Cynthia Owens believes she’s always been destined to be interested in history. One of her distant ancestors, Thomas Aubert, reportedly sailed up the St Lawrence River and discovered Canada some 26 years before Jacques Cartier’s 1534 voyag. Owens also states that another releative was a 17thC “King’s Girl,” one of a group of young unmarried girls sent to New France (now Quebec) as brides for the settlers there.
About the Workshop
Cynthia is presenting, “Take Your Characters From Flat to Fabulous” which begins Monday, September 9 and ends on Friday, October 4. The workshop is held on groups.io. Registration is $15 for FF & P members and $20 for non-members.
What’s your workshop about?
“Take Your Characters From Flat to Fabulous: Creating Characters Your Readers Will Love” will show students how to take a character from a flat, formless idea to a living, breathing, three-dimensional person that readers can root for, care about, and fall in love with.
Whose your workshop for?
It’s for writers of every level who want their characters to sing on the page and touch readers’ hearts.
What do you hope attendees will gain from your workshop?
I hope my students will learn how to create great characters that will enhance their stories.
About You
Please tell our readers a bit about yourself in 50 words or less.
A former journalist and life-long Hibernophile, I write stories about the healing power of love. I believe in happily-ever-after, in mist and magic, and that what happens is meant to be.
Do you write full time or part-time?
I’m blessed to be able to write full-time. It’s a life-long dream-come-true for me.
What brought you to FF &P?
I decided to branch out from straight historical romance to historical romance with a touch of fantasy.
What genres do you write?
Most of my novels are historicals. In 2024, I published my first historical with fantasy elements.
Are you traditional, hybrid, or indie published? Why did you go this route?
In 2006, I became traditionally published with a small publishing house, Highland Press Publishing. A few years ago, when the company ceased operations, I went indie.
Do you have any odd/strange/fascinating rejection stories to share?
I have a story about a very early rejection that came when I was six years old. Our first-grade teacher assigned us to write a sentence about Dick, Jane, and their dog, Spot. I wrote a paragraph! When my teacher saw it, she scolded me for not following directions. Talk about stifling a child’s creativity! 😊
What is your writing routine like?
I’m an early-bird who is most creative in the mornings. I’ll do 1-3 hours of writing before breakfast, then fit in a few shorter sessions throughout the day, interspersed with whatever business is calling on that particular day.
If you could meet anyone, imaginary or real, in sci-fi or fantasy, who would it be and why.
Ray Bradbury was the first paranormal author I read. His story, All Summer in a Day, was a class assignment, and it touched me deeply. I felt so sorry for Margot!
You’re stranded on a desert island, and you can only have one book. Which book do you bring with you and why?
I’d bring a dictionary. Ever since I was a child, I read dictionaries. My father, who was largely self-taught, had a huge Funk and Wagnall dictionary in the living room, and I loved to watch him pore through it to find “the exact meaning.”
Tell us about your latest release(s) and what’s coming next for you.
This past March saw the release of He Moved Thro’ the Fair, Book 1 in my Children of the Swan series of historical romances with fantasy elements. The second book, Ride the Storm, will be released in 2026.
How can readers find you online?
Interested in teaching a workshop? Contact FF & P for more details!
Do you write fantasy, sci-fi, or paranormal romances? Join FF & P! FF& P is a special interest chapter of the RWA for authors and professionals who write in these genres. New member dues are $20 and renewals are $15 per year. Perspective members must be in good standing and an active member with national RWA. Visit FF & P for more information
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