Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a dreamer and have been most of my life. I’ve been a professional in several different fields, nursing, engineering and finance, but nothing is more satisfying as seeing those stories leave your dreams and become a book that others enjoy reading. My latest book, The Orb – Book II of the Fantasmagorical Forest trilogy – has just been released and is fifth book I’ve published.
It’s been a long learning process from the first book I wrote to the latest and I’m always thrilled to discover a new story and a better way to write it. Having someone read one of my books and tell me they loved it is beyond gratification and keeps me writing.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Orb, the second book in The Fantasmagorical Forest trilogy. The trilogy of The Fantasmagorical Forest centers on Katelin, a teenager who had difficulty dealing with the grief of losing her father. After entering the forest, she slowly begins to come out from beneath the pain and finds strength in her ability to overcome any obstacle. I am always inspired by young people and how they seem to be able to deal with so many issues today and come out stronger. Youth has that innate ability to climb the most difficult hills and have fun doing it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to be in a quiet place with no distractions. I know so many writers who can write on the subway, cafe, or even in the middle of the night. Me – I have to be insulated from any outside stimuli – even music. So much of what is around me tends to be absorbed emotionally and I don’t want that interring with my thought process. I guess I’m one of those writers who has to stay in their own head while putting a story together.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Every book I read influences me. It might only be timing of the story or character development, but they all offer some little bit of information I may need to improve my own writing. Many books I read, if nothing else, encourage me to get in front of the computer and let my imagination loose.
What are you working on now?
I am plotting out the final book in The Fantasmagorical Forest. I love this part of writing where I take an idea and make it into a story. Book III will be the most adventurous of all three. I can’t wait to see how it all ends – or doesn’t end. I just might get this one done and want to keep working with these characters for a while longer. The longer a writer works with the same characters, the more they enjoy dreaming up more trouble for them to get into.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I work a lot on word of mouth and haven’t spent a lot of time promoting on websites. I do some signings and try to be involved with the local libraries. I guess I’m not like so many authors who pound the pavements and internet to drum up sales.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Mine is probably the same as most authors tell everyone, and that is just write. You can never get better if you don’t put the words down on paper and learn how to make them the best they can be. Even if what you write is garbage, you can always take that garbage and make it sing, but you can’t make a blank piece of paper even whimper.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Learn the craft. You can’t be good at anything unless you understand the rules and the process. Also to read – a lot. Reading books gives you a valuable insight as to how a story should unfold and how to keep the reader entertained.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading The Rising by Heather Graham and Jon Land. It’s a great book to become immersed in as you read – plus it has teenage characters which I love.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to finish The Fantasmagorical Forest trilogy and have an idea of a book after that is finished. There is always a new story floating around my mind that is fighting to get out.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d probably bring 3 or 4 of the biggest (in size) books I could find. They would keep me busy for a long time. Maybe War and Peace, Under the Dome and Nostradamus and his prophesies. The last one so I could contemplate what he really meant. Lastly, I would bring Breathless by Dean Koontz, just because I love the ending. Odd assortment, I know, but I would never get bored.
Author Websites and Profiles
S.L. Dwyer Website
S.L. Dwyer Amazon Profile
S.L. Dwyer’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile