Meet Cindy Johnson from Shortcomings - #YA

My name is Cindy Johnson, and I’m a freak…at least I feel like one.  Although Momma says I’m beautiful, other people look at me like I’m uglier than sin.  You see, I was born with one leg shorter than the other and I have a very bad limp.   I go to high school, but if I had a choice, I’d just stay home and read romance books all day.  At least, through novels, I can escape to a world where people don’t stare and say unkind things.

Funny thing is, I have a crush on the HS Quarterback despite knowing I don't stand a chance with him.  His name is Cory Neil and he’s polite, but probably only because he feels sorry for me. Knowing Math is my strong subject, he called and asked me to tutor him. I was so blinded by his attention, I agreed because he was so sure he’d lose his place on the team if he failed the class.  I couldn't let that happen.  He's awesome.

 Anyhow, I arranged to meet him in the library because our house…well, let’s just say, it isn’t a mansion and I decided I’d be much more comfortable without him seeing how I live.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, my dad does his very best, but we’ve not had the best of luck which is how we ended up with me at a new school and people less forgiving than those I grew up with.  Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if people thought before they spoke?  

Anyhow, Cory asked me to Homecoming and that made me so mad.  Why would he ask someone who obviously can’t dance unless he was dared by his friends?  I’m not stupid, and I immediately knew I was the butt of someone’s joke.  I absolutely refused to go and he pretends he doesn’t understand why I won't.  Yeah, right!

  I don’t think I’ve ever wished for anything as much as to be normal and go to the ball with Cory, but no matter how much I want things to be different, I’m who I am. Yes, maybe I let my “Shortcomings” define me, but I just can’t afford to open myself up to more ridicule and hurt.  He doesn’t seem to want to accept my answer, but I’ve already made up my mind.  He can take the pep squad captain.  She takes  great delight in reminding me I’m nothing but a gimp whenever I run across her.  I'll get even...somehow, someday, someway, just you wait and see.

Now Available: Shortcomings by Ginger Simpson

Now Available: Shortcomings by Ginger Simpson

High School is hard enough without the cold stares from classmates that remind you every day how different you are.

Our shortcomings don't define who we are, unless we let them. Cindy Johnson needs to learn that. Born with one leg shorter than the other, she has no self-esteem because of the cruel comments and cold stares she receives from her classmates. When Cory Neil, the football quarterback asks her to Homecoming, she's quite sure he's asked her on a dare and refuses. It takes more than just her mother's assurances that Cindy's beautiful before she realizes she may have made a mistake in turning him down.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J16ZA90 

What was the impetus behind this book?  For those who don't know, I have an autistic grandson who is now eleven.  I've become very conscious of the way people gape at behaviors they don't understand, and whether they do so knowingly doesn't matter to the person who is the object of the unwanted attention.  My Spencer is a very loving child who is way too trusting and has been known to go up and hug strangers.  He doesn't realize that it's strange because it comes naturally to him, and I'm thankful that like so many children affected by this disorder, he isn't socially stilted and loves to be loved. Still, I'm trying to teach him that while the world is filled with great folks, there are also those who aren't as nice as we hope they are.

  My thought was if I could deliver a message that might change a person's way of thinking, I might save Spencer from the bullies that dwell among us.  We are either part of the problem or we can be part of the solution, and I chose to be a messenger to raise awareness.  No matter what age you are, Shortcomings is a heartwarming story and one I hope might make a difference.  With hopes that a teacher might want to use the book in the classroom, I also prepared a study guide that I will happily provide.

Hope you'll pick up a copy or get one for a child, grandchild, niece or nephew.  I trust my message will not be wasted.

An Interview with Ginger

Aren't updated reruns great?  This interview originally appeared on a friends site a few years go and I'm sure two people might have seen it.  I've updated it a bit and decided to promote myself so you know I'm still alive and kicking.

1.     Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write the story.

I'm going to pick my YA, Shortcomings, which was previously released in February of last year.  It hasn't lived up to what I hoped to see, not just in sales, but in getting out a very important message.  My inspiration came from my autistic grandson, and I worry he will be picked on by his peers as he grows older.  Young children are so much more accepting of differences than the upper grades.  I truly want people to acknowledge that disabilities don’t define a person or their worth.  We may not realize the discomfort we cause with our curious stares and backhanded comments.  Bullying comes from all ages, shapes, sizes, and colors, and in a myriad of instances.  Adults can benefit from reading this book as well as my target audience because the saying, "we learn what we live" has never been truer.

