. Now, before I
start a new story, I spend about a month or so doing the major research –
and I say that because little things always crop up during the actual
writing – and from that, I decide where the plot should go. I write a loose
outline of the whole story, then go back and plan a few chapters in advance.
Not actual writing, just a general summary of the chapters, and maybe a few
lines of dialogue or narration. But I don't allow myself to get too far
ahead, because my characters have a tendency to tell me their story, and if
they don't agree with me about where they should go, it can lead to quite a
battle. So I'm always open to the muse.
Where do your ideas come from? Where did you get your idea for IN SUNSHINE
OR IN SHADOW?
Ideas come from everywhere! When I first started writing "In Sunshine or in
Shadow," I asked myself what happened after the Irish Famine? What happened
to the people who were left? How had they managed to survive, and how would
they go on with so many of their families and friends either dead or gone?
How would they rebuild their lives?
With my upcoming Highland Press release, "Coming Home," it was a question of
what happened to Siobhán's daughter, Ashleen? Her older stepsister, Katie
(Rory's daughter), had married an American, so it followed that Ashleen
would want to visit her. But Ashleen's roots are deeply set in Irish soil,
so she had to return to Ballycashel. She never dreamed that she'd meet a
handsome Irish American war hero on the ship, or that he would have a
surprising tie to her own family. Or that he would be the man she'd always
dreamed of.
Cavan has also inspired several works-in-progress, a series featuring five
men who fought in the Civil War with the Irish Brigade.
What steps did you take to get your first novel published?
Well, everyone's journey is different, of course. I read books in the genre
I was writing, studied all the writing tips I could find, researched the
market. But the most important step was to sit down at the computer and
WRITE! There are so many people who say they'll write that book "when they
have time." The time is any time you can squeeze in. Even if it's only 15
minutes a day. You'll never write that book if you don't write the first
page.
Once I had the book written, I studied the list of publishers (available on
the RWA website) and decided which ones I wanted to query. There were
rejections, and you have to develop a pretty thick skin. I guess the best
advice I can give is to never give up. Believe in yourself and your work.
What do you find the most challenging part of the writing process?
Everything! That's why I love it! I love the research – seeking out those
little details which might seem trivial, but can make all the difference to
a story. I love the writing – creating a story, letting it flow from my
brain to the page. I even enjoy the editing process, though sometimes it can
be a little painful. It's all a challenge, and that's what makes it so much
fun!
Do you set daily writing goals for yourself?
I usually try to write about 1500 words a day. If I'm researching, I set a
goal of, say, three subjects each day, and research them thoroughly before
moving on to the next topic. When it comes to creating characters, I try to
set aside enough time to decide on their physical appearance, then their
backstory, then their role in the story. I spend at least a week on major
characters, less on minor ones.
How many days a week do you give to your writing?
I try to write five days a week, so my weekends are free.
Where is your writing space? By a window in your home, at a desk facing the
wall?
I work in a small spare room in my basement, surrounded by books and
pictures of Ireland.
What is the one writing tool you can't live without?
My Funk and Wagnall Dictionary. It belonged to my father, who passed away
just prior to the release of "In Sunshine or in Shadow." Dad was largely
self-educated, and any time he came across a word he didn't know, he'd look
it up in the F&W Dictionary. Now that well-thumbed dictionary has pride of
place on my bookshelf.
How important is the happily-ever-after ending?
In a romance, I think it's everything. That's what readers want, what we all
want.
Explicit love scenes, yes or no; if yes, please explain; if no, please
explain.
Explicit to a point, but I think the story is more important. My characters
consummate their relationship, but I don't go in for sex just for its own
sake. It has to happen for a reason, after there's some sort of relationship
between the hero and heroine.
How important is a critique partner to a writer's success?
I work without one. I think it's a personal choice, but the relationship has
to be an honest one. I've had critique partners who loved everything I wrote
– even when it was bad – and others who hated everything.
What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
Read, listen to music, play games with my son, talk with my daughter. Go for
walks. Drive to the nearby lake and just breathe in the scents of nature.
How understanding is your family about your writing?
I have a sign that says "Writer at Work," and they know not to bother me
when it's on the doorknob.
