Silent by Sara Alva
Alex’s life as a teenager in South Central LA is far from perfect, but it’s his life, and he knows how to live it. He knows what role to play and what things to keep to himself. He’s got it all under control, until one lousy pair of shoes kicks him out of his world and lands him in a foster care group home.
Surrounded by strangers and trapped in a life where he could never belong, Alex turns to the only person lower on the social ladder than he is: a “special” mute boy. In Sebastian, Alex finds a safe place to store his secrets—those that sent him to foster care, and the deeper one that sets him apart from the other teenagers he knows. But Sebastian has secrets of his own, and when tragedy rips the two boys apart, Alex will stop at nothing to find the answers—even if it means dragging them both through a past full of wounds best left buried.
It might just be worth it, for the slim chance at love.
Available From: Amazon | ARe | Barnes&Noble
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A Brief Q&A on Silent with Qs Sent in by SidLove Readers
What moved you to go in a different direction?
Different than Social Skills? I will always love those characters (and who knows, I might revisit them someday) but I like to change things up in terms of plot, theme, and style. The idea of writing something very different is often the inspiration I need to move on from a completed project (because it can be so hard to say goodbye!).
What research did you do on your characters?
I had my betas and trusty Google for some details, but a lot of information came from my own experiences in LA.Silent is told from the perspective of Alex, a Latino teenager from Watts. I chose him (or he chose me) because he had a story to tell that represented many of the issues I’ve witnessed inner city teens face—pressure to join gangs, drugs, poverty, and sometimes neglect and abuse. The other characters he meets on his journey were also inspired by the diverse residents of Los Angeles.
What sparked the idea of making Seb mute?
Seb is a character I’ve carried with me since high school, so I can’t pinpoint the exact spark. I’ve always loved the idea of studying other forms of communication besides the spoken word. It was both a challenge and a lot of fun to explore the ways he could express himself and relate to Alex.
What was the most difficult or most enjoyable scene to write?
That’s a tough one to answer without getting too spoiler-y. I loved writing the beach scenes because they’re so relaxed and sunny. It was a nice break after some of the emotional and “stormy” scenes that come right before.
I don’t know that any one scene was particularly difficult to write. I actually got more emotional while writing after the final climax, but that might’ve been because I knew it was coming to an end.
What are you afraid of writing?
A book full of typos. That would be my worst nightmare. 😛
What do you want to tackle next?
I’m keeping my options open for now. 🙂
Thanks for having me on the blog!
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About Sara:
Sara Alva is a former small-town girl currently living in big-city LA with a husband, two cats, and an avocado tree. She recently discovered—after a year in her house—that she also has a fig tree in her backyard, which might mean she needs to get out more. But sometimes the stories waiting to be told demand more attention, and when she puts fingers to keyboard, it’s usually to write about journeys of self-discovery, heartache, personal growth, friendship and love. When she isn’t writing, she’s teaching or dancing. For more information, free short stories and news on upcoming releases, visit Sara’s website at http://saraalva.com.
Connect with Sara: Website | Facebook | Twitter
GIVEAWAY
Sara Alva is giving away a free ecopy of “Silent” to one lucky winner! All you need to do is leave a comment under this post, telling us why you are interested in reading this book. Don’t forget to leave an email ID through which we could get in touch with you, in case you win!!
CONTEST ENDS 12TH NOVEMBER,2013 @ 23:59 PACIFIC TIME
OTHER BLOG POSTS ON “SILENT”:
True Colorz Featured Author Interview
Setting the Scene: A Photo Walk with Alex — Guest post on Madison
Parker’s blog
A Hundred Tiny Moments: Behind “Silent” — Guest post on Cody
Kennedy’s blog
I really enjoyed Social Skills and would love to win this. It’s good that you don’t stick to the same plots; this sounds completely different but very good.
email please
I’ve just read the write up and the story sounds really interesting.
email please
The story sounds so intense and heart wrenching. Is there a hopeful ending for them? Please include me in the contest.
email please
Great interview! The blurb has me intrigued. Please include me in the contest. Thanks!
jennpurr1970@yahoo.com
This sounds like one I would enjoy. A rough road for the characters, but they are there to help each other through. Thanks for the giveaway. debdeege(at)optonline(dot)net
I really enjoyed the excerpt and it’s great find a new author. Please enter me for the giveaway. Thank you
ShirleyAnn@speakman40.freeserve.co.uk
I used to work in the Watts-Willowbrook area of LA–full of great stories! I’d look to read a book set there. Thank you!
