Unexpected Riches in Life and Literature with C.S. Boyll

Today I’d like to welcome C.S. Boyll to the show! This week on “Getting to the Heart of Why We Write,” Cindy and I talk about everything from kidnapped midwives to Cincinnati Ohio chili.  It was so much fun talking with Cindy who has been writing across genres for many years. I love meeting other multi-genre writers and hearing about their journeys and passion for different projects!  I was lucky enough to connect with Cindy through the Rocky Mountain SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) and was happy to find out our paths cross in many ways. 🙂 Here are some highlights and favorite quotes: “We have to work it in, don’t we?” I couldn’t believe how many places we’d been in parallel. We chatted about the chili culture of Cincinnati, Ohio and the lovely people in SCBWI Rocky Mountain region. The benefits of making friends within all age groups–learning from each generation. The beauty of unexpected connections through writing, unexpected riches in the real world. “I just take a deep breath and try to go over the obstacle or through the obstacle in the best ways I can. And, of course, you try to get help from other people if you can, too.” “Sometimes, don’t you see reality that is so off the wall you can’t put it into your fiction?” Some final words of advice from C.S. Boyll: Guard your writing. Even if it’s just a half hour a week. That’ll add up after a year. Don’t think you’ll have more time later to do your work. If you’re healthy…you’ll always be busy. Be consistent. But if you miss a day, just start again. Get past the voices. There will be a lot of voices wherever you are in your journey that will make it seem impossible. You can get past them, having community makes it easier. Her latest two books are linked below. Read on for more info about each one.  Always Flying Bobby—a multigenerational story about flying to be enjoyed by the whole family (picture book). Unexpected Riches–Puritans, kidnapping, midwifery, the open seas. If any of those things interest you, check out her YA historical fiction linked below! One of the best ending quotes I could imagine: “You are seen. You are loved. What you do is important.” Links Always Flying Bobby (picture book)--a multigenerational story about flying Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators C.S. Boyll’s Unexpected Riches (YA historical) C.S. Boyll (Cindy)’s website Tara Lazar’s Storystorm 12x12 Picture Book Challenge If you missed it or just want to hear more about Always Flying Bobby, check out last week’s episode with the illustrator, Jessica Santiesteban! Thank you for listening and being here with me! Next up we have Meghana Narayan, author of A Little Bit of Everything illustrated by Michelle Carlos.