Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Getting discreet with Cindy Roesel...plus a fun giveaway!

**Giveaway is now closed**

We've said it before and we'll say it again...there's a celebrity in our midst! Yes, our very own review associate, Cindy Roesel, is an AUTHOR! She's no stranger to fame though, as she is also an Emmy award winning anchor, reporter and producer! Now she has a debut novel, "Viewer Discretion Advised," to add to her list of amazing accomplishments. Cindy lives in sunny Miami with her adorable shih tzu dog, Sassy. You can find her at her website, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

Not only is Cindy giving away SIX copies of her novel, but she also has some fun prizes to go along with it! And better yet...this giveaway is open worldwide!

GRAND PRIZE: A mug with the book logo along with the book
TWO 2nd place prizes: Tote bags with the book logo along with the book
THREE 3rd place prizes: Charley's favorite candy along with the book (Hint: It's also Melissa A's favorite candy)

What are your biggest motivations to write? What keeps you going?
First and foremost, I’m a storyteller. I just love telling stories. I enjoy observing people, overhearing their conversations and then adding my imagination and turning it all into narrative. A lot of that comes from having been a journalist for so long. You could say when it comes down to it, I’m really nosey!

What do you do when you get writer’s block?
I don’t believe in writer’s block. I write when I have to write. It may not be my best, but I do what I have to do. Actually, I refuse to acknowledge the possibility of its existence.

What kind of research did you do for "Viewer Discretion Advised?"
My fifteen year career as a journalist with deadlines has been the absolute best preparation for writing my novel, “Viewer Discretion Advised.” It continues to serve me well in my writing career.

Which authors have inspired you?
There have been so many authors who have inspired me. I believe it is important to read novels out loud. I love their stories, but I find reading Charles Dickens, Joseph Conrad and Flannery O’Connor out lout a treat for the rhythm and dialogue.
As far as contemporary writers, I’m blessed to be among so many exciting women (and a few men) chick-lit writers at CHICK LIT CENTRAL, especially for them making April 24th a special day to celebrate the publication of VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. Thanks to all of you for supporting me on this journey. I am humbled by this whole process.

Characters really make the story for us. What 3 words would best describe your heroine & what about her called out to you to write her story?
Charley is resilient, bright and loyal.
People at home watching the news may think they know the anchors they see on the screen, or what we in the business call the “talent.” But there’s a whole other world behind the camera. More than likely that person on TV is a lot different from the way she/he seems. There’s a bunch of people doing much of the work for that person. In some cases, the talent do nothing, but show up and read.
Charley is the News Director so she oversees both on-air and behind the scenes employees. She personifies a hardworking woman who does it all. She takes pride in her profession, getting the facts correct and not letting anything less than the best get on the air.
I thought it was important to write a character that fully showcased all aspects of Charley’s personality, the positive ones and her flaws. Charley is fair, but she won’t let anything get in the way of her goals for the sake of ratings. She finds herself at crisis with her values in her new position and that’s part of the conflict of the novel.

If "Viewer Discretion Advised" were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
If it were to become a movie, that would be the most AMAZING THING IN THE WORLD!
When it comes to casting the movie, I’d like to see Claire Danes play Charley in the next three-five years. After that, I’d love to see Jennifer Lawrence play Charley. Beyond that I have absolutely no idea about casting! Maybe when people read the novel, they can leave casting ideas on CLC or my website!

What is your most unique trait or quirk?
I REALLY like peach diet snapple. The beverage guy at the supermarket orders the 2qt. size for me by the case. I actually have his number programmed on my phone.

What is your favorite month, and why?
APRIL. It’s my birthday and it’s when spring really blooms. It’s the whole concept of seasonal rebirth and renewal which resonates within me.

What is your theme song?
I WILL SURVIVE by Gloria Gaynor (nothing could be cheesier but more perfect)

Since you obviously read a lot of chick lit, what theme would you like to see more of in chick lit novels to give them an original flair?
I’d like to see more of the tough issues many of us are facing in our daily lives reflected in chick-lit books. Amy Hatvany has done that well with her novels without making them too dramatic, and now she’s signed a new three-book deal. She’s been able to incorporate both alcoholism and mental illness into her previous books and still produce what is considered chick-lit. A lot of us have aging parents with early on-set dementia or Alzheimer’s, even serious financial issues. These are some contemporary issues I’d like to see tackled. But the bottom line is, as long as there is something for all readers and that seems to be the case, it’s a win-win for both the readers and the writers. So, everyone is happy and ultimately, that is our goal!

Special thanks to Cindy for all the support she's given to CLC with her awesome reviews and for sharing her novel with us and her cool prizes with our readers.

How to win "Viewer Discretion Advised" (and the prizes that go along with it):

Just tell us what theme would you like to see more of in chick lit novels to give them an original flair. (One entry per person.) Please include your e-mail address or another way to reach you if you should win.

Giveaway ends April 29th at midnight EST.

32 comments:

Cyndee said...

A new theme for a chick Lit book could be about homeless people that find love and over come their economic woes with support, confidence and a new found understanding on getting educated about real priorities in life.
Cyndee Thomas@gmail.com

Juliet Madison said...

Hi Cindy,
My favorite month is April too (also my birthday month!)

