#WCW–Author Interview & Chat feat. Cynthia Rodriguez

Let’s talk all about your writing style first… 

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

CR: I started reading at such a young age. My uncle used to sit me down and have me read from a thick book, just to stare at me in awe over my ability to pronounce the “big words.” And from there, I fell in love with stories.

I think I always hoped to have a deeper love affair with words. I admired the ability to create something that evoked emotions in strangers. So I think I always wanted to be a writer. But when I genuinely started? Back in 2013, when I deployed. It was my now-or-never, do-or-die kind of moment.

How do you handle writer’s block?

CR: Writer’s block is inevitable, but I allow myself grace to take a break if I’m not finding that sweet spot. Also, I try writing another scene and if that works out, doubling back. I think writer’s block (for me) tends to be a plot issue. Something just isn’t working.

What comes first, the plot or characters?

CR: It varies from story to story.

Where is your favorite place to write?

CR: There’s nothing like writing at my desk. But since having a baby, I sneak in words on the bed while she’s asleep or on the couch.

Do you prefer writing in silence or to music?

CR: I used to need music but now when I write intense scenes, I lean more toward silence.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

CR: I only just started plotting my stories, so I’d say not too much.

How do you deal with emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?

CR: I don’t know that I keep it. Most of what I write are personal experiences. So majority of the time, the emotional toll is actually a release for me.

How do you come up with the titles to your books? 

CR: Pen and paper. This is also what I do for synopses. Something about writing it out just works.

Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels?

CR: Okay, so I can’t do a dedicated series. I tried that and only got two books in. I’m much better with connected standalones. The Guiding Series, for instance, has a different main character for each book. And because I get to experience different stories, it helps to break up the monotony. So I guess I don’t know how to answer the question other than to say all of it is hard in different ways.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

CR: Written? No idea. Published? I still am not sure. I think eight since I removed two from publication and rereleased a few of them. My favorite? It’s a tie between EVOL and Teofila’s Guide to Saving the Sun.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them special?

CR: I think Teofila because she is a lot like me. She is my love of my culture, my lack of complete identity, my heartache, and my hopeful spirit.

If you were to genre-hop, which genre would you most like to try?

CR: Well, I’ve done dark romance and dabbled in paranormal romance. I like to think I’m limitless but I don’t know how true that is. As far as what I’d like to try next…maybe romantic suspense?

Which of your books was most enjoyable to write?

CR: The Sound of Serendipity. It was a NaNoWriMo project and I wrote it so quickly! It’s so light and sexy and I definitely had fun with it.

If you had to recommend one of your books to a new reader, which would you recommend?

CR: EVOL. I think it’s my strongest work and it’s so personal. But I think the fact that it’s written in reverse throws people off.

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Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?

Snakes. I’m way better with snakes than I am with spiders.

Would you rather have an endless summer or an endless winter?

Jeez. Um…winter? I prefer to bundle up than sweat my ass off.

Would you rather always be an hour early or be constantly twenty minutes late?

Twenty minutes late, for sure.

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Tea or Coffee

Neither lol.

Movie or Book

BOOK.

Coke or Pepsi

Coke.