Wednesday, November 16, 2011

A.R. Silverberry Joins us for Writer Wednesday

 It's Writer Wednesday and we are happy to have 
A.R. Silverberry
here with us today!

Welcome!!
Tell us a bit about yourself:

Do you work another job when you are not writing?
I’m a licensed psychologist. I see children, adolescents, and adults from late afternoon into the evening, which allows me to write and do book marketing earlier in the day. For a long time, I kept my training as a psychologist separate from my writing. What a mistake! There are over 100 years of theory and research about behavior and personality I can work into character development!

What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t writing?
 Walk. But I always bring a notepad, because I get my best ideas when walking.

What is your favorite color? Why?
I’ve always been attracted to blue. No surprise that it’s one of three major symbols in Wyndano’s Cloak. The other two are birds and the cloak itself.

What is your favorite season? Why?
Probably spring, because of the flowers, but I also love fall, because of the colors and the crispness of the air.

If you could live anyplace on earth, where would it be? Why?
Right here, where the forest meets the ocean.

If you could have any car, what would it be?
My Prius.

Now tell us about your writing:

How long have your been writing? Was it a dream, a goal or is it just a hobby?
I’ve been writing with the intention of publishing since 1998. But it seems I’ve always had stories rolling around my head, and I dictated a few to my mother before I could write.

How many hours a day do you devote to writing? Do you have a set routine or do you write when the mood strikes?
I used to write on a Caltrain. It was the best possible thing. My mind was clear first thing in the morning. I popped open my laptop, and the train sounds triggered me into writing mode. I disappeared into the story world for 75 minutes. When I disembarked, I walked for 25 minutes to work, with that pocket notebook handy to catch bits of description or dialogue. When I got to work, it all got turned off. I like to think that ideas were incubating. After work, I had 25 minutes to think about the book and jot down ideas. By the time I got to the train, I was primed to launch into another writing session. I wrote 3 – 6 hours on the weekends. The biggest tragedy to my writing was moving away from that train! I try now try to write an hour or two in the mornings, and I usually can if I don’t look at emails or social media first!

Is there some place special you like to be when you write?
I like to be in my office, where I can spread out notes and research, and tape photos and plot lines to the wall.

Do you listen to music or do you need a quiet place to write?
The train noise disappeared, but at home, I need silence.

Tell us about your book:

What is the name of it and is it part of a series or a stand alone novel?
Wyndano’s Cloak was written to stand alone. I had no intention of making a series out of it, but many people have asked for a sequel. Who am I to deny them! Since I tied everything together, all I can think of is that people fell in love with the characters and want to return to the land of Aerdem to be with them.

Where did the idea come from?  
An unpublished prequel provided the set up. As I was wrapping up the prequel, an image popped into my mind for the climax of Wyndano’s Cloak.  The end suggested the beginning, and I mapped out the plot line a  few weeks.

How long did it take to write?
A year for the first draft, three years for rewrites, and then a year with two editors.

What is it about?
Jen has settled into a peaceful life when a terrifying event awakens old fears—of being homeless and alone, of a danger horrible enough to destroy her family and shatter her world forever.

She is certain that Naryfel, a shadowy figure from her past, has returned and is concentrating the full force of her hate on Jen's family. But how will she strike? A knife in the dark? An attack from her legions? Or with the dark arts and twisted creatures she commands with sinister cunning.

Wyndano's Cloak may be Jen's only hope. If she can only trust that she has what it takes to use it . . .

Your other work:

Do you have any upcoming projects in the works or other books that have been published?
I’m finishing up the first draft of a novel, part spiritual journey, part coming-of-age tale. After that, I’ve got another children’s books I’m dying to dive into.

Where can readers connect with you?
I love hearing from readers. I can be reached on my Website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Where can we buy your books?
For a limited time, the ebook is selling for 99 cents on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the iTunes iBookstore. The hardback is available through all booksellers, but the best deal is on my Website. Also, anyone interested in purchasing a personalized signed copy of the hardback, can write me at contact at www (dot) arsilverberry (dot) com.

Video Trailer for Wyndano's Cloak 

Peter - Thank you so much for coming to visit us!  
Readers please feel free to leave a comment here for Peter!

2 comments:

  1. Two of my favorite writers (and people) in one spot! Great interview. I think it's always a good thing when readers call for a sequel! Cheers, Peter.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Rob! And now there are three great writers here!

    And thanks to you, Stacy, for hosting the interview, and for asking these great questions!

    Best,

    Peter

    ReplyDelete