Hi Cynthia and welcome. I am so glad you could join us here at
RomanceJunkies. To start, will you please tell us a little bit about your current projects?
Hi, Brooke! Thanks so much for the interview. Current projects…well, my most recent release is THE WOLF’S MATE in SECRETS, VOLUME 18: DARK PASSIONS (released December 06). In THE WOLF’S MATE, my heroine Kat Hardy is on the run for her life. She meets a mysterious man who offers her protection, but Kat finds out that instead of being her savior, Michael Morlet may just be her worst nightmare.
I’ve also just finished up an erotic paranormal novella about a vampiress with a taste for bad boys. She’s being tracked by a desperate bounty hunter, and, after one taste, she decides she’d like to claim him, forever.
My actual WIP is another paranormal romance tale—one rife with an assortment of supernatural creatures: werewolves, human chameleons, vampires, demons.
Do you plot and plan your stories in advance, or just sit down and start creating?
Actually, I do both! Depending on the story, I may sit down and write out a ten page outline - or I may just dive right in. It truly just depends. So, I consider myself both a pantster and a plotter.
Is there one thing about the way you write that you would love to change but know you never will? Any particular "thing" you have to have while you write, like a favorite food or beverage nearby, music in the background?
Until I had my son in December of 2005, I did have to have the classical music, the relaxed setting - everything had to be peaceful and serene. Now, well, my writing setting has certainly changed - I can write anywhere now (and usually do - thanks so much to the person who invented the laptop!) and with any kind of distraction/background noise (cuz we all know that moms have very distracting lives).
One thing I’d like to change…hmmm. I think I’m pretty happy with my overall output now, so, I doubt I’d alter anything.
Are there other genres you would like to explore, i.e,, romantic
suspense?
I’m a serious paranormal lover - and will always be. Having said that, I often find that elements of romantic suspense creep into my stories. Will I ever write a straight romantic suspense (one void of vamps and shifters - oh my!)? That is certainly a possibility. I like to explore other areas in writing. So while I plan to always write paranormal, I can see room for branching into other areas, too.
Every author dreams of making their first sale. Do you remember what you were doing when you found out about yours? What did you do to celebrate?
Ah, the first sale. Yes, I found out about my first sale (to a small, paranormal-only press called ImaJinn Books) via email. I immediately screamed the news to my husband and danced a little jig in celebration.
What are your mornings like? Are you a cheerful, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed morning person, or more of a don't-even-look-at-me-until-I've-ingested-an-entire-pot-of-coffee type
of gal?
I’m more the please-don’t-talk-to-me until I’ve had my bowl of Cheerios laced with sugar. Once I get the Cheerios and my sugar fix, well, then I’m good to go!
If you could learn one new skill, what would it most likely be? What is the most "unusual" skill you've already developed and honed to perfection?
New skill? I’d love to be able to hypnotize people.
The most unusual skill that I currently possess? I’m great at reading palms!
So, living with a scuba diving master, and master-fencer-in-training, does this mean you participate in both? What is your favorite sport?
No, but my husband Nick has tried (and failed) to teach me how to do both. I’m not the most athletic person in the world, so I tend to like nice and easy sports. My favorite is badminton…although I can also pitch a mean softball game.
How did you and your husband meet? Was it love at first site? Did he send you flowers? Give you candy?
We met at a Christmas party. It wasn’t quite love at first site. I was interested, but I’ve always been the super cautious type. For the next few weeks, Nick would show up at the places I went to (friends houses, get-togethers) and one night, he spent four hours performing magic tricks for me. Well, the one and true surefire way to my heart has always been through magic, so after that night…I was hooked.
And, of course, the man has always understood the supreme importance of chocolate in my life. J
What is the best way to spend Valentine's Day? Go out? Stay home? Make a "big deal" out of it? Do nothing - it's just another day in the week, after all?
I enjoy staying home. Having a nice dinner (one that I didn’t cook!) and some wine. Then, dancing in front of the fireplace while soft music (something jazzy) plays in the background.
How do you describe Cynthia Eden? How does Cynthia Eden's husband describe her?
I’d describe Cynthia as slightly obsessive, normally open-minded, occasionally energetic, and - at least in my humble little opinion - a fun gal to take to dinner.
Cynthia’s husband says, “Smart, quick-witted, and sexy.” (Um, he kinda has to say that since he lives with me and anything unflattering would not be well met!)
MORE FUN…
Ahhh, remember those school-kid days when we all exchanged Valentines with classmates? Did you ever receive one you still remember today? What is the most memorable "Big-Kid" one you've received?
I used to love getting those little cards that had suckers or lollipops attached to them - whenever a classmate gave me one of those - I was sure I’d gotten a major score.
As an adult, the best valentine I’ve gotten has been…red roses. Nick generally gives me roses each year, and I love them. The house smells great and I get a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling each time I catch a glimpse of them on the kitchen table.
Are you right-handed or left-handed? Ever tried to write with the opposite hand?
Right-handed, and I’ve tried numerous times to write with the left - legible, but extremely messy. But the pursuit of perfection will continue.
Name the one household chore you abhor. What is the one that everyone else complains about that you think isn't that bad at all?
I hate cleaning the bathtub. Hate it.
I don’t mind doing the dishes so much - put them in the dishwasher, pour in the liquid dish soap, and once you press “start” - well, you’re good to go.
And lastly, no interview of a writer would be complete without this question: what is your favorite comfort food?
There’s only one thing that springs immediately to mind…if I need a boost, a little moral support…I turn to my chocolate. Not too much, mind you. Just say, oh, a Hershey bar.
Thank you so much for interviewing me. I had a great time answering your questions (and walking down memory lane with some of them!). It has been a pleasure.
Thank you! It’s has been our pleasure! Continued success with your books.
