Enjoy a short interview with author Cindy Nord!
1. Have you always had a passion for writing?
My passion for writing began many years ago. As a young divorcee completely disillusioned by romance, I sought enjoyment in reading. Then, finally, on a lonely New Year’s Eve, I tucked my two young son’s into bed, poured myself a glass of wine, then pulled out my old Tower typewriter. With a strong belief in a ‘happily-ever-after’ I began to craft a love story which would contain all the elements I felt a true hero should possess. THAT was the night I gave birth to a Civil War love story, NO GREATER GLORY, which ultimately became a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist, which landed me my fabulous agent. Lo and behold, my journey toward publication began.
2. Does what you read influence what you write and what are some of your favorite authors/books?
I love historical romance. The elements I look for in a novel that I read for pleasure are a captivating love story, characters who I can fall in love with, and detailing that sweeps me right straight back into the time period. I have many romance novels on my keeper shelf, but as I glance at them several stand out to me, and are as timely & moving as they were when I first them: THE OUTSIDER by Penelope Williamson. GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell. LOVE & WAR by Patricia Hagan. Good heavens, the list goes on and on.
3. What are your biggest inspirations?
People. So many people inspire me to do better, strive harder, and reach farther. Their successes are what inspires me to continue in my quest every day.
4. Do you have a technique in how you choose characters and/or locational settings?
Some of my characters have been born in my mind before I even start writing a book. And others only after I’m in the process of creating. They literally ‘talk to me’…lol. For example, Dillon [the hero of my third novel & sidekick of Jackson Neale] just would not take a back seat in my second novel [With Open Arms…the love story of Callie Cutteridge and Jackson Neale] until I promised him he could have his own dang book!! And I always place my characters in settings that I love myself. ♥
5. Do you listen to music while you are creating your masterpieces?
Absolutely…especially when I crafting a love scene or writing involved conflict. And my music choices vary so greatly from Enya to Garth Brooks to The Eagles to Beethoven. See? I’m a writer, so my mood changes with the wind.
6. What do you do to stay motivated and avoid writer’s block?
I always run things past my husband and we’ll sit down & discuss upcoming scenes and potential plot twists. Oh, and bottles of wine….lots and lots of organic Pinot Noir…lol. ♥
7. How has becoming a published author changed your perspective on life and is it everything you expected it to be?
I didn’t realize how extremely busy my life would become upon being published. I find myself with less time to actually write, so I must be even more focused than ever before and follow guidelines that I have set for myself. I love the opportunities and ‘opened doors’ that being a historical romance writer has presented to me. From interacting with so many amazingly wonderful authors that I have admired for years, to meeting incredibly supportive bloggers, readers, and leaders in the publishing industry, I cannot ask for a better ‘career’ than this one.
8. What are your biggest challenges as an author?
Balancing my time and attention between writing, social media, my family and my friends…and, of course, finding just that perfect word to use in a sentence…after all, it’s all about the emotions.
9. Do you have any pets?
Two spoiled-rotten Shetland Sheepdogs….Shelties, of course. Our oldest boy’s AKC name is Charleston’s Own Captain Rhett Butler Nord, but we just call him Buddy. And our little girl is Atlanta’s Own Katy Scarlett O’Hara Nord, otherwise affectionately called Katy.
What hobbies do you have outside of reading and writing?
Gardening. RV camping and traveling. Hiking. Bicycling. And going on luxurious cruises with the hubster. ♥
11. Where is the most exciting/memorable place you have been in the world?
Too numerous to pick just one…from the Mayan Ruins deep in Mexico’s core to the beauty and splendor of the Grand Canyon to the hauntingly poignant monuments of the bloodstained Civil War battlefields across this nation, each and every place has burned a spot inside our heart. ♥
12. Tell us about your latest work in progress or most recent published work…
I am currently writing AN UNLIKELY HERO, Book Three of my Four-book THE CUTTERIDGE SERIES for Samhain Publishing. Book One, NO GREATER GLORY, was the #1 Civil War Romance at Amazon for nearly a year. And Book Two, WITH OPEN ARMS, just debuted on August 5t and zoomed straight up to become a #1 Bestselling Historical Western at Samhain. I have the best readers on the whole dang planet! ♥
And now here’s MY QUESTION for my visitors:
WHAT BOOKS ARE ON YOUR KEEPER SHELVES…AND WHY ARE THEY THERE?
