Author Interview with C.P. Silver
Today we have the pleasure of interviewing C.P. Silver, author of the enchanting fantasy novel, Whispers of the Elixir. With a background in law and Chinese medicine, as well as fluency in French, Silver brings a unique perspective to her writing. Her captivating storytelling explores themes of legacy, identity, and survival in a matriarchal empire of sentient forests and ancient secrets. When she’s not immersed in the world of her characters, Silver can be found wandering forest trails or delving into the classics. Join us as we delve into the mind of this talented author and uncover the inspiration behind her lyrical and emotionally resonant work.
How long have you been writing?
Writing has always been part of my life. When I was eight, my teacher left a note on my report card urging my parents to keep an eye on it as a possible future path. In my teens, one of my short stories was chosen for a small local publication, and I still remember the thrill of seeing my name in print. Through law school and practice, writing remained my background hum—the steady pulse beneath more “practical” pursuits.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
That took time. I began taking it seriously in 2017—writing more consistently, studying craft, and treating it with intention. But it wasn’t until 2024, when I started writing full time, that I finally allowed myself to say it out loud: “I’m a writer.” It felt both terrifying and right.
What does literary success look like to you?
For me, success is getting the story on the page as close as possible to the version I see in my mind’s eye. It’s about being authentic—with myself, with the characters, with the reader—and striving for excellence without chasing perfection. If I can look at the finished work and feel that I didn’t hold back, that I honored the story’s heart, and crafted it to the best of my ability, then I’ve succeeded.
Describe a typical writing day.
After sending my kids off to school, I take a long walk with our little Maltese dog. The route winds over hilly paths, through fields, and into the nearby forest. I usually listen to an audiobook while walking—sometimes one of the classics (Austen, Homer, Wharton), sometimes a favorite fantasy author like Michael J. Sullivan. His audiobooks in particular have a way of pulling me into another world, and I often return home refreshed, ready to step into my own mythology.
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Balancing structure with surrender. I’m a meticulous plotter—I love outlining scenes, tracking arcs, building character blueprints. But eventually, the process demands I let go of the scaffolding and follow instinct. That’s the scary part. Sometimes, a single instinctive choice can unravel months of planning. But that’s also where the story becomes art: in the instinctive places I didn’t expect to go.
How do you handle writer’s block?
I used to think writer’s block was just a lack of discipline. Writing full-time changed that. Now I see it as a signal. The key is recognizing what’s causing it—is it fatigue, lack of direction, fear? Once I understand the root, I can respond: rest if I need it, re-inspire myself with brilliant books or films, or simply remind myself that doubt is part of the process. Trusting my instincts, even when they feel unsure, always helps me move forward.
Does a big ego help or hurt writers?
I don’t think ego serves writers—or anyone, really. What helps is a combination of humility and confidence: humility to keep learning, to improve, to listen; confidence to keep going, and to trust your voice, even when it shakes. The writers I admire most—many of whom have been publishing for years—still speak of honing their craft. That mindset is what sets them apart; it keeps their skills sharp, and the writing alive.
What are the words you live by?
“In every world—real or imagined—the stories we hold close shape who we become.”
In other words, stories shape the soul. It’s something I remind myself often—whether I’m writing or reading, or simply going about my daily life. The narratives we absorb, the ones we tell ourselves and others, end up framing how we see the world and who we dare to become. That’s why I write stories that explore power, memory, and transformation—because the stories we hold close don’t just entertain us. They change us.
What is your favorite quote from your book?
I’ve got a few favorites, but I’ll choose this one:
“I’m afraid you might be burning the boat while you’re still in it.”
(From Chapter 1, “Tailu Spring Festival”)
A friend says this to Tori, my protagonist, during a tense festival moment, and I love it because it’s such a potent metaphor for principled rebellion. Tori is trying to resist her mother’s control from within, but the danger of that is obvious: the power structure she’s defying is also the one holding her afloat.
You can find out more about C.P. Silver here>>
A Book by C.P. Silver
Want to read some of C.P. Silver’s work? Keep reading to learn about Whispers of the Elixir.
A matriarchal empire. A princess with forbidden power. A mother who would kill to protect her legacy.
As Min Daughter and heir to the empire, Tori has spent her life beneath the iron will of her mother, Empress Zinchen—a sovereign determined to shape the world in her image. But Tori carries two secrets: the weight of a tragedy no title can absolve, and a forbidden magic that threatens everything her mother has built. If Zinchen discovers the truth, it will cost Tori her life.
Haunted by this threat, Tori flees into the hidden lands—a place of ghost-flowers, sentient forests, and immortals who have stepped out of myth. But magic here is neither blessing nor curse—it is a mirror. And as her trials mount, Tori is stripped of privilege, certainty, and pride.
Each failure shapes her. Each choice tests her resolve.
To survive her mother’s ambition, Tori must purge the power that could condemn her—but in doing so, she risks losing the very future she was born to claim.
Whispers of the Elixir begins the Order of the Ember series—a saga of betrayal, power, and the strength of a princess destined to rise from the shadows and claim her place in legend.
Perfect for readers of Andrea Stewart, Patrick Rothfuss, and Robin Hobb
Purchase Whispers of the Elixir here>>