Welcome to our newest feature Who’s on Fourth. One member of the yeah write community will interview another yeah writer, and the interview will publish the fourth Monday of each month. Second in the series features Arden R of Arden Ruth Writes interviewing Cynthia K of that cynking feeling. Like some of our favorite readers, it took Cynthia a few tries to make it onto the challenge grid for the first time. She didn’t quit, and she is now one of the most faithful supporters of what we do here.
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yeah write on yeah write: Arden interviews Cynthia
“That sinking feeling”: you know the one I’m talking about, right?
It’s that feeling that makes you want to give up, to believe those negative voices in your head. It’s the feeling that parents get when they are told that their child has autism.
“That cynking feeling”: where I tell stories to remind myself that the glass is half full. It’s the place where I spread the word of autism acceptance. This is where I don’t give up, where I ignore those voices in my head.
“That cynking feeling”: showing my love for my autistic son, one post at a time.
As a child, Cynthia dreamed of becoming a novelist. But as time went on, she eventually realized that non-fiction was probably more her style and abandoned her dreams of becoming the next great American author.
Cynthia launched that cynking feeling on her son’s first birthday. It was a private place for herself; a place where she could document the growth of this wonderful child she was raising.
Life just gets in the way sometimes.
The daily posts soon faded away but new ideas were peeking around the corner. Cynthia began sharing the blog with her family and then even her friends. Her son grew and grew until one day, she was told something that no parent ever wants to hear.
Her son had autism.
The diagnosis had not necessarily been a surprise. She had her suspicions for a while but it was a piece of advice from a friend that helped her to move forward and not remain stagnant with worry.
That cynking feeling has now become a public warehouse of information. Cynthia proudly publishes about her daily life with her son in an attempt to spread the word of autism acceptance. She craves for people to understand that ‘autism is not the end of the world, just a different world.’
“An autism diagnosis is not a death sentence. Yes, autism is a lifelong disability. Yes, there will be challenges for you and your child. Still, autism is what makes your child your child. It is part of his/her personality and way of seeing the world. Spend your energy changing how the world views autism instead of trying to change your child.”
I have always applauded Cynthia’s bravery in the face of her son’s diagnosis. She takes every day in stride. She does not have an autistic son. She has an amazing little person full of energy and love (who just happens to be autistic).
While autism is a main theme of that cynking feeling, it is not the only theme. Music is held close to Cynthia’s heart. While growing up, the stereo was constantly playing in her house. Cynthia sang in the church choir and followed her brother into playing trumpet. Majoring in music, Cynthia taught elementary music and movement for more than seven years. You can learn more about Cynthia’s great appreciation for music through her posts on Jen Kehl’s Twisted MixTape Tuesday.
While expanding the publicity of her blog, Cynthia stumbled upon the yeah write community in late 2012. She quickly learned that when yeah write editors say read the rules, they mean business. She received her first love letter in October of that year. Cynthia is nothing if not stubborn, so she kept trying. She made her first published appearance on the yeah write #79 challenge grid.
I’m honored to been chosen as this month’s subject. I had fun answering Arden’s questions, plus the response shows just why I like this community so much. Can’t wait to see who’s on fourth in March!
Yay! She’s one of my favorite bloggers and Arden is killing it with these interviews.
Thanks for being our guinea pig!! Haha – I’m having a great time and am very happy everyone seems to be enjoying them. Thanks again!
It was great to get this opportunity to know Cynthia a little better. I always learn something from her posts, and I appreciate her attentiveness to all of the members of the YW community – even when she’s not competing on the challenge grid.
Cyn, check out The Stand. I think it’s one of King’s best (and least horror-filled) books. I’ve read it three times, and I’m sure I’ll read again some day. ; )
I started The Stand once but had to stop; only because I have to be in the mood for King, not because I didn’t like it. Definitely need to pick it up again. I’m reading the Shining right now. So great!
I love Stephen King too. But I like getting creeped out. This was a fun interview. I really enjoyed learning more about Cynthia. Thanks Arden!
Thank you! I like getting creeped out too. The scarier, the better!
I really appreciated Arden’s style here as well.
Thank you! I really appreciate that 🙂
Cynthia rocks! Love her blog!
Nice interview! 😀
I might have to link up this week…
I am bone dry with non-fiction lately. Luckily, the Speakeasy is here so I don’t feel too absent 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and reading Matt!
Great interview Arden! It was awesome to learn more about Cynthia!
Thank you Deanna! I had a great time getting to know her better 🙂
The longer I read Cynthia’s blog and interact with her, the more I like her. I felt like with this interview I got to know her a little better, so thank you, Arden!
Also, Cynthia, I love that you mention Stephen King in this. I read all his books as a teenager and even though he isn’t a highbrow choice, I think his casual, conversational style has probably influenced me more than any other writer. Maybe start with Bag of Bones, I think it’s one of the least horror-y of his books. 😉
Thank you Natalie! I’m having a great time with this series 🙂
I love Arden’s style in this interview and I really enjoyed getting to Cynthia a little better! Cynthia’s support of yeah write is amazing. I also really like the idea of Googling things like hobbies. She has a great perspective on life, raising her son, learning, and writing. Really fun interview!
Thank you so much Michelle! I had such a great time 🙂