As a thanks to readers, Cindy would also like to give away FREE to one lucky commenter a digital copy [Kindle/Nook/eReader, etc.] of BOTH of her bestselling historical romances.
About Cindy
Say hello to Bestselling Historical Romance writer, CINDY NORD…the USA Today Lifeblog ‘Recommended Read’ author of NO GREATER GLORY, a #1 Civil War Romance at Amazon for nearly a year, and book one in her four-book ‘The Cutteridge Series’. WITH OPEN ARMS, book two, debuts in August, 2014. Also, Cindy is pleased to be a contributing author in the delightful SCRIBBLING WOMEN & THE REAL-LIFE ROMANCE HEROES WHO LOVE THEM. She is a member of numerous writers groups, and her work has finaled or won countless times in competitions — including the prestigious Romance Writers of America National Golden Heart Contest. A luscious blend of history and romance, her stories meld both genres around fast-paced action and emotionally driven characters.
Please join Cindy at her Facebook page for her Monday-thru-Friday morning “Coffee Klatch” — as well as on Twitter at @cnord2. Indeed, true love awaits you in the writings of Cindy Nord.
Cindy’s SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
My webpage: www.cindynord.com
Amazon link (With Open Arms): https://amzn.com/B00KT23WO0
Amazon link (No Greater Glory): https://amzn.com/B008GWOI9S
Barnes & Noble NOOK link (With Open Arms):
Barnes & Noble NOOK link (No Greater Glory): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-greater-glory-cindy-nord/1112120177?ean=9781619212435
Cindy’s Facebook ‘Coffee Klatch’: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.nord.9
Cindy’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnord2
Goodreads (With Open Arms): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22441708-with-open-arms
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I have all kinds because I like a variety bibbiesparks@yahoo.com
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Hi Cindy 🙂
I have quite a few books on my keeper shelves (yes, plural ) including a print copy of No Greater Glory. What an great read Cindy, I love how Reece and Emmaline have to compromise about Shapinsay. Is Shapinsay based on a real plantation?
What makes a book a keeper to me is how well written the book is & how the characters grab me.
Mindy 🙂
Going to RT Dallas next year!
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Toni! I love variety in reading too. My mood sets the tone for what I reach for…I’m delighted you popped in to share. Your name has been dropped right inside my lil’ basket.
And Mindy!! I’m thrilled you enjoyed NO GREATER GLORY and Reece ‘n Emaline’s hard-won journey to happily ever after! ‘Tis truly the book o’ my heart. ♥ Thxs for sharing you thoughts with me. I’ve just dropped your name into the basket, too.
Warmest regards,
♥
~ Cindy
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Would love the chance to win and read one of your books.
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Jane Austen, Julia Quinn, L. M. Montgomery, P. G. Wodehouse, Jasper Fforde, Jennifer Crusie, Penny Reid, etc. They all have highly memorable characters and a true flair for language.
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My keeper shelves take up a goodly portion of our house! I keep books in all genres, and have too many authors to mention. A few in the historical romance genre: Heyer, Balogh, Putney, Beverly.
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I have to say I like all kinds of different books, my favorite being historical western romance and Christian historical romance. I also have quite a few on my keeper shelf my absolute favorite being Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist. Love that book!
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Sounds like we have a lot in common. I have four Shelties and have raised them in the past. My favorite book is Gone With the Wind. Sounds like I need to start reading your books!
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Cindy,
I so enjoyed hearing about your background and, as always, I just love your energy. I wish I had have as much as you!!!!!
All the best,
Kate
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Y’all ROCK!! I love meeting & chatting with all my pals, both old AND new! I’ve added everyone’s name into my basket. Thanks SO MUCH for stoppin’ by to get to ‘know’ me.
Biggest hugs to all of you.
♥
~ Cindy 😛
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I can’t wait to get a kindle so I can read these books . l love these types of books
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LaDonna!! So glad you could stop in for a visit! And I’m SO BLESSED that my two historical romances have peaked your curiosity enough to get a Kindle. Along with the others, I’ve now dropped your name into my lil’ Victorian wicker basket.
