Interview with C.B. Scott

Added June 2002

Sharyn: For the talented writing duo of Cynthia Serra and Beth Ciotta aka C.B. Scott, Scandalous Spirits marks their foray into the world of ghosts, romance and happily-ever-afters. Cynthia and Beth graciously satisfied our curiousity with the following interview.

How did the two of you start writing as a team?

C.B. Scott: We met at our first New Jersey Romance Writers meeting in 1994. In talking, we found that we wrote similar types of stories and quickly became critique partners. We earned a great respect for each other's writing during this time. We also realized we had opposing strengths and weaknesses, and it struck us that we should try to write a story together.

Sharyn: Do you find it more difficult to write as a team?

C.B. Scott: No. As a matter of fact, because of those opposing strengths and weaknesses we just mentioned, we've learned so much from each other. For example, Beth's strength was plot. Cyndi's was character. So in the beginning, it helped to have both strengths. Even better, over the years, we've both strengthened our weaknesses by working with the other. Now, most of the time, we don't know who wrote what. The joy is knowing that we both could write stories of our own, but we enjoy the organic, inspiring process of writing together.

Sharyn: What genres do you read? Do you read in genres you don't currently write.

C.B. Scott: Contemporary romantic suspense, paranormal romance, mainstream romance, mystery, literary fiction. We read all kinds of fiction. The more our minds are opened and the more we absorb through the endless experience offered by authors and characters through their journeys, the more we hope to do the same for our readers. We want our readers to read our books the same way we search for other authors to inspire us - something to take us out of our regular thought process, even for just a minute.

Sharyn: Who are some of your favorite authors?

C.B. Scott: Tough question. There are so many incredibly talented writers. So many authors who have moved us at one point or another throughout the years. It would be easier to mention a few of the authors who are inspiring us at this particular moment. Suzanne Brockman. Iris Johansen. Janet Evanovich. Carl Hiaasen. Barbara Kingsolver. Elizabeth Graver. Larry McMurtry. Linnea Sinclair. Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Robert Parker

Sharyn: Do you see yourself ever not writing?

C.B. Scott: No. Writing is as integral to us as our noses or our shoes. We could get along without them, but life wouldn't be the same.

Sharyn: How do you find your ideas? Do they come from any particular source?

C.B. Scott: Inspiration can come from anywhere. For example, Scandalous Spirits was inspired by a rundown, abandoned mansion on the side of an Atlantic City highway. The house stopped us in our tracks. It cried for attention. This incredible 1920s structure with a powerful aura of history and mystery. Almost immediately, our outrageous Van Buren ghosts began squabbling from their perch in the west tower.

Sharyn:What do you feel makes your books unique or stand out from others in your genre?

C.B. Scott: Voice. We each have our own distinctive voice. When these two voices come together, we feel it offers something fresh. Something a little unexpected. Something with edge.

Sharyn: What is the hardest part of being in the writing business for you?

C.B. Scott: Time management. Like all writers, we have other commitments in our lives that need attention as well. Because writing is time intensive, it can sometimes be challenging to navigate these tricky waters.

Sharyn:What books do you have planned in the near future?

C.B. Scott: Knight of My Dreams will be released from ImaJinn Books this winter. A contemporary romantic suspense alternating with a medieval past-life, we think of this story as an adult fairy tale. It is timeless in its tale of love and loss. Of good versus evil. Of faith and distrust. No matter how many times we read it, we still laugh, sigh, and cry. It touches anyone with hope in his/her heart. Meanwhile, we are currently working on the sequel to Scandalous Spirits, which is now available from ImaJinn Books. Set for release next year, the sequel's tentative title is High Spirits, a high-flying, romantic adventure instigated once again by the infamous Van Buren family.

Sharyn: Do you ever see yourself trying to write in another genre of romantic fiction such as contemporary, historical, or intrigue, etc?

C.B. Scott: We currently write paranormal. We definitely see ourselves trying our hand at mainstream and contemporary suspense.

Sharyn: Do you have a superstitious thing you do when you write? You know, do you have a favorite mug, or shirt you have to have when you write certain parts of your book?

C.B. Scott: We don't know that we have any superstitions with respect to writing. We both can write any place, any time. We don't need anything special with us, like a lucky pen or a charm. However, neither of us can write with a TV or a radio on.

Sharyn: Regarding the stories and how you come up with them, do you know when you come up with the story where it'll be targeted?

C.B. Scott: If we get really excited about a story, we'll toss around ideas of who might be interested. If we think the story might be a tough sell but feel strongly about what we want to write, we'll write it anyway. For example, when we first considered writing Scandalous Spirits, paranormal romance was a difficult genre to sell, especially as unpublished authors. We knew that. We decided to worry about that later. The Van Buren ghosts demanded their story, and we felt the call. So we wrote the best story we could, a story of our hearts, and it sold to ImaJinn.

Sharyn: How does your family react to your writing romance novels? I know sometimes family can not be as supportive as they could be.

C.B. Scott: Our families are very supportive. They may not understand all of the blood, sweat, and tears that go into writing a novel, but they try and do allow us the space to do what we need to. Once we sold, it became a little easier to validate the time we spend in front of our computer screens.

Sharyn: What's coming up for this year for you?

C.B. Scott: We'll be at the Romance Writers of America national conference in Denver in July. We'll also be at the Romantic Times convention in Reno in October. This will be our third year writing and directing the Mr. Romance Cover Model Competition and Costume Extravaganza. As mentioned earlier, our second book, Knight of My Dreams, will also be making its appearance this winter.

Sharyn: How do you find the time to do all that you do to keep track with what's coming out, what's being released, and the editing needed?

C.B. Scott: That's when having a partner really comes in handy!

Sharyn: Any advice you'd like to share with wannabe writers?

C.B. Scott: Be patient. Be persistent. This is not a craft that is developed overnight. It is not a business that will be cracked in a day. Write because you love it. Write every day. Write with honesty and heart. Always, always listen to your instincts.

Sharyn: What piece of advice did someone give you that made a difference for you?

C.B. Scott: Don't think. Write. Keep the pen moving.

Sharyn: Ladies, I thank you for taking time out to talk with me. I enjoyed it. Be sure to visit C.B. Scott's website www.cbscottbooks.com for more information and excerpts from Scandalous Spirits and upcoming novels.

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