Hello, fellow readers! Today we're having the awesome Cindi Madsen. She's super nice, generous, lovely and I just really love her! She writes the perfect swoon-worthy guys every girls wishes to be real like Troy (major flail OMG!!!). She recently released her Young Adult novel, Cipher, and it's available now on Amazon. I have read and reviewed the book and it left me utterly craving for more, and have I mentioned that it made me cry? Click here to read my review.
Just a little info of Cindi for you guys. This is actually from her blog (sorry you guys! I'm a little dozed since it's almost 4 in the morning hee!): Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA novelsAll the Broken Pieces and Demons of the Sun, adult contemporary romances Falling for Her Fiancé and Act Like You love Me, and the women's fiction novel Cinderella Screwed Me Over.
buy her books:
Demon of the Sun | All the Broken Pieces | Falling For Her Fiance: An Accidentally in Love Novel (Book 1)
Act Like You Love Me: An Accidentally in Love Novel (Book 2) | Cipher (Cipher #1)
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Cinderella Screwed Me Over
Act Like You Love Me: An Accidentally in Love Novel (Book 2) | Cipher (Cipher #1)
Pre-order
Cinderella Screwed Me Over
Hi Cindi! I'm so glad we have you today. How are you doing?
Doing great! I'm visiting my hometown and hanging out with my entire family, which is one of my favorite things to do.
So, after the success of the release of Act Like You Love Me, you decided to write yet another YA book. Why is that so?
I actually wrote the Cipher trilogy a few years ago. I've always loved YA. It's a time of life when you're figuring who you are and what you want to stand for and of course, first love. This series was emotional for me, and the teen readers I had read it were so enthusiastic and encouraging that I wanted to put it out there in hopes that other people who'd enjoy it would find it.
How did Cipher began? Any influences or inspirations that kept you writing the story?
Well, there are lots of stories about resolving relationships with loved ones after they die, but I thought what if someone could come help before they die. What if the Angel of Death showed up and instead of a cloak and a scythe, it was a ditzy, too-cheery woman who looked like the cotton candy fairy. As for influences, I'm crazy for music, and my love of music and how it speaks to people is a big part of the book. I listened to a lot of music, but over half my playlist was Paramore, because I love them and it just fit.
Tell us about why you chose Cipher to be the title.
Well, one definition of cipher is a secret message and Summer has to decipher how to help people solve their problems. But being a Decipherer sounded funny, so I shortened it to Cipher.
If you were given a chance to be a part of the story [Cipher], what would you name yourself? Would you be a Cipher or just a normal person and why?
Great question! Well, being a Cipher would be really hard. I get really attached to people, and it'd be hard to have a job like Summer's. I'd probably just be a normal person and hope that I could hang out with the misfits, because I think they're interesting characters. I used to wish my name was Kiersten, so I guess that's what I'd call my character.
Who is your favorite character in the story?
It's so hard for me to pick. Summer's a little lost at the beginning of the story and it takes her a while to realize she's sick of drifting through life and letting others determine what she does and who she is. She needs both Ashlyn and Troy to help her get through that change, so I'm gonna sorta cheat and say all three. Because without all of them, the story wouldn't have been what it needed to be.
If you were to change a particular scene in the story, what would it be and why?
There's not any scene I'd change, really. I think you revise all you can to the best of the ability and then you have to put it out there and hope that people connect. I'd love to write everything perfect the first time, though, but I don't see that happening, well, ever. Lol
So, what's next after Cipher?
Book two in the Cipher series is called Rift, and then book three is called Resolution (I'll announce exact release dates when I know what they'll be). Other than that, in October my adult title Cinderella Screwed Me Over comes out, and then I have a Christmas Novella and book 3 in the Accidentally in Love series.
Let's move on to you. What book/s influenced you so much?
The Witch of Blackbird Pond was the first time I ever had a book boyfriend and Anne of Green Gables was the first series I fell in love with. I love any book that I start and can't put down.
How is being a Mum and a writer be like at the same time?
It's a bit crazy, but I work to balance it. Sometimes I have to remind myself to take breaks and spend some time with them so they don't feel neglected. We often blast the music and have dance parties. And sometimes I have to wait until they go to bed to finish my work, but they're also really understanding about the fact that I need to work, and they play together really well, which makes my life easier.
Any projects you have your hands on right now?
Right now I've been writing the 3rd book in the Accidentally in Love series, and I'll be doing copyediting on Rift next.
What is your message to your readers and fans?
Just thanks so much for reading, and I appreciate you all so much! I've worked for a long time, hoping one day I'd have a career as a writer, and now that it's happened, I feel super blessed.Thanks for the interview! It was a blast!
