Roxanne, tell us about your soon-to-be-released novel, SATAN’S MIRROR.
In Satan’s Mirror, my protagonist, Emily, is the host of a paranormal television show. Her mission is to debunk all myths and urban legends. But when she meets Satan in a haunted house and calls him a fraud, the repercussions change her life. Satan kidnaps her six-year-old daughter, forcing Emily to re-evaluate her cynicism. She must somehow break into the underworld, battle the denizens of hell, and rescue her little girl.
I based the novel on the story of Persephone, the Goddess of Spring. My granddaughter’s name is Persephone. I would go to hell and back for her.
You’ve written 8 novels in the sci-fi genre. Do you purposely incorporate other genres like romance and horror or this a natural occurrence?
I love to blur the edges around the genre, and I do it on purpose. Before I start a story, I target my audience and write with them in mind. My sci-fi romance series, The Anneliese Thielman Trilogy, is about the quest for love. It has graphic sex, but only enough to further the plot. My Young Adult series, The Colonial Scouts Adventures, is full of wild aliens and hilarious situations, but no sex or naughty words.
Satan’s Mirror is a blend of science fiction and horror, and it was a bit of a stretch for me. Usually I just plop my characters on an alien planet and let my imagination run. However, with Satan’s Mirror, I wanted to create a hell that horror aficionados would recognize. I researched everything from Revelations to Dungeons and Dragons. Finally, I got the ambiance I was looking for.
I’m currently working on a humorous werewolf story told from the viewpoint of a sixteen-year-old boy. It’s fun getting into his head. I’m writing it for teenagers, but I hope adults will enjoy it, too.
For people with congenital blindness like yourself, what tools are available to help with reading and writing?
Blindness is a problem, but not the end of the world. Many computer programs will read your screen to you. I use Jaws but you can use Magnifier or Narrator, which are built into Windows. I also keep a Braille slate in my pocket so I can take notes while I’m waiting in a doctor’s office or a movie theater. Braille is going by the wayside in this age of computers, but I feel more comfortable using it than speaking aloud into a recorder.
If you don’t know Braille and need help reading, the library has a terrific Talking Book section, quality audio books for lend. Check out my books while you’re there.
I encourage anyone struggling with impaired vision to seek out their local Lighthouse for the Blind. They are a vast depository of information, and they will help you accomplish anything from cooking a Thanksgiving dinner without burning it (or you) to completing your first novel. I was fortunate enough to attend computer classes at my Lighthouse. The teacher had no eyes. He had never seen a computer, and yet he could tell you exactly what was on the screen. I guess the will to learn is stronger than any disability that may befall us.
You co-founded the Coral Springs Writers Workshop. What was your motivation for starting this venture?
Writers need writers almost as much as they need readers.
I’ll pause a moment to allow that to sink in, because if you’re writing without knowledgeable people to critique your work, you’re writing as blind as I am. Friends and family might be kind enough to tell you that your chapter is crap, but they won’t know why. A writer will. Our Workshop has met once a week for twenty years. We tear each other to shreds, take newbie writers under our wing, and commiserate about the business. And we never let each other quit, which, I guess, was my motivation.
Roxanne, if you could have dinner with one author, who would it be and what would you ask him or her?
J.K. Rowling, without a doubt. Harry Potter broke all the rules, yet survived to be adored by all age groups. I would love to learn how she wrote seven books and managed to keep the story straight and the details perfect. She’s an inspiration to me.
For more information about Roxanne and her books, visit: http://www.roxannesmolen.com
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17/11/2009 at 8:08 pm Permalink
A very interesting interview, I enjoyed it a lot! It’s nice to get into other writer’s heads like this:)
Satan’s Mirror sounds like a thrilling read. As an author and psychologist I am fascinated by mythology and in particular the Underworld, so I very much like Roxanne being inspired by Demeter’s journey to rescue her daughter Persephone from Hades. It would be interesting to see what she has done with the theme!
I’m impressed by Roxannes determination not to let blindness hold her back doing what she loves.
Roxanne, good luck with your writing and your books!:)
Wendy
17/11/2009 at 8:23 pm Permalink
Hey Rox,
SATAN’S MIRROR sounds like an interesting shift in genre for you, and a compelling plot. Best of luck with it.
Joe
17/11/2009 at 9:08 pm Permalink
The book sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to see what hell you’ve come up with. If you ever get to meet J.K. Rowling, I want to be there, too. What an amazing writer.
17/11/2009 at 9:20 pm Permalink
Hi Roxanne, What a great interview, what a inspiration you are to those that are blind. I can’t wait to read these books. Even though you are blind you haven’t let that get in the way of the wonderful gift you have. Good Luck and keep on writing.
Sue
17/11/2009 at 9:41 pm Permalink
Roxanne,
Great interview!! I’m looking forward to reading Satan’s Mirror. I read your Anneliese Thielman Triology and couldn’t put them down. I like your style. Keep up the good work.