Urb
brendurbanist@gmail.com
The blurb sounds really intriguing and different!
Just the blurb alone pulls at my heartstrings, so I’m almost sure this book will leave me reeling. But I enjoy Sara’s work and I’m all for a book that likely shows a gritty reality while offering up hope and love, too. (And I think I already have a soft spot for Seb!) 🙂
peachescon(at)gmail(dot)com
I want to read this because it sounds very interesting. I think it would be a wonderful read.
sstrode at scrtc dot com
This sounds really good with interesting characters! mm_reads(at)live(dot)com
Sounds great! I’d love to see how they communicate. 🙂
aelnova@aol.com
I adored Pura Vida and would love to read something else. This book sounds like it would be great!
It sounds like it would be two individuals helping each other and finding themselves througheach other.
debby236 at hotmail dot com
Silent is one book, I am dying too read! Your cover is so good, one if the best I have seen! Every time I see this book or post, I am so drawn too it! Silent is going to be the book of the year!
Paulb403@hotmail.com
I really enjoy reading about disabled characters so a book with a mute character really appeals.
cojazzchick AT yahoo DOT com
Sounds great. Please count me in for the giveaway. I’ve always enjoyed a book with a disabled character. It’s wonderful to see them overcome their disabilities and live a wonderful and fulfilling life.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
I want to know if there are others who reach out to help these two because I think it would be almost impossible for these two to make it completely on their own.
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
I just recently read one of Sara Alva’s novels… No doubt this one is just as great! Count me in.
benjimon4427@gmail.com
This book intrigues me for so many reasons, one of which is that I simply love watching people with physical disabilities overcome and find love. There’s something particularly inspiring about that for me.
ashley.vanburen[at]gmail[dot]com
Please count me in! Social Skills and Puranas Vida ere 5 star reads for me 🙂 Would love to read this one!
creading514 (at) comcast (dot) net
Stupid auto correct! Pura Vida 🙂
Way to go Sara, I remember when you were first working on this – congrats on the publication.
-Andy
andrewqgordon@gmail.com
I enjoyed both Social Skills and Pure Vida. I’m looking forward to reading Silent. I’m sure I will love it! 🙂
vcoppola76 at gmail dot com
I’ve had this on my wishlist since I first read the blurb for it. It seems to me to be my kind of reading.
ilona
felinewyvern at googlemail dot com
Ohhh~ this sounds like it’s going to be such a tough read…
But I really look forward to it. I love such complex books like this. It makes me that much happier when they get their happy ending. even if it’s only HFN. lol..
Thank you for the contest! please count me in~
Judi P
arella3173_loveless@yahoo(dot)com
[…] Q&A and Giveaway—Sid Love’s blog […]
Read Social Skills which I enjoyed very much. Silent looks like it will be just as good. Dflinton@optonline.net
I’ve readed the blurb of this book and I’m dying to read it. It was also very well recommended by Cody. <3
e-mail: claudia_ap00@ig.com.br
Hugs
this sounds like a very interesting story love to win it
purserdana@yahoo.com
This sounds really good, I look forward to reading it. Thank you for the giveaway.
aahickman at hotmail dot com
Great Q&A. I love the basis of these characters and themes. We absolutely need more fiction that represents all types of people and their different circumstances, and it sounds like this one definitely has that. Thanks for the chance to win!
caroaz [at] ymail [dot] com