Interview with Jessahme Wren, Author of Terra Firma
22 Jan 2025
What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Terra Firma?
The found family element really drew me in. I love when life and circumstances choose the people we claim as our own. So I started ruminating on that, and played with different scenarios. The characters let themselves be known pretty early on. Sev and Phoenix are both people I would love to know. I’ve always liked science fiction, so the setting sorted itself out.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Terra Firma, what would they be?
Oh I love this question. I actually have a playlist for Terra Firma. It’s on Spotify. I listen to it when I need inspo or when I just want to relax. As far as theme songs, Phoenix gets “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman. When we meet him, he’s at his lowest point. He’s heading to Terra Firma to start over…for a second change. He wants to be anywhere but Central City, where only the rich thrive. The spirit of that song…of just getting out and starting over is essential to understanding Phoenix. Sev gets “Malibu” by Miley Cyrus. She’s young…Sev’s so new to the world despite her following her father across the galaxy, flitting from job to job. She yearns to see beauty in the world…to find beauty in the world. Most of what she’s seen has been poverty and struggle in some of the grittiest locations. Her life with Phoenix changes that. It changes both of them for the better.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I love both Young Adult and Science fiction. Science fiction would be my favorite to write…I love exploring new worlds and learning new ways to see old ones. I enjoy writing Young Adult stories…identifying with young protagonists helps me get in touch with the younger version of myself.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
A lot of indie authors. I have a good many author friends and I’m trying to work through their works. I always try to read my fellow indie authors first, then I can get to the others.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
There’s a scene in Chapter 10 where Sev is struggling. She’s blaming Phoenix for something he has no control over, and she knows this. She’s aware she’s acting irrationally, but she can’t control her feelings. I loved connecting with her in that space and the resultant resolution. It made for some tender moments of understanding between her and Phoenix.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I don’t. I just need to be comfortable and for things to be quiet mostly. I try to avoid distraction (at him own hand, at that) whenever possible. Sometimes some light music.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
My beloved Aunt Brenda (who died in 2014) once inscribed “never lose your passion” in a book of poetry she gifted me. I was an aspiring poet at the time and reading everything I could get my hands on. That quote touched me like no other. I have it tattooed in her handwriting. If I had a motto, it would be that one.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I hope Terra Firma stays with readers long after they’ve read it. I’d like for them to take with them the transformative power of love, and how that means something for everyone. People change…people grow. Sometimes that growth is in the shade of someone else’s care. The connections we make in life are so vital to who we become.
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