An Interview with A.F. Roberts

A.F. Roberts was raised in Phoenix, Arizona, by transplants from Chicago. As a youth, comic books and science fiction were major influences. High school through college brought an introduction to Christianity, which, combined with the former, birthed not only a refreshment of spirit, but an imagination unrestrained by any constrictions of that same faith.

Roberts studied Advertising Arts at Maricopa Tech (now Gateway Community College), earning an A.A.S. degree. This path headed toward numerous positions in the field of community newspapers. In these places, production work sometimes led to occasional photojournalism or newswriting assignments. In life, divorce and single parenting steered into personal journaling. In tandem, these elements began the progression into creative writing.

In time, a whimsical sci-fi notion began transforming into a first novel. Over the course of penning the epic, Roberts was introduced to the YA supernatural genre, inspiring his own writing.

Roberts continues to reside in Phoenix, staying close to his son. He maintains employment in the print industry at Short Run Printing, which produces magazines, and ironically, books and comics.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

In the beginning, I’d received what some call a ‘consciousness download.’ Call it what you like, I had a lot of stuff swimming in my head that wouldn’t go away! I didn’t really want to write, but I thought maybe trying to put it all down might help release it.

In time, I found it was working. I was even learning to like it. At the time, I was reading a lot of works by Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments, Infernal Devices, Dark Artifices, etc.). My pacing and frameworking began to resemble hers, I noticed. I was good with that, beginning to feel my material was on par with both hers, and others in the YA genre. As I continued to read and write, this feeling was bolstered more and more.

Thus, I’ve continued writing, and love it! When I don’t have something on the writing block nowadays, something’s missing in life!

What inspired you to start writing this book?

Funny story, it was two real people that did it. A server at a restaurant we frequent waited on us for the first time, though we’d seen and spoken to her often before. We decided it was time to know her by name – Nevaeh (‘Heaven backwards,’ she explained).

The very next week, we went to the establishment again, this time being taken care of by a brand new girl named Angel.

‘Heaven and Angel,’ I thought – ‘this is the makings of a story for sure!’ So, I began to play with ideas and characters. In no time at all, it was practically writing itself!

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

My book titles generally come easily, and are pretty simple. Usually a couple words, no more, no less. Sometimes there’s a subtitle, like in a series.

I definitely wanted Nevaeh to be IN the title; it’s a strong name. Angel too, naturally. Angel FIRE very quickly came to mind. Upon searching the word ‘Angelfire,’ I found a TON of novels with that moniker. Tough enough to stand out in the writing world without doing a title that’s already competitive in and of itself.

So, I played with spelling, going with ‘Phyre’ instead of ‘Fire.’ The word ‘pyre’ (as in funeral), is uber-close in spelling, and already denotes fire. By my estimate, this was a creative way to go about it, maintaining the pronunciation I wanted, yet standing apart from the pack!

Thus: Angel Phyre: Nevaeh!

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

“Angel” by the Scorpions – “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan – “Angel” by Judas Priest – “Fallen Angel” by Three Days Grace – “Angel” by Theory of a Deadman – “Lips of an Angel” by Hinder – and “Angel” by Aerosmith.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

My main profession is in the world of printing. I believe there’s a strong irony there, having morphed into writing as a passion. In the beginning, it was the newspaper realm. I worked at a production plant on press, bindery & circulation. After that, it was on to individual newspapers themselves, in pre-press production. In later years, I landed at a more standard print house specializing in perfect binding, saddle stitching & coil binding.

As far as something readers wouldn’t know – that has much to do with what I’ve identified with as my genre. Most would call me ‘Christian Fantasy’ (though I like the term ‘Biblical Paranormal)! Over time, though, I’ve grown more heretical in my spiritual viewpoints. I’ve come to take issue with some of the dogmas of Christianity. I’ve resolved that some of its framework tends to keep people (and God) in a box, and real spiritual growth rather stunted. I haven’t bailed, just evolved.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.