Putting Magic into The Language of Silence

The Language of Silence

“You wouldn’t think a book about spousal abuse could be magical, but the prolific Webb achieves just that in this page turner.” Publisher’s Weekly

When I saw that review, I knew I had accomplished what I set out to do with this novel. Spousal abuse is a hard subject to write about without making the story dark and depressing. I enjoy tackling a difficult, complex subject, but I always try to balance tears with laughter, fear with hope. Maybe that’s my optimistic nature asserting itself. Maybe it’s my Southern roots showing.

There are several ways to achieve this kind of balance. Years ago, in Driving Me Crazy I used liberal doses of humor to offset the heartbreak of caring for an aging mother whose time was running out. When I wrote The Tender Mercy of Roses (for Simon & Schuster as Anna Michaels), I used the humorous voice of Pony Jones to balance tragedy. But I also discovered that I love using magical realism. The legend of the Cherokee rose was ready-made for the kind of magic I wove into The Tender Mercy of Roses.

When it came time to write the second book for Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books, I knew I wanted to find a subject that would lend itself to magical realism. The circus was an obvious choice. The big top is already a world of fantasy. But how to find that particular brand of mysticism I wanted?

Elaine at the circusI turned to my friend, Bob Kenney, a magician who is also a circus buff. In his long career spinning magic onstage, he collected some fantastic books about mud shows, the circus on the 70s after the big top left behind trains and began to travel in trucks. My research led me to rediscover the great equestrians and the iconic big cat trainers.
It was Mabel Stark, the first female tiger tamer who set The Language of Silence on fire. The historical figure was the inspiration for Lola, Ellen’s abused grandmother who ran away to the circus and transformed herself into the world’s first female tiger tamer.

This book will be available everywhere on September 9th, and I can’t wait for you to read it! I’m doing an extensive tour, so please check my appearances on both websites (here and at www.peggywebb.com) to see when I’ll be in your city. I look forward to seeing you.

One lucky commenter on today’s blog will receive a signed copy of the book.

 

10 Responses to Putting Magic into The Language of Silence

  1. [url=http://www.ooobag.com/watch/panerai/65f31967a874d183.html]これは2010年に自身への機械的なセイコースポーツ腕時計です。純粋に機械的な春のドライブに対する米国に拠点を置くアナンタ腕時計運動を代表して、この2010年の自動巻きクロノグラフ参照srq009チタンに対する新しい。私が最初にこれを見たとき、私はそれを見て、限定版になるということをかなり確信しました、しかし、それはそうチタンアナンタ自動セイコーのハイエンドの世界市場の自動の非常にスポーティなバージョンを提供している普通のコレクションの一部です。スーパーコピー時計ブランド私はそれに私の手を得て、それをチェックすることができました、そこで、それはかなりセクシーな探してそれの画像をここで見ることができます。私が言うことができることはかなり素晴らしいですが、炭素繊維ダイヤル腕時計は、私が好きである![/url]

  2. [url=http://www.eevance.com/News/9d4c2f636f067f89.html]この最初の腕時計の白い腕時計はクールということを証明した。それは、垂直クロノグラフ分計800シリーズ名tx線形クロノグラフ腕時計の1つです。第2のタイムゾーンとダイヤルの全体的なデザインは独特で、とげとげしくなる逆行ダイヤルがある。ホワイトトーン腕時計を通して持続する(明らかに)、しかし、それは100 %の定義はありません。あなたにはまだ若干のスポーティなオレンジとゴールドトーンダイヤルと手の上に上がりました。それは本当にうまくやった。私は高浮き彫りを付して白い回転ベゼルにホワイトが好きにしてください。グッチスーパーコピーブランド財布腕時計を見事に45 mmのワイドサイズまたは多分私の手首の上で非常に快適でした。あなたは、ダイヤルは最初は少し威嚇を見つけるかもしれませんが、ライブであなたの観察の後にすることは非常に簡単です。本当に素敵な白い色はしばしば見やすいスポーツです。この時計は本当に新しいであったので、私は正確なモデル番号を見つけることができません、しかし、それは価格の間にどこかについてドルであるべきです。[/url]

    • I love this book, Patricia! I’m on tour this week and next, so I’m running behind on getting out a new post. I need a clone! Still, launching a book is exciting. There’s something magical about sitting in a bookstoe, holding a beautiful book in my hands and knowing that I wrote it!

  3. Lee Einhaus says:

    Can’t wait to see you next weekend! Lemuria! And am looking forward to the book!

  4. Excellent article. It has enabled me to add some more intriguing books to my TBR List.

    Thanks again for the $10 Amazon gift certificate from ‘The Story Behind the Amen Cobbler’.

    Injoy:) Carolyn

    • You are so welcome, Carol! I’m glad you stopped by. I hope you’ll invite your friends, too. friends, too. I try to post every Monday, but sometimes deadlines, book tours and personal matters derail my plans.