Hello, and welcome to another edition of Twisted News. In this issue, we are going to veer away from the familiar path and sync with a writer who has been making waves, “Original Cyn” Cynthia Vespia.
From writing about pro wrestling and thrillers to vigilantes and gladiators, Cynthia, can write in any genre she puts her thoughts to. She is known for her dragon fantasy series A time of Dragons. The first book, Rayna the Dragonslayer, was a Top Five finalist in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. So, without further ado, let’s dig in!
Congratulations! Top five finalist. What a huge accomplishment. How did you come about getting it? How did it feel?
C: It was a huge accomplishment. It was on my bucket list. In fact, I’ve been able to check off a lot of items from my bucket list this year. It’s crazy. It meant a lot to get that award. It’s validation. It wasn’t just readers but judges, like-minded peers voting that we like your work. I came across another author who posted the promotion online, so I did the research, and it turns out it’s the largest indie publishing competition in the world, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards. I entered into a few categories and then forgot all about it. One day, I opened an email, saying I was one of the top five finalists in action/adventure for Rayna the Dragonslayer. It was a big deal. My story was picked out of a lot of people who entered. They sent me a silver medal with stickers to attach to my book. They held a Gala at a fancy hotel in San Diego and gave out the awards. It was exciting. It makes me want to enter into more contests. Because number one, I want to win.
A: People look at you differently when you have a list of accolades.
C: I was a finalist, but I want award winner. With NGIBA, they have a series category, and my entire series is complete. They liked the first one, so let’s see if I can win. As a caveat to other authors, vet those contests because they are not all created equals and just want your money. You can go to Absolute Write. They have a forum that lists all contests. In the search bar, type in the contest title, and it will tell you if it is good or not good.
What was your inspiration for writing?
C: I used to read a lot as a kid. My mom also read to me, and I developed a love for words. What made me want to be an author was when I read Dean Koontz’s book Intensity in high school. I remember seeing him on a talk show, so that’s the reason I picked up the book in the first place. When I read it, it drew emotions out of me in a way that made me want to do the same. So, that’s how it all started.
You mainly write fantasy but have also dabbled in other genres, which gives a broad range to your skills. But what brought you to stick with fantasy?
C: I wanted to be like Dean Koontz: thriller/suspense but with magical elements. The more I wrote those, the more I wasn’t feeling it, and they were mostly standalones that didn’t go anywhere. So, I started doing fantasy and found I was more comfortable with that genre. What I consider myself, though, is a writer of speculative fiction, but no one knows what that is. I decided I didn’t want to split my focus or confuse the readers. I have everything under the Fantasy umbrella, whether it’s sword and sorcery or urban fantasy. It has to have a fantasy element so that I’m known as a fantasy author.
Have you thought about going back and writing for a different genre to entertain those readers?
C: For thrillers, yes and no. My Vegas Vigilantes series is in that realm, but again, it has magical elements. The urban fantasy would mostly be in the skew, but I don’t think I will do just a thriller. It’s just not my milieu.
How did Rayna the Dragon Slayer come to fruition?
C: I got the idea by looking at a statue. I was legit pushing pause on writing. I was burned out, and one day, I was scrolling online and found this website called Side Show Collectibles. One of the items was a dragon slayer, and there was a blond with a giant sword in dragon armor, and a whole idea was formed. The spark of an idea is my favorite part, and then fleshing it out. I didn’t do a complete outline, but bits and pieces. You never know where the ideas are going to come from.
What were the greatest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
C: For the craft of writing, it’s been the plot and character development combined. In my earlier writing, it wasn’t fleshed out enough. So, I’ve been working really hard on character development, where they grow throughout the story. I think that’s why my A Time of Dragons series is so popular. I sat down and put so much emphasis on the character I created. Love and interest in this person, which is why people are enjoying it so much.
The other aspect of writing I find difficult is marketing. The marketplace is flooded with so many people who think they are writers, and even more so with AI because they can quickly turn out crap books and steal ideas from other authors. I’ve dabbled with the social media aspect, but it’s hit or miss. I have a newsletter that I’m pruning, and I’m developing my YouTube channel. But it’s throwing stuff it at the wall to see if it sticks.
