Cyndi Brec
North Central Ohio
USA
Good morning, Cyndi, and welcome to Vision and Verse, a site for Art and Authors and those who love them. Tell us a little about the book you’ve written.
I have written The Therans: Secrets Beneath Scars. It’s the first of my novels in the trilogy. I believe fantasy isn’t just for the young—it’s for the young at heart. I love writing fantasy because it speaks to the dreamer in all of us!
What is your favorite genre to write?
Fantasy romance – Romantasy. I love writing romance with elements of history, like legends and myths, and even using real historical sites within the storyline. The Therans: Secrets Beneath Scars takes place at a historical site in Ohio—there are other historical locations in the trilogy that I’ve used to world-build around, like haunted castles and catacombs.
I believe romance adds heart to adventure and depth to mystery; during the darkest moments, it adds an immersive connection.
Favorite food.
My favorite food changes as much as my favorite book to read. However, I love to eat Mexican food.
Tea or coffee?
French vanilla iced coffee, like yum!
Pizza or ice cream?
That’s a difficult question as I love them both. Okay, I go with ice cream—at least today, I say ice cream. Oh, boy, where I live, we have a great restaurant that makes Italian pizza.
Okay… you can have both. Wine or beer or soda or what?
Without a doubt, I love French vanilla iced coffee. Once in a while, I’ll crave a Cherry Coke, but not often.
Where would you like to visit?
I’ve been to Europe but dream of visiting Ireland and Scotland. I’d also love to visit Egypt—traveling opens new worlds and better story ideas.
Favorite musical artist.
I love all kinds of music, so I can’t limit myself to a single musical artist. My favorites are old rock ‘n roll
and hymns.
Do you listen to music when you write?
I can’t write if I am listening to music. I limit distractions as much as possible to stay on task with
writing.
What makes you laugh?
My kids and husband. I love spending time with family and friends; the little things in life make me laugh.
This is an Art AND Authors blog, so I have to ask: Favorite work of art or sculpture.
I appreciate all kinds of art as it’s an expression of the artist, but more so, I love art that tells a story.
Whether it’s a sculpture that feels real or looks like it has stepped out of a fantasy world, Sculptures or paintings that capture emotion are what win my attention.
How old were you when you started writing?
I played around with writing when I was in high school but never took it seriously until decades later when my kids started school and I could dedicate time to my craft.
Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write?
Initially, I wrote by the seat of my pants and never knew where my thoughts would take me. Over the last few years, things have developed into a much more organized method, but I’ll never be an outliner. I don’t want to know the end of the story before I get there. I love writing the story and experiencing the journey as my thoughts unfold. However, I do have general ideas of where my story is headed. I use sticky notes as ‘road signs,’ similar to a James Scott Bell approach.
Describe your perfect evening.
I love it when it’s snowing, the fireplace is roaring, and there’s no distraction, just a night with my computer. Oh, and I love it when my husband has made one of his great meals—he’s a great cook!
Where do you get your inspiration?
I get inspiration from many things, but I usually brainstorm with my friends from my local writing group—they’ve been fantastic! Also, my husband is a great source of inspiration because I’m not techy-savvy or scientific, and he’s helped me cultivate two wonderful world systems within the three books. My daughter is great at helping me develop scenes and work out unexpected plot twists, as my son helps develop some fight scene issues.
What do you do when you get writer's block?
I keep plugging away on a project or take a break and read a book.
Who is your favorite author?
I have several authors, and they switch from time to time. A few authors I like are Alison Goodman, Kami Garcia, Sarah Maas, and Victoria Aveyard.
Last book you read.
Iron Flame
What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer?
Recreational Therapy – I have worked in geriatric psych, on rehabilitation units, and with kids on chemical dependency units. I like making a positive difference in an individual’s life and believe in the difference therapeutic recreation can make in the quality of life. After all, writing started out as a recreational hobby for me and has developed into a deep passion—it’s gratifying.
Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
My husband has been the most significant influence on my life outside my faith. He’s been a constant source of love and encouragement and is my best friend. He’s an incredible husband, a loving father, and willing to listen to my unending brainstorming ideas. And he’s got great insight intoscientific ways to steer a story scene that are twisted.
If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who it be and why?
Personally, I’d love to have dinner with my main character of The Therans Series, Callie Tresham. As an author writes a story—especially three novels with the same character—you find an appreciation for that character’s mind and growth. Callie is fictional, but I wrote her with heart and soul. I’d love to see a person like Callie function in our world and see the difference she’d make.
What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Never give up writing your story. Stay in the creative mode and finish the story, then go back and edit the manuscript. I don’t recommend getting out of an innovative mode to go into editing mode.
Do you have some links for us to follow you?
• Website: www.cyndibrec.com
Book Blurb – The Therans: Secrets Beneath Scars
Tagline: Secrets Stab Deeper Than a Blade
“A world where secrets cut deep, alliances are deadly, and the truth is a dangerous weapon. Secrets stab deeper than a blade.”
Hope Carries A Cruel Price and Demands Payment.
Sixteen-year-old Callie Tresham is haunted by her parents’ brutal murder—an assassination she foresaw. As she struggles to conceal the curse of her supernatural powers, she faces a new trial, surviving public school.
There’s no such thing as an accident.
When a menacing photo ignites a quest for truth, the origin of Callie’s powers exposes the threat of a sinister conspiracy. She’ll have to use every skill in her arsenal to outsmart a relentless adversary who wants her dead.
She makes a dangerous bargain.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy writing schedule to interview with us. We at Vision and
Verse wish you continued success in all your writing endeavors. Come back and see us again when Book Two in your trilogy comes out.
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