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Category Archives: Author Interview

Author Interview with Cheryl Carpinello

It’s Author Interview Thursday and I’m so glad you’ve taken out time to join me today. Today’s special guest is no stranger to AIT. She’s been previously featured on this blog and it was an absolute delight to have her share writing tips and experiences she’s had as a writer. With the recent release of her latest book – Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend – I’m so glad to have her back. Please join me in welcoming Cheryl Carpinello.

 

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and the first time someone complemented you on something you had written?

Hi David. Thanks for having me. I’m a retired high school (ages 14-18) English teacher. My husband and I love to travel and have been to the UK, Egypt, Iceland, Mexico, and several islands in the Caribbean. We have four grandkids ranging from 2-10 years of age.It wasn’t until after I had written my first book and had the second one out that I heard from my readers. One of the Girl Scouts who read Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend and was buying The King’s Ransom told me how much she enjoyed the story. I was thrilled. Thankfully, since then, I’ve heard from young readers who’ve read my books, and from their parents and grandparents who bought my books to give to young readers.

 

What was the inspiration behind your latest book?

I’m not sure I had an inspiration as much as the need to quiet the characters, in particular one, who kept hounding me for nearly seven years to finish their story. Young Cedwyn, Guinevere’s friend, repeatedly reminded me that I promised in Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend that he could be a knight. Finally I gave in not only to silence Cedwyn, but also because I figured if Cedwyn felt at loose ends, maybe I had readers out there who also wanted to see what happened to Guinevere and Cedwyn. And so, I wrote Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend in which Cedwyn gets to be a knight, but not how he imagined it would happen.

 

Were there any books that you drew inspiration from as you wrote Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend?

Not any specific one. I keep in mind the type of books I liked to read as a kid: stories of adventure, danger, friendship, and set in an ancient or medieval background. I also wanted a page-turner, not one bogged down in paragraphs of description.

 

Can you tell us how your background as a teacher influences your approach to writing children’s books?

The fact that I write Arthurian Legend is because of the students I taught. Kids I couldn’t get to read became readers when I taught the King Arthur unit. They loved those stories of knights, battles, and quests. After several years of teaching this, I decided to introduce younger readers to Arthurian Legend.

 

Is there a particular book or film that inspires you to be a better writer and why?

I would say Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. I’ve always been intrigued by books that have stories within the stories. These add more depth to the books and give readers the opportunities to explore more in order to understand the complete story. I’ve tried to do this with my Arthurian books.

 

What is your favorite medieval film and why?

I have a couple. Braveheart because of the historical significance; Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves because it is a heroic romp that leaves me feeling good; and—you better sit down—First Knight because it is a story that touches my heart. In my medieval films, I don’t like gratuitous violence or sexual
encounters.

 

What three things should a good medieval book or film possess?

For me, David, I prefer magic and fantastic creatures, adventure, and a plot that transports me into the story.

 

Have you started working on your next book and can you tell us a little bit about it?

Yes, I have. I’m about half way through the first draft of the final book in my Guinevere trilogy: Guinevere: The Legend. At the end of Guinevere: At the Dawn of Legend, Guinevere and Cedwyn are in dire straits. With one in Britain and one in Gaul, they are both in
trouble.

 

Where can readers and fans connect with you?
My website ( http://www.cherylcarpinello.com ) is a good place to connect and send me messages. Also, take a look at my blog: http://carpinelloswritingpages.blogspot.com . My author page on
Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.carpinello1 .

 

Any advice for authors out there who are either just starting out or getting frustrated with the industry?
Focus on your writing and your target audience. Try to connect with other writers through physical writing groups and online for support and encouragement. Share your success and failures with like souls. Don’t let the frustration of the industry get you down. Be kind to yourself. Give yourself permission to walk away from your writing when it isn’t going right. Just don’t go too far!

 

Awesome! Thanks for not holding back and sharing so much from your journey. I think as authors we sometimes get frustrated and it’s because we take our eyes off of the ‘main thing’ – our calling to write. Please connect with Cheryl at one of the links she provided. Check out Cheryl’s books on Amazon and grab a copy for yourself or a loved one. Also remember to share this interview using the social buttons below and leave a comment.

Interview with Kidlit Author, Kristen Lamb

It’s Author Interview Thursday and I’m so glad you’ve taken out time to join me today. As you may already know, today is World Book Day and it was interesting seeing all the children dressed up as different literary characters on my way to drop off my bambinos at school. And what better day to haveContinue Reading

Interview with MGLit Author – M.J. Evans

Thanks for joining me on another edition of Author Interview Thursday. Today’s special guest resides in the beautiful state of Colorado. Despite the fact she has a big family, she still makes out time to write great Middle Grade fantasy books.She is well respected amongst her peers and has worked in the education sector forContinue Reading

Interview with MGLit Author – Cheryl Carpinello

It’s Author Interview Thursday and I’m so glad you’ve joined me today and our special guest. The wonderful lady in the hotseat has a background in education and recently became a grandma for the third time. Between juggling her roles as a wife, mother, grandma, educator, champion of children authors and so much more, sheContinue Reading

Author Interview with KD Forsman

Welcome, welcome, welcome. Its Author Interview Thursday and another wonderful opportunity to get to know an author whose shaking and baking somewhere on God’s green earth. Today’s special guest comes from the beautiful nation of New Zealand. She’s a first time author and her book – Fraud & Fabrication – was published a couple of daysContinue Reading

Interview with Kidlit Author – C.L. Murphy

Its back! Author Interview Thursday is back for the first part of the year and I’d like you to get ready for some inspiring authors who will not only provide the necessary fuel to turbo-charge your writing career to another level but will also offer tips, personal stories and current industry trends. Today in the hotseat,Continue Reading

Author Interview with Krysten Lindsay Hager

It’s Author Interview Thursday and I’m happy and sad. I’m sad because today will be our last interview for the year but I’m super happy because we have a full roaster of inspiring authors lined up for the new year. Some of the authors lined up for 2015, have been admired by yours truly fromContinue Reading

Interview with Children’s Book Author – Sharon Powers

Hey, it’s Author Interview Thursday (as if you didn’t know) and you are very welcome. If you’re an author or a lover of the written word and looking for a dose of inspiration, insight and/or information, then you’re in the right place. Our featured guest today has rubbed shoulders with some people in high placesContinue Reading

Interview with Children’s Book Author – Claudine Gueh Yanting

Wow! Its Author Interview Thursday and I have to say that the authors in the hotseat these last few weeks have really been inspiring. Well, guess what? I think we might be taking it to another level with today’s special guest. I got introduced to our special guest by Stephanie Ward who organised a brilliantContinue Reading

Interview with Children’s Book Author – Rhonda Paglia

It’s Author Interview Thursday and I’d like to thank you for stopping over today. First of all, I’d like to wish all American readers and fans of this blog based in the U.S. and around the world a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you’re having a lovely day with your loved ones. I promise you’llContinue Reading