March 14, 2006 edition of the Peru Tribune

By LAURIE KIEFABER, Tribune Staff Writer


An author with local ties has just published her first book and the second of the trilogy is due for completion later this year.

Just writing the book has been an interesting journey for Cindy Bauer, who recently finished "Chasing Memories." The book fictionally portrays a mother, Laura Thompson, who loses her husband suddenly and then suffers memory loss from a freak accident she suffers while helping her neighbor. The book is scheduled for release March 27, but people can buy it now at Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Borders and Target.

Bauer's book was one of 6,000 chosen of the 30,000 manuscripts submitted in 2005 for publication by Publish America.

The author was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa. Her family visited grandparents in Peru and Logansport about five to six times a year. She also remembers attending the carnival during the Circus City Festival with her friend, then Cheryl Lynn Baldwin.

While the author has many local ties, she doesn't get back to the area much. Her husband of 30 years, Robert, has been disabled about seven years.

"My ultimate goal is to do well enough with writing so I can quit my nine-to-five job and be with my husband," the Clinton, Mo. resident said. "His condition is getting worse each year."

Bauer seems well on her way toward her goal. She's already sold 100 books. Her next book, "Shades of Blue," is about a supporting character in the first book. The third book will be about Laura Thompson's daughter.

The new author started writing at the prompting of her husband and sister, Debra LaVelle, who majored in journalism and political science at the University of Iowa. LaVelle now works as an employee benefits insurance broker in Canton, Ga., an Atlanta suburb, but she still appreciates a well-composed sentence.

"I told her she is such a good writer," she said. "Not a lot of people can do that."

LaVelle had corresponded with her sister for a while and noticed how well she wrote. After hearing she enjoyed writing and wanted to write a book, she asked, "Will I still be alive when you write this book?" That acted as a catalyst for Bauer.

Bauer began writing Dec. 18, 2004, composing a few chapters and sending it to her sister, who edited the manuscript. At first, LaVelle reluctantly accepted her role as editor/collaborator, knowing it could ruin their relationship.

"I thought this will be the test," she said. "I sent back to her all these marked-up (pages) ... She took it so well. ... She loved every idea."

Because Bauer doesn't have children, her sister had to correct some obvious manuscript mistakes. These included that seven-year-old girls don't have chubby arms and children don't need their parents to turn on the VCR or DVD player for them.

The writing and editing process affected both sisters.

"This book actually brought us together and we got to know one another better," LaVelle said. "That was a really neat experience too."

Bauer became somewhat distracted while writing.

"I'd get up in middle of the night (2 or 3 a.m.) and couldn't sleep," she said. "I'd get up and write. (Later) I'd be washing dishes and would get preoccupied with it."

The new author also found fiction hard to write at first.

"You're writing a lie," she said. "It's someone else's life; you have to keep it in order. Yet it's fun. You get to decide what they've done in their lives..."

The book is very family-oriented though.

"It gives the public the idea of how the church and community work together," she said.

Originally Bauer meant to call her book "The Memory Box," since she has one she keeps letters and photos in. But there are books already with that name, so she had to change it.

For those wanting a scoop on the plot, Bauer said there are two surprises at the end.

"In life you're given a lot of choices," she said. "It doesn't always end up the way you want it to. It's a never-ending process."

Bauer was finally ready to publish her work Sept. 18, 2005 with Publish America.

LaVelle is proud of her sister's efforts in many ways. Before Bauer started the book she hadn't touched a computer since 1986. In the last two years she has learned to surf the Internet, build a Web site, e-mail and now lays out 14 to 16 pages on a computer for the Clinton Daily Democrat where she works.

"This is a real life-changing experience for Cindy," LaVelle said. "Her world is so small. As a result of this book, her world has grown considerably."

For a complete review of the book and more information, visit www.publishedauthors.net/cindybauer/ar.html, www.PublishAmerica.com/shopping, or www.cindybauerbooks.com.

Bauer enjoys gardening and also shares her life with her 12-year-old "Benji-looking dog" Shadow, and a feral tabby cat Samantha.

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