Welcome to today’s interview with the talented author, CP Silver. Known for her captivating novel Whispers of the Elixir, Silver is a former lawyer with a passion for Chinese medicine and French language. Her writing delves into themes of legacy, identity, and survival, all set against the backdrop of a matriarchal empire filled with sentient forests and ancient secrets. When she’s not crafting immersive worlds with deeply layered characters, you can often find her wandering forest trails or immersed in the timeless classics. Join us as we uncover more about the creative mind behind this captivating fantasy world.
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.
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, fear, lack of direction? 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, 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. 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 enjoyed writing this immensely so I have a few favorites, but I’ll choose this one:
“Collared or not, today she would prove she was not her mother’s lapdog.”
Here, my protagonist, Tori, is struggling against two types of collars: a literal, decorative ruff worn for ceremonial purposes, and the figurative collar of her mother’s control. This line captures the heart of Tori’s journey—her quiet rebellion against control, her complicated bond with her powerful mother, and her struggle to define herself in her world.
You can find out more about CP Silver here>>
A Book by CP Silver
Want to read some of CP 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 N.K. Jemisin, R.F. Kuang, and Tasha Suri
Purchase Whispers of the Elixir here>>