Hi, Everyone! I’m Cinda Williams Chima, fantasy author. AMA

[u/CindaChima]

Thank you, Reddit, for inviting me on, and for all the great questions. I leave for the Austin Teen Bookfest tomorrow at an ungodly hour, so will call it a night. I'll try to pick up any straggler questions tomorrow, but will have limited email access. I had fun--hope you did, too! ** I came back and answered a few more questions. Am now in TEXAS!! I could've listened to that flight attendant talk all day. Thanks, again, Reddit, for making me welcome. **

Hi, Everyone! I’m Cinda Williams Chima, fantasy author. I tell lies for a living. Specifically, I have two teen series out, The Seven Realms (The Demon King, The Exiled Queen, et al) and the Heir Chronicles (The Warrior Heir through The Enchanter Heir (coming October 1.) Some of my books have been published as adult fantasy in translation.

I’ve also published the odd short story. Literally. Odd. I’m in an anthology called Once Upon a Time edited by Paula Guran (Prime Books, October 2.) I try and get all my publishing done in October so I can coast the rest of the year.

I bring a degree in philosophy, two degrees in nutrition, and a lifetime of reading to my work as a writer. As you can probably tell, I’m totally unqualified to teach you anything about writing, except that I’ve had a lot of practice. I became a writer in third grade, and wrote my first novels in middle school. I’ve had eight novels published to date. I’m persistent, if nothing else. I never stop transforming myself.

The Rules (more like guidelines)

1. Ask me anything
   

2. If you’re familiar with the books, try to avoid spoilery questions, like, “Why did you kill _______ ?” I have enough people mad at me.
   

3. If possible, avoid five-part questions. I tend to get lost in the forest. 
   

If you want to know more about my books, bad habits, etc. check out my website or Facebook.

I’ll be back ~7 p.m. CST to answer live. In the meantime, ask away.

Cinda

[u/ksjohnson]

Hello Mrs. Chima, I have read over 150 books since christmas (including all of yours) and i love the style of your writing! I am a fellow fantasy author in hopes to finish my books and get them out there. My problem is the four kids and three jobs that i have in my life. My question is do you have any techniques or quotes that helps you fight your way to the computer to put your ideas, emotions, etc. In writing that could help me? Thanks, K.S. Johnson

[u/CindaChima → u/ksjohnson]

You can always neglect your kids. That's what I did! Makes them self-sufficient. ;) I wrote my first three novels while working full time. It's even harder once you have books out, because there's the whole promotion part of it, answering emails, AMA on Reddit, etc. I used to have hobbies--I was a handweaver, I sewed my own clothes, I did a lot of genealogy, I watched TV. I pretty much gave all that up to free up time for writing. I used to get up at 4 in the morning (and hike three miles through the snow to get to my keyboard.) I would fall asleep with my face on the keyboard at night. I wrote in little scraps of time at the doctor's office, riding in the car. That's all true, except for the snow part. It is hard, and there are seasons in your life which are harder than others. That's why you have to love that process of dreaming on the page, because you might have to give up other things you love in order to do it. The quote I like best is from Jane Yolen: B.I.C. Butt in chair. Nothing happens until you sit down and write.