Aprilynne Pike's debut novel, Wings , is a paranormal fantasy featuring an entirely new twist on the mythological realm of faeries. I recently published a review of Wings , and I was delighted to have the opportunity conduct an author interview with Aprilynne Pike, a fresh new voice in the young adult fantasy genre.
Damian: Your debut novel, Wings , manages to weave an intricate alternate history into a realm of faerie tale fantasy set in a modern world. You indicated in your bio that you have been “spinning faerie stories” since you were “a child with a hyper-active imagination.” Where do you find inspiration for your characters and their stories?
Pike: My brain has always been a well of strange — and often very strange — ideas. I can’t really say that I know where they come from. But I think one thing that helps is
Casual fans may find their appreciation of the blues deepened through these biographical snapshots of Delta blues musicians.
The history of American music is shot through with paradox and strange synergies. In no form is this more true than in American blues music. Blues itself is a fusion of black Gospel, Scots-Irish music from the mountains of Appalachia, field-hollers and work songs, and something else -- something indefinable -- that made it unique. The musicians who...
But tonight I got to thinking, who really is the best modern day rock band out there? Coldplay? White Stripes? Kings of Leon?
I mean let's face it, we really haven't got that many really great candidates waiting in the wings to assume the throne right now. There certainly isn't any Beatles, Stones, or Who standing in waiting and ready to step up to the plate -- to say nothing of a future Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd.
As far as songwriters go, I likewise can't see the next Dylan, Springsteen, Brian Wilson, or Neil Young anywhere out there on the horizon -- as much as I would really like to. I mean, I like Conor Oberst as much as the next guy, but honestly speaking I just don't see him filling the shoes of Bob or Bruce.
These are different times than the sixties or the seventies were, and I understand that. Believe me, I do.
