Interview Sylvia
Rochester
by
Linda Roberts
1)
What inspired you to write
Shadow of the Soul?
I’m a lover of history, and the settling of the Northwest
Territory has always intrigued me. Having visited Mt. Rainier, I thought it an
ideal setting, and the 1870’s would provide all the adventure and hardships I
could ever imagine.
2) What is the story about?
It’s a story of a father who sacrifices his facially
disfigured twin son to a wintry grave in hopes of giving his wife and the twin
daughter a chance at a normal life. Rescued by a trapper, the boy survives,
accompanied by the wolf that nurtured him and a dark anomaly, that fragment of
the bond born to twins--the shadow of the soul. Through Matthew we learn the
true meaning of courage.
3) How long have you been writing?
Since childhood, I loved telling and writing stories. But only
in the last ten years did I seriously consider seeking publication.
4) How many books have you written?
Five.
5) Are they all the same genre?
No. I’ve written two romantic suspense novels, one historical
time travel, and two general fiction/paranormals. I’m not sure how to describe
the genre of my current work in progress.
6) How do you begin writing? Do you need a specific
setting?
More important than the setting is the story and characters
who will breathe life into my plot.
7) Do you enjoy research?
Yes, and I thorough research my settings and events…
sometimes, too much. I can get lost in history.
8) Do you write for pleasure?
You bet. If I knew I never sold another story, I would still
write.
9) Do you plan everything out, or does the story
unfold as you write?
I have a general idea where the story is going, but more often
than not, things happen that were planned. As the characters develop, so does
the story.
10) I know you are also an accomplished artist with
many beautiful paintings in your portfolio. How do you find the time to write?
The problem is in finding time to paint. With so many stories
racing through my mind, I find myself more and more glued to the keyboard.