I'd like to see more themes about women who are either dealing with a health issue, or a family members health issue, or with children who have disabilities. These are some themes I'm looking at exploring in my own writing.

Thanks for the opportunity :)
info(at)julietmadison(dot)com

MommyHeadache said...

I would love to read a chick lit book about women who find themselves late and start a whole new career aged 45! I think that is more hen lit though!

emmakcontact[at]yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'd love to see chick lit novels about chicks who are married:). More than once I've had friends tell me..."I had no clue what happens afetr the wedding...."

allieDOTmcsmithATgmailDOTcom

Stephanie said...

I like to read chick Lit book where the heroine is older.

Skk25@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I'd like to see more chick lit about what happens after "happily ever after." Many chick lit books end with a couple getting together, but what happens after that? I'm always left wanting more!

bjoneill@hotmail.com

Sharon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sharon said...

I'd like to see more chick lit that isn't about perfect relationships - no one has the perfect relationship like a lot of them are described in books.

Thanks!

sharon3960 [@] yahoo . com

ANNIE M said...

I'd like to see a chick lit book that deals with imperfect relationships/marriages, but making it work out :)

swtiine(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Maureen said...

I think I would like to see more stories where the heroine demands respect from the people in the story or she ditches them.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Bonnie K. said...

I'd like to see some chick lit books cover older women, especially those that were stay at home moms and anticipates returning to work. Others issues I'd like to see more of involving women over-coming disabilities or meeting someone with a disability.

bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

Cher B said...

I see this answer on several previous comments, and I am definitely interested in reading novels with characters in their 40's and the challenges of aging in a youth-driven culture.

I'm looking forward to reading "Viewer Discretion Advised"- thanks for the chance to win!

cherbasonATgmailDOTcom

Linda Kish said...

I guess I agree with the others..something with the not so young, maybe even in their 50s. We deserve love, too. Second chance love is just as sweet as first love.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Erica said...

How about a book about women with brains, a job and a sense of independence!

wordywon AT gmail DOT com

Kristen said...

I feel like the girls always fall for the "perfect" guy - I'd like to see one that's more realistic. Not the ruggedly handsome type, or the guy-next-door-with-perfect-personality... one that has faults.

kly(dot)327(at)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

WOW! Thanks for all the great ideas, chickies! Keep them coming! Chances are they'll be used by me or some of the other authors on CLC in the future! Remember, you can be a chick at any age ... it's all about the attitude! Cindy

Literary Chanteuse said...

I think a food or cooking, baking etc theme. I always love a book when it includes that.

Margaret
singitm(At)hotmail(dot)com

BRN2SHOP9 said...

More realistic storyline would be nice!

brn2shop9 at gmail dot com

karenk said...

i agree w/ characters in their 40s...or older. great question.

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

sneakerdoodle said...

I would love to see more comedic chick lit books rather than so many dramatic ones. When I read I'd rather feel happier and maybe laugh once in a while than read something that makes me feel down.
mrspaulafranco@gmail.com

rubynreba said...

I also would love older heroines. Also more stories about ordinary people who aren't rich!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Mary Preston said...

I'd like more stories where the man is taken out of his comfort zone. We see the women often in this role.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

StereoQueenBee said...

A lot of these books are about single girls. What about those of us who aren't single but also have "problems"?

queenofcrunk at gmail dot com

Lilian said...

I think I'd like to see chick-lit after the marriage. So many chicklit lead to marriage/love, but few standalones talk about how to maintain the relationship.

I just realized someone already said it...

But I just think after marriage is unexplored territory, just like ending a fairy tale with "happily ever after But what happily ever after entails is still a mystery. It's like nobody knows what to do after the romance and the wedding.

lilianxchengATgmailDOTcom

kaewink said...

I am for married chick-lit as well. I loved Carole Matthews Summer daydreams for drawing a great story with a married woman with a girl in the center and the way she solves her career and family life.

Also dealing with illnesses of kids or relatives would interesting and very realistic, I think.

I love Claire Danes!! Another reason for me to read your book, Cindy! :)

kewinkler at gmail dot com

DD said...

I think I'd like to see more chick lit that has more of today's social media involved. The good and the bad. You know, find an old friend on FB and realize he's the love of your life or have a couple be torn apart by one of their addictions to FB or by meeting some one else. A little dark, I know, but there are all kinds of story lines that can evolve from those ideas.

Anonymous said...

Ladies, keep the ideas coming, because what you're writing is what YOU WANT TO READ! And any smart writer is going to listen to YOU! BTW: I'd love for "Queen of crunk" to elaborate on "problems" ... either here on email me at writeoncindy@yahoo.com.....
xoxo cindy

Nancye said...

I'd like to see more women with disabilities in Chick Lit books.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

bn100 said...

I'd like them to feature more international characters.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jeryl M. said...

I would like to read more books about people who are friends and fall in love instead of so many about people who hate each other than fall in love.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

KR said...

I'd like to see more chick lit books about that time you THINK you are ready to get married but aren't sure what to expect..and books about marriage after the BIG DAY.
kristinrose28 AT hotmail DOT com

Kim W. said...

I would like to see more books with health issues (like My Sister's Keeper) or with special needs.

kewalker1972@gmail.com