Welcome Melody!
What attracted you to the science fiction romance?
I've been a sci-fi fan for a long time, ever since reading Dune as a kid. I loved Star Trek, Star Wars, BSG... and action movies. I've also been a big romance reader since I was probably too young to read the old Mills & Boon novels under the covers with a torch! When I discovered that there was romance that had sci-fi in it I was hooked as a reader, so it was logical I'd start writing it, I suppose.
Tell us about the Taurean Warriors series.
The Taurean Warriors series follows four human women and their Taurean love interests (spoiler, they all get HEAs) as they fight together to save Earth from a kind of gross insect alien species called the Xakul. Think Starship Troopers cross with Rogue One and you've got the right kind of vibes. There's lots of action, adventure, spicy scenes, and all the characters are a little bit damaged in their own way. I like to think they have to face their own demons before they're ready to love. I started the series back in 2021 and it was a creative outlet while I was burning out as a teacher, so these books are a little special to me.
Are you a plotter? Panster? Or somewhere in-between?
I am what Becca Syme refers to as a bread machine writer. I need to think a lot about a story before I can write it. Sometimes as long as I need to write the book. I often get to around the 20k mark and need to scrap most of it and start again. I find I need a blank page ahead of me, so if something isn't working I have to take a deep breath and move those words into purgatory.
What is your favourite part of the writing process?
Finishing. I'm joking. Kind of.
I do like the ideation phase, where I'm dreaming all the possible things that could go right or wrong for the characters. I like daydreaming so that's a fun thing for me to do. The actual words on page bit is a lot harder.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Find someone you can talk to about your writing. Ideally, someone who will celebrate with you when you have a win and commiserate with you when you feel like nothing is going right.
You don't have to be on social media, despite what many people will tell you.
You're shooting yourself in the foot if you don't have a newsletter.
Lastly, don't listen to all the advice. If something doesn't feel like it's for you, then ignore it. Including this advice!
How do you fill the creative well?
Rest. I make Lego, read a lot, and journal. I take walks outdoors with the dog, and go for long motorbike rides with Mr B. I exercise most days and am always trying to eat more vegetables. In short, looking after myself helps me have the energy I need to be creative.
What is next for you?
That's a good question. I'm considering a gothic romance set on an abandoned space base. Or maybe an entirely new genre! Who knows? I'll see what my daydreams come up with.
What is your latest release and your inspiration behind it?
My latest release is Alien Warrior's Honor which comes out in April. It starts where the last book in the Taurean Warriors Series ends, but on the other side of Earth. I wanted to write a book that was a little grittier and on the periphery, not the centre, of the conflict with the Xakul. A mercenary captain rescues a human woman from being eaten by a Xakul (I said they were gross), and she becomes a real PITA as all she wants is to find her sister. They are complete opposites. He thinks everything through, she jumps in before thinking. He is determined to redeem himself, she doesn't care what people think. They spark off each other until they realise they need each other to achieve their goals. It's a bit dark at times, but if you've read my Taurean Warriors Series it's a good jumping off point into a new direction but in the same world.
Upcoming release
No comments:
Post a Comment