Interview with Cheryl St. John

Today we have the amazing Cheryl St. John on the blog. Cheryl is an amazing writer, teacher, collector and gardener. Her first book, RAIN SHADOW was nominated for RWA’s RITA for Best First Book, by Romantic Times for Best Western Historical, and by Affaire de Coeur readers as Best American Historical Romance. Since then she's received several RITA nominations and three Romantic Times Achievement Awards. In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real life situations.

So great to have you here, Cheryl!

***NOTE: Cheryl will be giving away a Kindle copy of the reader's choice of Land of Dreams, Saint or Sinner, Heaven Can Wait or Rain Shadow. 

So comment away!***

Q: Tell us about your newest release.

A: Land of Dreams is a historical romance set in my home state of Nebraska. It features two characters who share an interest in a child who comes west on an orphan train.

I’m also excited about my first non-fiction release, a how to write book, available from Writers Digest Books.

Q: Tell us about any upcoming appearances, either online or in person.

A: I’ll be doing two workshops at the Writers Digest conference in NYC this August 1st through the 3rd.

Q: You write a lot about second chance and redemption in your stories. What is it about this romantic trope that you find so appealing?

A: Everyone loves an underdog. We all root for the guy who has realized his mistake and starts over. Eventually we all need a second chance at something. Many of the best characters are in this position. The first ones I think of are John McClane in Die Hard, Walt Longmire in Longmire, and Kevin Bacon’s character in The Following.

Q:  Not only do you write fiction, but you help other authors through motivational speaking, teaching, and writing nonfiction books on the craft of writing. With so much success writing fiction, what made you decide to take this route with your career?

 

A: As a beginner, there were several generous writers who helped me find my way, so it was natural to turn around and share what I’d learned. I’ve taught workshops at writing conferences, and I taught online classes regularly. I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me sooner to put a lot of what I’d learned into a book, but when I got the idea my agent loved it. When we sold Writing With Emotion, Tension & Conflict to Writers Digest, I was humbled and amazed. Now my book is right there among those of authors I have studied and admired. The reviews have been outstanding, and I’m thankful for the great opportunity.

Q: What is your favorite part about being an author?

A:I appreciate the ability to set my own hours and set my own deadlines. It’s pretty great hearing from readers who have enjoyed my stories, too. There are a few readers who, over the years, have become good friends.

Q: Rain Shadow, your first book, was nominated for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award, Romantic Times Best Western Historical, and Affaire de Coeur's Best American Historical Romance. Why do you think readers connected so strongly with this debut novel?

A: Rain Shadow is a young woman searching to belong, hoping to find identity in her birth family. She has lofty goals, an admirable work ethic, and she adores her son and adoptive father. Anton is a flawed hero, a man who’s been emotionally wounded and is self-protective, but admires and can’t resist the proud, beautiful woman who has taken up residency in a tipi in his front yard. The themes of belonging and acceptance are universal—and there’s a little wild west excitement thrown in for fun.

Q: Your latest book with Writer’s Digest is about writing with emotion, tension and conflict. Why, in your opinion is this so important?

A: We all have favorite books, and for most of us there are a special few that hold places in our hearts. Every author wants to write stories that will connect so vividly with readers that their books will become favorites. In order to connect with readers on an emotional level, in order to make a reader buy in for the duration of the story and root for our characters, we must make them feel the story. Writers do that by putting the reader in the time and place, by winning readers’ trust, and by making them believe the outcome is important. What our story people say and do are not what hooks readers. How our characters react is what engages and endears. We read to be entertained, but also to feel something. The writer’s job is to make the reader care.

Q: Do you need to have anything by your side while you write? (coffee, food, good luck charms, etc)? What is your office space like? (feel free to include a picture, if you'd like)

A: My desk only gets cleaned between projects. I always have my current book binder open on my left. It holds the story synopsis, a list character names and character analysis for each person in the story, as well as research, a calendar of story events, sketches of the house or town, and any other information I’ve collected to help me write the book. Standing up behind that is my planner, where I have my page counts planned and recorded. I always have a cup of tea on the right. Add to all that, my scribbled notes, jump drives and pens, and my desk is a mess, but that’s how I roll. I look at photos of clean desks and wonder how those writers do it.

Q: In addition to your personal blog, you also run a recipe blog. What is your favorite recipe?

A: That might be my recipe for the world’s best muffins.

Q: What one item can you never leave the house without?

A: You know it seems silly, because it wasn’t that long ago that nobody had cell phones, but now if I realize I don’t have my phone, I go back to get it.

Q: I’ve read that you are also a collector. What is your favorite collection? How many items are in your largest collection?

A: I don’t know if I could pick a favorite. My largest collection is probably my dishes. I have Christopher Radko for Christmas, Blue Willow, white ironstone and a mishmash of china in rose patterns. Assorted teapots and teacups must be counted along with the dishes, and they’re up there with my favorites. I also have a lot of miniature souvenir spoons standing in planters and short glass containers on my shelves.

Q: If you could be one Disney Princess, who would you be? Why?

A: I guess I’d be Merida because I love her hair and her accent, but I’d give my princess-self glasses. My four-year-old granddaughter took off her glasses to wear her tiara, because “princesses don’t wear glasses.” I think they do.

Q: Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what kind of music?

A: I love music and listen to music all the time—except when I’m writing. I prefer silence when I work. That’s not always possible and I’ve learned to adjust, but it’s my preference. I do have a few soundtracks I play very softly on rare occasion.

Q: In addition to writing, you also love to garden. Tell us, do you grow vegetables or flowers? What might we find in your garden this coming spring?

A: A few vegetables, but mostly flowers. I love heritage varieties—love the look of a vintage garden—and don’t plant anything in rows if I can help it. My son and husband (who do the heavy work) like order, so we constantly compromise. Some of my favorites are spiderwort, daylilies, morning glories, bleeding heart, chives and zinnias. We grow a lot of bushes and flowers to attract butterflies. We also have lilac bushes, Rose of Sharon and a tulip tree.

Q: How can fans contact you?

A:

email Cheryl at: SaintJohn(at)aol(dotcom
Visit her on the web
Read her blog, From the Heart.
Like her Facebook author page.
She's a Pinterest junkie! 

Her newest releases:

Writing With EmotionTension & Conflict

Land of Dreams

Heaven Can Wait

Rain Shadow