Cascade Library Interview with Cindy Combs (2009)

Interviews by Fans
Title:	Cascade Library Interview with Cindy Combs
Interviewer:	Cascade Library
Interviewee:	Cindy Combs
Date(s):	June 15, 2009
Medium:	online
Fandom(s):	The Sentinel
External Links:	interview is here, Archived version
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In 2009, Cindy Combs was interviewed for Cascade Library.

Also see, Cascade Library Interview with Cindy Combs (1999).

Some Excerpts

I can't speak for others, but for me it's summed up by Blair's line, 'It's about friendship' - a strong friendship where the other person is there for you to the point they're practically family. I also enjoy stories that are plot-driven and full of adventure. Since TS is a detective/action show, those elements are usually found in the gen TS fiction.

Weeelllll, it's not so much a matter of specifically choosing a crossover character. Usually it's a situation or a particular character that helps me grow my main four (and now five) characters. For instance, Weardian and Witans was how I explained where I was taking Blair after the diss disaster, and having the Stargate and Sentinel worlds collide provided a good backdrop. Other times, it's just a matter of needing to fill out characters in a story, and someone (or a group of someones) pops into my mind. A lot of the characters in the Roachia series came in that way. And sometimes they just get pushy and invite themselves to the party. But usually it's a matter of simply where the story is going. I don't wake up and decide 'I'm going to do a crossover'. It's a story first, then if it's a crossover, so be it. Let's just say my mind is a very strange place.

When [writing with a partner] works, it's great. There were times where Zadra would leave blank spots because she didn't know what to write there, and I would fill them, and visa versa. There are places in 'Sandburg Squared' where I can't remember whether she wrote it or I did. It helps if your writing complements each other (Zadra is great with bad guys, humorous side bits and the development of Obie Sandburg; I'm good with action and Blair/Jim interaction). However, you've got to agree on where the boat is sailing, or you're just treading water. Our 'Sandburg Cubed' got derailed quickly because it turned out that she and I had totally different views of a minor character, so everything we wrote contradicted other. For the seasonal 'arc' stories for Cascade Virtual Tales, the writers involved all decided on where the arc was going, the course it would take to get there, and what part of that journey each writer was responsible for. That way each person could write her own story, and have it fit with the others.

I love hearing from the readers, and I have no problem reading constructive feedback. If the feedback is reasonable and makes sense, I'll incorporate it. If it doesn't, it probably won't affect my writing. However, I do have a problem with flames or unfair criticism. Not so much for myself; my skin has gotten tough over the years, and I am quite capable of defending my position if given the chance. I don't like seeing it aimed at younger/more inexperienced writers who aren't as tough. Writing comes from your soul and placing it out in public takes a lot of guts. It's not fair if someone throws rocks simply because they see glass.