HUGS,
♥
~ Cindy 😉
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Cindy,
Fabulous interview! I love your puppies names – how fun! 🙂 I’m a fan of your stories and look forward to reading more in the future! I wish you every success!!!
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Ahhhh, Lady Di!! I’m delighted you swept in for a quick visit! Thxs so much for taking time out of your writing day to do so. You WELL KNOW I am your #1 groupie! Your books & you ROCK!!
🙂
~ Cindy
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On my keeper shelves are books of many genres and authors. My favorite books are romances especially western or historical romances. My absolute favorite book is Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer. She has such a way of bringing the reader into the setting and the story itself.
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I have five 6 foot tall book cases worth of keeper shelves. I have the entire Nancy Drew collection that belonged to my mother when she was a girl, Jane Austen’s complete works, Diana Palmer, Harriet Beecher Stow, and even some autographed books from some of the Pioneer Hearts authors. Most are classics, contemporary romance, historical romance, or christian romance, but I also have one case that’s full of my kids’ childrens books. Anything that has ever touched me in any way throughout my life is there.
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Amazing interview. Can’t wait to read the books
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i have very few books on my keeper shelf – gone with the wind – my grandma & grandpa gave me for my sixteenth christmas, a james bond comic book (actual paperback) of for your eyes only – the growing season by jan cox speas that speaks to me the holy bible which was my grandmothers and I have been lucky to receive several signed novels that I treasure 😯 note: added the emoticon for fun
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I see ya’ll have tucked on your keeper shelves the same books that I did. And oh yes, Charlotte…anything by the incomparable Lavyrle Spencer, including Hummingbird! And GWTW, hey, I’m a lover of all things Victorian, so ‘natch this’n is a keeper! And all the Nancy Drews’, wow Samara…how fabulous to have the entire collection. Truly a treasure! And Vicki! ANYTHING from a grandma or grandpa because instant classics…and yeppers, even comic books, not only valuable in dollars ‘n cents, but also valuable to the heart stings. Great discussions, y’all. Thxs so much for sharing…And yep, I’ve dropped y’alls names into the wicker basket too! ♥
Biggest hugs,
🙂
~ Cindy
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On my keeper shelf will always be ,Lynn Kurland :This is All I Ask Rebecca Brandewyne : Outlaw Hearts , Diana Gobaldon, Heather Graham , and Hannah Howell ,Lynsay Sands,Elizabeth Lowell , Stephanie Laurens ,and my original,1st edition of The Wolf and The Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss…and Since I’ve found Cindy,all of hers too!! 😉
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Hey Cindy. these books went on the wish list after meeting you at the book party! Have always loved with Civil war then expansion west. Books that are keepers on my shelf are those that draw the reader into another time and place to observe 2 peoples journey that you don’t want to end.
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Hey Cindy,
I saw you were guest-blogging and thought I’d stop by. You are one busy gal, that is for sure.
Best of luck,
Connie
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Angie, Dawn, & Connie…I thrilled y’all swinged by to comment! Thank you. And Angie, anytime I’m in the same list as Heather, Elizabeth & the great Kathleen, good heaven’s…my day has truly been made. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for ‘putting my lil’ love stories on your keeper shelf alongside theirs…♥ ~~ And Dawn…you’re like me, we love that same time period, for sure!! You’re a gal after my own heart, my darlin’… 😉 ~~ And Connie, yeppers, one some days I’m meetin’ myself coming AND going. HA! 😯
You’re names have been dropped in my tisket-tasket-basket!!
Warmest hugs,
~Cindy
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Well….good grief. Please forgive me all the misspellings & grammar errors…I’m typing, but NOT looking up! ACK!!! I promise, I truly do know HOW to write.
HUGS to you all.
😳
~ Cindy
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What is on my “keeper” shelf means more to than to some since I recently sold/gave away my library. So if it is still here, definitely keepers! Included is the first romance I ever read – Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt. The complete works of Jane Austen – why? Well, because well, it’s Jane Austen! 😉 A couple of Zane Grey novels – I devoured his books when I was in high school! My guilty pleasures – The Anita Blake series and the Twilight Saga. I have reread all of them many times. Although I have entered the electronic era enthusiastically and I have most, if not all, of these titles electronically, there is just something about maintaining this tangible bit of my history. Thank you for asking. aka Becky
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Cindy,
I am so happy for you and for all the success you have with your writings. You have made many a reader happy. You are also an inspiration to others who want to travel the writers path.
