Title: To Keep a Butterfly from Flying
Author: Cynthia Snyder
Publisher: Book Venture Publishing
ISBN: 978-1641666732
Pages: 160
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert
Interview Questions for Cynthia Snyder
Today we are talking to Cynthia Snyder, author of “To Keep a Butterfly from Flying.”
PBR: Name the one book you have read that has influenced your life the most?
The one book that has influenced my life the most is The Pearl by John Steinbeck. This book showed the pearl, as being represented both good and bad depending on how the person in control of the pearl decided to use it. I saw The Pearls message as nothing in the world is black or white, as there is much of a grey area.
PBR: Overall what motivated you to become a published author?
The motivation to become a published author stemmed from a very young age as I always enjoyed expressing myself creatively through writing. When I was in grade school I won some awards for my writing. I strongly believe that if you have a gift or passion you should share it. I felt that my experience working on a cruise ship should be told, but more importantly what I had learned from my fellow crew members should be shared.
PBR: What was your inspiration for writing To Keep a Butterfly from Flying?
My inspiration for writing To Keep a Butterfly From Flying came from my contract working on a cruise ship as an American hairdresser. I wanted to shed a light on the work conditions and unregulated work hours crew members experienced. I wanted to share my experience of my relationship ending, finding the courage to leave a loveless relationships. I found that many woman had a relationship where they found out their partner was unsure of their sexual identity. A big part of me wrote this book for them to know they weren’t alone. The main point of my story was to inspire. To show that you can turn an idea into a reality if you work hard enough on it.
PBR: Why did you choose to format the book like diary entries?
I choose a dairy format because it is my actual daily diary from when I worked on the cruise ship.
PBR: Your central character Cynthia is your namesake, how much of yourself is in Cynthia?
Cynthia is me, the author. To Keep a Butterfly From Flying is a real life account of my contract working for a cruise ship as a hairdresser.
PBR: From the first word to final publication, how long did it take you to complete your book?
My book took four years to complete from the first idea to being self-published. I did however take a 2 year break to go back to school to become an EMT and Emergency Medical Dispatcher. My journey working on a cruise ship led me to this career change, as I was in the right place at the right time when many medical emergencies occurred on the ship.
PBR: Life on the cruise ship was portrayed in such a realistic way, how much was researched and how much was real life?
There was no research involved as I lived each experience 100%.
PBR: In your book, “life lessons” are a prominent aspect in your character’s life, what has been the greatest life lesson you have learned so far?
The greatest life lesson I learned working on the cruise ship was appreciating all the opportunities I was given not only from my parents and upbringing but from being an American. My biggest epiphany occurred when I experienced Costa Maya, Mexico. Several of the spa girls and I took a taxi to downtown Costa Maya from the port area. On this taxi ride we stopped at an intersection and there was a house comprised of sheet metal. There wasn’t any doors or windows just openings in the sheet metal where a door or window should be. This opened my eyes and made me see all of the things in my life I had taken for granted. This was the kaleidoscopic moment that had seeded my desire to change my reality and travel the world.
PBR: What is the best advice you can give other authors looking to publish their works?
My best advice I can give another author looking to publish their work is to take your time.
PBR: Is there anything you are working on for future publication?
I am currently working on a poetry publication.
