Cynthia Hudson

BIW Member Interview

Cynthia Hudson is a freelance writer and novelist originally from New England. She has completed two fiction novels, dozens of short stories, and several non-fiction articles that can be found on the web. She is also working on an online novella that will be completed this fall.

Moe: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

Cynthia Hudson: I actually started writing when I was about ten years old. When other young girls were playing with their fashion dolls, I was writing ghost stories and mystery plays that I would con my nieces and nephews to take part in. I’ve never really wanted to be anything else.

Moe: Describe three lessons you have learned about writing?

Cynthia Hudson: First, that no one can make you sit down and write every day, you have to be self-motivating. Unless you are a famous, published writer no one is waiting with baited breath for your next work.

Second, I treat my writing as a job. When I am working on a book I get up every morning and get ready for the day as if I was expected at work. I try to be at my desk at 9:00 a.m., coffee in hand, ready to go.

Third, that writing is a gift you give yourself. It really doesn’t matter if anyone buys what you have written; although all of us would love a best seller that is not what makes you a “writer”. When you put the words on a page and love what you have written, you are a writer.

Moe: What are you working on now?

Cynthia Hudson: I just finished my second novel and while I am working through my second draft I am writing some short stories for publication on the web.

Moe: Do you have a favourite writing related book?

Cynthia Hudson: I have two but if I can only pick one it would be Stephen King’s On Writing. Practical advice and it makes me smile.

Moe: What is your favourite writing website?

Cynthia Hudson: I love Writer’s Digest. They offer many of their how-to articles from the magazine for free online. There is a free newsletter that you can subscribe to, links, prompts, online conferences, and a bookstore that offers many writing related books at discounted rates. It’s also how I found BIW and NaNoWriMo!

Moe: Do you have an important BIW tip you’d like to pass along?

Cynthia Hudson: I always try to figure out what I need to get done for the week, whatever project I am working on, and then set my goal. I also find it easier for me to set my goal a little low so I am not constantly beating myself up for not getting enough done which is simply wasted energy.

Visit Cynthia’s official website.