Continued success. Doris
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Pansy!! Thxs for droppin’ in…and I hear you about keeping our thumb on the pulse of the paperback world. LOL. Ahhhh, the Mistress of Mellyn! How well I remember THAT one. My first true romance was Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers. But my very first historical romantic tale was Each Bright River by Mildred Masterson McNeilly…forevermore on MY keeper shelf.
And Doris…thx YOU for your kind words & for payin’ me a visit today. This ‘writing world’ has all been such a glorious adventure!
I’ve dropped BOTH your names into my basket, too!
Always my best,
😛
~ Cindy
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This is a great interview, Cindy! I had no idea of your own “back story,” and it gave me great pleasure to read all about your life and your writing process. I can’t wait to get started on the Cutteridge series. I’m a bit behind, as I haven’t read Book Two as yet. But, I’ll get to it.
I especially enjoyed reading about your characters and how they “talk” to you. I’m so happy that I am not the only one on the planet who hears their characters speaking….even if they don’t know who they are yet!!!
You are in inspiration!
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That should be “an” inspiration….so sorry! Edit, edit, edit!!
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JOY!! Thxs so much for sweeping by to leave a comment! I’m so glad you find inspiration in my writing. YOU inspire me too…so that’s a mutual joy. I dropped your name into my lil’ basket over here. I won’t draw out a name until later this evening.
Warmest regards,
♥
~ Cindy
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Oh gosh! It’s hard to answer that question, my US Owl counterpart. I have tons of books into three IKEA bookshelves (filled to capacity), three “normal bookshelves” (also filled to capacity) and a series of 34 cubes my brother gave me ages ago (almost filled to capacity)… I have books of different genres with a lot of historical fiction. And I think I may have about as many books in French as I have in English. Some of my favorite authors are Alexandre Dumas, Paul Féval, Raymond Khoury, Diana Gabaldon, Conn Iggulden, Marion Zimmer Bradley (her Avalon cycle stories), Mary Stewart, James Clavell, Christian Jacq… Too many to name. Need I say I love reading? Oh, and don’t put my name for the draw since I already have your two books (Won them the other day, remember? 🙂 🙂 🙂 )
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Owl…you’ve have got a vast array of favorites to read, for sure!! I’m so glad you enjoy reading…I DO TOO!! And thxs for droppin’ by this evening to lend your support. Means so much to me.
Warmest regards,
♥
~ Owl…the ‘other’ one. 😉
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Hi cindy. I have lots of keeper group. The KnighttTemplars to William the conquer to regency to modern day
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I’ve never read an e-book yet. My droid is set up to accept them.
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Demetra! What a wide range of reading interests! Thxs for sharing & for poppin’ in to offer support! ♥ ♥
And Betty!! Thrilled for stopped by…and you’re not alone in not converting to the digital age yet. Print books have a place as well.
I’ve dropped BOTH your sweet names into my wicker basket.
All my best,
😀
~ Cindy
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Ooookay…I will be drawing out a winning name from my basket TOMORROW afternoon, 9-4-2014…Doing so will allow a few more guests who might visit later tonight & in the early morning. 😀
Again, I want to thank you all for poppin’ in and commenting. Now stay tuned…it could be YOU who wins a copy of BOTH my books. ♥
All My Best,
~ Cindy
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The books on my keeper shelves all have memorable characters & fabulous story lines. Characters that I love to re-visit from time to time. The books/genres themselves are diverse in nature.
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Mary! Thxs so much for joining us with what is on your keeper shelf! Memorable characters are oh-so-important. They’re what keeps tugging at our heartstrings long after the book is finished.
I’ve dropped your name in the basket…and will be drawing out a winner at 5:00 p.m. (CST).
Warmest regards,
😛
~ Cindy
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The WINNER of BOTH copies of my ebooks is:
➡ BELINDA WILSON.
I have pulled your name outta my basket. If you will please contact me via a message to my FB page, I will make arrangements for you to receive an Amazon gift card for NO GREATER GLORY & WITH OPEN ARMS.
And thank you all for visiting with me…and a huge hug to Delilah for hosting me.
Warmest regards to all,
😆
~ Cindy
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Congrats Belinda 🙂
Mindy 🙂