*Since she loves capturing every moment with her daughters, this photo was taken of Cynthia and Aleecia, Pearlyna, and Meleighsa at their home after Easter Sunday church service.*

Passion and purpose. Two ideas that define life. Most people are lucky to discover one of them. But sometimes a particularly blessed individual will find both.

Cynthia Tyous was a teenager when she found a passion for writing. She was taking care of her mother and spent time journaling. She knew in her heart that she was meant to be an author. “I knew I could connect with the young and the young-at-heart through book form and take my audience on an adventure,” Cynthia said.

*Cynthia and her husband, Reginald, attending their niece’s wedding in Little Rock. Cynthia admits that family is so important, and making memories is the greatest aspect of her life.*

Her mom was her hero, and after both parents passed when Cynthia was a teenager, the need to journal her thoughts and feelings was overwhelming. “My mom was the epitome of, ‘be the difference you want to see.’ She exemplified love, peace, and sharing; but most importantly, she was a positive example.”

At the time, Cynthia couldn’t see that God was carrying her through the experience. He was keeping her mind and physical strength. He was showing her how to help the next person. Cynthia relied on the words of the Serenity Prayer. She was taking life one day at a time and trying to trust Him through the grieving process.

Cynthia had found a passion for writing, and God was preparing her for a future as a published author. Passion and purpose.

During her Book Launch Party for the release of her new children’s book, “God‘s Closet,” on March 12, Cynthia had a read-along with kids to encourage the youth to read and to show them that reading with a friend is fun!

In 2011, after several rejection letters from traditional publishing houses, Cynthia stepped out on faith and self-published her first children’s book, “Can Pink Elephants Fly?” “It teaches that we are different, but we keep our own individuality, and we are all special,” Cynthia said.

Years passed, and Cynthia’s second book sat on a shelf collecting dust. “My season of doodling children’s books fizzled for a moment. I focused on encouraging the youth I came in contact with every day,” she explained. But as Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

“Sometimes in life, you don’t see the light in yourself until someone else shines the light on you and tells you your own story. I always try to encourage others daily, giving to them what has been poured into me,” Cynthia said.

In memory of Cynthia’s sister, Catharyn, the Know Your Worth Scholarships are given out to youth in the community to help prepare them for college. The conference encourages youth to “know their worth.” This photo was taken of Cynthia and her nieces and nephews during the Catharyn Burton Know Your Worth Memorial Scholarship Conference.

Last month, Cynthia self-published her second children’s book, “God’s Closet.” The book teaches love for your neighbor, community service, and encourages everyone to follow their dreams. Although Cynthia writes children’s books, kids are not her only target audience. She writes in hopes of sharing an encouraging word with parents, schools, community leaders, and youth groups.

Writing for children can be difficult. There are many age groups, and the voice changes significantly from one year to the next. “If you are not careful, your writing could cross age groups. This means the voice of the character could sound like a 3-year-old and an 11-year-old in the same manuscript, and you must choose one to write for,” Cynthia explains.

But it is just part of the writing process. Typically, this process takes a year or so. Cynthia’s ideas for books come from her daily journey. They come to her as she spends time with the youth at church and as she works in the school and community. Fresh ideas are jotted down as a book. She will doodle the idea on paper and then move it to the computer. Once the story is flowing, she will dictate. Tweaks and re-tweaks lead to a polished manuscript. Children’s books have illustrations which help to tell the story along with the penned words. Illustrations are an artistry of work, and it takes time to complete them after the manuscript is finished. “I always want my book to be heartfelt and heartwarming. I always encourage everyone to be the difference they want to see,” Cynthia said.

Every writer is influenced by the work of other authors. Cynthia credits JaNay Brown-Wood, Matthew Paul Turner, Vashati Harrison, Matthew A Cherry, Rita Williams-Garcia, Jacqueline Woodson, and Lupita Nyong. But “God’s Closet” is her favorite book. “It connects with the family. Mom is a great example for her daughter, and Catharyn shares love just like mom has demonstrated to her daily. ‘God’s Closet’ teaches that kids matter, and they do make a difference,” Cynthia explained.

Maya Angelou also said, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive, and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” Cynthia has worked hard to create an authorial voice and brand that encompasses these characteristics. “My authorial voice is unique because I cover heritage that is handed down from generation to generation, positive relationships, family connections, home life, friendship, and love for others,” Cynthia said.

Cynthia’s brand expands on this ideal. She hopes to connect with families and communities. She wants to inspire everyone through heartwarming words and illustrated children’s books. “My creative pen writing style molds stories that are inspired by family, heritage, and life lessons. The brand that I portray inhabits cheerfulness and love for the next person. I write purposeful books to encourage love and build confidence through literature.”

Cynthia’s own confidence, like her passion and purpose, are founded in her faith and her family. Her husband, Reginald, is her champion and her greatest supporter. He is by her side daily to motivate and uplift her. “Every day with him is, ‘You can do it!’ You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you,” Cynthia said.

Among her greatest accomplishments are the birth of her daughters. Her family motivates her to keep putting her passion to paper.

Both publications, “Can Pink Elephants Fly?” and “God’s Closet” are available for purchase on amazon.com. Cynthia connects with fans at book signings, author visits, Q&A with youth groups, youth connections, and social media. “I want to encourage you to never stop dreaming and believing in yourself. Stay tuned, the next book is in the making. Follow me @authorcynthiatyous,” she said.

Cynthia’s own dreams are still in the works. She wants her books to touch lives. She strives to be the editor’s pick, the teacher’s pick, and to be in the top 100 selling children’s books. She wants to be sold in all major bookstores, breaking sales records online. She would love for one of her books to be turned into a family movie to inspire all.

For Cynthia Tyous, passion and purpose are a legacy of family and faith. As Reverend Billy Graham, one of the greatest ministers of the twentieth century, said, “The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.”

Cynthia’s character and faith are driving her passion and purpose. Her passion and purpose are to instill character and faith in the next generation. That is the circle of life.

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Passion & Purpose