Aries has lived her entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceship traveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t be reached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women in the universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the next generation for this centuries-long voyage.
But Aries has other plans.
When her desperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Aries discovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before its demise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedom Aries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. But pursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants, Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price. The life of the man she loves.
Here's a bit from Aubrie on her book and her writing process:
What five words would you choose to describe Paradise 21?
Oh boy! What a great question!
1. Adventurous
2. Romantic
3. Piratical (of/or including pirates-Did I make that word up? Maybe.)
4. Otherworldly
5. Thought provoking (Or at least I hope it is)
Describe your writing process for Paradise 21. How was it different from any of your other projects?
With Paradise 21, I let myself go crazy. No inhibitions. No worrying about critics, what my mom would think, or the proper way to write a science fiction novel. I just sat down and let it fly. I had fun. I wanted sandworms, pirates, aliens, spaceships; everything I’d enjoy in a space opera.
Sometimes if you let go, you find the best material because it comes right from your heart.
If you could create a world, then live in it for the rest of your life, what would it be like? Describe that world.
Really? You want the truth?
Okay, here it goes…
My perfect world would have lots of unicorns and magic. (Maybe some elves) I’d get to play first chair flute in an orchestra with all kinds of solos and no competition. There would be no wars, and everyone would respect each other. The kindest people would get the most recognition.
Describe your path to publication in one word:
Mucho-typing. (Like until my fingers almost fell off) I just kept writing books until one caught attention.
Do you find any similarities between writing books and playing music?
A sentence is much like a musical phrase. The words must have a rhythm and flow, and each novel must have a climatic moment, like a musical composition. If the music has no emotion, than no one cares. If you can infuse the words and characters with emotion, then you’ve got yourself an interesting read.
If you could choose a third career (besides author and flutist) what would it be?
Oh my, I’ve already chosen two! Well, if I could go back, I would be an environmentalist and try to save the natural world. I’m not very good at science, though, so I’m not sure I’d get very far.
The last thing I’d want to be is an astronaut, because flying in space scares the heebeegeebees out of me!
Do you have a favorite word?
Diaphonous….
Most respected books or authors?
I love Tad Williams and his Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series, and his Otherland series. Patricia Mckillip has written my favorite book of all time: Winter Rose. I also enjoyed her science fiction book, Fool’s Run.
I also want to talk about one of my critique partners, Cherie Reich, and her ebook: Once Upon A December Nightmare. I love this story! It’s so scary, it makes me not want to read it in the dark! Cherie and I have grown together as authors, and I respect her writing so much because I was there through the tears and the joy.
A quote you live by:
Langtson Hughes:
“Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.”
What’s your writing snack of choice?
I love candy: jelly beans, sour patch, gummy worms, you name it!
About the Author:
Aubrie is an author and flutist in New England. Her stories have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, A Fly in Amber, and several print anthologies including Skulls and Crossbones by Minddancer Press, Rise of the Necromancers, by Pill Hill Press, Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night by Nightbird Publishing, Dragontales and Mertales by Wyvern Publications, A Yuletide Wish by Nightwolf Publications, and Aurora Rising by Aurora Wolf Publications. Her epic fantasy is published with Wyvern Publications, and several of her ebooks are published with Lyrical Press and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. When she’s not writing, she plays in orchestras and teaches flute at Plymouth State University and a community music school.
Thanks for the interview! What's your snack of choice, Angelina?
ReplyDeleteHi Aubrie! No inhibitions...so important when writing! If I stopped worrying about what every one else will think, my WIP would be done by now! ;-)
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Fixed the formatting a bit. Me and Blogger are not always on friendly terms. Favorite snack? Tea. All sorts. Dangerous around the laptop, though. Have learned to be extra careful. The hard way.
ReplyDeleteI'm drinking tea right now! Haven't spilled it yet on my laptop, but it may still happen if I not careful!
ReplyDeleteThe only tea I don't like is Earl Gray, which is sad because that's Captain Jean Luc Picard's favorite. I wanted to like it. But it tastes nasty to me.
Great interview!
ReplyDeleteNo inhibitions is a great way to write. I think that's why my first novel is still my favorite of the ones I've written.
Hehe! I've noticed you like the diaphanous. ;)
And thank you for plugging my book. You're the best!