We're excited to have Patricia A. Proctor with us today, but first here's a little info about After the Summerland, the first book in The Witches of Spring Hill Series.
Genre: Young Adult (Paranormal)
Date Published: April 3, 2013
Publisher: Self
Teen triplets are shocked when they discover they are the reincarnation of three witches living on sacred land. The land magnifies their abilities, making them more powerful witches – and targets. They aren’t the only ones aware of the power the land gives . . .
Chloe, Kaiden, and Rowan Alexander can’t wait to meet the new triplets that have just arrived in town. They are determined to find out if they are anything alike. The attraction is instant, though they soon discover they share more than just being fraternal triplets – in fact, Brianna, Cian, and Xavier Silvan are also witches with a secret of their own.
They must overcome their distrust of each other and join together to fight a much stronger witch, who wants the sacred land for more than the power it gives.
It’s a paranormal coming of age story where the teens discover the purpose of their existence, explore their new powers, new relationships, and overcome family secrets, all while becoming stronger witches. They must learn quickly so they can protect themselves and the people they love from the force of dark magic bearing down on them.
How long have you been writing?
I started journaling and writing poetry in 2001, but it wasn’t until January 2013 that I started writing After the Summerland, the first book in the Witches of Spring Hill series.
What inspired you to write After the Summerland?
I was actually inspired by a dream that I had back in 2006. I woke up with the idea of a story about three babies who are the reincarnation of three witches. I wrote down all the details I could remember and although I didn’t start writing the story until this year, the idea stayed with me over the past seven years. The books evolved quite a bit from my dream, especially since most of the details of my dream are written out in the first couple chapters of the first book.
When you first started writing After the Summerland, did you plan for it to be a series?
I always knew it would be a series, I just didn’t know how many books there would be, nor did I know what each book was going to be about until I got to the end of the previous book. Right now the three books are, After the Summerland, Breaking the Bond, and Crafted Truths, but eventually there will be a fourth book and possibly a couple more that will focus on other characters.
After writing After the Summerland, was it more challenging to write the sequel?
I started writing Breaking the Bond right after I finished After the Summerland, so it was a pretty easy transition. I had a loose idea of what the next book would be about before I started it and because I was writing about the same characters and the same fictional world it was like I never left Spring Hill.
Which of your characters do you relate to most and why?
I think I relate to all of them in one way or another. Each character represents an aspect of me – some more than others. If I had to choose just one character that I relate to most it would have to be Chloe. Many aspects of her personality match mine, from being self sufficient and self reliant to being friendly. I also love to cook, am open to new situations, and quick to accept change in my life, just as she was when she discovered the truth about her history.
If your real life as a teenager was a Young Adult book, what would you, the main character, be like?
My character would be a combination of strong and vulnerable. She would be quick to fall in love, fiercely loyal to her friends, and a little bit rebellious. She’d be cautious, but she wouldn’t shirk away from something unknown either. Most importantly, she would stay true to herself and trust her intuition about people and situations.
What book have you read too many times to count?
I am an avid reader, but I rarely read the same book twice. There are so many amazing books out there that I generally seek out new stories rather than go back to old favorites.
What is the best piece of writing advice you ever received?
My husband actually gave me the best advice with two simple words – “Just write.” Those words helped me to overcome any hesitation or self-doubt. They reminded me to just get the words out and not to worry about anything else. They became my mantra that I repeated over and over, especially when I started questioning the direction of my story line.
If you could hop into the life of any fictional character, who would it be and why?
I can’t think of one character specifically, but I know there have been times when I’ve been reading something and I think, “That would be awesome!” or “I would love to be her!” I truly hope that someone connects with my characters so much that they would want to hop into one of their lives! I personally think it would be cool to be Chloe or Rowan for a day!
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
The most surprising thing I discovered was how deeply connected I felt to the story and the characters. The characters were the first thing I thought of when I woke up and the last thing on my mind before I went to sleep. I had no idea I would be so entrenched in their lives and feel so much about them as their story unfolded under my fingertips. I lived and breathed the Alexanders and Silvans for 10 months and gave so much life to them that I couldn’t completely end the series with the ‘last’ book. I just know that one day I’ll want to go back to these characters and see what the future holds for them. So in the final book, Crafted Truths, I made sure to leave an opening for more books.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I’m an avid reader so when I’m not writing I read as much as I can. Other than that I like to play games, watch movies, explore Seattle – my newish city, spend time with my husband, talk to friends, and travel.
Are any of the things in your books based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
A lot is purely imagination, but some aspects of the stories are based on real life experiences. Any tidbits of wisdom are things I’ve learned (usually the hard way) and some of the settings were influenced by places I’ve been.
To learn more about Patricia A. Proctor and her books, visit her website.You can also find her on Goodreads.
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