Friday, March 27, 2009

Interview with Cynthia Eden


I’d like to welcome our guest today, Cynthia Eden. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.


I understand you have a new release out called IMMORTAL DANGER. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Sure, I’d be happy to chat about my book, but, first—thanks for having me back at Much Cheaper Than Therapy! It’s a pleasure to be here again.
IMMORTAL DANGER is a paranormal romance featuring an ex-cop turned vampire heroine. Now that she’s immortal, Maya Black spends her nights tracking down all the supernatural bad guys that go bump in the night. And then she meets Adam Brody, a man with a lot of dangerous secrets. He needs her help, she wants him—and his blood. So they make a bargain and team up to hunt down a rogue gang of vampires.

IMMORTAL DANGER is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

My editor picked the name! Megan is absolutely wonderful at choosing titles and she picked this one for me.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I love the paranormal sub-genre, always have. When I was younger, I got hooked on vampires and werewolves. To me, the supernatural has a strong appeal—the big, “what if” element—and that element works perfectly to help me generate story ideas.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I had actually just finished writing a novella that featured a vampire heroine and I started thinking more and more about creating another female vampire—one that had all the nice, polite barriers ripped away. Maya Black isn’t an easy heroine. She’s been through hell and has the scars (inside and out) to prove it. I wanted to create a strong heroine, a woman who could face her worst nightmares, and Maya was born. The rest of the story all flowed from Maya’s character.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

I love the “Element Encyclopedias”—there are so many of them! Like, THE ELEMENT ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE PSYCHIC WORLD, THE ELEMENT ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MAGICAL CREATURES, and THE ELEMENT ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GHOSTS & HAUNTINGS. These books are all great! So much info—creatures that I’d never heard of before reading about them in these books. Very detailed and clearly organized info. Love these books!

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

In this book, Maya was my favorite character. She was strong, physically and mentally, but she was also a wounded character. Some of her actions surprised me in this story, and any time a character surprises me, well, that’s always fun.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

I don’t create character sheets or do interviews. I write the story and the character develops as the story progresses. Now, as I start to write, I make my character notations (physical characteristics, important life events), but these all emerge through the story. I rarely start a tale already knowing everything about a character. Usually, the story influences the character and leads me down paths that I didn’t anticipate during the first few pages.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

I use a NotePad file. ☺ I write down all the “rules” of my world—specifically, about all the
powers my creatures possess, their origins, etc., and I make certain I consistently follow those rules. I’ve written several stories in the same “world” now, and my file is pretty big because I try to write down all the major character/creature points to keep my consistency going.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

There are SO many authors who have inspired me—Christine Feehan, Linda Howard, Larissa Ione, Angela Knight, Shannon McKenna, Julie Garwood…these ladies (and at least a good two dozen more that are springing to mind) are such amazing story tellers. Every time I read their work, I’m inspired.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

Well, right now, I am running a viral marketing contest/campaign on my blog (www.cynthiaeden.com/blog). I’ve received a lot of entries for the contest and the readers seem very excited about it. The readers post my graphic on their blog or MySpace page so they help me to spread the word about my book.

What do we have to look forward next?

My next release will be MIDNIGHT’S MASTER (July 09 from Kensington
Brava). This is the last book in my Midnight trilogy, and it is the demon Niol’s story (he appeared in both HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT and MIDNIGHT SINS).

Thanks, Cynthia!

To celebrate her book release, Cynthia is offering a free autographed copy of IMMORTAL DANGER to one lucky commenter on today's blog. She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...And don't forget to check back Monday night to see who won.

Bio.

Cynthia Eden is an awarding winning romance author. She currently writes paranormal romances for Kensington Brava, and she has also recently been offered a contract to write a romantic suspense series for Grand Central Publishing.

Check out author’s website at www.cynthiaeden.com.

Buy: http://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Danger-Cynthia-Eden/dp/0758226063/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236061026&sr=8-3
Thank you very much for the interview!

27 comments:

Cynthia Eden said...

Good morning, Kim! Thanks for the interview! :-)

Anonymous said...

Good morning right back at you. Thanks again for stopping by. Your book sounds so yummy. I love the Elements series too and my son and I have toyed with the idea of writing childrens fiction based around mythical creatures and witches. They have a spell book too. So, how do you juggle real life with your writing life?

CrystalGB said...

Hi Cynthia. Great interview. Immortal Danger and Midnight's Master sound wonderful.

The Brunette Librarian said...

YEA Cynthia! Wanted to let you know, I loved your story in the anthology with Shelley Laurenston...I also really REALLY liked "Hotter After Midnight"

You rock!

rachie2004 AT yahoo DOT com

Lisa said...