What is your take on self-publishing vs traditional?
C: I started in the days of writing a letter, putting a stamp on it, sending it to a publisher, and waiting six months or more for an answer. Then, usually, a rejection letter is returned, and then you do it all over again. Since then, it has changed so much. I remember they used to sell this big book called Writers Market (they still do), and I would be up until the early morning going through it and finding publishers who were open to submissions. Then, everything turned into eBooks. I learned to self-publish before it was cool. It was one of my first books that came out, and I did it because I wanted to see what it would look like in print. The book was The Crescent, about female gladiators. Fast forward from 2005 until now, I just re-released it. But that’s what self-publishing does. You can take your own IP and do whatever the hell you want with it. But if you were with a traditional publisher, if it doesn’t hit within the first six months, then they pull it.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
C: Eh, ten years older. I heard something the other day that I liked. They talked about how your fictional writing didn’t have to be a career focus. There’s a great quote in a movie called Catch and Release with Jennifer Garner and Timothy Olyphant, and he says, “I used to take pictures all the time.” And she says, “Why did you give it up?” He responded, “Well, I started getting paid for it.” So, writing. I love writing, and I’ll never be able to stop. I tried, but I keep getting ideas. I’m trying not to put too much pressure on making a living from it. I just want to put out good work because I think that is what will get me to the next level. I’m not focusing on the wrong things. I never want to be the writer who sees the popularity of something like Fifty Shades of Grey and then writes the same thing. I want to say I like pro wrestling and think murder mysteries are cool, so I’m going to smash those together and create my novel Theater of Pain.
A: What a good concept to have. If you are stuck on, I have to get paid for it, and you possibly lose the passion and don’t produce what you want. Or what you like or what’s going to make you feel good.
C: I never want to conform to other people’s standards. Yes, genres have things you’re supposed to hit. Writers are expecting certain things. But I won’t think about what is popular right now and then go write about it. The advice I give to writers is not to chase the trends; make your own. By the time you finish writing, the trend is already over, and you are playing catch-up with a new trend.
What would be your version of a fulfilled career?
C: I want to write my books and not have a separate source of income. I want to be an invited guest at Comic Cons and other events, and that’s where I will feel like I’ve made it. I don’t want to be the one chasing those. I want someone to say, “We would love for you to join us at…, here’s your table, and it’s all taken care of.” Mary Higgins Clark was known as the Queen of Suspense. The King of Horror is Stephen King. I want a tag like that. I don’t have one thought up, but I want one.
What is next for you?
C: I have a couple of ideas simmering. I have a full-blown ten-book series sitting on the back burner I want to jump into. It will be more of a Science fantasy. I want to touch on that universe. It’s big, it’s expansive, and it has series breaking off from it. I also have a trilogy, but it will piss off a lot of people. So, that might be the last series I ever write. Truly, I will be canceled. The tagline will literally be Don’t read this book. It’s going to deal with a lot of real-world issues and be dystopian post-apocalyptic. I’m also looking to do a vigilante fiction fantasy series that isn’t popular right now. My heroes are mostly outcasts but vigilantes saving the day.
A: Kind of like Divergent?
C: Yeah, kind of. I also have a background in personal training and wanted to offer guidebooks for authors–tips on motivation, physical fitness, stress relief, and self-care. Eventually, I want to expand it into courses and then a podcast.
Cynthia, thank you so much for joining me and letting the world see a glimpse into your mind. As always, spending time with you was a pleasure, and we have now arrived at my favorite part: giving flowers.
We are going on a year of friendship; wow, time flies, but you inspire me. You push yourself past the standards when it comes to your drive to get out there. You wanted to create your own path, and you have. That’s huge because people are so consumed with wanting to conform because it’s easier or it’s their comfort zone, but you’re not afraid of that, and I find that to be a good path that I want to follow because of that drive. I definitely appreciate you, appreciate what you’ve created, and what you’re continuing to create. Thank you.
What leaves your mind twisted?
Until next time!
You can follow her on social media:
Facebook: @originalcynwrites
Instagram: @originalcynwrites
Website: www.cynthiavespia.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OriginalCynContent
Check out some of her previous titles of work:
https://www.cynthiavespia.com/books
About Author
