CINDY WILLIAMS SCHRAUBEN: Will Write for Cookies Plus Giveaway

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WILL WRITE AND ILLUSTRATE FOR COOKIES

Plate of Cookies

INSIGHT – INFORMATION – INSPIRATION

FOR WRITERS, ILLUSTRATORS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS,
AND BOOK LOVERS EVERYWHERE

TODAY’S GUEST

CINDY WILLIAMS SCHRAUBEN

Conferences are amazing places to connect with kid-lit folk. And I was thrilled to have a chance to meet today’s guest in person at the Wild Wild Midwest SCBWI Conference in Naperville, Illinois back in 2016. She’s an amazing person…and a fabulous writer with her debut picture book that launched April 1, 2022. And she also very generous. Cindy is offering the winner of the giveaway a choice: a critique/Zoom consult OR a signed copy of her new book!

Cindy Williams Schrauben lives in Michigan where she writes books for kids that range from the truly serious to the seriously silly. Before embarking on this path, she held positions as a preschool administrator, teacher, and assistant director of a children’s museum — always striving to empower kids. When not writing or honing her craft, Cindy might be found dissecting her grandsons’ shenanigans for story ideas, reading on the floor in the bookstore, or eating ice cream… ideally all at once.
You can connect with Cindy here: www.direct.me/cindywilliamsschrauben or www.cindyschrauben.com

ME: Welcome, dear Cindy! Thank you so much for stopping by. I know everyone is interested in learning a little bit more about you and your writing journey, so let’s get started.
Who were your favorite authors/illustrators when you were a child?

CINDY: Hi Vivian…it’s lovely to be here! I am ashamed to say I wasn’t a big reader when I was a child. I was too busy being rough and tumble. But, the first book that spoke to me was Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White and Garth Williams. My 3rd grade teacher read it to us every day after lunch and I loved it. Later, I was a huge fan of Jack Prelutsky – I admire his humor and rhyme.

ME: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started writing?

CINDY: Early on I wish I had known to be more patient and not submit stories before they were ready. On the flip side, it is probably a good thing I didn’t know how long the journey would take because I may have given up. I am SOOO glad I didn’t; it was worth every moment. The kidlit community is so generous and they kept me going. I can credit blogs and contests like yours with pulling me through. Thank you!

ME: You are so welcome! I’m also inspired by other bloggers and kid lit mentors like Susanna Hill and Tara Lazar. Where do you like to write – inside, outside, special room, laptop, pen and paper?

CINDY: Because I live in Michigan, the answer varies depending on the weather. In the winter, I write in my quiet studio with a cup of coffee (and hopefully, cookies). In the summer, I like to write in the screened porch at the lake. I do my actual writing on a laptop, but you will find ideas on scraps of paper scattered throughout my house – I don’t recommend this method.  

Written by Cindy Williams Schrauben – Illustrated by Julia Seal – Published by Cardinal Rule Press

ME: When do you write – early morning, late in the day, middle of the night, on schedule, as the muse strikes?

CINDY: I don’t do anything early in the morning. Ha. I write every day of the week – usually in the afternoon and evening, but I’ve been known to write late into the night. And, I dictate into my phone while in the car – I tend to get ideas in inconvenient moments.

ME: Why do you write for children?

CINDY: As a former educator I have always had a passion for inspiring kids. When my daughters were young we would spend hours reading – I want all children to have that experience. That is one reason I am developing a program I call Partners in Literacy in which businesses and organizations can sponsor school visits by purchasing books for kids through a local indie bookstore. I hope to kick this initiative off soon.

ME: Oh, I love that idea, Cindy. We just did a literacy initiative with #50PreciousWords and the generous participants purchased over 400 books! I’ll be sending good vibes for your school visit initiative. Author visits can be life-changing for a child.
Also, if you have any thoughts or advice for aspiring writers, Cincy, please share. As well as anything else you want to talk about that parents, educators, writers, librarians might want to hear.

CINDY: My book focuses on a growth mindset… the belief that our abilities are malleable – we can always learn and improve. While writing the book I realized how crucial this attitude is for writers. I have dreamed of becoming a published author for my entire adult life and finally made it happen at the age of 63 – it’s never too late. I want to give back to the kidlit community and  inspire other writers to use a growth mindset, as well. The back matter in my book will speak to anyone with a dream.

