Bestsellers

Bestselling Author-Cindy Sproles

September 1, 2016

Welcome Cindy Sproles.

Congratulations on your debut novel and bestseller. You are extremely approachable, and you strive to assist aspiring writers. What drives you to stay so connected to the writing community? I do love to teach new writers and to encourage them. I’ve been in their shoes. .the waiting, working, trying hard to break in…and it does make a body weary. My prayer has always been that God would help me keep a soft heart for those who are up and coming. I want new writers to have the same opportunity I’ve had to be mentored by folks who love the writing industry. I always think of the song that Babie Mason sang – Each One Reach One. Though this talks about evangelism, it’s the same premise. If each published author reaches out to even one new writer, we all have the opportunity to succeed.

Can you share a little about your recent book? Mercy’s Rain is an Appalachian Historical. It’s a hard story, set in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains during the late 1800s. It’s a story of redemption. The protagonist, Mercy Roller, was sexually and physically abused by her circuit riding preacher father who ruled the people of the mountains by his own twisted view of the scripture. This story is Mercy’s realization that what happened to her as a child was wrong. It walks the reader through her anger at her father and at God and then her redemption and forgiveness to be able to move on. It’s a raw, emotional book written to

1) give a voice to children who are sexually and physically abused

2) to address issues that churches and ministers face

3) to walk people through their anger at God and to realize God is not the instigator of evil

4) to find forgiveness and healing

5) to remind congregations to worship God not your pastor.

So it is a hard story. It’s a story you’ll have a love/hate ride with, and I promise, when you are done, your heart will be changed. (Disclaimer – Mercy’s Rain is FICTION. NONE OF THE INCIDENTS IN THE BOOK HAPPENED TO ME).

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books? I write because it’s a passion God has given me. It’s my personal form of expression. As for theme. Well, I’m a mountain gal. Raised in the Appalachian mountains where life is a little slower, folks are friendly and generous, and the life is simpler – I wanted readers to feel the breeze of the mountains, yet see the hardships of its people. I’m able to share hard subjects with the simplicity and naivety of the mountain folks. I always want my books to offer truth in some form. For Mercy Roller, the truth was honest forgiveness. In the new book, Liar’s Winter. (Releasing in Spring 2017), it’s about choosing to be the better person – loving people despite themselves. So yes, I try to embed a deep spiritual message. I write my novels to the general market, but I embed that Christian undertone so that truth can prevail. One thing about the mountain people is their deep spiritual ties. When I tell these stories, I can share that tie with the general market reader and them not feel as though I am preaching at them. They simply see the spirituality of the characters as part of who they are. This allows me to speak the truth into a world that otherwise would not listen.

How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? I’ve been writing since I was a child. But seriously, for about ten years. It took me six years to land my first major house contract. Six years of writing, learning the craft, honing my voice. It’s not a fast industry, and I was willing to continue to learn the craft and be patient for God’s timing. When I reached the level I needed to be writing wise; God blessed me with a contract from Kregel Publications. They took a chance on a debut novel, and both Kregel and myself have been blessed by God’s impeccable timing.

How long does it take you to write a book? Well, if I managed to write 8 hours a day…about two months. But I can’t write 8 hours a day. So it takes me about four months to produce a first draft and another month to edit and perfect it.

What’s your writing work schedule like? I do have a j-o-b outside my home, and I travel for Christian Devotions and Lighthouse Publishing, but I try to write a chapter a day.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it? I suppose it’s talking to myself. It’s not uncommon to see me standing in front of a mirror carrying on a conversation, watching body language and movements. For me, I can hit true dialogue when I look at the girl in the mirror and carry on the conversation. My husband has long learned I’m really not talking to dead people, but I’m working out a storyline.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career? My greatest joy has been being a part of the success of my peers. It’s such fun to work with a writer and then see them find the success they have worked for. That’s the paycheck – knowing I’ve done what I called to do – help others. And when I help them, God blesses me. So it’s a win-win.

What has been your darkest moment(s)? My darkest moments were the times I was sitting on the fence waiting for that first contract. I could have teetered one way and quit, or teetered the other way and been successful. I learned that this is the time Satan grabbed ahold of me. He tried to get me to self-publish, tried to get me to quit. Wanted me to whine and cry. I had to learn to let go of the completed book and move on to the next project. Shopping and selling the book was my agent’s job. My worrying and fretting did nothing except make me depressed. I learned to move on to the next project. Every project teaches and hones my ability and when I step out of the way, God can and will work. And He did.

Which of your books is your favorite? In fiction, Mercy’s Rain. Though I have two more books in this series that are dear to my heart. For non-fiction – New Sheets – Thirty Days to Refine You into the Woman You Can Be.

Who is your favorite author to read? On the Christian side: Francine Rivers and Steven James. On the secular side – Nicholas Sparks, Steven King, and Michael Crichton.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too? I would remind writers that this industry is a process. It’s a slow turning wheel and that rejections are not a bad thing. They are a measure of where you stand in your skill. Early on rejections are just…no. But the better your skills become, the better the rejections become. Things like: We don’t have a home for this right now or we liked this work, or money is tight…those are not bad rejections. They are telling you; we really like this, but right now our house is full or unable to manage another manuscript. This is when you learn to let go. Allow God to do the shopping for you. There is something to be said for the bloody knees that come with rejections. They grow you, bring you to a higher level of determination and skill. I would say, learn to be patient. Don’t rush. Rejections are not bad things. They are not personal. Let them allow you to grow as a writer.

What is the single greatest tool you believe a writer should have in his or her toolbox? Two things: 1)A teachable spirit is a must. You should never be so perfect you can’t continue to learn. 2)A good self-editing book.

Have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you? LOL – I lost count. Actually, I stopped looking. But as I said earlier, rejections taught me to persevere and improve.

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books? Oh yes. By far the first chapter of Mercy’s Rain. You have to read it. I don’t want to spoil it.

Where do you get your ideas? Ideas are everywhere. A thought. A line from a television show. The look of a person. I keep my eyes and ears open.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make? It’s always in the basics. But these are things a writer has to learn, like resist the urge to explain or goes without saying – redundancy. It’s part of the learning process.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market? Well, that depends. It varies with every writer and what they write. I would say, attend writers conferences. Those are your quickest roads into a publisher or an agent.

Cindy Sproles is an author and speaker. She is the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and the Executive Editor of www.christiandevotions.us and www.inspireafire.com. Cindy is the acquisitions editor for SonRise Books and Straight Street Books, imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She teaches at writers conferences and women’s conferences nationwide. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com.

Mercy Rain