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Cindy Lynn Speer is one of those authors you read, say wow, and then start hunting her backlist while eagerly waiting for her future novels. It always gives me a thrill to come across an eBook author who can make me beg for more, and Ms. Speer did that with “The Chocolatier’s Wife.”
Born in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, Ms. Speer never just did anything—a simple walk in the woods could make her dream up all kinds of stories usually involving some mix of espionage and fairytale. The sandbox proved to be another place she made up stories while she played with toy cars or dolls.
She loves fencing and practices historical fencing with a medieval re-enactment group called the Society of Creative Anachronism. Something about fencing gives her so much happiness, plus the students she drives to the practices and events make her laugh so hard, she sometimes has to pull over.
One of her favorite strangest dreams is being on a ghost ship—a lovely frigate all filthy and forlorn with the sails ripped up. She’s alone on the ship, but she thinks it’s perhaps alive. She can hear it breathing. She has no doubt the ship will show up in one of her stories.
Ms. Speer is passionate about living to the hilt, embracing life—the bad as well as the good—and running with it. She does try to keep everything balanced—work and family come first. She finds the most joy in the simplest, quietest things.
On Writing in Ms. Speer’s Own Words
What or who inspires you to write?
Neil Gaiman once made a comment that we owe it to each other to tell stories. I think this is true, and I’m inspired to write because my stories might make someone’s day better, or because my stories may resonate in someone’s heart. It’s why I get a bit confessional on my blog, too. Maybe some story about my resolve to do something better or some dumb thing I did will make someone say, “Oh, so I’m not alone! Yay!” and comfort them or give them ideas.
Why did you begin writing?
Because I read so much, and I was thinking that it looked like fun to do. The stories were already in my head. It seemed natural to write them down.
What author inspires you?
Barbara Hambly, Neil Gaiman, and Terry Pratchett are the main three. They are all so clever in how they write.
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
Finishing something and feeling that sort of high that you get when you know you did something that feels correct and right. When a story falls into place it’s the best thing in the world.
Have you experienced writer’s block? And if so, how did you cure it?
Yes, I have. And the best advice is to talk to friends and listen to their sensible advice, and then sit down and just write.
When is your next book due out, and what’s it about?
I will have an anthology of short stories out from Drollerie Press soon—retold fairy tales and a little horror.
Be sure and read my review of The Chocolatier’s Wife” and then
visit Cindy Lynn Speer online at www.apenandfire.com to learn
more about this fabulous author.
