Author Interview with Cynthia Hickey

Heidi here. Today multi-published author Cynthia Hickey is joining us.

Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries published through Barbour Publishing, with a novella releasing in March 2013. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-CoveredCrime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series. She has several historical romances releasing in 2013 and 2014 through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs and two cats. She has five grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”.

An Unconventional Lady released April 1, 2014.

Backcover copy: Annie Rollins longs for adventure. But her strict mother keeps her close to home, working as a Harvey Girl waitress. Until Dallas Baker shows up in town and takes the job Annie really wants—leading tours through the Grand Canyon. Annie's frustrated, but finds it impossible to ignore the handsome outdoorsman.

With her split skirts and modern hairdo, Annie challenges Dallas's old-fashioned notions of what makes a lady. To his surprise, he finds her delightful, until he learns she has no interest in settling down. Dallas is ready to win her heart, but is Annie willing to fall in love?

Thank you for stopping by to visit with us today, Cynthia, and congratulations on your new novel, An Unconventional Lady. What was your inspiration behind writing this novel?  

While researching for a unique historical idea, I ran across an article on the Harvey Girls. Waitresses who served in restaurants along the Santa Fe Railroad. They’ve been called The Women who Tamed the West. I was instantly intrigued.

What’s your biggest challenge in balancing writing time with your other responsibilities?  

As of May, 2013, I’ve been blessed to be a full time writer. It is hard to keep up with the writing and keep a clean house. I had to make a choice and lower my expectations on the house.

I understand about the house thing . . . Enough about cleaning, back to writing! What advice can you give to aspiring novelists to produce a sound novel that’ll sell?  

Write compelling characters in a world the reader can enter into, and make every word you write the best one you could think of.

Sound advice Cynthia. On your website, you mention that you’ve been on television twice! Is there a funny story behind either situation?!  

The first time, I was on my honeymoon with my first husband. We were hiking beside a waterfall and the local weather station showed up and asked us to pose for the weather backdrop. The second time, I worked at the Pickle Plant in my hometown and was interviewed when a documentary crew was filming on how pickle plants were run.

That is so intriguing. What are the odds someone will get asked for a random television interview twice in a lifetime? Very interesting! I love plotting and am always looking for tips. How do you plot a novel? How close to the final version does the first draft read?  

I’m a seat of the pantser. The only plotting I do is come up with the story idea, the characters, and how I want the story to end. The final version is very close to the first version because I edit as I go.

Time for a fun question . . . If you could take a plane to ONE place, where would you go? If you could bring one person with you, who would it be? And if you could eat only one kind of food during your trip, what would that be?  

I would take my husband to Scotland. I’ve always wanted to go, since that is where my ancestors are from. To keep in line with the location, I suppose I’d take Shepherd’s pie.

Shepherd's pie ~ winter comfort food! Cynthia, tell us about future books planned.

In A Texas Ranger’s Arms releases July 1

A Doctor’s Heart releases November 1.

I am currently working on a new series for Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents line.

Ohh, sounds exciting. Cynthia, thank you for your time today, it was fun! And congratulations again on the release of An Unconventional Lady.