With us today is Mrs. Cynthia Henry, well known Author of All that Glitters. We'll spend a few moments talking about her recent release and then move on to really get to know her. Thank you, Mrs. Henry…for being with us today.

Thanks so much for having me!

Can you tell us something about All that Glitters?

All That was originally published in 2002 as a POD novel entitled The Strength of Plastic. Anyone who is at all familiar w/ POD knows that though it's a great outlet for untapped work, it's next to impossible to get any press. I've always loved the book but felt it could do more and luckily Deborah at Scheherazade Tales agreed and it found new life as All That Glitters!

What prompted you to write it?

I've been writing for several years and actually had completed a long trilogy (unpublished as of yet) before All That, but I can honestly say that this story was the first one that drove me. It was so easy to write because Tom, Julie, Angelica and Richard literally told me their stories as I went along. I just wrote it down. I wish they all were this simple!

Was there something that spurred it…a moment that really brought the characters to life in your mind?

A few months before I started writing the book there was a horrible accident in my area and a young father was tragically killed on the job. That got my wheels turning and he became the inspiration for Kevin. Being from a small town myself, I felt I had a handle on the social structure of Kings Crossing.

I had the distinct pleasure to review this for you Mrs. Henry and I must say that I loved it. Do you have a favorite part in the book?

I think the culmination when we find out how all the twists and turns have come to be is my favorite part. I don't think I'm generally clever, but I was excited about the way good triumphs in the end. And thank you so much for the nice words and review. That means so very much.

Was there a particular scene that was difficult for you to write?

To me the hardest part was the scene when Julie calls her mom in a desperate attempt to find comfort and is spurned. I had a terrific writing instructor who once told me that "If there's not a tear in the writer there won't be a tear in the reader". I certainly needed a few tissues after that one!

Tell us something about you personally Mrs. Henry?

I'm a wife of twenty years, mom of three gals, a huge Springsteen fan and I still live within 10 miles of the house I was born in!

Where do you get the inspiration for your work?

All over. I actually wasn't the best student...I was too restless....but I always listened. Sometimes things I heard twenty-five years ago in study hall when I should've been reviewing algebra come back to me and they find their way into stories. I listen everywhere...the grocery store, the doctor's office, the news.

Do you have a favorite Author?

Of all time Harper Lee and that one beautifully crafted book of hers. Present tense, probably Karen Robards. I think she's a terrific writer.

What prompted you to start writing?

I've just always written, though I only became serious about sharing my work about five years ago. But even as a child I was constantly molding stories in my mind.

Do you have a defining moment in your career so far? Something that really brought it all home for you personally and you said, "Wow!!! I did it!!!"

I've shared this story before so I apologize if some have heard it, but when All That first came out asThe Strength, I saw someone I knew very casually and she had just read the book. She said to me, "Are you going to write a sequel because I have to know how Tom and Julie are. I feel like they're my friends!" That really hit me.

What are you working on now?

I just published another novel Discovering Normal that will be running on Scheherazade Tales probably late December or early next year. It's another contemporary romance with a bit of intrigue.

I read in your bio that you have a rather large family. Is it hard to find the time to write?

So hard. That's probably my biggest challenge. My kids are at very busy stages and it's important to me that they never feel slighted, but it's tough. I'm constantly feeling the 'pull' of letting someone or something down!

Do you have anything specific you do to generate ideas?

Not really, but I love movies and great books and sometimes I just get the bug when I'm witness to really great work that's inspired me.

Do you have a favorite spot to write?

Unfortunately I'm not a long-hand to legal pad writer--I have to have my computer which isn't a laptop so I write pretty much exclusively in my bedroom office. A more traditional office is under construction off of my laundry room so I'll have the sweet smell of Downey surrounding me soon!

Do you do anything in particular to stay motivated when you're writing?

Lot's of candy is always nearby...Gummy Bears are my favorite but I'm trying to do better so I've attempted to bridge the gap with chow mein noodles!

Is there any piece of advice you could offer to all those up and coming authors out there?

This is so obvious and cliché, but just keep going! I've been so discouraged SO many times and even still I get in slumps where I feel it's so much more effort than it's worth, but the true love of writing kicks back in if you just allow it to. Don't stop!

Thank you again for your time Mrs. Henry. We look forward to great things from you in the future.

Thanks so very much! It's been fun!!!

Interviewed by: Mary