Wednesday, February 29, 2012

5 Easy Questions with Cynthia Herron!

Every Wednesday, I ask a writer the same five easy questions. In an effort to support and promote fellow wordsmiths, I feature authors who write a variety of genres, from sweet inspirational to mainstream thrillers. The writers themselves may be aspiring, published, or best-selling--all have made an impact on my life.

Thank you for joining me in welcoming…Cynthia Herron!!

Cynthia and I met through blogging, and we were both blessed to be offered representation through Books & Such Literary Agency within months of each other. Cynthia is just—how do I describe it?—someone I can’t wait to run to and give a huge hug when we finally meet! She writes heartfelt, homespun fiction and she’s a heartfelt, wonderful person.

Let’s get to it!

1. Beverage of choice?

I'm definitely a coffee drinker. Strong blends, no cream or sweeteners for me, and for optimum health, I limit my intake of coffee/caffeine to no more than three cups per day. I'm also a big water fan, and I carry my mondo-size mug with me wherever I go. Because I drink so much, I usually slosh when I walk! (We have delicious well water so I'm a bit spoiled.) I rarely do sodas, but if I do, it's usually Dr. Pepper and not diet.

2. Any pets?

Sadly, as a result of a tornado, our beloved black Lab passed away several few years ago. We've not really had a pet since then unless you count Mr. Limpet and Maurice, our daughter's two Bettas. They each lasted about 6 months before entering the Grand River Of Life. Now, darling daughter would like to try her hand at raising a chameleon. Hmmm...

3. Dream vacation?

The beach. White sandy shores and no noise other than the sound of the incoming tide and the seagulls overhead.

4. What are you listening to right now?

The Carpenter's. I admit it. Their greatest hits. Up next: Harry Connick, Jr.

5. What's for dinner?

Comfort food all the way. Meat loaf, mashed taters and gravy, green beans, spinach salad, and drop biscuits. Oh, and cherry crisp. With vanilla ice cream. ;)
***

Cynthia, I love Dr. Pepper, but I always drink the diet version of it! I’m so sorry about the loss of your sweet dog. Fish just aren’t the same. Chameleons either. Keep that foot down on the subject of the reptile!

Doesn’t the beach sound like perfection right now? It’s my favorite place in the world. Sand, sun, water, relaxation, a great book, and a tube of Pringles—it’s vacation! It’s okay to add The Carpenters to the mix, too. And comfort food. There’s nothing better than a plate of mashed potatoes! Thanks so much for being my guest today, Cynthia!
***

Cynthia writes heartfelt, homespun, contemporary Christian romance novels and is represented by Mary Keeley of the Books and Such Literary Agency. Cynthia is a collector of gingerbread men, miniature teapots, and all things apple. She and her family live in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks, otherwise known as "God's Country." For more information about Cynthia, stop by her website and follow her on Twitter.

***

Doing anything special this Leap Year day? I mean, let's face it, we finally got that extra 24 hours!

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

22 comments:

  1. Um, can I come over for dinner? Please, pretty please!?

    Great interview/answers.

    For Leap Year, I have nursery duty tonight at church. Real wild and crazy...it might be!

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  2. I think we should get the day off work on Leap Year. It should be "catch up on life" day. :)

    "Before entering theGrand River Of Life" - This line made me laugh.

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  3. Cynthia, I LOVE The Carpenters too, and my mother wasn't even born when they were alive and recording.

    Karen had such a jaw-dropping voice, and it's a shame she had to die like she did, and I relate more to a lot of their songs than what's popular with "My Generation."

    That said, Esperanza Spalding will hold a special place of reverence in my heart for being one of the few, and I do mean few,contemporary living musicians in my lifetime (In in my age bracket!) that I actually love. I discovered her long before she won her first Grammy last year, and deservedly so.

    The next time she comes to Michigan or Chicago, I will find a way to see her live. I have all her albums and her new one "Radio Music Society hits in March, and I can't wait!

    If you haven't heard "Where do I go from here?" yet, go find it on iTunes, or where you get music that has artists pre-2000.

    That song may as well be the trademark anthem for my life right now. There are rarely songs now that are that moving and they can do love songs without being "Sexy to a fault" if you know what I mean...

    That said, people need to give these golden oldies a chance. Dated terminology aside in some cases, these songs are stellar.

    And hey, I like the words "Groovy and Radical" and I don't have to be a "Ol' Fuddy Duddy" to feel that way. LOL!

    Taurean

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  4. Meeting w/ some moms from the moms group this morning.

    Cynthia, our dog is 12. I'm preparing. Sometimes she has a hard time getting up (then again sometimes so do I).

    Love reading these, Jill!
    ~ Wendy

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  5. Good morning and happy leap year!

