Interview with Young Adult Fiction Author Cindy Lynch

Cindy Lynch

Chesterfield, MO USA

Good morning, Cindy, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the Place for Art and Authors. What have you written?

I have written three books so far. They are all apart of 

the Bye For Now Trilogy. Book one is Bye For Now, 

Book two is Even Willows Weep, 

and Book three is The Lightning Tree.

What is your favorite genre to write?

General Fiction and

Young Adult Fiction

Favorite food.

Mexican food

Tea or coffee?

Coffee for sure. Everyday.

Pizza or ice cream?

Ice Cream

Wine or beer?

Wine

Where would you like to visit?

Fiji is on the top of my Bucket List

Favorite musical artist.  

Right now my favorite musician is Greg Laswell. 

His music is the soundtrack of my trilogy.

What makes you laugh? 

My kids and our crazy Vizsla puppy, Maggie.

Favorite work of art or sculpture.

Fearless Girl                                    

I love her, too. They moved her! 

Down the street, I hear. 

How old were you when you started writing?

I started journaling as a little girl which blossomed into 

writing poetry, then into short stories. I was 14 when 

I realized I wanted to write novels.

Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write?

I just write. I’ve had this story in my head since I was 14. 

The first book, Bye For Now, poured out of me in two 

weeks. The second, Even Willows Weep, two months. 

This third and final installment, The Lightning Tree took 

about a year. I think that’s partly because it’s the end 

of the road for this storyline. I’ve loved this story for 

a very long time and I’m sad to see it end.

Describe your perfect evening.

Dinner with my husband and friends

Where do you get your inspiration?

From life. You write what you know.

What do you do when you get a writer's block?

Go for a run, swim or bike ride. That’s usually where 

my ideas start popping.

 

Who is your favorite author?

Nicholas Sparks. The Notebook about killed me.

Best book you ever read.

There are so many great books out there, but 

emotionally speaking, The Notebook is my favorite.

Last book you read.

The Girl With The Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?

I would have continued to be a teacher. I was an 

elementary school teacher for 8 years before my first 

son was born. When I chose to be a stay-at-home mom, 

it felt like the right time to become an author.

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?

I’d have to say my mom has been the most influential 

person in my life. She has been a wonderful role model 

on everything motherhood.

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?

That’s a tough question. I just watched something on 

the History Channel this morning about Nikola Tesla. 

There’s a lot of controversy as to what happened to all 

of the trunks that contained his notebooks with details 

about all of his inventions. It was intriguing. 

So, to answer your question, Nikola Tesla.

What advice would you give someone who aspires to be a writer?

Just sit down and start writing. Don’t think about 

structure, grammar, punctuation, just write. When 

the writing is done THEN go back and work on the rest.

Do you have some links for us to follow you?

 Website: Cindylynch.net
Twitter: @mykidssayswhat
Instagram: cindylynch2530

VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. 

We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies

BOOK REVIEW: Murder at the Villa by Betty Cage

Tess Harper and her Golden Retriever, Daisy, accompany her best friend, Aubrey, to a big party at the lush and gorgeous Chester Villa Estate to celebrate Aubrey’s parents’ 30th Wedding Anniversary. Aubrey wants Tess to keep her sane with her wacky family, but Tess wants to see Aubrey’s handsome brother, Daniel.

Big storm hits with heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. Lights go out. Everybody’s on edge. Then a grumpy accountant is found dead in a locked cloak room. Murder weapon? Tess’s hand-knit purple scarf. 

Tess, a librarian by trade, but a detective at heart, begins to investigate. 

A cute story with great characters. 

VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

ART: Russian Artist Nikolay Zakharovich Panov

 I love the work of Nikolay Zakharovich Panov, but his work was not easy to find. His name is tied up with other artists of his time, sometimes working with them on similar projects. 

But his work has a softness about it that is truly beautiful. 

VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

SCHEDULE: May 4 - 8, 2026

Monday, May 4 - ART:

Russian Artist

Nikolay Zakharovich Panov

Tuesday, May 5 - BOOK REVIEW:

Murder at the Villa

by Betty Cage

Wednesday, May 6 - INTERVIEW:

Young Adult Fiction Author

Cindy Lynch

Thursday, May 7 - TV TIME:

The Madison

(Paramount+)

Friday, May 8 - BOOK: 

Echo of Heartbreak, A Recipe for Life

by Carol Ann Kauffman

 VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies

BOOK: Charming Deception by Carol Ann Kauffman

 

Samantha wakes up to a perfect life, with a handsome, attentive husband she doesn't remember. She has it all: a luxury vehicle, designer clothes, beautiful jewelry, and a condo on the beach. 

But this isn't the life she remembers. She remembers a life as a single woman who works for a trucking company in a dull, dusty town in nowhere Ohio. 

As time go by, Samantha discovers she is the object of an elaborate deception, one large enough to include, other worlds, body doubles, time travel, world-hopping, and a galaxy guardian as cold as ice. 

Is her sweet, handsome, charming husband in on this deception?

Read an excerpt below.

Amazon  Buy Link:

 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2Q7HOT

Excerpt:

Chapter One:  

Confusion

 

 

Okay, where the hell am I? What happened to me? The last thing I remember is… nothing comes to mind. Nothing looks familiar here. I turn toward the window. It’s dark outside; cloudy, not a star in the big, black sky. The room is dark. I’m naked in this big, comfortable bed. Judging from the smell of the lavender scent on the perfectly ironed, high-thread-count sheets and pillowcases, I’m either in a very high-end luxury hotel or in one of Martha Stewart's guest rooms.

 A snore interrupts my thoughts. Apparently, I am not alone. I glance over at the noisy lump beside me. Nope. Don’t recognize him. There's a strong possibility that I've been teleported back to the free-loving sixties. I get up quietly to go to the bathroom. 

A glint of gold catches my eye from the ring finger of my left hand. I'm married? Oh, shit! When did this happen? This isn't the sixties. This must be Vegas, baby. I creep into the bathroom, close the door, and snap on the light. 

Definitely a hotel. Plain, antiseptic bathroom. Martha Stewart's guest bathroom would have scented candles and a sense of style, hospitality, and luxury. And not so much white. White walls, white floor, white towels, white shower curtain. A rather bizarre-looking attachment on the faucet, and another one on the showerhead. I look at the mirror. I carefully touch the mirror to make sure it’s a real mirror, not a… what? What else would it be? Oh, God, I’ve gone mad. I peer into the mirror. 

Yikes! Well, I give that bony lump sleeping beside me credit for marrying me when I look like hell. Good grief, he must be a total loser. I examine my dull, spotty complexion, wild Einstein hair, and the bags under my blurry, bloodshot eyes. My head hurts. I check myself for bruises, scratches, and sore spots. No, nothing. Well, at least I wasn’t attacked. So, what do I tell that Bony Lump?

‘Hey, Bozo, whatever happened between us, it was just some bizarre mistake. Gather your things and get out of here. I'll contact my lawyer to annul this fiasco as soon as I get home. Now go.’ Then I’ll point to the door for dramatic effect. Oh, yeah, that sounds good.

As soon as I get home. Home? Where is home? I can’t remember. I look back at the reflection in the mirror. I can't remember where I live or how I got here. I can't remember where I work or what kind of car I drive. I can’t remember my name. A…Amy. Ann…B. Barb…Beebee…C. Cianna… Carrie…Carol, no. 

Hmm. Did Bony Lump drug me? Did he drug me, take advantage of me, and then marry me? No, why would he do that? That makes absolutely no sense. I wiggle the beautiful gold wedding ring with a large, brilliant-cut diamond solitaire in the center. Weighty. Expensive. Good fit. And… slightly familiar. Oh, look, a little tan line. Now, how can that be? This has to be a dream. 

I snap off the light and creep silently back into bed. 

Oh, crap. That might have been my last chance at escape if this lump beside me is a kidnapper. The sooner I go back to sleep, the sooner I’ll wake up, and this bizarre dream will be over. D…Diane…E. Emma …F. Francie, no G…Gigi… H. Helen… I…Iona. J…Janie…K… Katie. L…Louise. M…M…Mary…Melanie.

