Author: Cindy Sproles
Located in: Kingsport
Submitted: January 13, 2015
Tell us a little about yourself. Cindy is an author and speaker. She is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries and managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She teaches nationwide at writers conferences and ladies conferences.
What was your motivation behind this project? I love the mountain culture I was raised in. I wanted people to feel the uniqueness of the Appalachian Mountains. But for this story, I wanted to raise an awareness of a heinous thing - sexual child abuse. After seeing a late night documentary on this subject, it sparked a passion to do something. It's a tough subject in the real world, but through fiction I think folks can swallow it a bit better. So historical Appalachian fiction seemed the best way to draw folks in and make this awareness a reality.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? First I hope they fall in love with the sense of unity in the mountain people. I hope they breathe in the sweetness of this culture. Secondly, I hope they see the serious issues that face many children today. If we can raise the awareness for even one little one, then we have done the job.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? I was heartbroken over the little children who suffer horrible sexual child abuse. The research for this pierced my soul.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? I feel I have shaped my own writing voice by reading Adriana Trigiani and her sweet mountain voice in Big Stone Gap. I love Francine Rivers and Jane Kirkpatrick. These women authors I admire and hope to follow in their steps.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: Visit my website and read and excerpt of Mercy's Rain as well as watch the book trailer.
