Photographer AndrewEick

We wallow in creative angst desperate to reconnect to the creative flow of the universe, that magical life-affirming energy which is our crack. With a soul-weary sigh, we fondle the keys on our laptop and try to stifle the tears of loss as our inspired genius remains silent and elusive.

And that, boys and girls, is what writer’s block looks like to a writer. And it is very difficult, and a total crock, but still challenging for a writer to work through.

I, however, do not suffer from existential, soul draining writers block. I suffer from pouter’s block: yes it’s a real thing!

You see I have difficulty blending reality and fantasy. Shocking, I know. I did my research and I fully understood that as a new indie author the average number of books I was going to sell would be around 80. I knew in the small logical portion of my brain that I would need to have several books for sale, and continue to build my brand/platform/presence. I was aware this would take time and work.

However, in the interest of “knowing my goals,” “creative visualization,” and The Secret, I was already thinking about what I would wear on my interview with Oprah, plotting the terms I would need to have in my movie contract, and worrying if I could be clever enough to be on Rove. He’s so sharp!

My husband in his wisdom said, “Don’t worry; once you have about twenty books for sale, then you’ll be bringing in a good income.”

20!!!! Does he know how much time a book takes to write, edit, and publish? OMG! That’s forever! I’ll be dead before I reach 20 books!

And so, even though I know I would continue to do what I love even if I didn’t get paid, because writing is my passion, my art, and the only way to quiet the voices in my head, the hope/dream/expectation of more makes me long for what I don’t have instead of enjoying where I’m at.

So for now, I will tuck away my Oprah outfit and enjoy this time to do some more crunches, I’ve heard the camera adds 10 lbs! I will refine my “deal breakers for a movie contract, and I will watch more Rove and read lots of witty stuff so I can be a fabulous guest and will be asked back.

How do you balance your hopes and dreams with reality? Are you able to see this as a step towards your goals or are you curled in a ball eating Ho-Ho’s and Cheetos?

Logan McKenna: My mum just called me a wuss/loser. So I’m putting it up for a vote and letting y’all decide whether I’m a wuss/loser. lol
Stewart: god no

Rachael: I agree with stewart!

Logan McKenna: Thanks guys 🙂

Emily: no freaking way

Alica Mckenna Johnson: RUDE! He wasn’t able to do a hand stand push up. A mom has to have standards.

Logan McKenna: Hey, I wasn’t able to stay balanced after doing the push up.

Alica Mckenna Johnson: No excuses!! Would a Navy Seal be whining like this? I think not!

Logan McKenna: I was stating a fact not whining 😛

Alica Mckenna Johnson: whatever. It was in your tone.

Logan McKenna: How can you tell what my tune is over text? and so far it’s 4 to 1

Alica Mckenna Johnson: TONE your tone of voice, but the tune you are humming is also very whiny.

Logan McKenna: What tune was I humming? I don’t remember humming anything, unless you are saying that the hum of my heart is whining

Alica Mckenna Johnson: I didn’t want to say so in front of your friends but yes, yes it is.

Logan McKenna: Haha. I know there was a reason I liked to hang out around you just after I worked out so that my humming heart would annoy you

Alica Mckenna Johnson: lol. You’re such a brat
Logan McKenna: I am, and proud of it. And this brat is going to Circle K to get a Dr. Pepper

So this conversation got me thinking, what are the standards I have for my son? I thought long and hard about this, echoes from my feminist upbringing urging me to use words like sensitive, understanding, able to cook. And all of that is great but really I want my son to be able to do handstand push-ups on a bed of nails. Recycle glass bottles and fabric when he makes his Molotov cocktails, and dance to ‘Party Rockin’ while picking out the drug lord he needs to take out.

Logan in a most cunning hat.

Yes I want my son to be an action movie hero, with enough kung-fu movie hero to make him extremely lethal, and a dash of Joss Whedon hero because then he would have witty one liners and could cook.

Someday instead of Chuck Norris sayings there could be saying about Logan.

When Logan goes to save a puppy, angels cry at his compassion.

When Logan goes home, he travels over buildings because gods don’t walk upon the street.

When Logan gets diamonds for his mum, he makes them by hand.

So what movies have inspired your parenting skills?

But what do we do when we are burdened with knowing the ‘right way’ or ‘the way every ones does it’?
How do we expand our perspective? How do we give ourselves more choices?

We use the people we know. We talk to friends, post one line, maybe even Google our problem and see what amazing things other people have done. Maybe you’ll find solutions that won’t work for you, not everyone can woo a lover’s family by the size of the herd of cows. Even if the solution doesn’t fit your needs, it doesn’t mean it won’t spark the creative force inside of you.

I am going to offer my blog as a sounding board, so everyone read the comments and chime in. Post an issue, a conundrum, a problem, and we will brainstorm offering solutions, advice, things that failed or worked for us. All sorts of possibly useful information and let’s see if we can expand our options and think outside the box.

I am out of town, we’re taking all the work kids to beach then I go to a drug awareness workshop so I won’t be back until June 22nd. Please leave comments, I promise to respond as soon as I get back!