Bony Lump rolls over and pulls me to him gently, hugging me, patting my shoulder. 

“It was just a nightmare, my love. I'm right here. You're safe,” he whispers sweetly in a sexy, sleepy voice. “Go back to sleep. You’re safe. I’ll protect you. Always.” He kisses my head gently. He has an incredible, silken voice. British accent. Kind. Reassuring. Gentle. Loving. Very touching. 

So, what else could I do but fall asleep in his arms, with my hand on his just-hairy-enough chest, breathing in his familiar scent.

VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

TV TIME: The Missing (Tubi)

This 2003 Western Thriller, directed by Ron Howard, 

is loaded with talented actors. 

The Missing is the story of broken family relationships. A runaway father shows up in his adult daughter’s life in 1885 New Mexico Territory. Naturally, she rejects him. As a single mother with two children, she has no use for him. 

But then, Apaches kidnap her teenage daughter. She must join forces with her father to track the Apaches and try to rescue her daughter before they get to the border and sell her into prostitution.

Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones lead a stellar ensemble.

VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.

INTERVIEW: Humanitarian Author Dr. Dave Wasambla

 

Dr. Dave Wasambla

Nairobi, Kenya

Africa

 

Welcome to Vision and Verse, the site for Art and Authors. What have you written? 

BROKEN SOULS: Chronicles of A Humanitarian Health Worker. Non-fiction, part memoir and part experiences of fellow humanitarians plus a call to action for proactive mental health support for all humanitarian responders. 

Before that, The Power of Passion. 

I read BROKEN SOULS and it's wonderful. A glimpse into a life of love and service. Truly extraordinary. 

What is your favorite genre to write? 

True stories, in the most comical way possible to shed light in the darkness. 

 

Favorite food. 

Chapati and beans. 

 

Tea or coffee? 

Tea for sure. 

 

Pizza or ice cream?

Well, pizza. 

 

Wine or beer or soda or what? 

Wine… beer… soda… not together. That one time… 

 

Where would you like to visit? 

The Grand Canyon 

Go, David! The Grand Canyon was one of the most wonderful places I have ever been. It is mystical and magical. Standing on the South Rim looking down and across, you realize all those things that weighed so heavily on your heart and soul and kept you up at night and made you cry were nothing, mere blips on a screen, and in the big scheme of things, you are very tiny.

 

Favorite musical artist. 

Kenyan So Music. A Kenyan rapper. 

 

Do you listen to music when you write? 

Yep. 

What? 

Amapiano, 3 step, or rhumba. 

 

What makes you laugh? 

Thinking about my lovely babies… and dark humor. 

 

Favorite work of art or sculpture. 

My children’s pieces of art. 

 

How old were you when you started writing? 

Circa 35 when I wrote my first book, The Power Of Passion. 

 

Do you plan out your book with outlines and note cards? 

Nope. 

Or just write? 

I just flow with the go… or go with the flow. 

 

Describe your perfect evening. 

A relaxed, romantic dinner with my loved one, listening to rhumba music which is her favorite genre. 

 

Where do you get your inspiration? 

My experiences and day to day occurrences. The people I serve and serve with most of all. 

 

What do you do when you get writer's block? 

I extend myself grace and patience… then we wait. Me, myself and I. 

 

Who is your favorite author? 

None really. Yet to pick one. 

 

Best book you ever read. 

Need to think… 

 

Last book you read. 

Praxis. 

 

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer? 

I’d continue my work as a humanitarian health worker, stand up comedian, TV actor, Mental health advocate, motivational speaker and gym… so much gym. 

 

I think a humanitarian health care worker/stand up comedian sounds perfect! Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why? 

My late parents and my siblings. 

 

If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why? 

My late parents. They never got to see me get to this point in life and I’d want to hear what they think and feel. 

 

What advice would you give someone who aspires to be a writer? 

Write. Just… write. Then make sure you get a good publisher to help with the finer details and to ensure the book speaks to the audience as intended. But, don’t let the publisher take over your stories. 

 

Do you have some links for us to follow you? 

https://linktr.ee/Dreadlocked_Doc

VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER

Note:

Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.