Ask the Author: Cheryl Colwell
Answered Questions (11)
Cheryl Colwell
There are no swear words in any of my novels. There is a suggestion of romance but nothing explicit. Where there has been abuse, it is only suggested, not graphic. Thanks for asking.
Cheryl Colwell
He wiggled the jar above his paralyzed father's face and watched the man's eye flick in its socket. After unscrewing the lid from the jar, he plunged it over the blinking eye and watched the scorpion do its thing.
Cheryl Colwell
I'd head to Tuscany and find a villa to restore as in "Under the Tuscan Sun."
Cheryl Colwell
I'm a bit late on this one. This summer found me scrambling to rewrite my current wip after a major edit. Did some fun reading for a review group I am part of, mostly Susan May Warren's work. In October, after I submitted my manuscript, I took some time to devour time-split novels. You can see my bookshelf for the particulars, but Melanie Dobson's work is great.
Cheryl Colwell
Sorry about the two-year delay. Life got pretty dark for a bit.
I live outside Ashland, Oregon and stare up at Mt. Ashland from my dining room window. To the east, the sun breaks over distant mountains, usually with a spectacular display of color. At night, the moon rises large over those same mountains. To the west, the day ends much the same way.
We have a large pond where I take time for devotions. While I sit there, turquoise, persimmon and black-and-white-checked dragon flies buzz around. Frogs swim up and stare at me. A large heron lands on a tall arch and searches for fish.
It is a peaceful place where I let my mind calm. I keep a journal next to me and jot down things I don't want to forget, which happens more frequently these days.
In four weeks, we are leaving this place after being here for twenty years. I've moved through periods of grief and resolve and am delighted we have found a new home that will be even more perfect for the stage our life is in. The moon will still rise outside our dining room window and I am certain I will take this ability to draw inspiration from nature where ever I go.
I live outside Ashland, Oregon and stare up at Mt. Ashland from my dining room window. To the east, the sun breaks over distant mountains, usually with a spectacular display of color. At night, the moon rises large over those same mountains. To the west, the day ends much the same way.
We have a large pond where I take time for devotions. While I sit there, turquoise, persimmon and black-and-white-checked dragon flies buzz around. Frogs swim up and stare at me. A large heron lands on a tall arch and searches for fish.
It is a peaceful place where I let my mind calm. I keep a journal next to me and jot down things I don't want to forget, which happens more frequently these days.
In four weeks, we are leaving this place after being here for twenty years. I've moved through periods of grief and resolve and am delighted we have found a new home that will be even more perfect for the stage our life is in. The moon will still rise outside our dining room window and I am certain I will take this ability to draw inspiration from nature where ever I go.
Cheryl Colwell
If I don't know what to write, I go back a few chapters and begin to read. The next step becomes apparent. My rule is, Trust the process.
Cheryl Colwell
It enables me to create places of beauty and inspiration; characters I love and love to hate; and mysterious puzzles and their solutions.
A wonderful part of this is being able to visit many of the places I write about. I'm beginning a mystery series that starts in Astoria, Oregon. So far, I've made three research trips there and have fallen in love with this charming city.
A wonderful part of this is being able to visit many of the places I write about. I'm beginning a mystery series that starts in Astoria, Oregon. So far, I've made three research trips there and have fallen in love with this charming city.
Cheryl Colwell
Write because you love to write. Read books on the writing craft. Share your work with other, more experienced writers and welcome their comments.
I learned more with every novel and many things now comes easier, as a second nature. Find a good editor. Go to supportive writers conferences. Pitch your polished work to agents and editors. Consider feedback as valuable as a chocolate caramel latte.
I learned more with every novel and many things now comes easier, as a second nature. Find a good editor. Go to supportive writers conferences. Pitch your polished work to agents and editors. Consider feedback as valuable as a chocolate caramel latte.
Cheryl Colwell
I am currently promoting "The Land Lord." It's an exciting political suspense novel about a Secret Service agent trying to stop a war with China.
It was difficult to write. The background story delves into the terrors the Chinese people endured during Mao Tse-tung's Cultural Revolution. I read countless personal accounts that left me sick at heart, especially so because it all happened in my lifetime. It felt to me as though the German holocaust had happened during my lifetime and I'd known nothing about it.
That said, I am inspired by the message to live with love and respect - in my home first, then to those around me.
It was difficult to write. The background story delves into the terrors the Chinese people endured during Mao Tse-tung's Cultural Revolution. I read countless personal accounts that left me sick at heart, especially so because it all happened in my lifetime. It felt to me as though the German holocaust had happened during my lifetime and I'd known nothing about it.
That said, I am inspired by the message to live with love and respect - in my home first, then to those around me.
Cheryl Colwell
Sorry for the delay. I feel like I've been upside down under water for the last two years.
Ideas seem to enter a hole in the top of my head by the dozens. I began to count the remainder of my life by how many books I can get written.
I've discovered the reason for this flow is attributable to one of the 18 major aptitudes we can be born with. This particular one is called "high ideaphoria" - a constant flow of ideas - by the Johnson O'Conner Research Foundation.
It was extremely validating to let my husband know this was an aptitude, and all the hundreds of ideas I had for my yard were not a sign of ADHD. He is delighted now that I can focus these ideas in my stories.
Ideas seem to enter a hole in the top of my head by the dozens. I began to count the remainder of my life by how many books I can get written.
I've discovered the reason for this flow is attributable to one of the 18 major aptitudes we can be born with. This particular one is called "high ideaphoria" - a constant flow of ideas - by the Johnson O'Conner Research Foundation.
It was extremely validating to let my husband know this was an aptitude, and all the hundreds of ideas I had for my yard were not a sign of ADHD. He is delighted now that I can focus these ideas in my stories.
Cheryl Colwell
When I wrote Book One, "The Secrets of the Montebellis," I needed to create a family history to lay down clues. In Book Two, I visited my protagonist's great-grandmother's time and filled in the stories alluded to in Book One. Plus, I added other interesting sub-plots to enhance the story. It was great fun!
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