Viewer Discretion Advised by Cindy Roesel

June 1, 2012 by Fifi Flowers 

A little background about Cindy...

CINDY ROESEL is an Emmy Award-Winning anchor, reporter and producer. She has worked on both sides of the camera interviewing politicians and celebrities. She was an intern at CNN in NYC when they first started in 1985 before landing her first reporter position in Tyler, Texas. Cindy then went to KLAS, Las Vegas where she was news producer. She moved on to WGGB, Springfield, MA and then WTNH, New Haven, CT where she won an Emmy. Cindy joined WSVN, Miami in 1991 as a senior producer. She reformatted the local evening news/entertainment show, "7:30" which consistently beat "ET" in the ratings. She returned to the front of the camera in 1995 at WPLG as their Style Reporter. In addition, she has worked for Fox News Channel as a Features Reporter and the All News Channel as Weekend Anchor. She lives in Miami.

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Let's ask Cindy a few questions to learn more about her and her NEW book...

Where are you from?

I'm originally from Long Island, New York, but I've lived all over the country working as a journalist.  I've spent the past twenty years in Miami.


Tell us your latest news...

It's been an exciting time since "Viewer Discretion Advised" was published April 19th.  I'm doing quite a few interviews, and I'm getting ready for a blog tour and several appearances, but I'm also trying to carve out some time to write.  People who have read the novel, ask me if I'm going to write a sequel because I've left "Viewer Discretion Advised" open for one.  I may go that route, but I have some other projects already in the works.  We'll just have to see what happens when I finally sit down with a real chunk of time.

When and why did you begin writing?


I've always known I wanted to write since I was a little girl.  I used to watch the ABC Afterschool Specials and fall into those stories knowing I wanted to create those types of stories.  I still remember looking back and loving the tangled story lines and the drama.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I considered myself a writer when I started writing news.  When the talent spoke the words that I wrote into the camera, I was a professional writer.  I got paid for writing.  It was even better when I got paid for the words I spoke and now I'm published.  It just keeps getting more amazing!


What inspired you to write your first book?

When it came to writing my first book, it was obvious what I'd write about.  I come from the news business, so I wrote about the news business.  That's not to say I can't write about anything else, but it was a perfect place for me to get me professional feet wet.

Do you have a specific writing style?
  

My style is clean, pithy and fast.  My background is television news.  I write the way I speak.  People who read my work say they hear me speaking.  There aren't any extra words.  In news, we had to write out soundbites, so I love dialogue and I use a lot of it.  Sometimes I'm told to slow down, let it breath, that everything is happening too fast.  I guess that's a good problem for someone writing suspenseful, romantic thrillers to have.  But then again you have to realize, when you're in a newsroom, it's happening that fast.


How did you come up with the title?

I fell in love with the title "Viewer Discretion Advised" years ago, when I first heard it on  the cable station, FX.  It was a new station and the shows were getting kind of racey.  I think one of the first was "The Shield."  I kept "Viewer Discretion Advised" in the back of my mind and said, "One day..."

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

"Viewer Discretion Advised" is a fun read, but there is a message in there, too.  I loved my career as a jounalist.  I was blessed to be a reporter, and I consider what I did very important, not to be taken lightly.  Anyone who is considering journalism as a profession should approach it as such.  It's tough out there; get a mentor, read and learn as much as you can, sign up for an internship with a local media outlet and always work hard and be truthful. 


How much of your book is realistic?

"Viewer Discretion Advised" is totally realistic.  If anything, I tamed the newsroom down, because people would have thought I was exaggerating.  As it is, people still think I'm still going too far with some of the antics, but I'm not.


What books have influenced your life most?

A couple of novels which have influenced me include "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens and "The Godfather" by Mario Puzo.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

If I were to name a writing mentor, I would have to say the novelist, Abigail Thomas.  Her writing is sparse, style simple and there's an absolute lack of frivolous about her.  She's incredibly honest and she writes these amazing books for new writers which are loving and generous. 


What book are you reading now?

I'm currently finishing the novel "Bridge of Scarlet Leaves" by Kristin McMorris which reads like poetry and soon will be on to "The Chaperone" by Laura Moriarty. 


Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

I've recently reviewed two new authors and I'm very excited to read their sophomore novels.  I read Sere Prince Halverson's, The Underside of Joy" and Vanessa Diffenbaugh, "The Language of Flowers."  I was completely amazed by the fact that these were their first novels, both were so gripping and beautiful.  If you haven't, I seriously recommend you put both in your TBR list. 

What are your current projects?

I'm always working on new projects, and currently that includes trying to find time for those projects.  I'm sure all your readers can relate to that.  It's nothing new.  As I wrote above, I'm trying to sort out which book I'm going move forward 100% with, while I continue to support "Viewer Discretion Advised."


Name on entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.

While writing "Viewer Discretion Advised" and especially as it got closer to publication, I had a lot of support from the writing community, especially the on-line writing community such as blogs like Chick-Lit Central and bloggers like Jen Tucker, Lisa Lim, Dee De Detarsio and you, Ms Fifi who were all there for me from the beginning.  It does take a village, honey!

Do you see writing as a career?

There are many different ways to make a career as a writer.  I made mine first as a journalist.  I know many novelists have to work other jobs to afford their writing careers.  I think it's an individual journey.  The bottom line is if you want to write badly enough, if its what you want to do, you will find a way to do it.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

When you asked me what if anything I'd change in "Viewer Discretion Advised" I started making a list and then I decided not to go back and relive the past.  I have to look forward.  VDA is out there.  It's my first baby and I'm very proud of it and how it's been received so far and now I have to look forward to what's ahead.  Sure there are some things I'd do differently and I will bring those lessons I have learned to future projects.


Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

My interest in writing started when I was a young girl.  I was always intrigued by stories and I loved to tell stories.  I was more interested in the long form dramas on the television than short comedies.  I remember discovering the library at school and just falling in love with books.  I enjoyed writing book reports, unlike many of my classmates.  


Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Right now, most of my time centers around supporting "Viewer Discretion Advised" with interviews and making sure review books get out and doing web blog tours, such as this one I'm doing with you Miss Fifi and your wonderful members. Thank You very much.  I also review new novels and authors on the Facebook blog, ChickLitCentral, which I believe called you one of the best blogs on the web, so I hope all your members come on over and check us out. 


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

There are times I can feel overwhelmed by the amount of things I have to do, but I think this is only natural for all of us.  I'm blessed to have my little shih tzu, Sassy, who came into our lives a year ago June.  We rescued her after our shih tzu, Princess passed away after suffering from cancer.  I truly didn't think I'd ever have joy in my life again.  But little Sassy rescued us, and woke our hearts up to a whole new reality.  It's amazing how these little ones have their own personalities.  She's a sweetie.  I included Princess in the first book.  You know Sassy will make the next one.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Two of my favorite authors include Elin Hildenbrand and Kristin Hannah.  They both deliver wonderful, complex characters, interesting plots and and clever storylines.  Neither has ever let me down so who could ask for anything more?

Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?

I'm not traveling much for "Viewer Discretion Advised" right now, but that may change.


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

I learned a whole lot from writing "Viewer Discretion Advised."  Where do I start?  First of all, I wrote a novel from beginning to end and I'm very proud of that.  "Viewer Discretion Advised" has been published and people other than my friends have purchased it, so I'm incredibly humbled. I continue to learn something new and meet interesting people everyday, so it's really an amazing journey! 


Do you have any advice for other writers?

What I'd tell aspiring writers is that the writing community is an incredibly generous group of people willing to help each other out.  Go to local workshops and take classes, join a writer's group.  Writers are willing to share pages and give one another notes.  The on-line community is equally open.  There are magazines like Writer's Digest and Publisher's Weekly.  Go on line and just google "writers" and see what you find. Feel free to email me and I'll get back to you ... eventually, I will. 

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?

What I'd like to tell your readers MISS FIFI is Thank you so much for having me on your blog!  We've been friends for years.  I've followed you!  I love you and your artwork. MON CHERI! MERCI, merci, merci! I've been telling you about my novel and now it's here and you're supporting it! Merci! Merci! Merci! I just want to tell your readers to enjoy the journey of this thing called LIFE! I hope they get to read and enjoy "Viewer Discretion Advised."  KISSES! KISSES!  Visit me at my website CindyRoesel.com and leave a message! I can't wait to hear from you! Au Revoir!

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Merci Beaucoup mon amie Cindy for doing an interview with us 

and a SPECIAL thank you for donating TWO BOOKS to be given away ...

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