Ask the Author: Shan L. Spyker
Answered Questions (2)
Shan L. Spyker
When writing The Way of the River, at bedtime I would lie down, pick a character or characters and a scene, then close my eyes and let them walk around and interact in it. I would drift off and let my mind wander, and things would start to happen. I would see scenes vividly, or hear them talk to one another, and would try to remember that for the next morning when I would sit down and use that as inspiration to write the next chapter. I am also a hiker, and my observations of the river, the forests I walked in, and the nature around me also inspired me greatly!
Shan L. Spyker
The idea actually began as a series of short bedtime stories that my father and I would tell back and forth when I was four years old. It began as a simple adventure, two siblings who venture into the vast forest at the edge of their property and discover an abandoned wolfhound they discover they can communicate empathically with. My father is a musician and had written a theme for the story, which went on to evolve into a full musical suite. This kept the story alive as my sister and I grew up, and when we had children of our own they learned about "The Tales of Henry" (as it was then known). When they got a little older, my children asked me if it was an actual book. When I told them it was not, they asked a simple question: why not?
In addition to being a writer, I am also a graphic designer, and book design is one of my other passions. So, when my kids asked this this of me, I paused a moment trying to figure out why it wasn't. Immediately after, it became my mission to have The Tales of Henry become a physical book that they could hold. That is the origin of the initial spark, and the story, which grew and evolved over the past three generations of our family, to become the middle grade novel that is now known as The Way of the River.
In addition to being a writer, I am also a graphic designer, and book design is one of my other passions. So, when my kids asked this this of me, I paused a moment trying to figure out why it wasn't. Immediately after, it became my mission to have The Tales of Henry become a physical book that they could hold. That is the origin of the initial spark, and the story, which grew and evolved over the past three generations of our family, to become the middle grade novel that is now known as The Way of the River.
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