Musa Author Interview: Cindi Myers

Today I’d like to introduce Cindi Myers, the first of many Musa authors I will be interviewing. She writes romance as well as women’s fiction. It’s a pleasure to have her here today. I hope this interview will be as interesting for you as it has been for me.

1.Can you tell us a bit about your books with Musa Publishing?

Most of my books with Musa Publishing are historical romances set in the American West. I have a strong interest in American history. The most recent title was a debut title for Musa — West With the Wind, set on the wagon trains to California; and a contemporary romantic comedy The Handsomest Prince.

2. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
When I was 8 or 9 I read all the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder and I decided that I wanted to write stories for a living.

3. What were some of the first steps you took towards becoming a published author?
I wrote a lot. I subscribed to Writer’s Digest and I eventually joined a critique group of other writers, then I joined local writer’s groups and began submitting my work.

4. When did you start blogging? How did it change you as a writer?
I have produced a market newsletter for more than 10 years as a way of sharing what I have learned about markets for writing. Several years ago I converted this into a blog format because it was easier for me to keep it up that way. The only other blogging I’ve done is guest posts to promote my work. I enjoy the blogs I’ve done but I don’t think it’s changed the way I write.

5. How do you plan out a novel?
I make a fairly detailed outline. I start by making notes about what I know about the story and the characters, and I fill in blanks as I learn more or as I figure out what is missing.

6. What is the hardest part of the writing process for you? How have you learned to make it easier for yourself?
Every book is different. Some books I struggle more with self-doubt. Some books the hardest part is fighting a tough deadline. Others it’s fitting writing in around other demands in my life. Some books the middle drags on forever. I guess the only thing I’ve learned is that the writing process changes constantly and you do the best you can to roll with it.

7. How did you prepare to submit your work to Musa Publishing?
I don’t think I did anything special — I queried the editor about a couple of manuscripts I had and she asked to see them.

8. What do you think is the most important piece of advice for aspiring writers to remember?
Don’t give up. It can take a lot of persistence to break in. And never stop searching for ways to improve. Listen to editors and learn from them.

9. What do you do when you’re not writing?
I like to garden, to hike and to ski in the winter. I also enjoy knitting, quilting, and cooking. And of course reading.

10. Any idea what you’re going to write next?
I have so many projects I want to write. Right now I have three projects in various stages of completion — another historical romance, a contemporary women’s fiction and a contemporary romance.

Cindi Myers is the author of more than forty published novels. Her historical and contemporary romances and women’s fiction have garnered praise from reviewers and readers alike and several have been Waldenbooks Bestsellers. Her October 2005 release, Learning Curves, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly which lauded her “true-to-life, sympathetic characters.” Her 2008 release, The Right Mr. Wrong, was nominated for a Rita Award from Romance Writers of America. Cindi’s most recent release is The Handsomest Prince, a sexy romantic comedy from Musa Books. Cindi produces a weekly market newsletter at http://www.cindimyersmarketnews.wordpress.com. For more about Cindi, visit her web sites at http://www.cindimyers.com and http://www.romanceofthewest.com

If you’d like to buy one of Cindi’s Musa books, you can do so here.

Thanks for reading guys, and once again a big thank you to Cindi for joining us here at Dianna’s Writing Den.