Dear Reader,
Pulpwood Queen Author R. Scott Boyer attended his first Pulpwood Queen Girlfriend Weekend this past January 2020 in historic Jefferson, Texas. I had a wonderful time meeting Scott and towards the end of the weekend he purchased on of my Alcohol Ink paintings on metal to have sent back to his home in Los Angeles.
This is Scott’s story.
Kathy: Scott, you will be my my very first Pulpwood Queen “Feather Your Nest: blog for September. Tell me how we each came into each other’s view.
Scott: I met Kathy through my former publicist and current publisher, Shari Stauch. After getting Kathy a copy of my debut novel, “Bobby Ether and the Jade Academy”, Shari arranged for me to speak on a panel at the 2020 Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend. It was such an amazing event, full of so many interesting speakers and awesome events, (omg, loved the Big Hair Ball!). One of the biggest highlights for me was meeting Kathy after my panel and discussing with her our mutual love of books as well as our passion for education and your literacy initiatives.
Kathy: So you purchased my Alcohol Ink painting,, why did this painting call to you to add to your home in “feathering your nest”?
Scott: There were three elements that attracted me to the painting. The first is that it’s a good size, which meant I could feature it in a prominent location in my home, rather than have it sit on a shelf with a bunch of knickknacks and tchotchkes. Given the incredible time I had at the Girlfriend Weekend, I wanted something that stood out as much as that memory.The second aspect that intrigued me was the image itself. Full of greens and purples, the picture looks like it could be a forest, or perhaps an underwater coral reef.
As an avid scuba diver, this later interpretation greatly appealed to me. I like art that is subjective and this one excites in me a sense of wonder for some magical, mystical forest(above or below water).The final element that drew me to the painting was the medium. Painted on metal, the image has both a sheen and gloss that you don’t get from canvas. Even more appealing is how the light reflects differently from various angles.
I originally hung the painting in my foyer, but the light was too dim most of the day to do it justice. For this reason, I moved it to the bathroom, where it gets strong light from the vanity. It catches the eye as I move about the room. Plus,I like how it turns cool and dark but still awake when the lights are off. It reminds me of the depths of the ocean floor, where there it its shadowy but still full of life. These variations allow me to appreciate the different facets of the painting’s beauty.
Kathy: You are now a Pulpwood Queen Book Club member Scott, what kind of books do you like to read?
Scott: Of course, I always try to read the PWQ Book of the Month! When choosing a book for myself, I tend to read fantasy and science fiction. I also read classic literature quite a bit. Every since becoming an author, I have developed a much greater appetite for beautiful storytelling, regardless of genre. I listen to audiobooks, therefore the voice and cadence of the narrator plays a significant role as well. More than genre, I look for beautiful prose and compelling stories that awe and inspire me.
Some of my favorite authors and books as of late include Neil Gaiman of “Neverwhere”, “The Ocean at the End of the Lane”, Patrick Rothfuss of “The Kingkiller Series:, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde, “Call of the Wild” by Jack London, and “The Lies of Locke Lemora” by Scott Lynch.
I also like to read educational and self-improvement books. I am currently listening to and reading “The Road Less Traveled” by M. Scott Peck, M.D. and books on writing by Deen Koontz and Stephen King.
Kathy: I also understand you are an art collector, including your father’s art? What do you collect and why?
Scott: I have over ten pieces of my father’s art hanging throughout my home. Most of it is by the foyer and guest bath where visitors can view them as a collection. The style is known as flow art. The artist pours paint into an empty vessel then upends it over a canvas, and lets it flow out. Using various techniques, the flow can be manipulated to create some truly stunning images. I absolutely love the vibrant colors and freeform style.
The other major collection in my home is art from Southeast Asia. I lived in Thailand many years ago and I developed a deep affinity for the culture, as well as an appreciation for the peace and serenity captured in their art. As such, I have gathered several pieces which I display in my living room. Most notable are the medallion wood carving by the entry, and the Buddha face carving above the painted yellow dresser,both of which act as centerpieces for the living room.
Kathy: So you have written a series of books. Tell us all about those books and the process of writing them.
Scott: I write a young adult adventure series.There are three main influences within the series. The first is classical fantasy, which I grew up loving as a child. The second is spiritual fiction (The Alchemist, Life ofPi, Celestine Prophecy, etc.), which I wanted to bring to the fantasy genre to create a sense of realism and purpose.The result is that (almost) all of the supernatural events in my books border on the metaphysical. Pure magic is replaced by clairvoyance, communion with nature/animals, heightened intuition,auras, remote viewing, and similar phenomenon that might actually be real. The last major element in the series is the incorporation of ancient myths and legends.This aspect doesn’t appear until book two, but as the series goes on, I reimagine several classic legends, as well as weave in history and science to create backdrops for the adventures that act as additional characters within each book.The first novel is called “Bobby Ether and the Jade Academy”. It won the 2020 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for Fiction, Teen: 13-18, and was a 2020 Pulpwood Queens Bonus Book of the Month for October. The second book, “Temple of Eternity”, is due out on my father’s birthday, September 24th. In it a search for Bobby Ether’s kidnapped friends leads to an ancient prophecy and the legendary Fountain of Youth.
Kathy: Are there any last words you would like to say about your home, yourself, or how you have “feathered your nest”?
Scott: I like to have “zones” throughout my house. Given that I work and write from Home, it is important that each room has a different feel. My workspace is more serious (and less distracting) than some areas of the house. That’s intentional. I need to be able to focus when I write. Meanwhile, I have Ansel Adam prints in my bedroom because of the light colors and soothing energy they convey.
Of course, I am a guy. As such, I also have a tribute to my beloved Lakers, as well as some Kobe memorabilia in my walk-in closet. The goal was to have a room in my home that is entirely my own; a mental and physical sanctuary. I think everyone needs at least one room in their house like that.
Stay tuned as we have more on R. Scott Boyer’s writing process to come. He will be the host of Breathless Bubbles & Books October 12 – 17th, 2020 too!
To order his first book in the series, “Bobby Ether and the Jade Academy” go to www.bookshop.org/shop/ThePulpwoodQueensBookShop and to pre-order his new book “Temple of Eternity go to www.amazon.com or favorite online bookseller.
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