How do you organize time for family and friends?
I try to work mostly during the week, so I'll have my weekends free. I'm
pretty flexible, though. As long as I can get my assigned work in, I'm
happy.
What famous writer do you admire most?
Mary Jo Putney and Teresa Medeiros.
If you could write an anthology with any NYT best-selling author(s), who
would they be and do they reflect your own writing style?
Mary Jo and Teresa, of course! Well, I can dream, can't I? I love Teresa's
mixture of poignancy and humor, and no one writes better tortured heroes
than Mary Jo, whose use of history is also unmatched.
Do you have a web site or blog?
Yes.
Where can readers find you?
My website is http://cynwrites1.wordpress.com/. My blog, Craic (Irish for
fun) is also there. I recently revamped my website – quite a feat for a
technophobe! – and I think it's a nice blend of romance and Irish.
Thank you, Cynthia.
of the Month. I'm a life-long Celtophile and history geek. I live in
Montreal, Canada, a city with so much history you could spend a lifetime
there and still not run out of new things to discover. I'm the mother of a
son, 11, and a daughter, 14. My first novel, "In Sunshine or in Shadow," is
a historical romance set in post-famine Ireland. Its sequel, "Coming Home,"
will be released soon from Highland Press.
Why do your stories have an Irish theme?
I don't think I ever made a conscious decision, never really sat down and
said, "I'm going to write an Irish story." "In Sunshine or in Shadow" was
just the book of my heart. Of course, I've loved everything Irish since I
was a very young teenager, so I suppose Ireland had an influence on me. But
when the story occurred to me, it was an Irish story, so I had to set it in
Ireland.
How long have you been writing?
I've been writing ever since I discovered the utter joy of stringing a few
words together to form a coherent sentence – probably about age six or so.
Of course, that sometimes got me in trouble. When I was in the first grade,
we all had to write a sentence or two about Dick, Jane, and their dog, Spot.
Well, I wrote about six and a half sentences. My teacher didn't like this,
and marked me down for not having finished the last sentence. Talk about
stifling creativity!
Did you always want to be a writer?
Yes. In grade school, I would write plays, short stories, even sequels to my
favorite Nancy Drew books. Later, I wrote romance stories set in the halls
of the local high school. So I guess I've always been attracted to romance!
What type of career/job do you have other than writing?
I've had so many different jobs – real estate secretary, library clerk,
typist, you name it. Right now, I'm a stay at home mom to my two kids, aged
14 and 11.
What is your writing routine like?
It's changed a little since I've been published. I've learned to
compartmentalize. If I'm writing, I usually get up first thing in the
morning, take care of business, answer e-mails, etc. After the kids are at
school and hubby's at work, I put on some music – usually Celtic music, of
course – sit down at the computer, and write until lunchtime. After lunch,
I'll go back for about two hours, until my daughter comes in from school. I
usually try to write about 1500 words a day.
Do you have a ritual that you go through before sitting down to write?
If taking care of business is a ritual, then yes. E-mail, blogs, etc. I like
to get that out of the way before I start the creative stuff.
How do you define the type of writer you are? Do you outline or are you a
"pantser"?
A year ago, I'd have said "pantser," but that's changed a bit. Now, before I
start a new story, I spend about a month or so doing the major research –
and I say that because little things always crop up during the actual
writing – and from that, I decide where the plot should go. I write a loose
outline of the whole story, then go back and plan a few chapters in advance.
Not actual writing, just a general summary of the chapters, and maybe a few
lines of dialogue or narration. But I don't allow myself to get too far
ahead, because my characters have a tendency to tell me their story, and if
they don't agree with me about where they should go, it can lead to quite a
battle. So I'm always open to the muse.
Where do your ideas come from? Where did you get your idea for IN SUNSHINE
OR IN SHADOW?
Ideas come from everywhere! When I first started writing "In Sunshine or in
Shadow," I asked myself what happened after the Irish Famine? What happened
to the people who were left? How had they managed to survive, and how would
they go on with so many of their families and friends either dead or gone?
How would they rebuild their lives?
