Sunday, July 29, 2012

Cheryl Malandrinos Interview (Author, Editor, Freelance Writer)

I am so very delighted to have my friend, Cheryl Malandrinos as a guest on the blog today.  I've known Cheryl for quite a few years, and we are fellow authors at Guardian Angel Publishing.  I've also worked with her on blog tours with Pump Up Your Book, and it was always a pleasure. 

 NS  Tell us a bit about what in your past prepared you for and led you to this moment in your writing career?
 
CM  Thanks for having me as your guest today, Nancy. I’ve been an avid reader my entire life. I also enjoy considering what is behind the stories I read. Yes, I was the girl who didn’t mind writing book reports. It helps that I love learning. I would go back to school tomorrow if I could afford it.
 
I didn’t start writing original material until I was a teenager. After my mother’s death, I needed an outlet for my grief. My writing gave me that.  I didn’t seriously pursue writing as a career until I became a stay-at-home mom in 2004. I enrolled in a writing course, began blogging, attended writers conferences and submitted my work. It took time, but I’m glad I persevered.
 
 NS  Between freelancing, editing  and writing your own books, how much of your day is taken up with the writing profession?
 
CM  Not enough. I wish I could say I am the dedicated professional who sits and writes something every day. I’m not. I read a lot, especially in the genres I work in. I blog five days a week. Social media also gets attention. I work daily on expanding my reach.  All that said, two or three days a week are dedicated to some aspect of my career.
 
NS  Everyone wants to know where we get our ideas and inspiration in writing.  Could you address how that happens in your life?
 
CM  I would probably find it easier to pinpoint what doesn’t inspire my writing. The only time I’ve consciously considered my ideas is when I participated in National Picture Book Idea Month in 2010. The goal was to come up with one new idea for each day of November. A few months later, I turned six of those ideas into stories for Picture Book Writing Week. One of those stories is currently under consideration with my publisher and I am editing the others.
 
Little Shepherd My first book, Little Shepherd, was inspired by a Christmas carol. A Christmas Kindness will be out this fall. That was inspired by a desire to teach my children the importance of thinking of others. Amelia’s Mission, a middle grade historical, came about as part of a writing workshop. I saw Amelia very clearly in my mind, and her story has taken me a bit by surprise. I love it. The antics of my children, newspaper articles, and community events have also inspired some ideas.
 
NS   I have worked closely with you on four Pump Up Your Book tours.  You are leaving the organization after some very successful years.  What general new horizons are in your view at the moment?
 
CM  I still plan to write, but now that my girls are a bit older, I’m returning to the workforce in a larger capacity. Ideally, it will be a career that will allow me to work from home part-time and occasionally in the office.  The evolution of technology allows more opportunities than ever before for work-at-home situations. Having worked from home for five years, I know I can be productive.
 
Leaving Pump Up Your Book was a difficult decision, because I love promoting and talking about books. I felt the need to diversify my portfolio and see what else God has planned for me. I’ve been praying for guidance.
NS  You’ve had a successful Christmas book, Little Shepherd, and if you can, tell us what’s next for you in terms of your own writing.
 
My next book will be out this fall under the name C. C. Gevry. Entitled, A Christmas Kindness, it is the story of Robert, who visits the mall Santa on Christmas Eve with his wish list, but ends up asking for a special gift for a new friend instead. I hope it reminds kids that thinking of others is important. This book will be published by 4RV Publishing.

Friends have asked me why I chose a pen name for this book. It boils down to branding. With Little Shepherd I created a “Faith-filled journeys for kids” brand. A Christmas Kindness, while focusing on Christian values, is not a Christian story. I felt it important not to confuse my readers, so I opted for a pen name. The next book in the “Faith-filled journeys for kids” brand is already in the process of being written. It will tackle the topic of bullying.
 
CM  Thanks again for having me here today, Nancy. I wish you and your readers the best.

NS  Cheryl, it is always such a pleasure to have you as a guest on this blog.  I wish you nothing but the best in this next life adventure.  Please come back and let us know how it is going!

