The Wolves' Keeper Legend by Silvia Weber

About the Author:

Sylvia Weber was born in the twentieth of June 1968, in a small town in the heart of Portugal. Until 1973, she grew up in a farm, in the shores of the river Tejo, in an environment in which the traditions, and the respect for Nature exerted a very strong influence in what concerns the development of personality. At the age of five, she moved to Abrantes, where she received the first multicultural perceptions from her neighbours, emigrants from Angola. In 1979, her parents left to Lisbon, after the bankruptcy of Metalúrgica Duarte Ferreira, but Sylvia stayed in Abrantes, living at Lady Annatia’s home and learning all the secrets of growing the most extraordinary roses. At the age of eleven, she was studying at a Christian nuns’ college, where she had her first steps on Christianity, but also lived side by side with legends, the same legends present in her stories.

In 1980, at the age of twelve, she moved with her parents to Lisbon, in the suburban Amadora, yet the second largest city of Portugal. The cultural confrontation with the cosmopolitan life was very deep, and it was definitively what made a writer out of Sylvia. The age of adolescence was a time of growing ideals and of commitment in the construction of a fairer society and of a better world. In the teenage years, Sylvia discovered the pleasure and the freedom of writing and she spent her every moment writing. At this time, her ideal was Leonardo da Vinci, and Sylvia wanted to learn everything about everything. So, she studied all the subjects she could get her hands to and all those allowed by the Portuguese legislation, within the areas of Literature and Science.

In 1987, she was admitted in the course of Modern Languages and Literature of the Universidade Nova of Lisbon, specializing, after five years, both in Education and Investigation. Thanks to her outstanding results in Linguistics, she was invited to participate in the elaboration of an International Dictionary, at the National Institute of Scientific Investigation. At the time, it was heavy to the choice the fact that Sylvia was already feeling in her blood the need to know the world. . Possibly, having immediately accepted such an offer would have taken her to a life of success and opportunities, which she hasn’t had in other way. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Scientific Investigation was closed for lack of funds.

Sylvia started, in 1992, an extraordinary teaching career, marked by the creativity and innovation which the pupils like so much. This career lasted sixteen years and provided wonderful and unforgettable moments. Even today, she keeps a friendly and supportive relationship with pupils of every year, which is significant of the trust and cordiality raised in her classes. During her career, Sylvia met many people from different nationalities and learnt how precious the difference is. She worked with Mozambican artists and accompanied the East-Timorese community in Portugal, in the very moment when they achieved Independence. She also studied with people from Angola, Mozambique, East-Timor, Cape-Verde, São Tomé e Príncipe Islands, Guinea and Italy, which was one of the most interesting experiences in her life. Then, she tried to work at the Camões Institute, but she was refused, as she didn’t have the same goals – she didn’t see the use of a fancy car with a driver, a house with a swimming pool and air conditioned, working in countries where people starve to death. She would go there for the pleasure of teaching children who are eager to learn and to help communities to grow. A Mozambican poet used to say: “We don’t want you to give us the bread, but instead to teach us how to seed.” As a teacher, her most remarkable and unforgettable project was the Day of Peace, among many others.

In 1993, she married for the first time, but this relationship was marked by violence and suffering, having ended in a tragic way. But as in every storm there is always a ray of sunshine, Sylvia had in 1994 a wonderful son.

Sylvia never lost the interest and the enthusiasm for her intellectual development and she went on studying and creating, year after year. Thanks to her work she gathered a remarkable collection of certificates and diplomas.

In 2002, she lived her first happy love story and she married the artist Robert Weber. In 2004, she had two little twin girls.

In 2006, she moved from Cascais to her home town, looking for the paradise of her childhood, but as times and mentalities change, this world was already lost. What she found was a world of preconceptions, and this was the stone in the water to her decision of leaving to England.

A whole series of tragic happenings, which started with her father’s death, due to a dilatory and inefficient Justice, and proceeded with the fact of being refused to her husband the possibility of applying for Nationality, without any reason, made her decide to look for new horizons. The choice was pending, then, among USA, Canada, Ireland and UK. At the time, the UK was the most receptive, due to the fact that the GTCE approved her application for QTS in the seventh of May, and the work proposals were raining.

In September of 2007, she left to England with her husband, taking only a van loaded with essential goods (music, photos, books and clothing), a handbag of documents and a heart full of hope.

The start wasn’t easy: without work or references, renting a house was a true drama. After having travelled up to Scotland with her husband and having slept several nights on the road, Sylvia returned to Essex, where she finally could find a generous heart who opened the doors to her.

The first job she had in UK was in a prestigious Care Home, but the procedures and the absence of Love she found around her made her give up after two months, even though she had a very affective relationship with the elderly people she cared for. Then, she started teaching, but the agent who used to find the placements for her left the company and there was no more work.

