I met A.R. Silverberry on Facebook a few years ago. We got to chatting and he was one of my very first author interviews for his earlier work, Wyndano's Cloak.
I'm so glad that he's written another book and so happy that he reached out to me for an interview. A.R. is awesome!
A.R. is a talented writer and he shares his advice and knowledge with new writers. I appreciate this, and I know you will too.
Describe The Stream in 5 words.
A fable: embracing
life.
You've written
another novel Wyndano's Cloak – do
any of the characters cross over in these two novels?
No, they’re
different worlds, different characters, different genres, and different
audiences! Wyndano’s Cloak was
written for children, ten and up. The
Stream is for adults.
What is the
difference between your first novel, Wyndano's
Cloak and The Stream?
Wyndano’s Cloak was a sprawling,
fantasy adventure with a complex story line. I think of it as a
mirror-hour-glass plot. The Stream is
an allegorical novel. It can be read purely as an adventure about survival.
Beneath that story runs another story, bound up in the metaphor of a stream.
The story raises questions about how one finds meaning in life when things
constantly change. It raises questions about how to cope with the devastating
blows reality throws at us, how to go on, how to build a life. Like many
allegorical novels, the characters of the story are also symbols. The hero,
Wend, symbolizes the innocent state we’re all in as we enter the flux of life.
The stream itself is both character and symbol: giver and taker, creator and
destroyer.
Where did The Stream's idea come from?
From
a conversation I was having where I used the metaphor of a stream. I kept
thinking about that metaphor. In a few hours, the character of a small boy,
alone, defenseless, trying to understand the ways of the world, popped into my
mind. I saw images of him confronting the challenges we all face in life: love,
loss, pain, losing your way. The next morning, I put aside the novel I was
working on (it wasn’t working anyway), and started writing. It pretty much
tumbled out of me and didn’t let go until it was done.
How long did it
take you to write The Stream?
I had to go back
and look! About a year and four months, including revisions after it was
edited. During that whole time, I was searching for a home to buy, resulting in
gaps when I couldn’t work on it. You know how that goes!
Have your writing
habits evolved since your first novel?
I used to be
almost superstitious that I had to write in the morning, and that if I didn’t
do it then, I couldn’t switch into writing gear later. I know now that’s
totally untrue. All I need to do is sit down and start writing. I get into the
flow pretty quickly.
What hasn't changed since my first novel is my writing
process. I always identify a theme before starting. The theme might change, but
I need that North Star to guide me.
Why did you choose
to make the main character 5-years-old in The
Stream?
He needed to be
innocent and vulnerable as he tried to understand the world he awakens to. That
not only sets the stage for his journey, but makes him a foil for the others he
meets along the way. Contrast is everything!
How old does the
character age to? What does he learn about himself?
At the end, he’s
about 19 or 20. He learns that despite tragedy, we can go on.
Your main
character in Wyndano's Cloak is a
female – how easy or difficult was it for you to switch to a male's POV in your
newest book, The Stream?
Easy peasy! The
challenge, for me at least, is not gender but character; I either get them or I
don’t. Some characters I slave over. Others, like Pet from Wyndano’s Cloak or Dory from The
Stream, emerge full-blown. When I’ve figured how/why that happens, I’ll
let you know. I imagine I could sell it as a magic potion! The great thing
about Dory is he came with a passenger in the form of a truculent rooster. It’s
those unexpected surprises that keep me writing!
Complete this
sentence: If I knew then what I know now about writing/publishing I would…
… have published
the ebook edition of Wyndano’s Cloak
right away. I didn’t understand where publishing was going and missed getting
in on ebooks early, the fans, the exposure, the potential profits. By the time
I got in, the market was already fairly saturated, making promotion an uphill
battle.
What does it mean
for you as the author when a reader writes a review or emails you how much they
enjoyed your books?
It means the
world. Three of children told me that I inspired them to let out the stories
that were trapped in their heads, and one woman told me that her granddaughter
came out of her shell after reading Wyndano’s
Cloak. Since my hope was that the novel would inspire young people to
believe in themselves, I was thrilled!
Will you enter The Stream into any author contests? If
so, which ones and why?
Budget allowing,
I’ll enter Readers Favorite, ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year, and the Eric
Hoffer Award.
What do you think
about the publishing world today? EBooks the way to go for all writers?
A recent study
showed that the highest grossing authors are a blend of self-published and
traditionally published. Traditionally published authors are seeing that they
can capture better royalties if they also self-publish. Indie publishing has
grown in stature, along with the caliber of the writers who do it. The
looky-loos are falling by the wayside, and the serious ones are maturing.
There’s some phenomenal talent out there.
Tell us something
about The Stream's main character
that surprised you when you started writing.
There’s some
pretty dark stuff towards the end. I knew in general terms what that would be,
but writing it made it real and poignant.
How many hours per
day do you dedicate to writing?
One to three, not
including blogging. On the weekends, I can put in four to six hours.
Who/what are you
reading right now?
I’m reading The Illuminator’s Gift, by Alina Sayre,
an indie author I met at the California-Bookstore-Day event at Village House of
Books.
Why did you write The Stream?
I had something to
say. Now that I’ve said it, I’ll probably never write another book like it.
When you write, do
you use real images of people to bring your characters alive or are the all in
your head?
Some of the
characters have photos. Dory did. Petunia didn’t. I saw and heard her just
fine. The photos give me an initial prompt and feeling, but I usually don’t
need them once I get going.
What is the best
website for a writer?
Writer’s
Digest for all things writing. World Literary Café
for marketing and networking, especially for indie authors.
How can my blog readers help you to become an
even bigger success?
Read my books, and
if you like them, recommend them to your friends and family! Follows on Facebook
and Twitter are also nice!
What one word best describes you?
Compassionate.
Any big news?
Finishing up draft
three of my new novel, a YA, dystopian, sci-fi fantasy, slated to be a trilogy.
If all goes well, it will be released next year! Thanks for this interview,
Angie! Always nice to stop by Writing Teazures!
Synopsis of The Stream:
What if your world
was six miles wide and endlessly long?
After a devastating storm kills his parents,
five-year-old Wend awakens to the strange world of the Stream. He discovers he
can only travel downstream, and dangers lurk at every turn: deadly rapids,
ruthless pirates, a mysterious pavilion that lures him into intoxicating
fantasies, and rumor of a giant waterfall at the edge of the world.
Defenseless, alone, with only courage and his will to survive, Wend begins his
quest to become a man. Will tragic loss trap him in a shadow world, or will he
enter the Stream, with all its passion and peril?
Part coming-of-age tale, part
adventure, part spiritual journey, The Stream is a fable about life,
impermanence, and the gifts found in each moment.
Purchase The
Stream:
Ebook:
iTunes:
Coming Soon!
Softback:
Purchase Wyndano’s
Cloak:
Ebook:
Limited first edition Hardback:
Follow A. R. Silverberry:
About A. R. Silverberry:
R. Silverberry
writes fiction for adults and children. His novel, WYNDANO’S CLOAK, won
multiple awards, including the Benjamin Franklin Award gold medal for
Juvenile/Young Adult Fiction.
He lives in California, where the majestic coastline, trees,
and mountains inspire his writing. THE STREAM is his second novel.
Great questions, Angie! Thanks for an awesome interview!
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes,
A. R. Silverberry
You rocked it A.R.! Thanks for the interview.
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