Hi Cynthia,
Great Interview I really think Immortal Danger sounds wonderful. I was wondering if you plan any other books to take place in the world you created in Immortal Danger?

Unknown said...

Great interview ladies. Thanks for the nudge, Kim. I love hearing about other pantsers lol Happy Friday!

Pamk said...

love the interview and this book cannot come out soon enough for me. I wish it was today.

Chris said...

You're definitely on my TBR list now!!!

Cynthia Eden said...

Kim, I think you and your son should definitely write a children fiction's book like that! I'd buy it instantly. :-)
As for juggling real life and writing--it's a challenge. I set my daily writing goals, and, since my son is 3, I tend to become creative on filling those goals (and by creative, I mean I go without sleep).

Hi, Crystal! Thank you!

Hey, Rachie! I am so glad to hear you enjoyed my novella and Hotter After Midnight--thank you!

Glad you liked the interview, Lisa! There are certain characters in Immortal Danger that I would very much like to write more about. So I will say more of the Immortal world is a definite possiblity! I have to finish my paranormal bounty hunter series first, but I would very much like to revisit my Immortal friends.

Hi, Adelle! Thanks for checking out the interview!

Pam, you just made my day. :-)

Thank you, Chris!

Edie Ramer said...

Cindy, terrific interview! I'll check out the Element series. I'm always looking for writers' gifts, and that looks like it would be a great one.

azteclady said...

*waving* Hello, Ms Eden! Hello, ladies!

(I followed breadcrumbs)

I am one of those readers who love character centric stories, so I'm waiting impatiently for Immortal Danger.

Best of luck with the release, Ms Eden!

Anonymous said...

*I so want this book especially after you were so mean as to re-post the excerpt on your site!*

Have a great weekend :D

Unknown said...

Great interview! Immortal Danger sounds interesting, so I guess my nextbook shopping spree will include it :-)

Cynthia Eden said...

Hi, Edie! Thanks! I love the Element books--they're an addiction for me.

Hey, azteclady! LOL, thanks for following the crumbs and thanks for the good luck wish! :-)

LOL, Willa, I didn't intend to be mean! Promise! You have a great weekend, too!

Hi, Kathrin! Glad you enjoyed the interview!

Unknown said...

Very informative interview! Kim had some great questions that give me a better understanding of how a story comes to life :)

I so wish I had "Immortal Danger", this weekend would be the perfect weekend to read. Those crazy storms that are hitting you are coming our way :(

donnas said...

Great interview. Thanks!

Immortal Danger sounds like a great book I cant wait to be able to read it.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Pam P said...

Another great interview, Cynthia. Love your books, following the bread crumbs with everyone else, lol.

Cynthia Eden said...

Hi, Michele! Kim is an interview pro! :-) And you are so right--this weather makes for perfect reading time. I think I might need to head up to the bookstore during a rain lull...

Hey, Donnas! Glad you liked the interview! Thanks!

Hi, Pam! I love it when folks follow the bread crumbs--thank you!

Unknown said...

HIya Cynthia I am really looking forward to reading this book, I have seen it everywhere and it has piqued my interest something fierce. Loved the interview and please throw my name in the hat for the autographed book.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ladies! I meandered my way over here from Cynthia's blog. Great interview! I can't wait to get my hands on Immortal Danger (and Midnight's Master). Have a terrific weekend and anyone in the path of the snow storm comming through the midwest, stay safe!

Cathy M said...

Hi Cynthia, I have books on my keeper shelf from all the fabulous authors that have inspired you. I love supernatural storylines with strong characters and a hot romance, and can't wait to read Immortal Danger.

Jane said...

Hi Cynthia,
I'm looking forward to reading "Immortal Danger" and the release of
"Midnight's Master."

Cynthia Eden said...

Hi, sarabelle! Thank you! :-) I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the interview--and that you're looking forward to Immortal Danger!

Hi, Barb! Thanks for meandering over! I hope you have a terrific weekend, too!

Thank you, Cathy!

Hi, Jane! So glad that you're looking forward to those books!

Thanks for all the wonderful comments!

Lori T said...

Hi Cynthia~

I am so looking forward to the release of Immortal Danger and Midnight's Master is also on my list of books to be bought.

Were you sad to see the Midnight triology end? What is the hardest part of writing connected stories?

Anonymous said...

Hey! Great interview! I love your books and can not wait for the next 2! They both sound great. My fav book is the anthology with Shelly Laurenston.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Donna S. You're the winner of Cynthia's book. Please contact Kim at kwatters 21 at hotmail dot com to claim your prize. Thanks for stopping by our blog.

azteclady said...

Congrats, Donna S!