I would like to give a warm welcome to Cynthia Christakis (aka Cynthia Seasons), Author of No Such Thing: The Committee as she shares her experiences as an author and some insightful advice to new writers.

• What is your name and where do you call home?

Cynthia Christakis. I now call Northern Baja California (B.C) Mexico home for the past 10 months.

 

• Do you have a pen name?

Yes. I am Cynthia Seasons as I figured it would roll off the eyes and mouth EASIER than figuring out how to pronounce that Greek (formerly married) last name.

 

• What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?

 No Such Thing: The Committee is the title of my non-fiction eBook. The healing of Multiple Personality Disorder true story of my 45 years of psychotic splits and then healing set in a single 365-day occult and spiritual event; only by the Love, that conquers all.

 

• Is the above book part of a series?

Yes, the 2^nd novel Come Away With Me  is next to be indie published expanding the story to tell the finishing next 365-days and what happens to both psychotherapist and patient.

 

• What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

The astounding experiences themselves inspired both therapist and me as this story begged to be told in hopes that even one other person would read and be given hope and understanding that this seemingly incurable disorder can be healed with a normal wonderful life ahead for the victims. I believe I was born with a keyboard in my hands.

 

• How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?

Based on Smashword.com founder Marc Corker’s recommendations of credible book cover designers I contacted Dane Low at http://www.ebooklaunch.com  and he guided me through expressing my vision of what the ‘feel’ of a cover would look like.  Within days, Dane created two choices for the cover, either of which would have been great. For $99, I had a cover that fulfilled my vision.

 

• Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?

Strange that you should ask that question. YES I did. I even received permission from Jazz Diva Diane Reeves to include that one song as a planned supplement attached to the planned paperback editions donating some royalty to her per book we’d eventually work out once publication actually became realized.  The song is attached.  I Remember as a cut off her 2002 CD.  The song tells the entire novel story in 2-3 minutes of song. Link to the album: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bridges/id724937214

 

• How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

The chorus is the name of my book. ”There is no such thing as being too far gone.”

 

• Do you have a book trailer? If so where can we watch it?

Not yet. However I just discovered Google+ free YouTube live Hangout videos and plan to figure out how to create a trailer soon.

 

• Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?

I still prefer the feel and smell of old-fashioned book reading in paperback, but since E-publishing and being a book reviewer, I’ve grown quite partial to e-books.

 

• Are you a self-published/Indie author?

Yes, all the way!

 

• If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?

After attempting to attract any kind of interest in the traditional route for a good 5 years, by then relocating to a suburb of Las Vegas from Austin/San Antonia area, I developed a kinship with a fellow author also attempting to learn how in the heck to become an indie author of his 7 romance heroine novel series Sisters of Destiny by Dwight W. Hunter.  We pooled our knowledge, energy, and mutual encouragement.  Within 2 months we simultaneous became indie published authors. I would have never been able to wade through the ‘simple’ Smashwords.com instructions without his engineering type mindset.

 

• Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

‘Ever’ is a long time, Nina. Especially with me at 65 jam-packed Life of adventures and situations. Let me think… Secret Garden is the first book I recall reading in childhood and just now received it again from Amazon to read again. Since I seem to have a type of photographic style mind, most everything is stored upstairs in imaginary computer files I can pull out when need. So no is the answer.  Seldom do I re-read a book or re-watch a movie.

 

• What is your opinion of novellas?

Unfortunately not much. I say this because generally for me, novellas don’t flesh out characters enough for me to ‘join’ a character to develop a relationship with them. Perhaps I just haven’t read a great novella yet.

 

• Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?

Yes. Color choice and LACK of busy-ness (I call noise) will grab me first and then title second.

 

• What is your favorite film based on a book?

The Pelican Brief was IT for me.  Luckily I saw it first as a movie that I do indeed re watch often. I say lucky because had I read the book first…I would’ve never understood what the heck was going on.  Experience both landed me as a die-hard Grisham fan for life. (at least when Grisham sticks to what he knows best, legal stories)

 

• What is your favorite book genre at the moment?

Either ‘based on a true story’ fiction or non-fiction or actual biographies.

 

• What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?

Currently doesn’t apply in my case since I became an indie book reviewer for BookVetter.com, Readers In The Know.com, Rave Reviews by Nonnie Jules.com,  Rookie Writers Solutions.com Goodreads and a couple of others.  I do get to read indie authors in my preferred genres and sub-sections however many are books I would personally not read once I’ve read them with an impartial review hat on. Some have delightfully surprised me.

 

• What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

For pleasure, I am currently reading Eye For An Eye a psychological/detective thriller by J.S. Vizzard.  Although it comes in all formats…I far prefer PDF mode on Kindle.  Also re-reading and re-proofing Mei-Ling and Kate by Dwight W. Hunter in preparation for new classic book cover roll outs.

 

• If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?

Hmmm this Q? is asked often by interviewers and I still wonder why.  Maybe you will give me the answer or motivation that asks that Q?   ANSWER: Dr. Wayne Dyer, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Abraham Lincoln on his meds, and Jim Carey.   (yes I would have added Mya Angelo, but heck everybody wants her)  Answer 2:  I believe they are all deep, enlightened, brilliant thinkers and excellent communicators that most likely would love my cooking and be fascinating in discussions. I used to own a restaurant back in the day as my German/French/Irish/Mexican heritage combined with my deceased (thank God) ex-hubbies Greek-Polish heritage makes for one heck of a cook!

 

• What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

Be lucky enough to have obtained an excellent rounded education, and then don’t listen to anyone’s advice regarding my own voice and heart when writing.  The entire object of writing is to be your highest authentic transparent voice.  Bring the reader into your writing as if they were the only reader on earth you with whom you’re sharing the story.

 

• Do you have any hobbies that are not related to reading & writing?

Umm, well I am the stereotypical cat woman as I find them the only suitable life companions to share a household.  I’m a triple Pisces, which in itself is near impossible to exist on this earth unless it is surrounded by water and the mist of the mountains, nature and not too many humans.  I was a grand swimmer until I became Titanium based spirit having a human experience. I.E. I’m more nuts, bolts, screws, baskets, implants and replacement parts than blood and bones.  However being blessed with the unlikely situation of living 2 mile from a mountain top, on a cliff-side rental house that is nothing but ¾ windows with a wrap around deck view of the Pacific ocean, whales, dolphins, seagulls, pelicans, ravens, egrets, falcons, hawks, heron, doves, desert or ravine foxes as they call them here, coyotes, free-ranging cattle, horses, goats, etc.  Nature is my hobby and inspirations.  I live on the cliff and view Stevenson’s famous Treasure Island, to boot.

 

• Where can your readers follow you?

http://www.smashswords.com/books/view/292164

http://www.cynthiaseasons.com

http://rookiewriterssolutions.com/cynthia-seasons.html

http://www.LinkedIn.com-Cynthia.Seasons

http://www.Facebook.com-CynthiaSeasonsChristakis

http://www.cynthiaseasons.net  Coming soon whether or not I EVER fix the .com mess of a website!

http://www.BloodAngelSeries.com

 

What an exciting and interesting woman. I hope you enjoyed the interview as much as I have. If you have any questions for Cynthia, please post them here so she can get back with you as soon as possible.