Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

 

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

 Cendrine Marrouat: Hello and thank you for having me! I’m honored.

My name is Cendrine Marrouat and I’m 39.

 

Fiona: Where are you from?

 Cendrine: I was born and raised in France, but have called Canada home since 2003.

 

Fiona: A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.).

 Cendrine: My passion for the English language led me to spend six years at university. I studied the intricacies of the English language. I had a blast with linguistics, translation and phonetics, while also getting acquainted with some of the greatest Anglophone authors in history.

After getting my bachelor’s degree in English-to-French translation, I decided to become an English teacher. But the national exams you have to take in France are very difficult and selective. After two unsuccessful attempts, I decided to leave my home country and settle in Canada.

I have been a French instructor to adults for 14 years. I also am a photographer, social media blogger and trainer, and, of course, an author. For a few years, I worked as a journalist and art critic. Finally, I wrote two plays, one of which I would love to direct one day.

I live with two (mischievous) dogs and an adorably vocal cat.

 

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

I’m very excited because my tenth book will be released on July 25th, 2017. Life’s Little Things: The Quotes mixes 25 images (that my blog’s visitors selected) with inspirational words. This little book has received fantastic advance reviews.

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

 Cendrine: From the bad poems in my youth to the diary I kept until my mid-20s, I cannot remember not writing. It’s part of my DNA.

 

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

 Cendrine: I remember feeling that way after releasing my first books. It was in 2006.

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

 Cendrine: I had been penning poems non-stop for a year and some people encouraged me to gather them into a book. It’s a boring story, really. 😉

 

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

 Cendrine: Like most of my titles, I was taking a shower. It came to me in a flash. But there was no rhyme or reason to it.

(By the way, bathrooms are wonderful places to find with great ideas. Always keep a piece of paper and pen handy there!)

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

 Cendrine: I do have a specific style, but it’s hard for me to describe it.

All the people who have read my blog posts or at least one of my books tell me they would recognize it anywhere. So I guess it’s specific enough. lol

One thing about me is that I am a very slow writer. Sometimes, it takes me a day to come up with two paragraphs. I have no idea why.

I learnt very early to embrace my slowness and to go with the flow. The only person who expects a deadline is me, so why should I worry about it? As long as my readers and I are happy with my work, it’s all that matters.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

 Cendrine: All my writings are based on personal experiences. However, I always have an ideal audience in mind. It helps make the message more impactful.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

 Cendrine: Not really. I usually find inspiration everywhere I look — even in my own backyard.

My latest books feature many photos that I took in the city where I live. The rest I snapped while travelling in other areas of the world, mainly France.

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

 Cendrine: I designed the covers of my poetry and photography books. Katrina Moody, a very talented designer, helped with the social media ebooks.

 

Fiona: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

 Cendrine: The beauty of photography is that people can interpret the images based on their own understanding of the world.

With that said, my goal is to help people see the little details that make life so beautiful. So many folks ask questions while not looking in the right direction!

With Life’s Little Things: The Quotes, I want people to slow down their physical pace and find their inner rhythm.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

 Cendrine: I mostly read history books these days. But I don’t have a favorite writer in that field, as I’m looking for educational content that forces me to reconsider my preconceived notions of the world.

My all-time favorite author is Khalil Gibran, though. The Prophet, his most famous book, saved my life. Jesus, the Son of Man is an absolute masterpiece. He died young but had a way with words that no other author has been able to emulate.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

 Cendrine: I have a small, but very supportive group of friends. They have always encouraged me.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

 Cendrine: Yes, of course. There are many options available to a writer. But it’s not easy. You have to be patient and willing to hustle.

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Cendrine: No, I wouldn’t. I’m not that type of person. I always take decisions after careful planning and consideration. So, I usually have no regret.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

 Cendrine: I learn something every time I release a book. This time, I had to delve deep within myself to write the quotes that would fit the photos. A deeper understanding of who I am arose as a result.

 

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

 Cendrine: My latest book being a photography book, it’s difficult to answer this question.

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

 Cendrine: The same old advice. Practice, practice, practice. Be patient. Don’t compare yourself to others. Have a long-term plan and small steps in place.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

 Cendrine: Life is beautiful. It truly is. Always try and keep your senses open to this beauty.

Raise your eyes, pay attention to the sounds around you, and let solitude guide your steps.

Most importantly, stop looking for the why in everything. Instead, embrace situations for what they are. The answers to your questions will come when you are ready to accept them.

 

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

Cendrine: This Indian Country by Frederick Hoxie. It’s a scholarly-like account of what some of the major American Indian activists did to fight the colonialist (and destructive) stance of the US government.

 

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

 Cendrine: I wish I did. But unfortunately, no.

 

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

 I mostly cry when I watch movies. Actually, they make me emotional so easily that I even managed to start crying during the opening credits of Titanic.

Now, what makes me laugh? Little things. I laugh at least once a day. If I don’t, I visit the Damn You Auto Correct website. Within 5 minutes, I’m usually in tears and complaining about my stomach hurting…

 

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

 Cendrine: Khalil Gibran. He just is an inspirational figure to me.

 

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

 When I’m not busy taking and editing photos, I like reading, listening to music, or doing crosswords. I’m a very simple person.

 

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

 Cendrine: Too many to count. I love Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead; the characters are well developed.

Netflix is such a great invention!

 

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

 Cendrine: I’m biased of course. French and Italian foods!

I love cool colors, like blue.

Music-wise, I was born in the wrong era. I have been a devoted fan of bands like Genesis, Supertramp and Abba for decades. I also adore Mike Oldfield.

 

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

 Cendrine: Easy one: Photography.

 

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?

 Cendrine: “Cendrine was flawed but deeply human.”

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

 Cendrine: Yes, they can go to http://creativeramblings.com to see my latest photos. And for social media tips, they can visit http://socialmediaslant.com.

Links:

All my books (poetry, social media, and photography) are accessible from this page: http://creativeramblings.com/cendrines-books/

Direct link to all my photography books: http://www.blurb.ca/user/cendrinemedi

My Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Cendrine-Marrouat/e/B00547EVWC

Social media:

Twitter: @cendrinemedia

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cendrinemedia/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cendrinemarrouat

 Direct link to my latest book (Life’s Little Things: The Quotes): http://www.blurb.ca/b/8016212-life-s-little-things or http://creativeramblings.com/book-3/