In February of 2008, she found a job in a supermarket chain, doing the night shift. After eight months of very successful work at night, she was given a day shift, at her own request. She was deceived with promises of a brilliant future, “Sky is the limit”, and suddenly Sylvia realized that she had no perspectives. Then, having acquired a deeper and deeper knowledge of the business world, she decided to study Management Accounting, an interesting course which represents an adequate challenge to her intellectual ability.
Visit her website at http://www.wolveskeeperlegend.com/



About the Book:

".... From the beginning of time, it seemed that rivalry between man and wolf was at the root of man's dislike for the animal, discovered only too well by Sealgair. Was his fate forever to be condemned to isolation, to see terror and hate in the eyes of the once he once loved? All he could see in his mind was the last pictures of Awena's beloved face, which he carried in his heart for all his life.

Was the only way out to discover the special secret held by the papyrus-pearls in the stone pot - what secrets could this hold? And which stone pot could keep that precious secret when there were so many of them?

Seanns' quest to find the pearls and uncover the secret ended with tragic consequences, resulting in him not only discovering the truth of his birth and who his real mother and father were, but the realisation that his father lived among the wolves..."

Here's an interview with the author:


Could you please tell us a little about your book?

The Wolves’ Keeper Legend is the story of a young boy, Seanns, who lives in a small seaport. Seanns is an average teenager who is discovering the world around him. He is curious, independent, he likes to have fun...

One day, he is confronted with the shocking reality of his own story – the cursed love of his parents and his mysterious “mission”. This story is about a quest – his quest for the papyrus-pearls, which hold the secrets of the past.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

No, nothing specific. It started with small pieces, in my teenage years, and was shaped into a puzzle which grew with me.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

I found lots of inspiration in my life. First of all, the dazzling Nature. Then, my grandfather, who was an exquisite storyteller. He had an extraordinary imagination and a deep culture, enriched by his journeys. At last, my pupils, year after year; the most brilliant teenagers, who taught me a lot.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My husband, who helped me to find a Publisher, who took care of the Design, who sent the book everywhere, who gives me guidance and inspiration.

Your biggest critic?

My son, a teenager who doesn’t like very much to read, except in what concerns Science. He liked my book and this was the best critic for me.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

My cause is Peace. Everything comes with the Peace and it depends on everything; I mean Freedom, Justice, Equality ... Every war, even if it is a small conflict, has terrible consequences to this world and to Humanity. War makes no sense and we all must give our best to finish it.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I am improving my writing skills day by day, always trying to break down my own psychological and the physical boundaries. On the other hand, I’m learning Management Accounting, and I intend to proceed to other levels, because I believe seriously that Economy can be put at the service of people.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

No rituals. I pray a lot. Pray and wait.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

I could say Milan Kundera, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Paulo Coelho, Lobsang Rampa.

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

My family. I do anything for them.

What are you currently working on?

I’m researching for my next book, The boats of the Northern Star. I have another unfinished book, which I found in old archives, but its title isn’t defined yet.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

I have the same advice I gave, year after year, to my pupils: the only world where we all can be truly free is in books. Read as many as you can. Try different ones; open your horizons.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

Unfortunately, no. I was twelve years old. But the author of my childhood, the one who inspired my passion for reading is Enid Blyton.

What are some of your long term goals?

I would like to be a teacher, as I always was. I would like to be a good writer, one that people read with pleasure. I would like to have a job where my knowledge and experience could be beneficial to improve other people’s lives.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

I have another vision of the world, my horizons have certainly become wider. I can communicate with people from all over the world, which is fascinating. I have a word, and I feel that I can make a difference. This is quite an achievement.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

The ability to get up when I fall, and to see light even in the deepest darkness.

Biggest weakness?

My heart. I have such a huge faith in people that I keep being taken advantage of.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

The sensitivity of its vision; the delicious characters; the writing style, which is not poetry but is a poetic prose. It has some features of History and some others of Science fiction.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

I would take the Earth Children sequence of Jean M. Auel. It’s hard to chose only one; they are all so good. I keep learning every time I read them.

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

The day when my father died. Me and my husband, we had gone shopping and we couldn’t prevent him from killing himself. Even though he wasn’t alone, I feel that I should have stayed with him twenty four hours a day, and I would have carried him on my lap. I think he knew that.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

My life changed a lot. I’m no longer a teacher, I’m not as passionate about my job as I was. I live with all kinds of financial difficulties, and therefore my perspectives are much more objective. But I’m much more a fighter for what I believe and I have this blessed freedom of speech. I’m building and improving and I have different dreams.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

I have learned to leave everything behind (which was quite hard) and to follow. Follow dreams, ideals, pursue knowledge and aggrandisement.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

Circumstances of life didn’t leave me much of a choice, unfortunately. I don’t think I can look back and regret much.

What is your favorite past-time?

Definitely, writing.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

The only thing I can share with you right now are my blogs, where I write the same articles, aiming a different kind of readers. In these blogs I talk about people, happenings and places which marked my life (and some, like the President Obama, the lives of thousands). There, I talk about ideas and ideals and I try to find an echo in the silence of this world.

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