So very excited to welcome Robert J. Duperre who is touring his latest book
Silas and today is the day for he features on my page. Thus, you all read on for the exclusive interview, book summary, a review of
Silas by me and.....the one you are waiting for the Kindle3 Giveaway.
SUMMARY
Robert J. Duperre, author of The Fall and Dead of Winter, now presents Silas, a contemporary fantasy novel.
Ken Lowery is a man at odds with his life. He hates his job, is disappointed in his marriage, and feels resigned to leading a mundane existence.
That all changes when his wife brings home a rambunctious Black Labrador puppy named Silas, who forges a remarkable connection with Ken and begins to heal his inner turmoil. When some neighborhood children start to go missing, he takes it upon himself to protect those around him and is thrust into a surreal world where monsters roam. Not everything is what it seems to be, he soon discovers, including his new best friend.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Robert J. Duperre is a lover of literature in all its forms. Be it horror, fantasy, science fiction, literary fiction, or even romance, he delves into it all and relishes every minute of it. It is his desire to show this love of all genres by creating wide-reaching stories that defy classification, that can reach the widest possible audience.
Robert lives in northern Connecticut with his wife, the artist
Jessica Torrant, his three wonderful children, and Leonardo the one-eyed wonder yellow Lab. You can read more about Robert and his views and ideas by visiting
robertduperre.com.
Exclusive Interview With Robert J. Duperre
Q: It is often said that if you can write a short story you can write anything. How true do you think this is and what have you written that either proves or disproves this POV? A: I most certainly think that’s true. For an example, when I picked writing back up again, I thought big and wrote a massive, 1600-page epic. The writing was horrible. Un-publishable. Embarrassing. So I set it aside and started writing shorts. They were rough at first, but eventually I re-learned what I’d been taught about crafting a solid story, and I started flying through them. When I reached the point where I thought I knew enough about plot construction and character development, I picked that old manuscript back up and started re-writing it. I wouldn’t have been able to do that had I not polished my short-form skills.
Q: How do you research for a book before you begin the writing process?
A: As of this point, not very much. I do simple online research, then write to professionals on message boards and find out the correct terminology. However, this all happens during the writing process, when I run across a section that requires that information, and not before. So I guess you could say I don’t research at all before I begin.
Q: What is the best part of writing for you?
A: Editing a story. There’s just something exquisite about taking something that you know is pretty good and making it really good. Also, the stress of the creation process is gone by then.
Q: Did you always have in mind to be a writer or it just happened?
A: Yes, I always wanted to write. In middle school and high school, my English papers always ended up being grand opuses. I would get caught up in the idea of the story (or the examination of the story) and then go overboard. That’s just sort of stuck with me over the years.
Q: What is your guiltiest pleasure that few know about?
A: Okay, try to keep this quiet, but I secret enjoy watching crappy reality television with my wife. We’ll sit down and watch Bridezillas, Batchelor Pad, Jersey Shore, etc, and laugh at the absurdity. We love every minute. Okay, I can’t believe I just admitted that.
Q: What advice would you like to give budding authors or those who want to start writing?
A: Listen to criticism. As in, really, truly LISTEN! You can learn so much from the people who pick apart your work. It might sting at first, but trust me when I say it’s worth it. In fact, some of the people I feel closest to now are folks who’ve ripped me apart in the past. I’ve learned from them. I’m a better writer for it.
REVIEW
SILAS is a very moving book. While I admit its a little long but it serves its purpose nonetheless. Not only does it enforce the fact that our pets - well gi-faht (read the book you'll know what i'm talking about here)(well primarily dogs) not only being cute but also form a close bond with their masters but it also makes us wonder - 'What if there is really an alternate reality?' - I definitely don't have an answer to that but yes what I do know is Time is one element that is like a vast to ocean - much is still left to be explored.
GIVEAWAY TIME
Answer the question of the day in the form provided and you are entered in the Kindle3 Giveaway. Questions provide contestants the chance to choose one of two answers (questions center around a playlist of songs Rob put together for Silas). Contestants are awarded three points for the correct answer (one point for the wrong) with the chance to gather up to 45 entries by answering each question. Open US/Canada (sorry not international).
