Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi there! I’m Cynthia St. Aubin, and I write paranormal mystery and paranormal romantic comedy! It’s like While You Were Sleeping…but with zombies! (Would that make it While You Were Creaping? ) I’ve written three full-length novels in a series that is currently stuffed in my desk drawer next to the emergency Junior Mints, and four novellas in the Matilda Schmidt, Paranormal Psychologist series. There will be eight novellas total in the Matilda Schmidt series, so I have releases coming up in September, October, November and December! Because the holidays aren’t crazy enough without releasing a novella a month. 😉
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is Unbearable, and it was inspired by wanting to revisit the story of Goldilocks (a porn star, in my rendition), and the three bears (who happen to be werebears, for my purposes). Fairy tales have a way of feeling like archetypes, and like any story that has been passed down from generation to generation, details change in the telling. Being the art history and mythology nerd that I am, it’s fun for me to pick up some of those threads and reimagine them in a modern context, or juxtapose other historical events onto that canvas. Why couldn’t Humpty Dumpty be the Orphic Egg? And maybe Van Gogh was so tortured because he was actually a werewolf. These are the questions that keep me smiling as I sit down to my laptop to play with my imaginary friends.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
When I’m writing a scene, sometimes I physically act it out so I know how to describe it. For example: in Unlovable, Dr. Schmidt gets handcuffed to the bed, but has to roll out of the way when Cupid gets into a fist fight with a half-naked hit man. I wasn’t sure how she would accomplish this, so I stuck my hand to a wall and did a few tests. My cats found this highly entertaining. Also, I sometimes do the voices for my characters when writing dialogue. This gets especially interesting when one of said characters is a suicidal Easter bunny, and the other is a demigod.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Humor plays a huge role in my motivation for writing, so I often turn back to books that make me laugh/snort/ and or pee a little. Janet Evanovich was my first love in this space. P.G. Wodehouse is a master of comedic timing, and I’ve long hoped his work would season me on some level. On the flip side, I also gobble up poetic prose, so authors like Barbara Kingsolver have had a profound impact on the way I approach descriptions. I like to think that you can still be funny, but balance this with a little depth and poignancy.
What are you working on now?
The name of my latest book is Unassailable (I never met a pun I didn’t like), and it was inspired by the idea that it would be lots of fun to write about a pants-less ghost pirate needing therapy from the good Dr. Schmidt in order to resolve his unfinished business. I’ve been celebrating International Talk Like a Pirate day (September 19th!) since 2007, and have developed a semi-unhealthy fixation on all things piratey. Working that theme into one of the novellas just felt like something that needed to happen.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Admittedly, I’m nothing like a ninja in the marketing space. I have found Facebook to be a great way to connect with readers and other authors, and create a supportive community.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Putting my work out into the real world has been such a learning experience for me. What follows is just a few of the lessons this process has brought me. Take what’s useful to you and leave the rest. Write the story that you love. Let it be something that you’re passionate about and willing to fight for. Speaking of fights, be ready for one. You’re going to have to be your own biggest fan, your most ardent supporter, and at times, your own cheerleader. You have to be willing to believe in your dream when no one else does, and that can be a real challenge. Do study the craft. Even if that means ordering discount grammar and style books on Amazon. Find a critique group and listen to criticism when it comes. Be willing to find out where there’s room for improvement in your work. Look at authors whose careers you admire and learn from them. Make friends in the writing community and be supportive. That support finds its way back to you when it’s your turn to put yourself out there. Don’t compare your first drafts to anyone else’s finished product. Finally, put your ass in the chair.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Sherrilyn Kenyon has posted the story of her journey to publishing on her website, and to this day, I still read it when I need a boost. The gist is, behind every “overnight” success us a long, twisted, gnarly road of unseen effort, disappointment, and discouragement. The thing that separates those who make it from those who don’t has more to do with how much of the aforementioned difficulty they are willing to take on than it does getting lucky, or hitting the right trends (though those things play a definite part). Fight for what you want. http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/about/the-road-to-publication/
What are you reading now?
Mostly, the back of the Pop-Tart box. Which is to say, I’m on a deadline. Procrastination is my biggest challenge as a writer, so when I’m under the gun, reading becomes optional…kind of like sleeping and cleaning.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Once I’m finished with Matilda’s series, I’ll be looking at turning them into audiobooks, hopefully. Also, it would be great to dust off those poor, neglected novels sitting in my drawer and do something with those. In any case, I hope to keep bringing a little laughter and light to my readers by doing what I love best.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Hannibal – Thomas Harris, Prodigal Summer – Barbara Kingsolver, and Janet Evanovich’s Hard Eight.
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