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What can you tell us about your new release, Relic Bounty?

Relic Bounty is the first book in my new Sci-fi space adventure Relic Legacy. I think fans of Firefly and Star Wars would really enjoy this series. It follows a bounty hunter, Janis Torzen, a man that’s run his life into a dead end. He’s given a delicate assassination job on the desert planet Urrak that turns into an escalating disaster that drags our hero through all sorts of danger. It hones his self centered awareness in a way that makes the smart-mouthed archeologist, Everell, into the new focus of his decisions.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

My coworker, Tina, was an aspiring author and she belonged to a local writers group. That chapter was part of Romance Writers of America, and even though at the time I had no interest in writing romance they accepted me with open arms. I wrote, revised, studied, and went to national events where I learned from many amazing authors. I refused to give up and let my investment in myself go to waste. So here I am, with my third book Relic Bounty released and two more books planned this year. I love writing!

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

I’m not going to lie, I’m a huge YA fan (yes, even Twilight) but my tastes vary with age. My Top 5 as of today would be:

1. Outlander (I just finished the audiobook and season 5 of the show). Diana Gabaldon is an amazing author and I can only hope to learn to weave descriptions, sensations, and conversations with such finesse.
2. Hunger Games – I loved the series, and even though the ending was bittersweet it made me smile.
3. Dragonsinger – This was one of my favorite books when I was young and fed my early love of dragons. I read many of the Dragon Riders books.
4. Dune – I read this book multiple times in Jr. High and High School (I can finish it in about 8 hours). The thoughts and ideas were so compelling, and their view of fear changed my life.
5. Chronicles of the Cheysuli – This series, with their short books and intense characters, cultures and prophecy intertwined through generations.

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Keanu Reeves out of a purely selfish desire to meet him in real life. I would want to know who his favorite character was from any movie he’s been in, even if he didn’t play that character, and why.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

When I realized that I really do have talent, and I’m amazed by something I wrote. I think all writers, and artists in general, go through this kind of self-loathing belief that whatever you’ve created will never compare to someone else or be good enough for others to enjoy.

What is a typical day like for you?

I work a day job. I do speech to text on the 30 min drive each way, and then type up the disaster when I get home while the kids do homework. I feel like I should just to a voice recording, but I think trying to fix the words helps me write better.

What scene from Relic Bounty was your favorite to write?

There are several, but there’s a part at the end where Janis realizes Everell is planning something that will ruin everything and he’s trying to save her from herself. It makes me laugh every time!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit.

Arwen Paris is the author of the new book Relic Bounty

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What can you tell us about your new release, Quantum Surge?

Quantum Surge is the first book of the ‘Jankin Decatur’ series, there is a short prequel to it ‘Quantum Zero’ that introduces the reader to the universe of Decatur. Inspiration came from reading some research papers on quantum entanglement, gravity, and thinking about the ‘barrier’ of lightspeed travel. What struck me was the similarity between today’s science and that of the fourteenth century where travel across vast, empty stretches of ocean seemed as impossible as does our vision for travel across the abyss of space to distant stars. My desire was to present a unique and plausible solution to interstellar travel in our universe.

The story form emulates the classics of the ‘Aubrey–Maturin’ series of Patrick O’Brian set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars but the focus of ‘Quantum Surge’ not on science but rather the adventure of living on a colonial world where the people are outgrowing the need for a motherland and develop the thirst for freedom.

The story-line of present and upcoming novels draw inspiration from the lives and adventures of the inhabitants of America during the revolution and war of 1812.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I am the author of many technical papers as well as business, and grant proposals over past decades. I enjoy speculation on science and the writing of it. I met Isaac Asimov twice and even shared dinner with him once at a conference and after entering semi-retirement a few years ago, my wife suggested that I redirect my love of reading Sci-Fi to writing my own fictional novels.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

• “Six Frigates” – Ian Toll
• “Ringworld” – Larry Niven
• “Ranks of Bronze” – David Drake
• “Starship Troopers” – Robert A. Heinlein
• “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” – Jules Verne (Original full version)

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Isaac Asimov – “In what ways has your work and writings as a scientist influenced your writing of Science Fiction?”

What's your favorite thing about writing?

First editing of the first completed draft is a fascinating time. At this point I’ve set the novel aside for a week or two and taken time just think about it as I start other projects. It is then, when I begin reading, the story and characters come alive. There are parts I’d forgotten in the grind of churning out a first draft. I may wonder why a character says something or perhaps why they didn’t take another path in the story. It’s like taking the rough carving of a statue and finishing the details, maybe even restructuring its appearance and final form and then fine-polishing the tale to bring it to life. My objective in writing is to make sure the final story is exciting and draws the reader into a new and wonderful world of danger and beauty. To make that happen, the author must make the tale believable.

What is a typical day like for you?

I like to work early, starting every morning before sunrise and work without interruption for a minimum of three hours. My afternoons turn to novel marketing, technical work, or outside activities unless the story refuses to release my spirit. The great author Jerry Pournelle once said he worked in this manner and I have my own ‘Chaos Manor’ in which I pursue my own dreams.

What scene from Quantum Surge was your favorite to write?

“Humphrey’s Folly”, the final chapter of the novel. This chapter was added after my second revision of the work and came from a desire to give the reader a grander view of the universe and beautiful homeworld of Jankin Decatur as I saw it evolving in my mind. This chapter is an insight into the true beliefs of the characters as their lives are changed by their exposure to the challenge, carrying them with it to fates unknown. In it they take action to meet the coming challenges beneath the curse of individuals bound to lead very interesting lives.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Follow your dreams, you never know where they will take you and will never regret the action as long as your soul remains agile and open to reality.

Philip Nolen is the author of the new book Quantum Surge.

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