Here is Barbara Silkstone who lives in a slightly parallel universe
How do you
strike the balance between writing something you want to write and writing
something that people want to read, in terms of the compromises you make, if
any?
I can only write what makes me happy. If I break out in giggles
while writing, then I know I have hit a sweet spot that will make my fans
laugh. For me writing is all about sharing my joy with others. I couldn’t bear
the thought of causing my readers nightmares, suspense and thrills, yes. When I
first started writing I took workshops with Stephen King and PD James. Back
then I loved the idea of “putting worms down readers’ shirts” and watching them
squirm in terror – not the worms, the readers. But as our world grew more
hostile, I felt it would be kinder to spread giggles and not wiggles. I am, by
nature, a kind person.
What
excites, attracts or appeals to you about the genre(s) you write in.
I write comedy mysteries and comedy adventures. In my imagination
I am always writing for John Cleese, Cameron Diaz, and Debra Messing. I love
creating heroines who despite having the best of intentions, cannot help but become
involved with the barmiest villains. I like to think my stories would amuse
Oscar Wilde and Lewis Carroll.
Do you have
a box, drawer, folder etc where you keep thoughts and ideas for future stories?
Such as names you have come across, bits of dialogue, ideas, characters - even
if you have no idea when you might use them?
I am forever jotting down ideas and throwing them into a large
plastic box. I once dated a Brit with a very upper-crust accent, purely for his
witticisms. I was forever jotting down his Pythonesque expressions. Once my
little notebook was full I ended the relationship. Besides he turned out to be
a notorious international conman.
Often my ideas come flying in the window much like Harry Potter’s
owl. They swoop low and drop a plopping good idea on my head.
How do you
manage plot bunnies (ideas that invade your mind that aren’t usually helpful to
the story you’re writing but breed like...er...bunnies)?
Plot bunnies are the parents of sequels. What does not fit it Book
One might make a dandy adventure in Book Four.
How much of
you is in your characters? Which of your characters is the you that you’d most
like to be? Or be with ?
Alice in The Secret Diary of
Alice in Wonderland, Age 42 and Three-Quarters is the closest to the real
me. A terminal anglophile, she is gullible, good-hearted, and plots a wicked
revenge.
Wendy Darlin - Tomb Raider and I often hang out together. She’s a
Miami real estate broker who supplements her income by returning stolen
antiquities. What she lacks in physical coordination, she makes up for in sheer
determination.
Do you
become so wrapped up in your writing that your spouse wonders if they're
married to you or one of your characters?
I am the opposite of a hoarder. I throw out anything I haven’t
used in three months. That is what happened to my last husband. I now enjoy
blessed peace and quiet as a singleton.
What type
of book do you like reading? Is it the same genre as you write?
I love British comedy mysteries. I’m a big fan of Helen Smith’s
books. I adore Elmore Leonard’s novels for their terse dialogue. Any book where
I can imagine John Cleese as a main character is great fun. I recently
re-discovered Pride and Prejudice.
Cleese is a bit long in the tooth to be Darcy, but Colin Firth is a perfect
substitute.
What
lengths do you go to convince us readers that your book has the X factor?
My humour either hits the reader straight off or goes over their
heads. Humour is subjective. It’s like trying to convince someone to “get”
Monty Python.
How do you
feel when a reader points out the spelling mistake(s) you have made?
Typos are like fleas on a dog. They can happen to the best of
hounds. I am blessed with a number of beta readers, a terrific scene editor,
and a final editor. Admittedly crossing from Yank to Brit does cause some
comments. My latest bug-a-boo is the word noddle. Noddle is not noodle. Noddle
is a British word for head. Noodle is the American version.
What is on
your near horizon?
I have happily entered the world of Pride and Prejudice variations. I love Jane Austen’s subtle humour
and gentle sarcasm. I have just released my second book in my Mister Darcy series by Barbara
Silkstone. I plan five books in the series, a contemporary spin on Austen’s
timeless characters from Pride and
Prejudice. Mister Darcy is a man of mystery. Dog psychologist Lizzie Bennet
dreams of someday treating the corgis in Buckingham Palace.
I enjoy the delicious anticipation of the culmination of their
relationship. It is the journey and not the destination that provides the fun.
Where can
we find you for more information?
Barbara
Silkstone is the best-selling author of the Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider series
that includes: Wendy and the Lost Boys, London Broil, Cairo Caper, Miami
Mummies, Vulgarian Vamp, Wendy Darlin Tomb Raider Boxed Set. Her Romantic Suspense Fairy Tales series includes:
The Secret Diary of Alice in Wonderland,
Age 42 and Three-Quarters; Wendy and
the Lost Boys; Zo White and the Seven
Morphs. For a squirt of paranormal comedy try: Cold Case Morphs. True fiction fan? Try: The Adventures of a Love Investigator.
Pride
and Prejudice contemporary variations:
Mister
Darcy’s Dogs
Mister
Darcy’s Christmas
Silkstone’s
writing has been described as “perfectly paced and pitched – shades of Janet
Evanovich and Carl Hiaasen – without seeming remotely derivative. Fast moving
action that shoots from the hip with bullet-proof characterization.”
All
books are available on Audible.com
Barbara
Silkstone’s Amazon Author’s page
Blog:
Thank you so much for having me. I have been had before but this is really quite nice. I love the color scheme. It compliments my eyes. Cheers!
ReplyDelete