Bog Tour (Interview and Giveaway): Cipher by Cindy Madsen

Welcome to the Cipher blog tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours

Summer Davis sees deaths before they happen. She attempts to live a normal life by focusing on the dance team and her quarterback boyfriend. But then the way-too-cheery Angel of Death shows up and tells her she’s a Cipher—a person chosen to help people who are going to die resolve problems with their loved ones. Ashlyn Moore, one of Summer’s classmates, is going to die, and she needs Summer’s help before that happens.

It’s nearly impossible to get through to Ashlyn, who surrounds herself with chess nerds and geeks and makes it clear she doesn’t want to be friends. Desperate to complete her Cipher task before it’s too late, Summer turns to Troy, the guy who’s always been there for her and one of the few people she can trust. With his help, she makes progress. In fact, the closer she gets to Ashlyn and her friends, the more she feels like she’s finally found where she belongs.

As the clock starts running down on Ashlyn’s life, Summer decides to change her objective. She’s going to save her new friend before it’s too late—even if it means messing with fate

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Today, The Cover Contessa has interviewed Cindy for this stop on the tour!

So let's hear what she had to say!

Welcome Cindy!

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else? 

Growing up, I wanted to be a clothing designer. I used to draw different outfits & design shoes & accessories. But I also had stories in my head. One day I decided to put a story down and I knew it was what I wanted to do. I still love to get dressed up and put together outfits, especially involving shoes.

How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?

It differs from book to book. I write fairly fast. I wrote the Cipher trilogy in a couple months because once I got in Summer’s head, I couldn’t stop. I actually wrote them before all my other books that have come out. Now that I know better what I’m doing, I went back through to polish them & get them ready for publication.

How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?

I wish how I knew how to better balance. I set a word count goal when I write and a page count when I edit. Then I try to make sure to carve out some time for my family. But when I’m in the thick of a story, I’m always thinking of it, taking notes on my phone. Luckily my family is supportive, though I sometimes get a sigh when I pull out my phone to take notes.

What elements do you think make a great story line?

For me, I’m all about the characters. Give me characters I can cheer for and I’ll go anywhere with them. I’m also a big fan of romance in my books. I need at least a little.

Do you have a favorite character?

Really it changes with whichever book I’m working on. They’re always my favorites in the moment. Then I edit another book and they’re my favorite. I just love them all.

Have you gotten feedback from family about your book(s)? What do they think?

My mom always wishes I’d curse less, but she’s read all my books, and she cheers for me every time I put one out. My dad asks me how it’s going and even occasionally tells me about good reviews on Amazon. I have an aunt who’s read several of my books pre-publication & was cheering for me for long before most people even knew I was writing.

What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?

I love music (though I use it for writing too) and I love to dance. I don’t like to cook, so I like to go out to eat. I also like to spend time with my family, whether it’s movies or just sitting around chatting.

What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing? 

Read a lot, write a lot, find a good critique group, and don’t give up.

Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such? 

I’ve brainstormed with my sisters a lot and my husband gets asked approximately 1,000 questions as I’m writing. I have a couple awesome teen readers who beta read and tell me if I used something that no teen nowadays would say. And I have a critique group who’s helped me a ton.

Are you working on anything now? 

Always! I just turned in my 3rd book in the Accidentally in Love series (my adult romance series), getting ready for the Cinderella Screwed Me Over release in October, and I’m about to write a Christmas novella, as well as do copyedits on Rift, book 2 in the Cipher series. It’s a little crazy at my house right now, but I love it!  

Thanks so much for stopping by today, Cindy! It was great to have you here!

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA novels All the Broken Pieces and Demons of the Sun, adult contemporary romances Falling for Her Fiancé and Act Like You love Me, and the women's fiction novel Cinderella Screwed Me Over.
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