Let’s get the logistics out of the way – what is your name, where are you from and what is the title of your short story in the upcoming Running Wild Press Anthology?
I’m Cindy Cavett, also known as Seaside Cindy. I’m originally from Philly but became a Delaware transplant around eight years ago when I met my husband and moved with him to the Diamond State. The title of my short story is Rehoboth Beach Break. Rehoboth Beach is a local Delaware beach town.
What started you on the path to writing?
I first started taking steps on the path to writing in the first grade. Mrs. Wilde, our spitfire 88-year old teacher at George Sharswood Elementary in South Philly, assigned a daily journal to our class. From six-years old going forward, I have always kept a journal. The fiction bug hit me in 2003 when I was outside observing butterflies and writing notes about them (I’ve always been fascinated by nature). I began writing a story with the butterflies and as they say, the rest is history. Side note, I still have my first grade journal. It’s pretty funny to read now. I was very interested in museums at the time.
How did you come up with the title of your short story? Where did the idea come from?
I chose Rehoboth Beach Breakbecause I wanted the title to both include the name of the beach and a pun on the title. I was hoping readers would think that it was in relation to a vacation when in fact, it’s about a reporter getting her first big story break.
If you could give a quick log line for your story in Running Wild Press Anthology – what would it be?
Here’s the down and dirty summary of Rehoboth Beach Break: Rehoboth Beach Break is the story of a WBOC reporter and her on-camera debut as she is sent on a wild goose chase in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Angelika Houston is tracking down the pirate who hacked the Rehobie Points rewards app. The tourists and residents of Rehoboth Beach are required to perform the pirate’s demands in order to win back their hard-earned rewards points before the countdown clock runs out. Will they win back their points? Or lose them forever? You’ll find out when you read Angelika’s tale of following her nose as she comes up against the greatest pirate in Rehoboth Beach history.
What has been one of the most rewarding experiences of your writing career? One of the biggest challenges?
One of the most rewarding experiences has been the book signing that recently took place on April 21stat Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach. I was able to connect with new readers in person which is something I have never had the pleasure of doing before. It was a somewhat humbling experience as I realized these people were genuinely interested in my work and were happy to purchase it. I feel that I owe readers the best of me and I hope I deliver that to them.
One of the biggest challenges has been finding time to write. I work full-time during the day, go to school part-time at night, write part-time as a freelancer, and am an author of short and long fiction. For a while I was able to get up early and write before the rooster called, but I’ve been too exhausted to keep up with that with finals looming over my head. I find time to write in the car, on my lunch, or wherever I can grab a few minutes. Luckily, I have a supportive husband who is helping me find time on the weekends for my projects and is my “personal manager,” and helps me keep on track with my time.
If someone was new to your work, what work should they start with? Why? OR Do you have a preferred medium or genre that you like to write in? Short Story, blogs, flash fiction, novel writing, freelance writing? Is your writing comedic, dramatic, thriller, etc.?
Since I write both fiction and non-fiction, I would first ask what they are interested in reading. If they wanted to read my fiction, I would tell them to start with this story, Rehoboth Beach Break, in the Running Wild Anthology of Stories, Vol. 2 and then continue with my work that is being published in the Beach Loveanthology being released this May 2018. If readers wanted to read my articles and non-fiction I would point them to my website where they can find links to previous publications with short descriptions for each.
What are you reading right now?
Eastern Shore Shortsby Gail Priest, The Weekendersby Mary Kay Andrews and the War on Words by Bob Yearick.
What is your writing process – are you a pantser or a plotter?
Unfortunately, I am both. It depends on the deadline. Some of my best work has come out of being a pantser and writing on the fly, but then some of my other best work has been from the process of sitting down and plotting out the timeline for the story. I suppose I’m a bit of a “divergent” when it comes to the writing process.
What has been most successful for you in marketing your work? Are you doing anything different for 2018 that you haven’t done before?
I spend time connecting with local reporters, website editors, production professionals, etc. and this has helped in connecting with them again for personal marketing. I’m all about building relationships, because I genuinely enjoy helping others. If they can help me in the future, that’s great. If not, I’m still happy I could help them along the way of their own path. I love seeing authors, publishers, editors and small businesses grow.
What are you working on next and what is the best way for people to connect with you?
My stories Dognapping in Ocean City and Stranded in Fenwickare being released in the Beach Loveanthology which is coming out on May 12that Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Everyone is invited to join the festivities as we serve up a custom Beach Lovecake, refreshments and giveaways. For more information, please visit my website at www.seasidecindy.com. Readers can also find me on most social media outlets under @seasidecindy.
Thank you for hosting me as your guest on the Small Town Gal blog today, Rebecca! You have been a gracious host.
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