Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Seven total. A number of those also had foreign sales. I had four published by a traditional publisher and three by epublishers. I regained the rights to everything I have written, and I’m having a good time exploring indie publishing. I’m revising and updating some of the earlier books and am LOVING being able to change the titles and covers to ones I like. In traditional publishing, the author doesn’t get much input on those.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is a novella, Cinderella and the Major. As a little girl, my favorite story was Cinderella. I thought it would be fun to do a contemporary version. I love transformation stories. If there’s a before and after, I’m in. 🙂 And being married to my own military hero, I’m partial to them.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Nope. It’s pretty much plant my butt in the chair and write. I’ve discovered that I can write anywhere, however, so I always have a notebook with me. I don’t need to have circumstances just right, like total silence, etc. I just need pen and paper and can pick up where I left off. I used to think I needed to be at my computer, until I heard that James Patterson writes everything in longhand. It seems to have worked for him, so figured I would try it and discovered it works well for me too!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Nora Roberts, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Suzanne Brockmann, Jayne Ann Krentz
What are you working on now?
I’m revising and updating my book Blue Skies (soon to be titled something else) about a Navy pilot and the widow of his best friend.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Since I’m so new to this indie thing, I don’t know yet. I’m learning as I go.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find a mentor, a writing instructor who really knows their stuff and is willing to do a brutal critique. Do NOT depend on a critique group. They may mean well, but not be knowledgeable enough to really help you polish your writing. My mentor used to hand me back manuscripts that had so much red ink they looked like she had bled on them! It was painful, but I will be forever grateful for her tutoring.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Tighten up your writing. The best I’ve seen comes from a little book called “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers.” It was recommended to me by a #1 NY Times best-selling author. I immediately got a copy, and it changed my writing overnight. When I saw that author again, I thanked her for the recommendation and told her the effect it had had on my writing. She said it had affected hers exactly the same way.
What are you reading now?
Family Tree by Susan Wiggs. I prefer contemporary stories.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish revising and updating my backlist and then work on new material. I can’t wait.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Whoa. Way too hard to answer. I’ve been a voracious reader my whole life. I could not possibly pick a favorite.
Author Websites and Profiles
Cynthia VanRooy Website
Cynthia VanRooy Amazon Profile