With my upcoming Highland Press release, "Coming Home," it was a question of
what happened to Siobhán's daughter, Ashleen? Her older stepsister, Katie
(Rory's daughter), had married an American, so it followed that Ashleen
would want to visit her. But Ashleen's roots are deeply set in Irish soil,
so she had to return to Ballycashel. She never dreamed that she'd meet a
handsome Irish American war hero on the ship, or that he would have a
surprising tie to her own family. Or that he would be the man she'd always
dreamed of.
Cavan has also inspired several works-in-progress, a series featuring five
men who fought in the Civil War with the Irish Brigade.
What steps did you take to get your first novel published?
Well, everyone's journey is different, of course. I read books in the genre
I was writing, studied all the writing tips I could find, researched the
market. But the most important step was to sit down at the computer and
WRITE! There are so many people who say they'll write that book "when they
have time." The time is any time you can squeeze in. Even if it's only 15
minutes a day. You'll never write that book if you don't write the first
page.
Once I had the book written, I studied the list of publishers (available on
the RWA website) and decided which ones I wanted to query. There were
rejections, and you have to develop a pretty thick skin. I guess the best
advice I can give is to never give up. Believe in yourself and your work.
What do you find the most challenging part of the writing process?
Everything! That's why I love it! I love the research – seeking out those
little details which might seem trivial, but can make all the difference to
a story. I love the writing – creating a story, letting it flow from my
brain to the page. I even enjoy the editing process, though sometimes it can
be a little painful. It's all a challenge, and that's what makes it so much
fun!
Do you set daily writing goals for yourself?
I usually try to write about 1500 words a day. If I'm researching, I set a
goal of, say, three subjects each day, and research them thoroughly before
moving on to the next topic. When it comes to creating characters, I try to
set aside enough time to decide on their physical appearance, then their
backstory, then their role in the story. I spend at least a week on major
characters, less on minor ones.
How many days a week do you give to your writing?
I try to write five days a week, so my weekends are free.
Where is your writing space? By a window in your home, at a desk facing the
wall?
I work in a small spare room in my basement, surrounded by books and
pictures of Ireland.
What is the one writing tool you can't live without?
My Funk and Wagnall Dictionary. It belonged to my father, who passed away
just prior to the release of "In Sunshine or in Shadow." Dad was largely
self-educated, and any time he came across a word he didn't know, he'd look
it up in the F&W Dictionary. Now that well-thumbed dictionary has pride of
place on my bookshelf.
How important is the happily-ever-after ending?
In a romance, I think it's everything. That's what readers want, what we all
want.
Explicit love scenes, yes or no; if yes, please explain; if no, please
explain.
Explicit to a point, but I think the story is more important. My characters
consummate their relationship, but I don't go in for sex just for its own
sake. It has to happen for a reason, after there's some sort of relationship
between the hero and heroine.
How important is a critique partner to a writer's success?
I work without one. I think it's a personal choice, but the relationship has
to be an honest one. I've had critique partners who loved everything I wrote
– even when it was bad – and others who hated everything.
What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
Read, listen to music, play games with my son, talk with my daughter. Go for
walks. Drive to the nearby lake and just breathe in the scents of nature.
How understanding is your family about your writing?
I have a sign that says "Writer at Work," and they know not to bother me
when it's on the doorknob.
How do you organize time for family and friends?
I try to work mostly during the week, so I'll have my weekends free. I'm
pretty flexible, though. As long as I can get my assigned work in, I'm
happy.
What famous writer do you admire most?
Mary Jo Putney and Teresa Medeiros.
If you could write an anthology with any NYT best-selling author(s), who
would they be and do they reflect your own writing style?
Mary Jo and Teresa, of course! Well, I can dream, can't I? I love Teresa's
mixture of poignancy and humor, and no one writes better tortured heroes
than Mary Jo, whose use of history is also unmatched.
Do you have a web site or blog?
Yes.
Where can readers find you?
My website is http://cynwrites1.wordpress.com/. My blog, Craic (Irish for
fun) is also there. I recently revamped my website – quite a feat for a
technophobe! – and I think it's a nice blend of romance and Irish.
Thank you, Cynthia.
.