My interest in writing got an early start when my sixth grade teacher told us to complete the following sentence: “It was a dark and stormy night…” With that my love of all things paranormal was born.

I didn’t start writing with an eye toward publication until 1999. I had a few short stories win some contests and get published in now defunct publications. A move to Arizona in 2000 and a new job put my writing on hold. In early 2005 I couldn’t keep the stories inside any longer, and made the decision to focus on a writing career, beginning with electronic publishers. Under the pen name Sherrill Quinn, I signed my first contract in September 2005, and my first novella was published in March 2006. In 2009 the first of three Kensington Brava books was released.

I’m very excited to have my Warriors of the Rift series find a home with Grand Central. You’ll get to meet vampire Tobias Caine, half-demon Nix de la Fuente, werewolf Victoria Joseph, human cop Dante MacMillan, demon Finn Evnissyen and fey princess Keira O’Brien.

By day I’m a mostly mild-mannered Human Resources Manager for a local non-profit organization. I’m originally from northeast Ohio and fled the snow over ten years ago to live in the heat of southeastern Arizona.

1. We’re all supposed to be eating healthy, but what naughty treat tempts you the most?

Oh, my God. What doesn’t tempt me? All I have to do is decide to go on a diet and everything that I shouldn’t eat is everything I want to eat. But I have to admit Snickers Blizzard screams my name every time I drive by Dairy Queen. Thankfully I do sometimes have the willpower to ignore it.

Diet are evil things, and will power is something I seriously lack.

2. If your book was turned into a movie who you play your main characters?

The actors that I had in mind while writing KISS OF THE VAMPIRE were Joe Flanigan (Stargate Atlantis) and Morena Baccarin (Firefly, V). I’d be a happy camper if they played the starring roles.

Great choices!

3. How old were you when you fell in love with reading? Can you remember what book/ books it was that inspired you?

I honestly don’t remember which book inspired me. I’ve always been a reader—it’s compulsive. Reading the cereal box at breakfast, for example. I do remember reading my cousins’ Hardy Boys books as a kid. I liked them a lot better than Nancy Drew—Frank and Joe got into more trouble than Nancy did.

I read both Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys too!

4. What superstitious or OCD habits do you have before you write?

I’m not a superstitious person by nature, so I actually don’t have any superstitions about writing. It’s going to work for me, only I don’t have to commute anywhere. As far as OCD goes… I do obsessively check my email every 5 minutes, and if my Internet connection drops out I’m a crazy person until it comes back up.

I have to shut my email off when I write, other wise I check it constantly.

5. When the zombie apocalypse comes what is going to be your weapon of choice?

Whatever’s the best one to use from a distance.

Good plan, it’s important to stay for away from things that want to eat you.

6. Who are your favorite celebrates to follow on twitter and facebook?

I only follow a few—I’m a big fan of Leverage and Castle, so I follow many of the actors (and writers and directors) on those shows.

Nathan Fillion is very fun to follow.

7. What mad ass survival skill do you have?

Does screaming like a girl count?

It would alert others that danger is coming.

Cynthia thank you so much for Hanging out with me today! I managed to beg nicely enough to get a sneak peek at her next book!

Win a Free ARC copy of Secret of the Wolf!!! Cynthia just emailed me and told me she wants to give away copies of her newest books, so leave a comment below by Friday 6/8 Midnight and I’ll announce the winners Saturday.

WARRIORS OF THE RIFT SERIES: Secret of the Wolf

Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world–or send it spiraling into chaos.

As a werewolf liaison to the Council of Preternaturals, Tori Joseph is used to straddling the world between humans and immortals. She plays by the rules and always delivers justice, no matter the cost. But after a string of increasingly brutal attacks results in humans turning into werewolves, Tori doesn’t reveal her horrifying suspicion: Someone very close to her might be responsible.

Investigating the paranormal violence, no-nonsense detective Dante MacMillan believes Tori is hiding something. His search for the truth draws him into greater danger as he gets closer to the dark realm of the immortals—and to the sexy werewolf who stirs his primal lust. Now with evil closing in around them, Dante must convince Tori to trust him . . . before her deadly secret destroys them both.

Excerpt:

She moaned into his mouth and pressed closer, breasts flattening against his chest. Dante moved his hands from her waist to the small of her back, pulling her lower body firmly against his. Her fingers tightened on his shoulders.

He reluctantly became aware that the music had stopped. Stepping away from Tori, he kept his hands on her waist and stared down into her eyes, feeling like someone had cut him off at the knees. He was stunned by the primal urge to claim this woman right then and there, in the middle of the crowd.
He’d had no idea he could be as primitive as a Neanderthal. Or a preternatural.

With a smile full of feminine promise, Tori took one of his hands and led him off the dance floor. He trailed behind her, willingly following her lead, feeling just a little off his game.

She slid into a booth at the back of the club and Dante took a seat across from her. She flagged down a passing waiter and in a husky voice said, “I’ll have a Screaming Orgasm, please.”

“I’d like one of those, too,” Dante rasped. He cleared his throat. “But give me a beer, whatever you have on tap.”

“You got it.” The waiter walked off, a grin on his face.