27 comments:

  1. Thanks for the interview, Nancy. You asked some great questions. I'm always happy to visit your blog.

    Wishing you the best,

    Cheryl

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    1. Cheryl, It's always such a pleasure having you here. I wish you the best and invite you back to share your newest adventures!

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  2. What a wonderful interview, girls. It is so exciting to see what different paths Cheryl takes...she's a born writer and let me tell you she will be missed at Pump Up. Back to her book though, I've read it, it's really really cute. It's the perfect gift for the little ones. Can't wait to read her next ones!

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  3. Many thanks for your kind comments and for calling us girls! I'm anxious to read the new book and know it will be a success. I know she will be missed at Pump Up Your Book. I've so enjoyed working with her on four tours!

    Best wishes to you.

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  4. Very interesting interview. So great to learn more about Cheryl and her writing.

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    1. Thanks, Janet, for your lovely comment. And congratulations to you and your ongoing success!

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  5. Thanks for stopping by Dorothy and Janet. Having the support of friends like you (and Nancy) makes such a difference in this industry. I hope to have a release date for A Christmas Kindness soon. I'm excited to see another book out there.

    Wishing you the best,

    Cheryl

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  6. Nancy,

    Wonderful feature of Cheryl!

    Cheryl,

    I know your path will succeed with your immense talent and faith in God. I know this is not farewell but I wanted to take the time to wish you all the very best,
    Donna

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    1. Thanks so much, Donna, for stopping by and wishing Cheryl well!

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  7. Thanks Donna. I greatly appreciate your kind words. I feel a bit odd not working on tours, but I'm trying to stay involved.

    Wishing you the best,

    Cheryl

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  8. How exciting to be starting a new adventure. I wondered too about why you chose a new pen name. It makes sense, but now you have to establish your new name. That's a lot of work, but with your background with Pump Up you'll know how to do it! Wishing you success, Cheryl. Great interview!

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    1. Many thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind comment. So appreciated!

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  9. Thank you, Nancy, for an interesting interview with Cheryl.

    Cheryl, best of luck on your new endeavors, whatever they be, and on the sales of your books.

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    1. Thank you, Barbara, so much. And thanks for your continuing support!

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  10. Thank you for sharing the enjoyable interview, Nancy. I've read Cheryl's writing and appreciate her talent. Cheryl, congratulations on all the books and best wishes with them, your continued writing and future publications!

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    1. Connie, many thanks for your wishes. I appreciate them and I, like you, wish Cheryl amazing success!

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  11. It is such a pleasure to know Cheryl and I'm so excited for her and her upcoming releases. Thanks for hosting her Nancy. You do ask the probing questions.

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    1. Thank you, Kai, for stopping by and for your kind compliment. All the best to you!

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  12. Oh my! I go away for a bit and friends stop by. Thanks to everyone for coming out and leaving a comment.

    J.Q. you are the sweetest. Thanks for the compliment.

    Barbara, it seems like ages since we connected. So glad to see you here. Thanks for the good wishes.

    Connie, how nice to see you here. It looks like you and I will be busy with that critique group. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

    Kai, you're always great about dropping by. I appreciate it. You're excited for me and I'm scared out of my wits. I think I need some of your enthusiasm.

    Thanks again everyone. I hope you have a great week.

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    1. Everybody loves you, kiddo, and wishes you the best life has to offer. Me, too!

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  13. Great interview! You are an inspiration ladies

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer, for your comments and kind words. So appreciated!

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  14. How nice to see you here, Jennifer. I think we all inspire each other.

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  15. This interview really informative, some of questions are unique. I’m getting some unique information from this source. Keep it up!!!!!!

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    1. Thanks, Peeter, for your kind comment. Welcome to the blog!

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  16. Thanks, Nancy and Cheryl, for a lovely interview, showing inspiration comes when it comes (and sometime when summoned). Wishing you fun challenges and continued success.

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    1. Thanks, Penelope, for your lovely comments. Best wishes to you!

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