 AUTHOR
PROFILE: Cynthia Clement
Author's Name: Cynthia Clement
Website: www.cynthiaclement.com
Cynthia Clement adores romances of all genres, but her favorites
are historicals. She writes historical romance and her debut novel
is now available from Zebra Books.
New Release:
The Seduction of Sarah
Zebra/Kensington Books
July, 2005
ISBN: 0-8217-7814-5
Mass Market Paperback, 320 pages, $5.99 USD; $7.99 CAD
Widowed Sarah Wellsley delights in her daily swim - until she
is discovered by an imposing stranger who mistakes her for a harlot.
Having escaped the cad's embrace, she's mortified to meet him
again mere hours later, and shocked to discover he is the long-absent
Marquess of Caldern . . . and her cousin Caroline's intended.
But now he only has eyes for Sarah, and will pursue her at any
cost. The situation couldn't be more awkward - particularly because
Sarah cannot erase the memory of Alex Caldern's touch . . .
Alex long ago abandoned dreams of love. His marriage will be a
business arrangement to produce an heir. On the eve of his proposal,
however, he is seized by a passion he cannot ignore: the need
to possess Lady Caroline's quiet cousin. By turns wanton and demure,
Sarah confounds his every instinct and thwarts even his most ingenious
attempts to have her. Yet she is by his side, unbidden, when he
is in danger.
As the attempts on Caldern's life multiply, Sarah's deepest feelings
slowly make themselves known. And when Alex finally realizes what
she wants, he's more than prepared to satisfy her.
On Writing
I think the fact that I was a passionate reader played a big
role in wanting to write. After a while you start to create lives
for a book's characters after the story finishes and it's just
a short step from there to creating your own characters.
On Becoming a Writer
I'm a stay at home Mom.The Seduction of Sarah started out as a scene
in my head. It was the first scene in the book and Sarah is bathing
nude in a small lake. From there I saw Alex and then I began to
listen to them. Slowly they told me their life stories, and from
there I plotted the story. Most of my books begin in a similar way.
I see the first scene, and then I wait.
Her "Big Break"
I had just come back from my first conference in Victoria when
my agent called and told me that the book had sold. John Scognamiglio
at Kensington wanted to buy it, but the title had to go! I was in
shock and my mind numb. I had to ask John Scognamiglio to spell
his name three times.
How do you write historical romances for today's readers?
I think that is getting harder to do, but if you can hook a reader
emotionally, then they will accept the historical setting. Personally
I love historicals because I can escape to a world far away, where
it seems anything is possible.
What is your best writing skill? Your worst?
I think dialogue is one of my better skills. My worst changes all
the time because I am constantly thinking I can improve in such
and such an area. I work on that for a while, and then something
else pops up.
Works in Progress
Currently I am working on a Regency-set historical centered around
a spy-ring, secret rooms, and the wind swept north east coast of
England. I have a couple of contemporaries in the planning stages.
Thoughts on Agents
I have an agent and she has been wonderful to work with. Once she
accepted my manuscript, she was able to sell it quickly.
About Her Editor/Publisher
My editor is John Scognamiglio at Kensington. He has been wonderful
to work with. He made a couple of suggestions for revisions and
it made such a difference to the finished novel. I really appreciated
his input.
Nice to Have known at the Beginning
Learn the craft of romance writing and start to network from the
beginning. One of the best ways to do that is through RWA and its
Chapters. I started writing with no clue about the industry, or
even how a romance should be plotted. The resources available from
RWA and an online chapter are invaluable especially to a person
who lives in isolated areas like I frequently did.
Importance of Having a Web Presence
When I first got the call, I scrambled to get a website up. I think
it is an important marketing tool because it allows you to create
an image that reflects your writing. It is also an effective way
to notify readers of new releases and events. I would recommend
that aspiring writers give serious thought to having a website before
they sell. They wouldn't have to scramble, like I did, and they
could learn how to create a website without a deadline looming.
Much more relaxing and fun.
Advice for New Writers
Learn the craft of writing, and finish what you start. You can best
do both of these things by sitting down and writing on a regular
basis.
Visit Cynthia online at http://www.CynthiaClement.com
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