ME: YES!!! IT IS NEVER TOO LATE!!! And when kids see that older folks write books, create art, and do other wonderful stuff, I think that inspires them to follow their dreams. And Cindy is also sharing a dreamy dessert that she stirred up just for us.

WOW! This looks amazing. I’m a huge fan of oatmeal…and peanut butter…and chocolate. And you’ve got them all together! Thanks so much, Cindy…and thank you for stopping by.

And remember that we can support our favorite books by buying them, reviewing them, telling friends about them, and asking our local library to purchase copies for their collection.

And, dear friends, if you want to be in the running for the lovely giveaway – the winner’s choice of a critique/Zoom consult OR a signed copy of the new book…make sure to leave a comment below. Maybe you can tell us how you like to eat your chocolate…drizzled on ice cream, shaved into hot chocolate, by the block, or…whatever way you like!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I’m packed for my trip…I fly to Chicago tomorrow night.

42 thoughts on “CINDY WILLIAMS SCHRAUBEN: Will Write for Cookies Plus Giveaway”

  1. Thank you, Cindy, for sharing your journey and for your inspiration and dedication. Congratulations on your debut book. I look forward to reading it.
    I love eating a square of dark chocolate (72%) but you could also twist my arm to eat an ice cream sundae with chocolate drizzled over the top. And i love eating chocolate cream pie that my brother bakes each year using our mom’s recipe. RIP Mom.

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    • Thank you Vivian and Kelly for this great interview. I always learn so much when I get a window into another writers process. And, being 55, I LOVE when I hear of a not-so-young writer succeeding!
      I have homemade chic chips cookies in my house nearly 100% of the time…no joke!
      Thanks again🌷

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  3. Cindy, thanks for sharing your debut with us. I love the book cover. Be brave, believe in you. I’ll add it to my reading list. I agree with Vivian, follow your dreams no matter how old you are. I’ll try out your Sneaky-No Bakes, I happen to have all the ingredients on hand. I’m not into sweets, but I do bake peanut butter chocolate chip cookies for breakfast. I’m hoping your program will kick off soon. What a wonderful idea!

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  4. All week I’ve been meeting pre -k educators like myself that also write! Must be a sign lol! Congrats on your debut & more so, for not giving up on your dreams!

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  8. I just love your book, Cindy! I was so excited to hear that it was going to be rhyming. Since we’ve only met virtually in Angie Karcher’s rhyming PB class some years ago, I’m looking forward to someday meeting in person. Congratulations and Happy Book Birthday!

    Oh, and my (latest) favorite chocolate treats are dairy free truffles from the No Whey chocolate company — I share occasionally — really… 🙂

    Enjoy your trip, Vivian!!!!

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  9. Cindy, Congratulations on your debut picture book! It looks like winner! You sound like a woman after my own heart–no set writing schedule, chocolate, peanut butter, oatmeal . ..

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  13. A fellow Michigan author! Congratulations on your book–I can’t wait to read it. My favorite chocolate is a gooey brownie topped with ice cream.

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  14. Wonderful post! Looking forward to reading your book!.. Thanks for the encouraging words! We/ I can always use them!
    Chocolate hmm…..I love anything chocolate, however we have my mom’s chocolate cake recipe that is tops 🙂

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  16. I attended the same conference in 2016! I wonder if we crossed paths. Congratulations on your new picture book, Cindy! I can’t wait to read it. Thank you for this inspirational interview! I love anything chocolate, but my favorite desert is Nutella on top of cookies and cream ice cream.

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  18. Thank you, Cindy, for sharing your journey. Congratulations! I have my copy of your book–love its positivity and lyrical language. Julia’s illustrations bring such vibrancy to the empowerment of the story. And chocolate? Oh, my! Chocolate goes with just about anything in my life 🙂 Your recipe hit the spot with this “not so great in the kitchen” me!

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  20. Congratulations, Cindy!! Creativity has no time or age limit. I don’t know about you but a big bowl of chocolate chip ice cream always inspires me to write. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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