Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I love writing. My first work, where it all kind of began, was a poem I wrote in the fourth grade called “The Sea”. I love the sea, I loved it even when I had never even been to the ocean, even though really, I had—in my dreams, in my imaginations and daydreams, I had been there tasting the salt, feeling the cold rush of water crash against me.
The day I learned to swim on my own, floatie free, I never wanted to leave the pool again. I had always wanted to be a mermaid, and even cried at times asking my mother, “Why didn’t God make me a mermaid?” I had real tears spilling from my eyes, something my Mom and Sister can attest.
“I love the Sea, and the Sea loves me,” the first line of my poem. I kept it taped to the refrigerator until the paper turned brown and had torn edges. I lost it years ago but wish I could recall every line, but to get the reason for my sharing—Poetry was the first shovel of writing for me.
I went on from fourth grade to middle school where in eighth grade I made a first attempt at writing a book, but it wasn’t until my Senior year of high school that I completed a novel, and then that summer, wrote the first draft of a second novel titled “Henry”.
And now, four years since that summer, my novel “Henry” is published.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Henry” is the title of my first published novel.
I remember seeing a girl who made a choice that changed her entire life. And in the background was a man in a wheelchair full of anger and hurt because of the decisions of his life. The two had to come together, she needed his help, and of course that meant interaction between the very different characters. As I wrote there came a small town in a rainy place because I love the rain, and I got to meet these awesome characters along the way as Prue made the steps. Then all these little puzzle pieces kept popping up, obscure and tattered, not seeming to match at all, but finally come together at a dramatic head.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like having something to drink while I write, I don’t know why but I do, preferably coffee. Oh, and I only like natural light during the day. My family always knows when I’m home because all the lights are off, but at night, unless I’m watching a movie, I like to have the lights on.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Growing up, I read many books set in the Medieval Times. Anything that looked Medieval England and had a thick width, I would grab and spend the entire week reading until finished. I was a sponge soaking up everything Tudor family, and out of left field, everything Cleopatra.
I connected most with young heroines who were bold and outspoken, something I sometimes was and often chastised for or ostracized because of.
I didn’t have many friends growing up and books were what I turned to for conversation and entertainment. (That, and great 90s movies.)
Books with laughs and tears inspire me to incorporate those things into my own writing. I aspire for my books to leave the reader with something after the last page, something deep, meaningful, and possibly even though-provoking, whether happy or bittersweet, that they can’t shake even after putting the book back on the shelf and walking away—that something from the book stays with them.
Books did that to me. They gave me hope, made me fall in love, made me laugh and a few made me cry. The best books didn’t let me walk away as if nothing happened. Something did happen, a life was lived, a journey made, and I got to taste it.
To be able to write those things . . . I thank God for letting me.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a poetry book with short stories I have written, another dream of mine to have come true, and also a mystery series. But who knows, things could change on what gets published next.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Searching online websites is good, especially when you find places like Awesomegang that helps out Authors – something not always easy to find.
I think that Goodreads is a good opportunity, I have an author page there and do a blog through them. Right now I have a few book signings coming up and that gives an author the opportunity to meet potential readers. The best way is research, even seeing what your own favorite authors have done, what their advice is, and take that adding your own personal flare.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. Writing is tough and can feel like a tug-o-war sometimes, at least for me. The tug to write and the tug to think about writing without the doing because once you sit down then you have to face the music. Will you accomplish your goal today? Will you birth the entire first draft in a matter of hours? How awesome that would be, but it doesn’t always happen that way. Just keep going, though, don’t stop. Take breaks but not month-long vacations.
If you don’t make your word count, don’t beat yourself up.
For my first book that I completed it started with maybe less than a hundred or so pages of my favorite scenes that I knew I wanted in the book. I just wrote it all out and kept writing, skipping details and so on. After that, I went back, read through, and filled in the missing pieces.
It’s fun that way sometimes, getting to the scenes that started the idea for the book in the first place. Don’t procrastinate those scenes—when it comes to writing, lightning doesn’t always strike twice in the same place, so go for it! It’s the dessert you’ve been waiting for anyway, so have at it. Then go back and fill in the details, the before, the after, and so on.
Writing shouldn’t become a chore, and when it becomes one, you need a change. Don’t stop writing, but just change something about it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’ve read many quotes and advice that I love from the Bible, from writers, and speakers but when asked this question one comes most prominently to mind, something my father told me:
“What you compromise to keep, you will lose.”
Meditate on that and it will change your life. I have to recall that advice, I need to more often, because I want to grasp the truth of it, the power of it. I’m not sure who it originated from, if there is a person that has coined the term but I do know that my Dad saw it firsthand in lives of people he knew.
Also, don’t forget to keep reading books. As writers we need to read – ask any author! That is one of the top ten advice I read from other authors tips and such. And it’s true—I have catching up to do in that department. It’s been a while since I have read a new book.
What are you reading now?
I am on the hunt for a good book (as hinted above). I have focused so much on writing and promoting that I need to have some R & R with either a cozy mystery, an action-adventure, or something completely different than my normal read.
Most likely I will re-read a book from my shelf, haha.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Many things that I am excited for!
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?
The Bible
How to Survive on a Deserted Island
A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson
The Complete Collection of Jane Austen’s Books (all of her books in one big book – that counts, right?)
Author Websites and Profiles
Sydney Paige McCutcheon Amazon Profile
Sydney Paige McCutcheon’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile