A LIFETIME SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
Inspiration can strike like a bolt of lightning, or it can be a glimmer of an idea that you mull over until it finally takes shape. Sometimes, it comes from experiences and memories in a person’s life.
Author Cynthia Meyers-Hanson has faced numerous challenges in her life. Being born legally blind and growing up in a dysfunctional family are just two of them.
Many people would find it difficult to overcome such traumas, but Cindy found the strength to battle and conquer whatever adversity life threw at her.
I’m delighted she has joined me on my blog to talk about her how the dramas she has endured have shaped her into the writer she is today. And how her children’s book - An Easter Tale - is based on her true story of overcoming blindness and was inspired by the bedtime stories she was told as a child.
"As a child, I had a dysfunctional family environment," Cindy told me. "My father was bipolar, and we suffered his reign of terror. I dreamed of a better way of life, which is what moved me through all of my personal challenges as well as towards college.
"I planned on a good education and to escape to my own home. I succeeded but it wasn’t easy. My major was math, computer science, and system’s analyst in an era when females were still being dissuaded from majoring in those fields.
"While at any library, I always admired authors and their books never dreaming I’d be one, today. To date, I’ve written or produced around twenty books including miraculous nonfiction, motivational children’s books, inspirational YA novellas, and novels full of serious topics as well as lighthearted and humorous prose."
Cindy’s early life sheds light on the inspiration behind her children’s book and many of her tales.
"I was born legally blind," she says. "My father showed many saving graces especially when he stayed with me in the hospital after my landmark surgery at age four going on five. My dad protected me when I was the most vulnerable; I gave him credit for trying to be a good man.
"When I was very young, Dr. Groom gave me sight; as I matured, my life gave me insight. My children’s book An Easter Tale originates in the pages of "The Vision," which is loosely based on my true story of overcoming blindness and the ramifications of my disability as well as dysfunctional environment."
Acceptance of your shortcomings while never giving up on your goals is the bricks and mortar of her stories.
"My underlying thesis in most of my books is making it through any adversity life can throw at you," she says. "It’s about striving to become perfectly balanced in life."
To remain so upbeat after what she’s been through is an inspiration in itself. How does she do it?
"In spite of all the trauma and drama in my youth, there were glimmers of hope," she explains. "Plus, dad had his good days telling us cute bedtime stories. He indirectly inspired my children’s picture book entitled An Easter Tale."
Inspiration can strike like a bolt of lightning, or it can be a glimmer of an idea that you mull over until it finally takes shape. Sometimes, it comes from experiences and memories in a person’s life.
Author Cynthia Meyers-Hanson has faced numerous challenges in her life. Being born legally blind and growing up in a dysfunctional family are just two of them.
Many people would find it difficult to overcome such traumas, but Cindy found the strength to battle and conquer whatever adversity life threw at her.
I’m delighted she has joined me on my blog to talk about her how the dramas she has endured have shaped her into the writer she is today. And how her children’s book - An Easter Tale - is based on her true story of overcoming blindness and was inspired by the bedtime stories she was told as a child.
"As a child, I had a dysfunctional family environment," Cindy told me. "My father was bipolar, and we suffered his reign of terror. I dreamed of a better way of life, which is what moved me through all of my personal challenges as well as towards college.
"I planned on a good education and to escape to my own home. I succeeded but it wasn’t easy. My major was math, computer science, and system’s analyst in an era when females were still being dissuaded from majoring in those fields.
"While at any library, I always admired authors and their books never dreaming I’d be one, today. To date, I’ve written or produced around twenty books including miraculous nonfiction, motivational children’s books, inspirational YA novellas, and novels full of serious topics as well as lighthearted and humorous prose."
Cindy’s early life sheds light on the inspiration behind her children’s book and many of her tales.
"I was born legally blind," she says. "My father showed many saving graces especially when he stayed with me in the hospital after my landmark surgery at age four going on five. My dad protected me when I was the most vulnerable; I gave him credit for trying to be a good man.
"When I was very young, Dr. Groom gave me sight; as I matured, my life gave me insight. My children’s book An Easter Tale originates in the pages of "The Vision," which is loosely based on my true story of overcoming blindness and the ramifications of my disability as well as dysfunctional environment."
Acceptance of your shortcomings while never giving up on your goals is the bricks and mortar of her stories.
"My underlying thesis in most of my books is making it through any adversity life can throw at you," she says. "It’s about striving to become perfectly balanced in life."
To remain so upbeat after what she’s been through is an inspiration in itself. How does she do it?
"In spite of all the trauma and drama in my youth, there were glimmers of hope," she explains. "Plus, dad had his good days telling us cute bedtime stories. He indirectly inspired my children’s picture book entitled An Easter Tale."
In the story, the parents want to protect their children but things don’t always go as planned. Plus sibling rivalry proves her father’s favorite saying held merit. He often warned about decision making and its consequence. "Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face." Using that thought to guide the plot, the bunnies, in her tale, do not cooperate to win a contest. Thus, the winner of the Easter egg challenge may surprise the reader.
The story is loosely based on one of her father’s bedtime tales. But Cindy says it's less violent and depressing to show the triumphs and wins in life that even the underdog (or under bunny) can enjoy.
Cindy did all the illustrations herself. An Easter Tale isn’t her first paperback or children’s book. Her other works include:
The GNAW Project - created with her students’ input - becomes a vehicle to publicise the plight of some USA kids that need free or reduced breakfasts as well as lunches and dinners.
Frasier the Fir is Forever Green is about a perfect Christmas tree that has trouble finding a home?
Just Me - about the ‘middlest’ of middle children who dreams of being someone else.
AND
Thai Food For Thought - a book created by her five-year-old granddaughter, Thai, with help from Cindy. It discusses how to survive wild things in Florida and reveals how to live through potential natural disasters.
The story is loosely based on one of her father’s bedtime tales. But Cindy says it's less violent and depressing to show the triumphs and wins in life that even the underdog (or under bunny) can enjoy.
Cindy did all the illustrations herself. An Easter Tale isn’t her first paperback or children’s book. Her other works include:
The GNAW Project - created with her students’ input - becomes a vehicle to publicise the plight of some USA kids that need free or reduced breakfasts as well as lunches and dinners.
Frasier the Fir is Forever Green is about a perfect Christmas tree that has trouble finding a home?
Just Me - about the ‘middlest’ of middle children who dreams of being someone else.
AND
Thai Food For Thought - a book created by her five-year-old granddaughter, Thai, with help from Cindy. It discusses how to survive wild things in Florida and reveals how to live through potential natural disasters.
To find out more about Cindy’s writing on her author webpage click here
Find her books in various formats here:
https://www.amazon.com/author/chanson714
http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=mchanson714
Watch her book trailers via YouTube Channel here
And read her blog here
Find her books in various formats here:
https://www.amazon.com/author/chanson714
http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=mchanson714
Watch her book trailers via YouTube Channel here
And read her blog here
Bye for now. But wherever you are on your Earth Walk, always try to Reach For The Stars.
You'll be surprised just what you can achieve!
You'll be surprised just what you can achieve!
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