Cynthia Sally Haggard's Blog: Cynthia Sally's Blog, page 70

Character Bio from Farewell My Life by Cynthia Sally Haggard: MR. RUSSELL

Mr. Russell is:

[image error]A young Nicholas Russell (played by Conrad Veidt) just before World War I




27 years oldSuperb pianistStudying at Georgetown University’s School for Foreign ServiceCharmingHighly IntelligentSpeaks French, German and Italian fluentlyHas charming smileA suitable suitor for Grace, except who is he?



[image error]Nicholas Russell aged 27, when he first met Grace, again played by Conrad Veidt

I know the photo in the hat makes Mr. Russell looks like someone associated from the mafia (and a most unsuitable suitor at that,) but it was hard to find an actor that captured his magnetic eyes, was suitable for the time period, and made him look slightly sinister when angry. I was very lucky to stumble upon German actor Conrad Veidt, who had all those qualities. When Russell looks at Grace, his more vulnerable side comes out, and he looks more like the young man in the top picture, as he was before the war. He also has a charming smile which illuminates his face and banishes his sinister qualities…

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Interview Questions 14: Answered by Cynthia Sally Haggard

Is there anything that surprised you about getting your first book published?

[image error]Cynthia Sally’s Amazon Author Page

Yes. I was surprised that so many people were willing to read it. To date, I have sold over 38,000 copies of my first novel Thwarted Queen. Farewell My Life is my second novel.

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Character Bio from Farewell My Life by Cynthia Sally Haggard: AUNT LOUISA

Aunt Louisa is:

[image error]Aunt Louisa played by Virna Lisi



37 years oldGrace’s auntAngelina’s middle sisterItalian name is LuisaMarried to a lawyer from New YorkHas three daughters: 19-year-old Teresa, 15-year-old Ella and 12-year-old AdelaHer goal in life is to make splendid marriages for her daughters (and nieces)…

Again I was VERY LUCKY with this photo, I thought it captured Aunt Louisa perfectly. Not the most pleasant person in the world, she appears in Part Two of FAREWELL.

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Interview Questions 13: Answered by Cynthia Sally Haggard

Who is your publisher and how did you find them or did you self-publish?

I self-publish. I love the artistic control that comes with having to do everything myself.

I also don’t mind marketing my novels because I enjoy talking about my characters and the stories they inhabit.

[image error]Jane Austen (1775-1817) at the age of about fourteen

Most importantly, by self-publishing I hold the rights to my work, so that if anything goes wrong I can rescue my “darling child” —  to use Jane Austen’s phrase.

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Character Bio from Farewell My Life by Cynthia Sally Haggard: GRACE

Grace is:

17 years oldProtagonist of novelItalian name is GraziellaFabulous talent for violinGoes to Berlin to study with Professor Flesch Goal is to become concert artistAcquires 3 suitorsBecomes trapped by life…



[image error]I was SO LUCKY to find this photo! Was just poking around on Thinkstock to purchase an image for my cover, and there she was…

Grace drifts around, her head in the clouds, thinking mainly about her violin, trying not to notice all the men staring at her. Her one ambition in life is to be a concert artist…

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Interview Questions 12: Answered by Cynthia Sally Haggard

When did you come up with the idea to write Farewell My Life?

[image error]

Back in 2007. At that point, I had been living in the United States for 25 years, so I decided to celebrate by writing the Great American Novel…with characters who do not always speak English.

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Trivia Sunday 4: Farewell My Life by Cynthia Sally Haggard

[image error]In your yard, and around the world, we’re planting trees where they’re needed most..

The Arbor Day Foundation has decided to pick one tree in your honor because of your writing brilliance.  What kind of tree is it and why did they choose that tree in relation to your book?

[image error]Linden Tree

Linden Tree. Berlin is populated by Linden trees, and a Linden Tree is featured in Farewell My Life’s closing pages.

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Character Bio from Farewell My Life by Cynthia Sally Haggard: FRAU VARGA

Frau Varga is:

Hungarian Widow (husband died in WWI)Landlady to Grace, Violet & Zia Paulina in Nollendorfplatz BerlinHas nice legs which she shows off in fashionably short skirtsLikes to sing naughty songs…



[image error]Frau Varga played by Maria Corda Argentin

 With this character, I wanted to bring some of the fun & glamor of the 1920s into the novel, even though Berlin was impoverished at the time. It didn’t seem to stop it from having numerous cabarets & night clubs

Many people don’t know this but Berlin had a sizable Hungarian minority after the 1870 Prussian war. So much so, that many Hungarians treated Berlin like their capital city. Varga is Hungarian for shoemaker. I chose the name because it is easy for English-speakers to pronounce.

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Interview Questions 11: Answered by Cynthia Sally Haggard

What steps are you taking to promote Farewell My Life?

[image error]Farewell My Life at Book Expo 29-31 May 2019

Indie prizes. Not to win, necessarily (although of course I’d love to:) but to get shortlisted and to get endorsements.

Book Fairs. Have spent my money in getting my book before the New York Rights Fair, BookExpo/BookCon, ALA and the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Blog Tours, such as Dorothy Thompson’s Pump Up Your Book and Amy Bruno’s Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours.)

I threw a Facebook party in the fall to celebrate Farewell My Life

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Character Bio from Farewell My Life by Cynthia Sally Haggard: COUNT CARL VON LIETZOW

Grace and her family travel to Berlin, Germany at the beginning of Part II of Farewell My Life. While there, she meets someone who will affect the rest of her life, Count Carl von Lietzow, who is:

[image error]Count Carl von Lietzow played by Harry Liedtke



40 years oldGerman AristocratBusinessmanFought in the Boer WarDrove an ambulance at GallipoliRaconteurWealthyResides in 3 residencesNeeds an heir…

Count von Lietzow is charming & amusing. Even Violet likes him:) However, he can be formidable if he doesn’t get his way.

Of all Grace’s suitors, Count Carl von Lietzow is deemed most suitable by her relatives. However, he is not quite the gentleman he seems to be…

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