Interview Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait

Interview 9 Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait

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Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait Author Interview 10th March 2021

Hello Cheryl

Me – I love dragon stories so thank you for writing so many.

Which aspect of the writing process do you enjoy the most? And why?

Cheryl - I enjoy process of the actual storytelling the most. It’s the creation of worlds and characters and how they relate to one another. I rarely have to think of a character’s name longer than a minute or two. They seem to come to me with their complete background and a desired direction to follow.

Me – I appreciate characters who turn up fully fledged.

What distracts you when you are in writing flow? Is there anything you do to counter this?

Cheryl - Distractions! Oh, I do hate them with a passion. It never fails if I’m in a harried place such as a battle scene, the phone will ring, messenger will buzz, or text messages arrive. If this happens

more than once in a scene I’m writing, I’ll shut off all other things and turn off the phone volume.

Me – I think muting the phone is a good idea.

What part of the story pushes itself into your imagination first? Story premise, character, setting, plot, ending?

Cheryl - Always in the first of a series, it’s an event, something that propels both the story and my mind. I do not plot or outline my books; I simply sit down each day and pick up from the following day’s writing. I have a reader that has been with me from the beginning that receives my daily writing and it’s like we both are discovering the story at the same time, for I have no idea what will occur further down the line for the characters.

Me – How lucky to have a reader who can discover the story with you. I think it’s exciting to write in this way.

How do you decide what story to write next in the world you have created?

Cheryl - I’m on my second series now, so for series, it’s simple. I need to carry on with the characters and push them to their limits for their self-discovery. I have a few books that are stand alone books which I enjoy immensely because I can have an idea and expand on it for the sake of wonder. I get to ask ‘what if’ in those and discover the answer. I’m always rewarded and gratified to have gone on such an adventure.

Me – We do tend to push characters to their limits as writers.

Dragons have a major role in your stories, and I was wondering what dragon story captured your imagination as a child?

Cheryl - Thank you for this question! As remarkable as it seems, the only story of dragons I can remember as a child was Puff the Magic Dragon. As a young adult I read some of Tolkien’s work, but mostly at that age and older, I enjoyed reading Stephen King. Later, I found Jean M. Auel and her clan of the Cave Bear series in which I became completely immersed. I think it was through her insight I have been able to imagine worlds far different than my 2021 world.

No, the writing of dragons was a fluke, albeit one that I embrace. My first series, The Legend of the Dragon Child started with a picture I had made from a phone app with me and a dragon. I wrote a little paragraph that popped in my head and put it on my Facebook page. Imagine my surprise when friends wanted to know more about the story and there was no story! That started my adventure of writing my first book and it was about dragons. I set out to make them highly intelligent and more or less in a teaching mode to the humans they encounter. Now the wonderful creatures follow me everywhere.

Me – I love how dragons pushed their way into your world, that’s magical. I also enjoyed reading Jean M Auel’s series, wonderful world building.

What has been the most satisfying moment in your writing career?

Cheryl - This question is most difficult. It has been a short career so far, only having published the first book at the end of 2017, but I have so many wonderful moments to reflect upon. The watery eyes of my husband when I held the first printed book is one I’ll not forget. My family’s pride in what I’ve done is another. I love reading reviews from readers who love my stories. Not everyone will, you understand, for we are all different. I think those readers who love my work are ‘my tribe’ and their words push me forward to create more interesting stories to dive into.

Me – It may be a short career, but you’ve been very prolific with your writing and I’m sure your ‘tribe’ will continue to grow.

What is the strangest observation from the real world that has made it into one of your books?

Cheryl - I love these questions! One is the Blue Dragon River in Portugal. It is in one of my books as a landmark for the characters to find what they are searching for. There are many peppered through my books especially in one of my stand-alone books, The Renegade Shifters, in which I used a few conspiracy theories and had the time of my life writing and researching the details.

Me – Thank you for enjoying the questions, I’ve never heard of Blue Dragon River, now it’s my turn to do some research.

What aspect of your personality have you explored through writing?

Cheryl - I think all authors are in part of our books, not so much as one of the characters but in something we believe in or wish for our world. I think I would love to be as brave and wise as my dragons are.

Me – I like the idea we are writing about our deepest beliefs or wishes for the world. I think aspiring to be as brave and wise as a dragon is wonderful.

Of all the stories you have written, which have you learnt the most from?

Cheryl - It would have to be the first book since I didn’t even know I was writing a book at the time. I’ve learned that if you have a great idea, even if everyone else may have a similar idea, write it anyway. No one has the same voice or same way of telling a story. I’ve learned to write the story I want to read, the one I’ll get lost in.

Me – That is such good advice. Write the story you want to read.

This last question is purely because I’m curious as to how author’s kickstart their brains and fuel their writing. What do you like to eat for breakfast?

Cheryl - Sometimes I don’t eat before writing and other times I’ll have scrambled eggs, bacon and fried potatoes. It really depends on if I’m in a bit of a procrastinating mood. If I’m in a place where I have to get right back in the scene, I write it out before I think of eating.

Me – It’s interesting how many writers don’t eat before writing, but I like your explanation of the writing’s call being louder than your hunger.

Cheryl - Thank you for the interview and the curiosity regarding my books and writing life.

Me – It’s been a pleasure.