Cindy L. Chatwin Interview Published on: 07, Apr 2025

Writing a book has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. There were landmark days in my life that I recall with fondness when I received my first word processor and had the ability to write out short stories or poetry. Even within my professional career, writing seemed to always be there, waiting for me. I also love to read and would often find myself imagining how the author composed the story, how they built the characters, how they formulated the basis for the storyline that weaved itself into my mind. I wanted and longed to be part of that world of other authors.

Human Resource professionals have an understanding of human behavior, emotions, and motivations. Over the years I've been able to hone communication writing that translated into crafting a compelling narrative. The knowledge of Human Resources has been invaluable when working to develop complex, relatable characters and exploring human dynamics in my own writing. There are many transferable skills from HR that have elevated my writing from business to finding the soft, well-rounded voice I found while writing Four Days.

Poetry served as an avenue of expression for many years, and I depended on it to voice my inner thoughts. While they are quite different storytelling techniques, I found a unique way of blending them together, creating an element of prose in writing Four Days. With this, I took the elements of short story writing to create more depth within character development, and I took the elements of poetry to develop visional expressions. Poetry has always come easily to me, and I've learned to adapt it with the experiences and life events that have shaped me. I appreciate both forms of expression and let them flow freely, giving them the exploration they each deserve.

Photography is a form of art that felt like painting to me. I am not an artist in the sense of drawing, or truly painting pictures, but with my camera, I found a different form of artistic expression. Several pieces I have photographed have won awards and I'm very proud of my work in the realm of photography. When I wrote Four Days, I wanted to literally describe a picture, and I was able to bring the artistic expression into my writing. I found a powerful connection between photography and writing and each of them blended beautifully.

Absolutely. Very rarely can I be by the ocean and not feel drawn to writing just as much as capturing the essence and raw power of the sea in a photograph. There’s an ethereal beauty to the vastness of the ocean, the changing colors and light in the sky and the rhythmic crashing waves. For me, a coastal setting often evokes a sense of solitude and introspection, and I think I will be forever drawn to the deep emotional connection I have with the ocean.

Yes, absolutely. Traveling has been a boundless source of inspiration for both my poetry and storytelling. Every journey has offered a mosaic of sights, sounds, immersive cultures that have transformed into a creative spark. This world has so many beautiful places that have weaved their way into creating scenes that characters can walk through. Travel isn’t just about seeing new places for us – it’s also about experiencing new cultures and seeing a world outside of my own.

I find myself drawn to themes that resonate deeply within the human experience. One recurring them is the passage of time and its interplay with memories and unparalleled idea of romance. I believe my writing is an attempt to capture love and its beauty and complexity – its fragility and its wonder with honesty and hope.

The writing process for me starts with brainstorming the path I want the story to take, diving into character development and understanding them and who they are. Over the years, I’ve found I take the time to write whenever inspiration sparks. It’s just like taking a photograph when you see something extraordinary. When writing I make sure to eliminate distractions and create a quiet workspace. I’ll even step away from writing for a few minutes to recharge and come back with a fresh perspective. When I step away, I’ve found I not only come back with a fresh perspective, but I also review my work and find revisions that improve it.

Several times over the years I have sat down and attempted to write Four Days. The first attempt was way back in 1998. Since then, there were attempts made in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023 and finally in 2024, I sat down determined to somehow pull this story together. Over the course of eleven years, I struggled to find a way to share this story respectfully, without the core of it being integrated in how the world sees the relationship between two women. During all these attempts, I had eleven different versions of the manuscript! However, I always seemed to find that either the timing was off, or I couldn't convey the message I was seeking. In early 2023, I wrote the first seven chapters, and I felt very good about the direction it was going but then my file was corrupted, and I lost all of it. I was devastated. I tried everything to recover the document, but it was lost. I paused writing and it wasn’t until the early months of 2024, I tried writing again, determined somehow to write it and safeguard it, printing it and saving it to the cloud. Amid writing again around chapter seven, my file was corrupted, although this time, I had the document in printed format. I ended up purchasing a new laptop before I was able to continue with this endeavor. In the latter months of 2024, I started writing over again Four Days and just like magic it all flowed and came together. I found my voice, I found the words, and I was able to share this incredible story with the world. Four Days is more than just a book for me, it's a labor of love and it is my sincere desire that one day, others will find hope within the story and know that true love exists, and we are powerless to stop it.

“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. This poem resonates with me because it speaks of the choices we make in life and the impact those choices have on our journey. It reminds me that sometimes taking the unconventional route can lead to unique and fulfilling experiences. For me, my book Four Days tells a story of life choices and what the consequences are of those choices and, more importantly, how in our lives we tend to listen to outside voices instead of listening to our own inner voice.

The authors who have influenced my writing the most come from a diverse array of voices, each offering a unique lens through which to see the world. Writers like the infamous Stephen King with his mastery of language and deep story lines, and authors such as Matt Haig and David Baldacci who craft interwoven stories. I’ve been influenced by the likes of Gerri Hill, K.L. Hughes who crafted same-sex love stories with sentences that felt as though they breathed on their own and brought their characters to life.

Balancing a career in Human Resources with my creative pursuits requires a thoughtful approach to time management and self-prioritization. I strive to make it a priority to carve out dedicated time for photography, writing, and other creative pursuits that I have. Additionally, I’ve discovered that my creativity complements my career in Human Resources. My creative pursuits offer me a space to recharge and think outside the box, which often brings fresh perspectives back into my professional role. It’s a balancing act, mingled with time with family and friends, bringing a sense of fulfillment and growth in all areas of my life.

My advice is simple yet profound: embrace authenticity. Write from a place of truth, even if it’s raw or imperfect. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Read widely and deeply. Delve into unexpected genres. Inspiration often comes from the most surprising places. And finally, trust the process. Writing is as much about revising and refining as it is about the initial spark of creativity. Every word you write brings you closer to your unique voice.

I have some new ideas swirling around and I plan to start writing the first chapter of a new book soon. I can’t share much about it at the moment, but I’m excited about what the future holds.

My experience using AllAuthor has been incredibly rewarding. The platform offers a range of features that made it easy to showcase my work and connect with a wider audience. From customizable book banners to a user-friendly interface, each tool is designed with authors in mind, helping to amplify visibility in a competitive and saturated market. The resources have been invaluable in building a brand and reaching potential readers. I’ve genuinely appreciated AllAuthor’s commitment to helping authors succeed.