Co-authors Diane M. Sylvester and Andrea Rubinowitz are chatting with me about their new paranormal thriller, How Does She Know.
Bios:
Diane M. Sylvester was raised in Portland, Maine and continues to reside in this beautiful state known as Vacationland. Born into a generation of fortune tellers not by choice; this pedigree cannot guarantee a life time of happiness. She longed to tell her story of her lineage, physic abilities and paranormal experiences that she cannot ignore. How Does She Know is Diane’s first book regarding her amazing gifts.
Andrea Rubinowitz was born and raised in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and from the age of 6 years old fascinated with the paranormal world. From chasing ghosts before impending thunderstorms, racing home after school to watch Dark Shadows, seeing every horror movie with Vincent Price, and finally as an adult, the urge of knowing more never ceased in fact it grew. Upon meeting Diane M. Sylvester, born into a generation of fortune tellers not by choice certainly cannot guarantee a life time of happiness.
Welcome, Diane and Andrea. What inspired you to write this book?
Based on Diane’s life experiences of seeing visions and communicating with the dead, she felt compelled to start writing things down. One particular incident that is captured in the book, where Diane spent years trying to figure out who she was supposed to save from a car crash. Once that was done, the emotional toll led her to start writing out the events as a healing process.
Andrea and Diane met at work and developed a deep friendship. Diane began to tell Andrea about her gifts and the manuscript in which she detailed these events. With Andre’s insatiable hunger to know more about paranormal, she could not resist the opportunity to bring it to life.
Excerpt from How Does She Know:
As they sat down in the chairs, Anna happened to look down and see a drop of blood on the front of her blouse. It was vibrant red, and she could see the teardrop tail and streak it made as it dripped down her blouse. Where did that come from? This thought was interrupted by Trilling’s voice, and then she looked up and out from the stage. It looked like a Monet watercolor; the colorful hats, the dappled sunlight on the trees and grass, the sea of expectant faces looking intently at her.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm Rosewood welcome to Anna Mavrides.”
Their applause was long and loud. Anna felt a wave of gratitude wash over her, and the smile that opened her face felt as pure as any she had ever experienced.
After that moment, the beautiful summer day in the bucolic lakeside community faded to a gray mist, and then to black.
By the time the next day dawned, she and Robert were back in Portland. He was in the ICU at Maine Med after having a heart attack in the Portland Jetport baggage claim area.
She was in Cumberland County Jail, where she was being held for the murder of her friend Christine Jensen in October 1977.
What exciting project are you working on next?
A sequel is currently in the works for Anna to continue to bring forth the intrigue of her gifts as they expand and grow – again based on true events!
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Diane never did but Andrea has always had a creative drive.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
We both have regular fulltime jobs in hospital reimbursement and we find time at night, weekends and holidays to write.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Diane’s is her bluntness and Andrea is her humor.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Diane always wanted to be Helping others and Andrea wanted to be a veterinarian
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Diane says that through her experiences there really is a heaven and when your loved ones pass away they never really leave you.
Andrea says it’s never too late to pursue a passion that you believe in.
How exciting! To have someone you can share your creative thoughts with must be intriguing and fun.
Yes , understanding Diane’s background and gift lead to this amazing story based on true events- thank you for your interest!
I’m reading the book and enjoying the characters and the stories. I love learning more about the background of the authors and how they deal with their gifts and curiosity and work together to craft a story.
Thank you!
I’m reading the book and enjoying the characters and the story build. I love learning more about the background of the authors and how they leverage their gifts to craft an intriguing story.
It definitely was and is a passion project with a sequel in the mix!
I normally do not read books of this genre…more of a history buff. I received this book as a gift, and I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it as much as I did. While not a native of Maine, I’ve traveled there enough that I knew many of the places in the book. That made a nice connection for me.
The story itself is a good one. And it was nice to read a book about GOOD people. Yes, there are of course villains in the book, but the story focuses on people helping Anna. My favorite character is O’Doul.
As I read the book, I found myself getting drawn in, and saying “OK, one more chapter”… it was hard to put down. A very enjoyable read.
Just finished it and loved it!
Something for everyone in this page-turner! Paranormal, murder, mystery, suspense and even a few laughs in between. Lots of well-known Portland, Maine references along with the Old Orchard Beach vibe. There are some very likeable (and some very unlikeable characters) to connect with on your journey through this VERY readable and never boring book. Looking forward to the sequel!
Thank you so much – and yes a sequel based again on true events is in the works! Plenty of material to share with all!
I normally do not read books of this genre…more of a history buff. I received this book as a gift, and I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it as much as I did. While not a native of Maine, I’ve traveled there enough that I knew many of the places in the book. That made a nice connection for me.
The story itself is a good one. And it was nice to read a book about GOOD people. Yes, there are of course villains in the book, but the story focuses on people helping Anna. My favorite character is O’Doul.
As I read the book, I found myself getting drawn in, and saying “OK, one more chapter”… it was hard to put down. A very enjoyable read.
One of my fav character is O’Doul too along with Lori and Danny! The characters come to life with the dialogue for sure. Very salty- just like Mainers. Thanks for the review!