Spotlight Author with Barbara Silkstone

I stumbled upon Barbara’s blog space simply by accident and was so happy that I did. It is very entertaining and I think you will think the same. Today she’s here to share all of her secrets… well sort of ;-)

Barbara, tell us a little bit about yourself and what you write.

I’m a freelance writer with a quirky sense of humor. I frequently find myself in the right place at the right time. If I just stand still for five minutes… wham! Something funny and worth writing about will happen to me. I’ve accidentally sky dived, been stalked by crazies, and ran off with a real life White Rabbit.

I’m the author of The Secret Diary of Alice in Wonderland, Age 42 and Three Quarters and the nonfiction chronicle of my adventures in to the hearts and minds of over 500 men - The Adventures of a Love Investigator, 527 Naked Men & One Woman. For six years I traveled the country interviewing men about women, love, and commitment. I nearly lost my mind. I had no idea they would talk so much.

I live on the edge in South Florida and write 8 or 9 hours a day. Yikes!


Can you give us a peak/back cover blurb of your latest release?

Written very much in the style of Janet Evanovich, but with a strong dash of the surreal, The Secret Diary of Alice in Wonderland, Age 42 and Three-Quarters is an entertaining jaunt through a mad world of Miami real estate, pill-popping neuroses, and would-be English Lotharios.


What do you think makes your writing unique?

I enjoy sharp one-liners and write as if I were creating for Sam Spade. My heroines have the ability to laugh at themselves even as they are going down for the count.


What are you working on now?

I’m launching a series of funny romantic mysteries spinning off of fables.
Wendy& the Lost Boys will be released on Kindle and Nook in June. It’s a romantic comedy with a strong influence from Peter Pan.


Where does your inspiration come from?

It comes from my ability to laugh at myself. I’ve made enough mistakes in life and yet each one reminds me of the heroine in a fairy tale. If I lost my glass slipper, it would be found by a frog with no chance of Princely redemption. Sometimes all you can do is laugh.


What do Barbara Silkstone fans have to look forward to in 2011?

Once Wendy & the Lost Boys are flying loose, I’ll begin to work on Snow White and her seven short men. I write two humorous blogs and fans are invited to take a peek. I never know what I’m going to say… so we can all be surprised together.


What is your writing process? Plotter or Panster?

I usually panster it and let my characters surprise me. But Wendy involved some plotting as there are pirates, Indians, and super-yachts. Three men madly involve with the heroine. I had to plan her future before she got in too deep.


Any advice for aspiring authors?

Just write, write, write. You get better with every page. The publishing industry has changed so radically in the last 24 months. It’s the most exciting time to be an author. Reach for the stars. They’re not that far away.


If you had to pick a character that you have created or one you wish you created, who would it be and why?

I think Wendy because she gets to rediscover her first love, pilot a super-yacht and run around with a bunch of boys. How bad is that?


What type of hero do you find irresistible?

John Cleese. He’s my hero. He is so lovable in A Fish Called Wanda. I like my men vulnerable. I love when they screw up and then rise to the challenge. That thin crust of British reserve that hides complete absurdity. Delicious!

Where can we find out more about you and your writing?

Please visit my blog:

Barb’s Wire – eBooks & More
http://barbswire-ebooksandmore.blogspot.com/


The Secret Diary of Alice in Wonderland, Age 42 and Three-Quarters
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BIGFSE/




Thank you!
Barbara Silkstone

Make sure to stop by on Thursday when I have Emma Lai as my guest. Thanks for dropping in.

Hugs

Micole