Member Spotlight: Cynthia Brian

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? Writing is air—it’s breath, the invisible thread that connects our inner world to the outer one. With every word, we exhale truth, inhale possibility, and give shape to the stories that make us human. My purpose is to empower and inspire others through real, true stories that reveal how we face challenges, and how passion, unity, love, and kindness can guide us toward connection and community while having more fun. Every individual has a story to share. Writing is the bridge that transforms thoughts into words that will make a difference in our world.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? For me, nature is my salve and sanctuary. When words refuse to form, I surrender my computer to the expertise of the outdoors. Digging in the dirt of my garden, mucking the barn, hiking among the trees, or listening to the rippling of water unlocks unknown creativity. When language suspends, I pause to hear the chorus of birdsong, smell the fragrance of my roses, or follow the flutter of a butterfly. Nature heals. Nature whispers stories. Nature nurtures. Nature is my remedy for everything.

What is your favorite time to write? I don’t claim a single hour as “the time” to write, though I do write every day. What matters most is how I begin. Each morning, I gift myself at least twenty minutes outside wandering the farm, meditating in stillness, giving gratitude for life, and inhaling the fresh energy of a new day. Once my morning chores are finished, nature’s rhythm translates to the written word. I begin.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? The best way to become a writer is to write. Don’t wait for the perfect idea, the perfect moment, or the perfect first sentence—just begin. Begin anywhere. The act of writing itself is what transforms you into a writer. There is a story inside every individual waiting to be told. Give that story a voice. Pick up the pen, open the laptop, scribble on a napkin—it doesn’t matter how or where. Just start. Everyone has a book inside. Only YOU can write your story. So simple. So powerful. Just share!

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? While writing may not always bring the financial rewards it once did, the opportunities to share our words are greater than ever. With countless platforms available, writers can now reach a global audience instantly, offering uplifting, positive stories that travel far beyond our own communities. Yet, despite the rise of digital publishing, I remain a devoted lover of print. Nothing compares to holding a book in my hands, flipping the pages, and marking the sentences that speak most to me. I am deeply grateful for organizations like the Authors Guild and SAG-AFTRA, who work tirelessly to protect writers and artists as AI continues to expand. “Human Authored” must remain the gold standard, because authenticity matters, and trust in creativity depends on it. We are living in an age of constant change and bold innovation. To thrive, writers must be courageous, daring, and willing to “flap forward”. Only then can we fly free.

Cynthia Brian’s Flap Forward! Fly Free!, illustrated by Marta Maszkiewicz, is out now with Waterside Productions.