Interview with Author-Poet Cindy J. Smith

Interview with

Author-Poet Cindy J. Smith

Perrysville, Indiana, USA

Good morning, Cindy, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the Place for Art and Authors. Can you tell us what you've written?

I write poetry mainly. It is all that I have published. Last November I did participate in NaNo and completed the 50,000 words but the story itself is not finished. I also have a few short stories. 

What is your favorite genre to write?

I prefer poetry. Naming places and people is very hard and full sentences are difficult after a while.  

Favorite food?

That's hard, I guess today it is Lasagna. I really love most Italian food. 

Tea or coffee?

Coffee

Pizza or ice cream?

Pizza

Wine or beer?

I rarely drink either, but beer is good with pizza!

And really bad with ice cream. Where would you like to visit?

I would love to visit New Orleans. I may actually get to do that this summer if all goes well!

Favorite musical artist. Do you listen to music when you write?

My favorite song would be See by the Rascals, but my favorite group would be The Moody Blues. I love the stories in their songs. Since I do not have any writing schedule, music is always a possibility. I write poems when they come into my head. I could be reading, driving, eating, sleeping, whatever. The voices speak and I write. They have me well trained. 

And because this is an Art AND Author blog, I am obliged to ask: What's your favorite work of art or sculpture?

I love Van Gogh's Starry Night.

How old were you when you started writing?

I have been writing poetry as long as I can remember. My sister says I would add to Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss rhymes when I was just three.



Describe your perfect evening.
Sitting alone on the beach watching the sun set. I would listen to the waves stretch toward the shore and recede taking my troubles with them.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I am inspired by life itself. A word, a musical note, a picture, everything has at one time or other created a verse in my head.

What do you do when you get writer's block?
For two years after my daughter passed away, I refused to write. But I have never actually had "writer's block."

Who is your favorite author?
Indie: CG Blade
Famous: Dr. Seuss

Best book you ever read.
Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo

Last book you read.
The Dance of the Jester by Koos Verkaik

What would you do for a living if you weren't a writer?
Since writing doesn't pay, I am an Over-the -Road Truck Driver. My dream job however would be working in a greenhouse or florist. I love flowers.


Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
It was my daughter Jasmine. Before she was born, I did not believe I deserved happiness, was not worthy of love. I did not think I could be strong. Her unconditional love gave me the strength to succeed, to believe in myself. It is in her memory that I still find a reason to live.




I'm so sorry for your loss, Cindy. If you could sit down and have a conversation with one person, real or fictional, living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love the opportunity to speak to my daughter again, as you can probably guess from the above answer. Besides her, I would like to have a conversation with Dr. Seuss. I am captivated with his writing. I would love to learn how he can teach so much morality without ever saying he is doing it. Amazingly talented man.

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Don't expect to make money. Lots of females worked at soda counters and only one was Marilyn Monroe. Write because you want to say something to the world. They may not listen, but at least you tried.

Do you have some links for us to follow you?
Yes!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003625853937
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CindysVoices/
Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/cc65z86
Twitter: @cindysvoices
Amazon Authorpage: http://tinyurl.com/clybzs8
Website: http ://www.pseudosynthpress.com/cindy-j-smith
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/cindy-j-smith/52/5aa/bb
AllAuthor: http://cindysvoices.allauthor.com/
Readersgazette: http://readersgazette.com/world/rgmembers/2984
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/cindysvoices

Thank you for taking the time to visit us today. We at Vision and Verse wish you continued success in all your endeavors. Come back and see us again. 

Hugs.