Showing posts with label Christian fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian fiction. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Meet Christian Children's Author Cynthia P. Willow

Carpinello's Writing Pages welcomes Christian Author Cynthia P. Willow. Cynthia writes a variety of stories for all young readers.

First, a bit about Cynthia:

Cynthia loves to spin stories in the shade of the willow tree...when she's not home schooling her teenagers or reading to her toddler. She's also a student in her 5th year with Liberty University. She loves Jesus and has many stories to share about faith. She resides in Georgia with her husband and three children.

Did you pick to write books for children, middle graders, or young adults?

I actually write for all ages. I have one rhyming picture book already published and will have another one out this year. 

What types of books do you like to read?

I like to read all types of books, but fantasy is my favorite. I guess I never left middle school because that’s the section I go to in the library.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

I write in my spare time. It’s my hobby of choice. The rest of the time, I’m parenting, teaching, and doing school work.

Tell us about Letsi and the Labyrinth and how the story came to be.

I began this story years ago as a request from my daughter who was about 11 years old then. She came up with the name and said she wanted it to include a labyrinth. So I began the story and added to it little by little until it was finished.

Here's a peek at Letsi and the Labyrinth:

Fourteen-year-old Letsi wants to know why the labyrinth is forbidden. Tragedy forces her to move in with her wealthy aunt where the labyrinth consumes her thoughts and gives her hope for a new adventure.

Her late uncle created the maze, but only one person alive knows the treasure it holds. Letsi's aunt has warned her to stay away from it, but she is much too curious.

Once she discovers her uncle’s blueprints, she begins a quest to unlock the secrets within the labyrinth. But someone else wants the treasure and will stop at nothing to find it.

Can Letsi solve the puzzle and discover what her uncle meant to stay hidden, or has she put herself in more danger than she can handle?

Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

Letsi and the Labyrinth
is my ninth completed book. I have a middle grade Christian fantasy series called The Kingsley Adventures and an elementary to middle grade fantasy series called The Karini and Lamek Chronicles. Book 1 of that series is permanently free on all platforms. My series The Hell Tales is clean, but probably more enjoyed by YA and adult audiences. It’s Christian fiction / romance.  I also co-wrote a Christian paranormal book called Cat Tales and Whiskers with my dyslexic daughter. It’s been called a Christian version of the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine. All of my books are featured with full blurbs, trailers, and photos on my website.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?

Yes! I’m currently writing an inspirational Christian story called Saving Private Benjamin. This one will require tissues.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Just get the first book written. Then write more books. Make sure you have a proficient editor and proofreader. Write what you would read. Make it fun. Don’t overthink it!

Anything else you want readers to know?

Some of my books are also available on audio, so be sure to check those options out while on my Amazon page. 

Where can readers find you and your books?

The best place to find my books is my website.
You can also find them all on my Amazon author page.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Meet Middle Grade Christian Author Alice M. Roelke



Today I welcome MG/YA Christian Author Alice M. Roelke. I first met Alice about three years ago. We both took an online writing class, and once the class was finished, we decided to put together our own writing critique group. Alice was the first one to read Young Knights back at the begining. She writes in a variety of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, romance, children’s, and young adult. She is addicted to reading, cats, and farmer’s markets.

Alice, why did you pick to write books for young adults?

Actually, I just write the stories I want to read!  Sometimes they’re also a good fit for children or young adults, sometimes not.  I wrote most of the original draft of this story when I was a teenager, so I was literally just writing it for myself and my age group.  Writing it helped me figure out some things I was dealing with regarding life and my beliefs.  It was also a lot of fun to write my very own dragon story!

What types of books do you like to read?

Lots of different sorts.  My current favorite authors are Alexander McCall Smith, Ray Bradbury, Richard Adams, and Georgette Heyer.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?

Read.  Watch TV.  Play with my cats.  Shop at farmer’s markets.  Surf the internet.  I want to take up quilting again, but I’ve been too busy and intimidated by it lately.

Tell us about The Girl and the Dragon and how the story came to be.

My story is about a slave girl and the dragon who is her best friend. They are on the run for their lives seeking the cure for a plague and redemption.

How it came to be:
When I was a teenager, I wanted to read about dragons and a heroine my age with whom I could identify.  At the time, nobody seemed to be writing quite what I wanted to read, or else I just couldn’t find it.  So I wrote my own. 

I also wanted to write about some of the things I was figuring out and trying to make sense of in life.  It took me several years to finish the story, including a long bout with depression when I couldn’t write any of at all.  Finishing this story became one of my life goals during those dark days, and I’m so glad I was eventually able to.  :)

Being published by MuseItUp Publishing is very special to me, as well.  My publisher, editors, and cover artist helped me improve this story and make it stronger without changing my vision.  Respect and integrity are watchwords they seem to live by.  :)




Have you written other books? If so, tell us a bit about them.

I’ve been writing ‘books’ since I was eight.  So yes, I’ve written a lot.  You can read more about the stories I’ve had published at My Live Journal: Roelke.

What’s next for your writing? Are you working on a new story?
I’m always working on a new story, sometimes several at once.  (They don’t always end up finished or published, though.)  Right now I’m working with Annie Duguid (an amazing and very patient MuseItUp content editor) on my YA romantic fantasy / coming of age novel Watch Over Me.

What advice do you have for other authors?

Don’t give up. 

Write from your heart. 

If you get jealous of other writers, don’t let it make you bitter.  Just tell yourself, “If they can do it, so can I.”  It’s really true!

Where can readers find you and your books?

Better ebook distributors everywhere!  Sorry.  I had to say it…. 

My blog at my Live Journal http://roelke.livejournal.com and my older blog The Writing Life For Me.

Anything else you want readers to know?
This story has some religious and Christian elements, for readers who care one way or the other about that.  I think lots of different people might enjoy this story, but the primary audience is going to be young women.  If a fifteen-year-old girl like I was finds my story, and it touches her, I’ll be over the moon.  :)