Spotlight Saturday: Author Interview and Giveaway with Ruth Silver, author of Aberrant

Hi, everyone!

Welcome to another edition of Spotlight Saturday at Darlene's Book Nook, where we feature authors and their books!

We will be joined today by Ruth Silver.



About Ruth:

Ruth Silver attended Northern Illinois University and graduated with a Bachelor's in Communication in the spring of 2005. While in college, she spent much of her free time writing with friends she met online and penning her first novel, Deuces are Wild, which she self-published in 2004. Her favorite class was Creative Writing senior year where she often handed in assignments longer than the professor required because she loved to write and always wanted to finish her stories. Her love of writing led her on an adventure in 2007 to Melbourne, Australia. Silver enjoys reading, photography, traveling and most of all writing. She loves dystopian and fantasy young adult stories. Ruth has been actively writing since she was a teenager. She currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

CONNECT ONLINE WITH RUTH: 
Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter

Welcome back to Darlene's Book Nook, Ruth! Please tell us a little about yourself.  

I used to run my own photography business. It was a great job, tons of fun, with a lot of responsibility. It taught me self-discipline, Photoshop and business smarts. It also helped me design the cover art for the paperback of Aberrant.

 

Do you have a specific writing style? Do you write an outline, or do you write more “by-the-seat-of-your-pants”?  

I start with a general outline of where I want the story to go, but as I write it almost always changes. It's a lot like an onion, peeling away each layer as I write. The most important part of the outline I've developed is the characters. I find that when I write down each character - traits and personalities - it's easier to understand their motivations and who they are. It makes them real.

 

Do you discipline yourself to write a certain number of words daily? Or do you ever have dry periods where you do not write?  

I find it easier if I don't force myself to write a certain amount per day. Inspiration and the desire to write is there when I don't make it a chore. Plus the story is better because I have time to dream up what I want to write instead of writing a ton and trashing it.

 

What is your ideal writing environment? Do you prefer music or solitude? Is there a time of day (or night) that you prefer?  

I like kicking my feet up in the recliner and definitely need solitude when I write. Day time I try and get my writing done. Sometimes I'll think up ideas in the evening and jot them down but I know if I start writing at night, I'd be up till dawn.

 

Are there any authors that influence your writing?  

I love reading YA stories. There's something about the fact the writers don't often overload the reader with too many details and not enough action. There's a lot of YA authors I love that I'm sure in some ways have influenced my writing including: John Green, Cassandra Clare, Veronica Roth and Suzanne Collins.

 

Where did you come up with the idea for Aberrant?  

The idea of Aberrant came from both my imagination and personal experience. The story developed out of choices that we have and that each of us make. I wanted to delve into those choices and imagine a world where they weren't given to us but expected of us.

 

How are you like, or unlike, Aberrant's protagonist, Olivia?  

At eighteen, Olivia is incredibly brave. She's thrown into this tough situation and forced to leave her family and the only home she's ever known. I couldn't imagine leaving those I love behind. I wouldn't want to. So much so, that I'd probably refuse to go.

 

Can you tell us about your current or upcoming writing projects? 

Aberrant is a trilogy, so I've got the next book in the series, Moirai, needs to be finished. I've also got a YA Fantasy story, Orenda, in the works, which is about alternate realities and magical elements. On the back burner I've got a YA Contemporary novel about a teenage boy, Zander, who moves to a new town and goes on a school sanctioned camping trip that is filled with both love and heartache, all in three days.

 

What do you like to do when you are not writing?   

I like to hang out with friends, watch movies, read YA novels, take pictures and travel.

What book(s) are you reading now?  

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. I'm a little sad it's the end of the series but I love conclusions and am hoping for a happy ending. 

Do you have any specific last thoughts that you want to say to your readers?  

Thank you so much for embarking with me on the journey of Aberrant. I hope you love it as much as I loved writing it!

~ Fun Facts ~

Favourite music? Anything popular: Lady Gaga, Katy Perry.

Dog-lover or cat-lover? Dog lover.

Vanilla ice cream or chocolate? Vanilla, unless it has chocolate fudge brownie mixed in then it must be chocolate.
 
I can't live without my... laptop. I spend hours all day on it, writing, editing and blogging. Plus I could always read on it.

If you could meet anyone in the world, alive or dead, who would it be and why? Anna Torv. I absolutely love Fringe and since I can't meet a character (because of course they don't exist!) I'll go with meeting the woman that has portrayed her onscreen. 

The craziest thing that I ever did was... I flew by myself to meet my best friend that lived in Australia. We'd met on the internet (we both loved the show Without a Trace and would write fan fiction together) but we hadn't met in person before. So, I hopped on a plane, got as far as Los Angeles and got sick. Apparently, it was a panic attack. Several months later, I tried again. Undoubtedly, the panic attack started up again but I forced myself through it, got on the plane (puked in flight) but managed to get there. Believe it or not, it was a great trip! Just a little rough flying overseas alone.

If I could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, I would go to... Paris.

Thanks so much for joining us today, Ruth! It was so much fun getting to know you better!

 

The Grand Prize winner will have a choice to win one of win one of the following:

• A signed copy of Ruth's latest novel, Aberrant 
• $25 Amazon Gift Card 
• A character named after you in the sequel

 
The Second Place winner will have a choice of the two remaining prizes.

The Third Place winner will win the remaining prize.

TITLE: Aberrant 

SERIES: Aberrant, Book #1

AUTHOR: Ruth Silver

PUBLISHER: Lazy Day Publishing
PUBLICATION DATE: April 17, 2013

FORMAT: E-book

GENRE: YA Dystopian Fantasy

In the future dystopian society of Cabal, the government instills equality for all and offers its citizens the perfect system. There is food, shelter and jobs for everyone. The one requirement is to follow the rules without question, including the government's match in marriage and "The Day of the Chosen", a lottery that randomly selects families to conceive children as natural means hasn't existed in generations. Following her eighteenth birthday, Olivia Parker accepts her requirement to marry her childhood best friend, Joshua Warren, and is eager to start her work assignment and new life when it all comes abruptly to an end as she's arrested and thrown in prison. The only crime committed, her existence. Olivia is unlike the rest of the world born not from "The Day of the Chosen." The truth haunts the government and puts her life in grave danger as one simple fact would destroy the perfect system.

With Joshua's help, Olivia breaks free of prison and is forced on the run. Together they set out to find the promised rebel town in search of a new home and new life together. Their situation seems less than promising as they reach the town of Haven. New rules and customs must be adhered to in order to stay. Leaving would mean most certain death in the large expanse of the Gravelands. Time is running out as the government mounts an attack to destroy Olivia and bury her secret with her. Thrown into a world unlike their own, they must quickly adapt to survive.

To enter the giveaway, please fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below. 

This giveaway is open worldwide (prizes that require shipping available to US entrants only) until 12:00 AM on May 1, 2013.
  

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