Who knew all those years ago that my love of books would turn into a fabulous and satisfying career?
After graduating from the Breaking into Print program (now called Break into Print) from Long Ridge Writers Group in 2005, I started blogging. Mostly it was about me, my articles for Writer2Writer, and my works in progress.
In the spring of 2007, Pump Up Your Book! (formerly Pump Up Your Book Promotion) opened its virtual doors and I began hosting authors at my blog. Being a tour host offered my readers interesting and regular content. Learning about all those good books made me realize how much I missed reading daily. Yes, I still read from time to time, but many months could pass between books. I wanted to carve out a career in writing and I didn’t feel I could do both well. One thing I kept hearing over and again, however, is the importance of reading what you wish to write. That made sense, so I decided if I wanted to be successful as a writer, I must make the time to read.
So I did.
The more authors I hosted, the more inspired I felt to keep plugging away at my works in progress. I began reviewing books at my blog, which is how I discovered the publisher who would eventually release Little Shepherd, my first children’s picture book.
A few months after I started hosting authors for Pump Up Your Book! I became a member of their staff. I’ve been coordinating virtual book tours for authors in a variety of genres for over three years now, and I love it more each day. I tend to work with clients who write in the genres I am interested in writing and reading most frequently: Christian fiction and non-fiction, mystery and crime, historical fiction, and books for children and teens.
Has this influenced my writing? Most definitely.
I learn from every author I work with. I discover what I love about my clients’ books, and sometimes, what I don’t like. I’ve seen how important it is when you’re writing a series to keep track of the major characters and the need to develop them as the series progresses. I’m learning how to sprinkle in just the right amount of backstory and details so that the reader gets to know my characters and feels like she is right there alongside them.
Can you name some authors who inspire you? How have they influenced your writing?
Cheryl Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. A founding member of Musing Our Children, Ms. Malandrinos is also Editor in Chief of the group’s quarterly newsletter, Pages & Pens.
She is a Tour Coordinator for Pump Up Your Book!, a book reviewer, and blogger. Little Shepherd is her first children’s book. Ms. Malandrinos lives in
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By: Mary Cunningham,
on 7/8/2010
Blog: Cynthia's Attic Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Latest video for the series, "Cynthia's Attic!"
Follow twelve-year-old best friends, Cynthia and Gus, as they travel through time meeting and having adventures with their ancestors!
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By: Mary Cunningham,
on 4/22/2010
Blog: Cynthia's Attic Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: recycle, earth day, napkins, cynthias's attic, environment, mary cunningham, Add a tag
It starts with a napkin? Okay, let me explain. For years, my husband and I used paper napkins with every meal. Six paper napkins a day doesn't sound like much, but consider this. How does 2,190 paper napkins sound? 25 years worth? 53,750! (Give or take a napkin or two)
That's why we decided to take a small step and switch to cloth napkins. One little gesture and we've eliminated something from the world trash heap. And, if you're wondering, throwing a few small napkins in a weekly load of laundry adds nothing to our utility bills. We've also switched to select-a-size paper towels but use cloth towels for clean-up whenever possible.
We recycle our grass clippings around trees and shrubs instead of filling plastic bags for the town pick up. Much easier on us and it also saves a lot of plastic trash bags! Even better.
We still have a long way to go. It's not easy to give up on conveniences, but, like us, you can start with the small stuff.
What have you done for Earth Day? Earth Year?
Why not pull out the cloth napkins?
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By: Mary Cunningham,
on 1/13/2010
Blog: Cynthia's Attic Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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I thought we needed something funny this morning. These should make you smile.
TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America.
MARIA: Here it is.
TEACHER: Correct. Now class, who discovered America?
CLASS: Maria.
TEACHER: John, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell 'crocodile?'
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L'
TEACHER: No, that's wrong
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spell it.
TEACHER: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
DONALD: H I J K L M N O.
TEACHER: What are you talking about?
DONALD: Yesterday you said it's H to O.
TEACHER: Glen, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I'm a lot closer to the ground than you are.
TEACHER: Millie, give me a sentence starting with 'I.'
MILLIE: I is..
TEACHER: No, Millie..... Always say, 'I am.'
MILLIE: All right... 'I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.'
TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say prayers before eating?
SIMON: No sir, I don't have to, my Mom is a good cook.
TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing that we didn't have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me! (This kid has no self-esteem problems!)
What's your favorite kids joke? Please post!
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By: Mary Cunningham,
on 4/17/2009
Blog: Cynthia's Attic Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: cardinals, bird feeders, cynthias's attic, yellow finches, birds songbirds, Add a tag
If you look very closely, you can see 3 Yellow Finches Feasting!
I have a bird feeder outside my office window. Can't see it from my desk, but when I remember to get up from the computer and stretch, I can see them happily devouring sunflower seeds.
We had to go to a smaller wire feeder after the doves and a persistent squirrel pretty much destroyed the first one and ate us out of bird house and home, but now it's filled with colorful songbirds.
At any one time, we have yellow finches, cardinals, sparrows a painted bunting or two and a woodpecker. All sharing. All getting along. Oh, sure, there is some minor squabbling on occasion, but mostly they just mind their own business.
I feel kinda sorry for the doves, because the new feeder is too small for their wide bodies, but the six or seven who had declared ours the only "five-star feeder" on the block are getting so big, they could be be in serious danger by next Thanksgiving!
Uh-oh. Just spotted Mr. Squirrel, sitting on the rail thinking, "Nuts! Why can't I get to the "good eats" anymore? Sorry fella.
Seeing Woody Woodpecker, Mr and Mrs. Cardinal and The Goldy Finch Family feeding, singing, communicating, waiting their turn, made me think.
Thanks for having me as your guest today, Mary. I have to run out an volunteer at the library, but I'll be back before noon to chat with folks.
Cheryl
Ah another LR student. I finished the program around that time too. Maybe I saw you in the chat room with Mary and Speck. Isn't it funny where we draw our inspirations from.
Cheryl, this is an inspiring interview. I, too, found reading my genre was pivotal in honing the craft. Kudos to you for a from the heart interview!
You're always welcome here, Cheryl! I don't know how you wear so many "hats", but maybe you can share your method for getting so much accomplished!
Thanks for stopping by, Roseanne. Stick around because Cheryl will be back, soon, to chat.
Other writers inspire me too, Cheryl. Reading their books, learning of their struggles, their determination helps me to hang in there when the road gets bumpy.
Nice post.
Hello all,
How nice to come back to some comments. Ro, it's very possible we were in the chat room together from time to time. I knew your name sounded familiar prior to me getting involved in the Muse Group.
Nancy, you're such a sweetheart. Thanks for your kind words. And Bev, I know I can always count on your for support. It means the world to me.
Honestly, Mary, there are days I feel like I would love to pack my little bags and journey to a deserted island for a month; just me, some books, a big pad of paper and some pencils. There's never enough time in the day, and even when there is, I'm not always in the mood to write. But, the bills don't get paid that way and I don't get to submit anything if I don't write, so I plunk my behind down in the chair and get at it.
I created a schedule that takes advantage of my creative moments. I check email first thing in the morning, promote my clients' virtual book tour stops, do some networking or work on upcoming virtual book tours, then I write for a bit. Sometimes that's 5 minutes, sometimes it's longer. As long as I keep writing I am cool with that.
I work on virtual book tours after lunch and then take a break when the girls get home from school. I try not to go back to the PC until after they are in bed.
I make dinner every night and we read before bedtime, so I am spending quality time with the kids too.
It's not a perfect system, but it's one I can live with.
Thanks to all for stopping by.
Cheryl
Great way to incorporate time management to make your reading and writing time more efficient. I find the biggest problem is keeping my focus on something to see it through to the end. Thanks for sharing your tricks of the trade, Cheryl.
Thanks Bill. I struggle with getting to the end too. I pitched an idea to a publisher in October at the Muse Conference and I just got around to submitting everything at the end of February.
After our conversation, I revised the manuscript again, then needed to draft a cover letter and synopsis to go with it. It took time to put it all together in a way I was happy with. Let me tell you, being able to say that was done was a huge relief.
I'm also determined not to start anything major until my WIP is done.
Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Thanks for stopping by.
Cheryl
Great post Cheryl. And I love your "Little Shepherd." Finding inspiration is the key to wonderful stories.
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Cheryl, I can see from your detailed comment that I need to work on discipline!!
You're my hero! :)
Cheryl, you're an inspiration to me.
Margot, thanks for stopping by mate. I'm glad you liked Little Shepherd. I enjoy your work too. Congrats on the new release.
Janet, thank you so much for that. All of my fellow angels inspire me in so many ways.
Mary, discipline helps. I'm the daughter of a marine, so I'm kind of use to that. :)
Thanks for all the comments.
Cheryl
Cheryl,
I enjoyed reading your interview. Thanks for sharing.
Nicole Weaver
htp://marieandherfriendtheseaturtle.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by Nicole. I'm sure it's a busy time with your book coming out soon.
All my best,
Cheryl