Behind the Scenes with “Slivers”

I loved my recent interview with Rick Kaempfer about my new book, “Slivers“. Rick’s questions were terrific — digging into the layers in my first-ever novel.

Here’s a snippet. I loved Rick’s opening question!

Rick: The story is set over the course of a single week in the summer of 1973. How does the specific political and cultural backdrop of the early 1970s complement the claustrophobic and tense atmosphere of the neighborhood?

Vicki: The early 70’s were both idyllic and tumultuous, especially if you were a kid trying to make sense of the world. As an eleven-year-old girl in the summer of 1973, I felt the electricity — tension as I watched adults wrestle with cultural conundrums and palpable distrust for government after Vietnam, the shock about Nixon and Watergate.

I remember flying away on my Schwinn, cavorting with friends with complete freedom from dawn to dusk, unfettered by technology and fueled by Hostess Ho-Ho’s. But in the background? Suburban families were weary, parents disgruntled by long lines for gas and scandals on TV and yet…they were often euphoric about music.

The soundtrack for the summer of ‘73 had something for everyone — wholesome Tony Orlando and Dawn’s “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree”, The Carpenters’ wistful “Yesterday Once More” and Cisco Kid’s “War” offered an edgy downbeat. Helen Reddy fueled feminism with her anthem, “I Am Women.” Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On”, was favored by partying parents who fit the description of suburban swingers. Everyone seemed poised to escape…something.

You can check out the full interview here. Let me know what you think. I don’t want to give too much away, but there’s another question I really enjoyed answering. Maybe you can guess?

Thanks much for the on-going support, friends!

Vicki 💝

Slivers by Vicki Atkinson | Goodreads


Q&A with “Slivers” author Vicki Atkinson | Eckhartz Press

Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue and Slivers.

Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue” – all about resilience and love. Check out this link to order “Slivers”…a ghost story with surprising twists.



41 responses to “Behind the Scenes with “Slivers””

  1. Great interview, Victoria! 😍

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Tim…thank you so much! ❤️😊❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. My pleasure, Victoria. 😍

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Psychic poison nails what secrets hide, doesn’t it!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You are so spot-on, dear Joy. It sure does, doesn’t it? Thank you! 😊💝😊

      Liked by 1 person

  3. It was, as a you said, Vicki, a great time for music. Indeed, cultural observers and historians think that composers and other creators are more likely to produce great art in times of turmoil. You fiction might have been fueled by our current difficulties, too. What do you think?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wowza…what an insight right there! You might be on to something, dear Dr. Stein. Maybe so, maybe so. I hadn’t considered current angst and frustration as motivational “fuel”, but I can see it…yep. Thank you for that! 💝💝💝

      Liked by 1 person

  4. “Great interview, Victoria. Congratulations on such a thoughtful conversation.🩷🌺

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Kymber…thank you so very much. I appreciate you! ❤️😉❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  5. What a wonderful interview! How fortunate to have such an insightful person to delve below the surface in “Slivers.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Elizabeth. You’re right! Rick is a terrific person and publisher! ❤️😉❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  6. this was great and really got to the heart of your motivations and inspiration. i loved ‘fueled by ho-ho’s’ and all of the intuition notes-

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Love you Beth! Thanks SO much!
      ❤️😉❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Terrific interview, Vicki — filled with insights!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are so kind, Dave. This is your specialty, talented friend. Knowing how to interview, what to share, what’s compelling. Appreciate you, oodles and oodles!
      💝💝💝

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      1. You’re very welcome, Vicki, and thank you for the kind comment. 🙂

        I’ll add re the interview, you really have a way with words!

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        1. Good golly. Could you hear me just now? I don’t know if it was a chortle or a guffaw? Maybe a guffaw, with an ‘aw shucks’ twang? Dave…you are too kind. I think I plod along, expressing myself based on what feels right, never sure if it IS right. Your “way with words” compliment is magnificent praise. But I think you’re too kind! xoxoxoxo! 💝😜💝

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          1. Well, it was sincerely meant. 🙂

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            1. Such a precious piece of feedback. Thank you, my friend. 💝

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              1. You’re welcome, Vicki! 🙂

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  8. Interesting interview. Thanks!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww. Thank you, Jacqui. I appreciate you stopping by and reading. 💝

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Great interview! It did what was intended—pique my interest in reading it sooner lol

    As far as your question, I think it’s the Carl Jung answer…am I right???

    Also, this is interesting to me: Women have an edge in this regard because our brains are optimized for intuitive decision-making thanks to anatomy; women have a thicker corpus callosum than men, a bigger “bridge” between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Reel in the facts but trust your gut, too.

    I hate to bring up yoga, but the reason why I like it is because during one my classes, the instructor taught a moon salutation sequence, which is designed to help you be in touch with your feminine energy. In it, she said, “you feel from your sacrum, but then make decisions from your logic” and that blew…my…mind, but now this science part you’ve added makes so much sense to me

    Okay, lemme hop off my soap box lol

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, how I adore you, Kath! You win, you win! I loved weaving in a little Jungian reference to ‘psychic poison’. You got me! But…your comment, highlighting female intuition? A close second! For the reason you’ve referenced! Feminine energy is power, for sure! I love your yoga instructor! So many pathways to insight, right? Sending loads of love your way! 💝💝💝

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      1. Omgosh! I’ll be waiting for my winning gift lol

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        1. Here it comes….mwah! 😘😘😘
          LOL!

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  10. Wonderful interview Vicki 💖

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    1. Aww…look at you! We’re trading comments in ‘real time’. I love it! Thank you so much, my sweet Maggie sister! 💝

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  11. Yayyy Vicki🥰
    Truly my pleasure dear warrior sister .
    Lots of love 💖💖💖

    Liked by 1 person

  12. We moved to California in 1973, and I started high school there. Every one of those songs is etched into my brain. I like some of them more than others, but they’re a part of that era for me. It was fun to revisit that time through yoiur book, though I would never describe high school as the favorite time in my life.

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    1. Isn’t music amazing? Like time travel! Great songs from 1973 do that for me, too! Poof! I’m instantly there. Thank you, Pete! ❤️😉❤️

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  13. What a great interview, Vicki! I love Rick’s questions. And your answers add so much depth. “When we’re told to ignore what we see, feel, believe – in order to accept “truths” that seem implausible, our self-confidence and trust is whittled away. ” Wow, wow, wow.

    And intuition as a full-body experience? That’s so good! Great interview about a fantastic book!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are so dear, Wynne! Thanks a bunch! Sending big hugs to you! 💝😊💝

      Like

  14. I think you’re just a couple of years older, but I would describe the mid-70s as idyllic and tumultuous, too. Oh, what I’d give to go back in time, even for just an afternoon. The world truly was a better place back then.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m with you…I’ll go with you! Build that ‘Back to the Future’ time machine and I’ll ride shotgun! One thing we know for sure? We won’t quibble about the play list for the trip! 😎😊😎

      Liked by 1 person

      1. The playlist will be SMOKIN’!

        Like

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