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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Refueling


As a busy writer, releasing a book a month, a wife, a grandmother, and a business owner, I tend to run out of fuel just around summer time. Going home to Arkansas, the place of my roots, is my own personal fueling station. There, I'm surrounded by people who love God and love each other. We reminisce, play games, talk a lot, argue some, and soak in the amazing scenery. June is the magic month for me.

Why is it so important to refuel? Writers say all the time that writing is like breathing. We don't take time out from breathing. If we did, we'd die. So why set the writing aside? Because, if you get burned out, the creativity comes to a screeching halt. You have no more fodder for new stories. The imagination takes a hike.

Here is a sample of my day: I wake at 5:30, make coffee, and check emails. I respond to the needs of my clients. At 8:00 a.m. I start my 2,000 word count, have breakfast, then lunch, all while writing. When I've finished, I work on book covers for my authors, formatting their manuscripts, editing, and coming up with ideas of how to make myself, and them, more money. I respond to FB messages. At 2:30, I quit for the day unless it's time to do monthly reports. I work six days a week, sometimes putting in a bit of time on Sunday. This is the life of a writer. It isn't glamorous. We live through our characters every day. This is why we need to refuel. If I have time at the end of my day, I color. Yep, with gel pens.

Every weekend in August I'm speaking out of town in various parts of the country, then spending five days at the American Christian Fiction Writers where I'll be taking mentoring appointments. Arkansas is my happy place. I go there once a year. Sometimes, we're able to squeeze in a trip to the beach in California. Welcome to my world.

In my latest release, while not a mystery or a suspense, the heroine is fed up and takes a road trip on the Mother Road, ole Route 66. What follows is a rollicking good time as she finds what she wants along the way. While I had fun writing this story, I also realized I was way over due for a trip of my own. I booked plane tickets asap for Arkansas.

Want to see where the magic happens?

Is it worth it? Yes. Do my clients appreciate what I do for them. Absolutely! Because of them, I'm a finalist for Mentor of the Year at ACFW and they sent me flowers.

When I quit the day job in May 2013 to write full time, I had no idea where God was going to lead me. Thank you, Lord, for the roller coaster life of a writer. I wouldn't choose any other career.

Leave a comment for your chance to win a print copy of my book, BEWARE THE ORCHIDS! (U.S. only please.)



Also www.forgetmenotromances.com

 Multi-published and Amazon Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey had three cozy mysteries and two novellas published through Barbour Publishing. Her first mystery, Fudge-Laced Felonies, won first place in the inspirational category of the Great Expectations contest in 2007. Her third cozy, Chocolate-Covered Crime, received a four-star review from Romantic Times. All three cozies have been re-released as ebooks through the MacGregor Literary Agency, along with a new cozy series, all of which stay in the top 50 of Amazon’s ebooks for their genre. She had several historical romances release through Harlequin’s Heartsong Presents, and has sold over half a million copies of her works since 2013. She has taught a Continuing Education class at the 2015 American Christian Fiction Writers conference. You can find her on FB, twitter, and Goodreads, and is a contributor to Cozy Mystery Magazine blog and Suspense Sisters blog. She and her husband run the small press, Forget Me Not Romances, which includes some of the CBA’s best well-known authors. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs, two cats, three box turtles, and two Sulcata tortoises. She has seven grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”.



9 comments:

  1. What a busy week you have! Day after day, week after week.. I am thrilled that you share your talent and you take time for those wonderful getaways from time to time. Smiles to you!

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  2. What a busy week you have! Day after day, week after week.. I am thrilled that you share your talent and you take time for those wonderful getaways from time to time. Smiles to you!

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  3. Cynthia, I enjoyed reading about your busy day. I'm at the computer doing marketing, and after reading your advise, am going to sit out on my deck that overlooks the lake and read my favorite English home interiors magazine. In a half hour's time, I'll get back at it. A mini re-fuel. Cheers, Marilyn

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  4. Looking forward to reading this book. Thanks, Kristie
    tklovenestataoldotcom

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  5. Enjoyed reading about your life as a writer. Would love to read your book.

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  6. Cynthia, you are a superstar. I really enjoy all your cozy mysteries.
    Stay cool in the hot Arizona summer.

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  7. Thanks for this post, Cynthia. Wow, you're busy! As a writer myself, I'm still working on finding the ideal daily schedule for how I work, so reading the details of yours is very helpful. A book a month is extremely impressive! jerusha(at)SDGwords(dot)com

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  8. Wow! You are one busy lady but it is apparent that this is exactly where you need to be and it is exactly what you were destined to do! I wish you continued success and I look forward to reading this book.
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. Busy, busy, busy....would love to win Beware the Orchids!
    debsbunch777(at)gmail(dot)com

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