    Jessica: I know. I'm inviting myself to Cynthia's for dinner too. Yum!!

    Julie: Yes. We should have the day off. Let's make that happen! DC, here we come!

    Taurean: Ooo, I love soulful singers. I'm a huge fan of Corinne Bailey Rae, Erica Badu, Duffy, Norah Jones, and any other artist with that type of vibe. I forgot about Esperanza. Thanks for the tip--I'll check her out this afternoon!

    Wendy: Moms' group--yay! I'm making apple pie for Lenten supper tonight, and that's the excitement of the day. I'm wild. :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  6. Jill, it's so wonderful to be invited as your guest this morning! I have to admit...I've not had much sleep. We live smack dab in tornado alley, and the storms kept us awake last night.

    Thank you, everyone, for such thoughtful comments!

    Jess, Julie, and Wendy: have followed each of you for so long! It's wonderful to get to know you better. :)

    Taurean: Yay, Carpenters! I'm a sentimentalist, and their music still resonates with me.

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  7. Hi Jill and Cynthia! Fun interview!

    I heard Missouri had some pretty bad weather overnight. I hope you guys are okay.

    I'm with you guys on the plate of mashed potatoes as a comfort food! Love it.

    I got a big hug for you too when we finally meet, Cynthia!

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  8. Cynthia, My stomach just growled at the mention of your fabulous dinner. Mashed potatoes always go perfectly with meat loaf. Then again, mashed potatoes go great with anything! Thanks for sharing with us a little about yourself. Hope you get some sleep today!

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  9. I'm working and grading papers today. Woot. So exciting.

    We have a 7-month-old golden. She's so sweet, but she's a nut.

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  10. Loree: I can't wait to hug your neck, too! I'll probably go all gushy!

    Jenna: Mashed potatoes. They're a staple at our house. My one downfall. :)

    Lindsay: Ahhh, I bet your retriever is sweet! Best wishes on your paper grading!

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  11. I'd like to stay for dinner too. Jessica and I can both crash the party. :)

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  12. Katie: Come on over! The more, the merrier! (But you may have to join us in our safe room if the weather gets nasty again! Don't worry...we'll carry our supper in with us!) :)

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  13. This is great. Two of my favorite women in one place. Love it!

    I was so excited to meet Cynthia in person at the ACFW conference last fall. She's as lovely in person as she is online--if not more so.

    The Carpenters are great. I have their greatest hits CD and listen to it when I'm in the mood for a 70s flashback. I do love the music of my generation. (Yes, I'm that old!)

    And meatloaf? Yum. I'm not much of a cook, but I persevered until I produced a meatloaf my hubby and I both think is delish. It's a great main dish for a chilly winter day.

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  14. Cynthia: Sorry you've been having the nasty weather too. The rain was relentless last night!

    Loree: I'm so hungry for mashed potatoes now. It's terrible!

    Jenna: Same here. I could eat mashed potatoes with anything!

    Lindsay: Oo, the thrills of grading papers! How's your puppy? Mine is now 2 years old and much calmer, thank goodness!

    Katie: Let's all crash Cynthia's! Party time!

    Keli: I have "We've Only Just Begun" in my head now. :) Good for you getting hubby all happy with yummy meatloaf. It's not easy!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  15. I love Cynthia!!! So happy to see her featured here, Jill.

    I've been known to slosh when I walk too, but that doesn't happen as often anymore. Who has time to drink water when they're chasing two little tikes? ;)

    And can I invite myself over for dinner too? Your meal sounds way better than what I have planned!

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  16. Keli: I love those flashbacks! :)

    Sarah: You'd be welcomed any time! :)

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  17. Such a fun interview. Hmm, I really should probably try to follow suit on the no more than three cups of coffee/soda a day! :)

    On my Leap Day it's work as usual with one fun perk: Four years ago today, I started a fire at work. Today, we're celebrating the anniversary. Yes, my coworkers even performed "It only takes a spark..." for me. :)

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  18. Melissa: I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time, but your coworkers' song selection made me grin!

    Jill: Thanks ever so much for having me as your guest today! It was so much fun!

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  19. I always enjoy these Wednesday interviews. Thank you, ladies!
    And Cynthia's poor lab. That must have been heartbreaking...

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  20. Sarah: I know! They need adult sippy cups...oh, wait! My to-go coffee mug counts! Ha!

    Melissa: Do they invite you into "the Ring of Fire" too? Ha!

    Kelly: I know. It's terrible to lose our pets. :(

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  21. I loved Karen Carpenter's voice and was sad when she died.

    Thanks for the interview. I'm looking forward to learning more about Cynthia and her writing.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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