2.     What was the most difficult or easy aspect of writing this piece?

Besides Spencer’s disability, I drew on my own experiences of fighting my weight, and how I felt in high school when making friends for me wasn’t as easy as some.

3.     Who’s your favorite character in your upcoming release?

I’d have to say Cory Neil, my young football hero.  He sees the beauty in Cindy despite her own blindness to it.  He’s determined, and I love that about him.

4.     What similarities are there between you and any of your characters?

None really.  My characters are young, with their whole lives ahead of them.  I've already faced becoming a senior citizen, and the idea of where the years went is overwhelming.  Writing Shortcomings was a great glimpse into my younger years and why I’m stronger today than I was back then.  I only wish I could go back and do a few things differently instead of blending into the crowd because I didn't want to become a target or, God forbid, have someone thing I was friends with the people they picked on.  Today, I wouldn't fade into the background...I'd stand up, no matter what.  It's easier said than done, I know, but right is right.

5.     What kind of research did you have to do in order to write your new book?

Unlike my historical novels where research plays a huge role in the story, this one required very little.  At one point in my heroine’s life,  with graduation looming, she needed to make a career decision. Her desire: to work with children with disabilities, specifically blind students.  I contacted a school for the blind in Nashville, and the administrator was kind enough to supply me with actual job descriptions and requirements for those positions.

6.     Several of your books have an American Indian theme. I’ve been fascinated by Indian culture and lore since as early as I have memories. Your books White Heart, Lakota Spirit, Prairie Peace, and Sarah’s Heart involve western Indian settings and storylines. I know you chose the Sioux for Praire Peace and obviously the Lakota for White Heart, Lakota Spirit.  

      Just FYI, the Lakota are a branch of the Sioux nation.  I just got more detailed.

a.     How did you select specific tribes as backdrops for those novels?

I’ve long had a fascination with the American Indian.  I’ve read countless books about the various tribes and their cultures.  For some strange reason, the Lakota Sioux are the ones I identify with most.  Who knows…perhaps a past life? 

b.     What research did you do?

More reading.  I have a wonderful book put out by Reader’s Digest on American Indians, rites and rituals, and I invested in two specifically about the Sioux.  The knack of converting the research into your own words is tricky because if you copy anything verbatim, you are opening yourself up for plagiarism charges.  It happened to one well-known historical author, and she lost some contracts because of it.

c.     Any plans for writing from the perspective of another tribe? You live near present-day Cherokee, whose culture I find intriguing. Any future story involving that tribe?

Funny you should ask.  The trail of tears passed near where I live, and the history of the Natchez Trace is well known here.  I might just be motivated to start another historical soon.  At the moment, I do have one started about a tribe in Alaska.  That's pretty tough because I know very little of their culture and I'm really having to dig deep. In the meantime, a female detective has demanded I listen to her, so I've made much more progress on my mystery.  Wow! Talk about jumping from one genre to another.  I'm making a broad leap here.  *smile*

7.     Do you get along with your muse? What do you do to prod her/him along when she/he refuses to inspire you?

My muse is motivated by my characters and their willingness to chat.  I’m not a plotter, so when someone pops into my head with a story to tell, I’m motivated to do the typing to see where I end up.  I’ve been pleasantly surprised more than once.  I find when I write out of my comfort zone, it takes me a lot longer.

8.     What sort of character is hanging in the back of your mind, that your muse is playing with and trying to tempt you to write into a new work?

     Right now, I have no one hanging in my mind with a NEW story, and that’s unusual, but fine.  In the past,  on any given day, I have about five WIPS, but the past few months, the silence has enabled me to complete, query and contract what I have finished. I just need to get motivated to finish the ones I've started and I'm sure others will follow.  That's usually the course of action.  Right now, I'm glad the voices have fallen silent because my health hasn't been up to par and I've had to force myself to even come to the computer.

9.     If you could meet one character from any literary work, who would it be and what one question would you ask them?

I think it would have to be Scarlett O’Hara, and my question, “What in the heck were you thinking?” 

10.  What project are you currently writing?

I think I answered that already, but just in case people want to look for the upcoming titles one of these years....A Novel Murder and Chugiak Moon.

11.  Where can one find information about your novels and how to purchase?

All of my books are listed on Amazon on my author's page, and in other locations.  Google is a wonderful tool for finding me.  Shortcomings is offered through Muse It Up Publishing and if purchased there, comes with a free study guide.  With the holidays coming, this book would be a great gift for anyone who likes inspiration...or lacks it.  *smile*

There's More To Being An Author Than...

Talent!

I was told at the very beginning of my career that most people can tell a story, but far fewer can craft a novel.  Now that I've been "crafting" for nearly a dozen years, I've learned there's one element that's even harder to achieve...a tough skin.

Lately, since Kindle downloads have become so popular, and free, in a lot of cases, some pretty snarky and hurtful reviews are being posted.  When I see one of my peers lamenting the cruel and cutting words that have been posted about their release, my advice is always, "you have to be thick-skinned."  Easier said than done. 

Suppose you and your child were shopping and someone took one look at the fruit of your loins and started pointing and laughing.  What if that person made unnecessary and uncalled for cruel remarks about how your child looked so different from others, or had characteristics that made him/her stand out? How would you feel?

Well, I pose this question, because as authors, our books are the fruit of our labors.  We pour our hearts and souls into these works, creating within strict publishing guidelines, trying to confine the words inside the box popularity demands, all the while trying to create within our works of "fiction," the element of "non-fiction" that connects the readers with the story.  So, when someone attacks, our first instinct is to become defensive and fight back.  Since we can't confront the person face-to-face, that usually means we leave comments that undoubtedly make no difference at all to the person who felt the need to be hurtful.  Misery loves company, you know.

Bear in mind, speaking for myself and others, I'm sure, I appreciate constructive feedback, because that's how I learn to make my next novel better.  What I can't deal with is the nastiness and obvious need to be hurtful I've seen in so many reviews left for my friends.  I've been fortunate to only have a few.  Is it hard to walk away and not want to challenge the person?  You bet. 

My mother taught me, "if you can't say anything kind or helpful, then don't say anything at all."  If you must leave a poor review, at least recognize something good, because books wouldn't be published unless someone thought they had merit.  I've read tons of books I didn't personally enjoy, but tearing them apart on a public venue only makes me look like the idiot.  What I see as a mediocre book, someone else might consider their favorite read.  Taste's differ--one person's steak is bologna to another.

I've written this post today as a reminder to myself that no matter what an author writes, there is always going to be someone out there to find fault.   It's human nature when a person is unhappy to try and drag someone else down to that level. The only thing we can do as authors...refuse to acknowledge the BULLYS who cry out for attention by being unkind to others.  Yes, reviews posted without constructive criticism are just another form of bullying.  Rule number one:  Refuse to participate.  Yep...I'm pointing at myself.

Six Sentence Sunday

  

I had planned to share more of Searchers with you, but because I'm hosting Young Adult authors for the next few days, I'm kicking off the event with six sentences from my own, Shortcomings.  Yesterday, I visited a "Safe Home" for women and children and spoke with one of the counselors there.  Because my grandson, Spencer, is autistic, bullying and mistreatment have become topics of great interest.  I'm planning to use the study guide I created for my book to talk to middle and high school students, and if I can stop one person from being abused, then I will have accomplished something special.  If I could go back in time and do things differently when I was a young person, I would flash back in the blink of an eye.  I'm haunted by the young man who rode my same bus...the person who committed suicide because he was bullied every day.  It was easy to turn a blind eye to avoid becoming a target myself, but I often wonder if I had spoken up, moved over and let him share my seat, or just given him a smile, if things might have been different. Maybe if  we thought about what we said before we said it, someone's ego might not suffer.  In proof, I offer the first six from Shortcomings:

“Hey, gimpy, wanna race.” Amidst a gathering of her groupies, pep squad captain, Sally Rogers, yelled at Cindy Johnson from across the street. Sally fanned her shoulder-length auburn hair back from her face and stood with one hand on her curvy hip. “If you win, maybe I’ll buy you something new to wear.”

Her taunting tone ate at Cindy, but she refused to respond. Sagging against the tree at the bottom of the hill leading home, she wished she could sprint the distance to escape the piercing stares and haunting laughter. 

You can join in the fun of Six Sentence Sunday by clicking the link and finding the names and urls to more participating authors.  There's a bunch of 'em.   Oh, and if you like what you read, Shortcomings is available from Muse it Up Publishing or on Amazon.com.  Although it's advertised as Young Adult, it's suitable reading for all ages, and I believe the message it delivers is important.