17/11/2009 at 10:11 pm Permalink
Great interview, Roxanne! I’m still thinking about the reading you gave at the Women’s club in Coral Springs…you are a great writer!
17/11/2009 at 10:33 pm Permalink
Thank you all for the wonderful comments. Your support is the boost that keeps me going!
17/11/2009 at 11:42 pm Permalink
Great interview, can’t wait to read the book
17/11/2009 at 11:44 pm Permalink
Fantastic and professional interview. I am very pleased that the interviewer was able to convey what an incredible author and person Ms. Smolen is.
Roxanne you are not only an incredible author, but a true inspiration to writers everywhere. I consider myself truly blessed to have your input, and immensely grateful that you give time to budding authors. You are the standard I aspire to.
Wishing you phenomenal success with your new offering and hoping you have tremendous fun with the new genre.
Jenni :-)
18/11/2009 at 12:30 am Permalink
Really enjoyed the interview. Can’t wait to read the book. I really agree with your comments about authors needing fellow authors.
All the best, Rosemary
18/11/2009 at 1:37 am Permalink
Hey Rox, I don’t have to tell you, cause you already know, but you are an amazing person. I have said this often. We who have critiqued with you for the past twenty years are perpetually surprised at how you can function so well. Your writing is amazing. There is so little ever to correct on your work. And so I am wishing you all the luck and success you deserve.
All the best.
zelda
18/11/2009 at 1:58 am Permalink
Hey, Rox
You know your book gave me nighmares for months. It truly was a trip into hell. For those who love horror, this is the book for you. Satan’s Mirror is a must read. Wonderfully written, as always. I take for granted all the amazings things you do, which is good, because I know you prefer to be judged on your work. Success couldn’t happen to a better writer. Very professional interview. But of course.
Your friend and fellow writer, Betty Housey.
18/11/2009 at 2:26 am Permalink
HELL. Now there’s an interesting premise. SATAN’S MIRROR sounds like a breakout idea. Good luck with it and keep writing.
And your comments on critique groups are right-on. Writers without writers are incomplete. The missing part(s) might just be the most critical to their success.
Looking forward to seeing SATAN’S MIRROR on the bookstand.
18/11/2009 at 3:04 am Permalink
A fantastic idea for a truly horrifying tale, written by one of the best writer’s I know. Awesome interview and good advice for writers of all kinds. I can’t wait to walk into Barne’s & Nobles during a signing. I’lll get to say, “Hey, I know that best selling author.”
18/11/2009 at 3:26 am Permalink
Great interview! I’m so glad that Satan’s Mirror got picked up by a bigger publisher. I’m sure everyone’s going to enjoy it as much as I did.
18/11/2009 at 4:13 am Permalink
Roxanne you are my hero! I love your writing. I can’t wait to read Satan’s Mirror. Keep up the great work!
18/11/2009 at 7:01 am Permalink
Such wonderful comments and encouragement. I sincerely thank you all!
19/11/2009 at 3:25 am Permalink
What a wonderful interview! It really opened my eyes and I learned a lot more about you. I’ve always looked up to you a great deal but this makes me even more proud to say you’re my Grandma! You’ve taught me that no obstacle is too big to work around or to work with. Not to mention I can’t wait to read Satan’s Mirror!
19/11/2009 at 10:28 am Permalink
Rox,
It was neat to read about your latest book. And as always, I applaud your efforts and accomplishments. Your eyesight may be dim but your talent shines bright!
millie
20/11/2009 at 6:38 am Permalink
Sounds absolutely riveting! And, I love your statement that writers need writers as much as they need readers. So right! Happy writing!
23/11/2009 at 2:12 am Permalink
Roxanne,
Fascinating interview. You are an amazing woman with a wonderful gift.
Keep on exploring that gift for the benefit of your readers!
23/11/2009 at 7:18 am Permalink
Roxanne,
You’ve got me – just the title alone makes me want to read this one!
When I visited Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station in London I definitely
thought of you!
09/12/2009 at 6:39 am Permalink
Roxanne,
Great interview! I am very proud of all your accomplishments and happy that you’re my sister in-law. Your new book, Satan’s Mirror, sounds very scary and I can’t wait to read it!
08/02/2010 at 8:04 pm Permalink
WOW! This looks like a book 4 me sounds very kool and the werewolf book 2 u were telling me about it wen i was at ur house over the summer. but back 2 satin’s mirror the name is awsome makes u want 2 read it and it sound like a great movie tittle.;) i was woundering wat u were working on and this sounds awsome a sure book 2 get. i hope dad told u were still alive after our 2FT of snow its insain here. on 1 hand its pritty cool and on the other i wish i was there with u i would b able 2 swim but insted im
knee deep in snow lol hope 2 c u this summer