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?
Cheryl: Cheryl Allen, 46
Fiona: Where are you from?
Cheryl: Northern California
Fiona: A little about your self (ie, your education, family life, etc.).
Cheryl: Graduated high school and did some general education in college.
I have both my parents still in my life and have two older sisters.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news.
Cheryl: latest news is I am working on a spin off backstory type of book to my very 1stbook The Crosshairs of Love. It’s about the main characters brother Merrick in an MMA type romance.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
Cheryl: Well I’ve never even been a reader most of my life, never had the time to just sit and read. I would always watch the movies. But 5 years ago after my divorce I was able to just slow down a bit in life and had heard about this infamous book being talked about ’50 Shades Of Grey’. So I read it and found that I loved reading! So I read a lot of books after that. Then one day I couldn’t find anything that appealed to me, so I gave it a try myself and people really liked it and things just sort of took off from there.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Cheryl: After I was actually published and sold my first book.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
Cheryl: Writing something that I would want to read. And putting some of my own life experiences in my books, kind of like my own way of getting through things after my divorce.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
Cheryl: I took what the book was about and just kept spinning titles until one sounded good to me and my support group.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
Cheryl: I write romantic suspense books and there are a lot of medical things I throw in that I always have to Google first so I don’t sound like I’m just making things up and pulling them from the air. I like to be as authentic as possible.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Cheryl: I would say just parts and pieces. I tend to put peoples personalities that I know (including my own) in my books.
Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?
Cheryl: I wish I had the funds to do that, but no Google is my best friend.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
Cheryl: Brandi Doane McCcan and Nightfall Cover Designs.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Cheryl: How strong women can be no matter what. Even if they are weak when they are introduced in my books, by the end with everything they go through they come out stronger. In one of my books coming out in the next week ‘Guarding Presley’ I take a rich snob who expects to be catered to at her every whim and turn her into better human period with all she goes through.
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?
Cheryl: LP Dover, Penelope Ward and VI Keeland are three of my favorites. Their writing styles are a lot like my own, I’m not a fan of a lot of inner dialogue, they have just the right amount. But lesser known ones that I like are; Charmaine Pauls, Geri Glenn, JL Drake, Scarlett Wolfe (who also goes by Ruby Rowe) and I’m reading a great book right now co-written by LP Lovell and Stevie J. Cole. I personally find unknowns to be better than the popular most times.
Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
Cheryl: My friends!
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Cheryl: I want to, but making it big enough in this business to be my sole income is a lot like becoming a successful actress. There’s a lot of us out there trying right now.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Cheryl: No.
Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
Cheryl: I always learn something new medically in my books from Google.
Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Cheryl: No, too much exposure to the public. People are too obsessed with the famous.
Fiona: Any advice for other writers?
Cheryl: Trying to make it in this business is hard and not everyone is going to be a friend and help you out. But there are a few of us that don’t fear the competition and will help you with your questions. The more books out there to read the better, so don’t give up and believe in yourself!
Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Cheryl: Go on Amazon or wherever it is you get your books from and take more chances on the unknowns I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Cheryl: Bad by LP Lovell and Stevie J. Cole
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
Cheryl: No I don’t. It was in 7th grade and like I said I was never a sit down and read type of person until recently.
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
Cheryl: Happy endings and challenges in life. Both make me laugh and cry.
Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?
Cheryl: EL James, to thank her for being an inspiration for me to start my writing career.
Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?
Cheryl: Writing, reading and hiking.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
Cheryl: ironically for someone who used to watch TV non-stop only 5 years ago I don’t watch many TV shows or movies now, I pref to read. But I mostly watch reruns of Seinfeld and Friends.
Fiona: Favorite foods, colors, music?
Cheryl: Food; Pizza. Color; Green. Music; All kinds. I discover a lot of music from the songs named in books. Yes I’m one of those people who stop reading and listen to them, then continue on. I figure (like I do in my books) the author is mentioning it for a reason so I want to hear it.
Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
Cheryl: A lot more reading!
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?
Cheryl: She lived life to the fullest!
Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?
Cheryl: I have my Author page on Facebook. http://Facebook.com/authorc.m.allen
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2E2cfG4
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2DxphO3
Amazon CAN: http://amzn.to/2G3T9Qe
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/escaping-to-love-c-m-allen/1125581488?ean=2940158868795
books2read.com/u/b5MJ0p
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-crosshairs-of-love
Kobo: www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-crosshairs-of-love-1
B&N: barnesandnoble.com/w/the-crosshairs-of-love-cm-allen/1121710389?ean=2940154989104
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2AhdWiY
Amazon U.K.: http://amzn.to/2j3wutK
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2jA7A48
authorsinterviews 
With the possible exception of contests, I don’t view fellow authors as competitors. Perhaps I’m naive, but to be honest most authors probably don’t sell enough to really worry about it. Best of luck to you.
Wow. Another great interview. You don’t come across many authors who aren’t really readers. lol That’s awesome. I love that 50 Shades of Grey is the book that made her realize she likes reading. haha Too good. I’m sure E.L. James helped many people realize they like reading.