“Chicken.” Tori leaned forward and traced a finger across the table. Back and forth, back and forth. It was mesmerizing, the rhythm.

Made him think of another kind of back and forth he’d like to do.

*fans self* Oh my, I’ll need to read this book with the air conditioner on high!

Now that you’ve met Cynthia you know you want to keep up with what she’s doing! You can follow her on Twitter or Facebook and her website and blog.

California Girl turned Texas Woman. Wife to one Superhero. Mom to three pieces of her heart. When she’s not keeping the house-natives happy and fed, Ginger can be found at her CrossFit gym or at her desk, writing about the characters clamoring in her head. Her favorite things are wakeboarding on long, summer lake days out in the boat, anything that causes spontaneous laughter, and living room dinners of sushi and wine.

1- We all have favorite books, ones we nag our friends to read, buy our loved ones as gifts, and the biggy, the books we read over and over again. What books have you read more than twice?

This was an easy one for me because I reread all of the Harry Potter books. The characters in that series feel like my friends so I have to hang out with them from time to time. Oh, and I’ve read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander at least three times. How’s that for opposite ends of the spectrum?

I haven’t read Outlander, yet, but I adored the Harry Potter series.

2- Everyone seems to complain when their favorite book is made into a movie or mini series. What is your favorite movie based on a book?

Had to think about this one because the obvious answer would be the Harry Potter series. But I also loved the old TV mini-series based on The Thorn Birds. Wow—it was so good! Also, my husband and I just saw Hunger Games (midnight showing with our 3 kids) and I have to add that in here because I was extremely impressed and can’t wait to see it again!

Thorn Birds was my mom’s favorite mini-series! She loved anything with Richard Chamberlain.

3- When the zombie apocalypse comes what is going to be your weapon of choice?

My running shoes and I’d run like hell.

Running is a great skill, one I don’t have.

4- If I was bitten by a zombie I have a list of people I want to bite. Who’s at the top of your list?

The first politician I saw. Since they are so intent on biting and scratching at each other, I would have done my job to get rid of them all.

Very good plan, but would we be able to tell if they have been turned??

5- What do you think werewolf musk smells like?

Having just finished Kait Nolan’s RED (which was awesome!), I’d say pretty good … kind of like a visceral aroma of earthy attraction—raw pheromones lingering on sun-warmed skin.

What a great descriptions! And I agree Red is a wonderful book!

6- If you were to write yourself into your book what kind of character would you be?

Oh, that’s easy. I’d be Mai, the main character in my Ninja Chick book, which is my current project. She’s fiercely loyal, sarcastic and funny, and she gets to spend a lot of time with hunky and adorable Oliver. Oh, and she gets to be a Ninja, which I secretly am, but you can’t tell anyone. Sshhh!!

You’re secret is safe with me! I would love to be a ninja
!
7- What is the geekiest thing about you?

I’m still waiting for my acceptance letter from Hogwarts.

Wait, that’s geeky? Are you sure that won’t happen? *Looks for owls out the window*

8- Who is your arch nemesis?

My inner-critic. None of my Ninja-moves seem to thwart her! But, I’m working on some new moves and she better watch out.

I know that enemy!

9- What mad ass survival skill do you have?

You mean besides the Ninja stuff? Ok, seriously, I’m extremely resourceful and I’m ornery enough to survive to prove it can be done.

Never under-estimate stubbornness.

10- We’re all supposed to be eating healthy, but what naughty treat tempts you the most?

Anyone who follows my blog or knows me from Twitter and Facebook know that I’m a healthy eater and a fitness geek. But—this girl can’t pass up some movie popcorn. I can say no to almost anything but I walk into the theatre and I smell that warm, crunchy, yumminess! No added butter to make it soggy, no flavored salts or crap, just hot, just-popped, popcorn. In fact, I make them scoop it out of the freshest spot.

Okay now I’m hungry!

11- How old were you when you stopped believing in the Easter bunny?

I don’t understand the question. Who doesn’t believe in the Easter Bunny?

LOL- true is you don;t believe you don;t get goodies.

12- What do you love most about you’re current book?

Mai’s voice in my head and the energy of her potential.

I love having strong character voices in my head.

13- What style of book do you secretly long to write, but are afraid to try and do?

What a great question. I have this idea about the lost city of Atlantis and the pole-shift and in my head it seems so cool but it’s so BIG that it scares me. I don’t want to rob the story of it’s magic by not doing it justice. Maybe someday. I have to manage these Ninjas first and they are out of control at the moment. 🙂

I LOVE Atlantis stories, I hope you write it some day!

14- As an author tells us three things that will mean success to you in your writing career.

I love this question! Ok—

1. Having my first book available for sale at Amazon and having people actually purchase it, people not related to me, who will love it (of course) and then review it kindly. I will do cartwheels down the street, on video, and post it on my blog when this happens!

2. Being contacted by readers saying they loved my book and can’t wait to read the next one.

3. Being invited to give a keynote address at a major writing conference.

Those are lovely goals for success! I can’t wait to read about Mai and her mad ninja adventures! Thank you so much for hanging out with me today. And for those for you who don’t follow Ginger- you need too! You can find her at her Blog and on Twitter