What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Lost Star Chart?
Darla, the main character in ‘The Lost Star Chart’, showed up in another book I wrote—she had left her water tanker to her nephew and it was full to the brim with her artifact collection. But, in that book she was dead. I kept thinking about her though, about why she chose to live a mostly solitary life and why she collected so much stuff. Eventually, I had to write her story (and it turned out she faked her death, so more stories may happen).
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Lost Star Chart, what would they be?
I assume Darla would be into heavy metal—which, since the book is set in the far future, would be considered classical music.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
What draws me into a story is the characters and wonder—I’ll read any genre if the story has those things. I write science fiction mostly because I can make-up fantastic, weird, wonder-filled places where my characters can have adventures.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
I’m part way through (and loving it) ‘Water Moon’ by Samantha Sotto Yambao. Next with be ‘Out of Tune’ by D.C. Greschner.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
By far the first scene, because it was the first time I got to write Darla in first person. That’s when I realized she needed a virtual companion, from that Hank the Hippo was born—a holographic version of a hippo featured in children’s books.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
No quirky writing habits here (I think), but I do strive to write in whatever cracks I can find in my day between my day job and family commitments.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
No, but I do relate to Dory (from Finding Dory) when she says “just keep swimming.”
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Honestly, I wrote this book to be an escape—and that’s what I hope my readers get from it with a few laughs along the way.
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