Starganauts Book Tour!


Starganauts Book Tour!

Hi, everyone! I'm so glad that you're here to celebrate the launch of Starganauts by C.E. Stone with me! C.E. is a fantastic person that I've gotten to know through Instagram, and I'm elated to give you a chance to know her and her fantastic sci-fi space opera novel! 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW


  • What is your occupation?

I’m a professional private tutor. I help kids of all ages overcome learning obstacles, and it’s a job I absolutely love. I’m also an editor on the side, though I usually do it for free and for people I know.

 

  • What state/country do you live in?

I live in the southwestern United States. I love it here, and I’ve never lived anywhere else.

  • How long have you been writing?

For 20 years. I was inspired to write after reading the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. Except for two short breaks, I’ve never stopped. 😊

  • What inspired you to write Starganauts?

A bit of everything, mixed into the blender of my imagination. Largely, I would say Star Wars, Star Trek, Starcraft, and Titan A.E.. I grew up with the first 2 franchises, which cultivated my love of sci-fi. Knights of the Old Republic, in particular, inspired some of my characters’ backstories and the expansive history of my universe. Starcraft influenced my actual stories and peoples, as I literally created Starganauts stories using their world-builder and making mock video game campaigns. Titan A.E. is where the premise comes from: the end of Earth was their beginning.

  • Tell us a little about your publication journey!

Oof! Telling you only a little about that is pretty impossible. My publishing journey has been a miracle from God, a roller coaster, and has unfolded over the last decade. The “P” word scared the daylights out of me most of my life, even though I’ve desperately wanted to publish. As you can imagine, this caused a lot of angst. God had to get me over a LOT of fears. He molded me from a painfully shy writer with ZERO confidence who believed my stories were awful to someone more confident, less shy, and aware that I can actually write. If little old me can publish, anyone can.

I talk more about my recent publishing journey/rollercoaster in my latest blog post: https://www.starganauts.net/pu...

  • How long does it typically take you to draft a book? Tell us a little bit about your process.

It used to take me 9 months to complete a manuscript, but now it takes me 15. My husband’s chronic illness forced me to work full-time, so I just have 2-3 hours a week to write, now.

My process is quite simple. I start with a general outline in my head, then just sit down and write! ;) I’m a discovery writer, so I enjoy letting the process flow. This also leaves room for the Holy Spirit to inspire me, often taking my story in unexpected directions. For me, character arcs are the hardest part of writing. I usually create character bios to help. If I get stuck, I set the story aside and focus on something else until I come up with a solution. I’m also a perfectionist, so that doesn’t help! 😉

  • What are your writing plans for the future? Are there any sequels to Starganauts?

Oh my, are there ever sequels!!! My plans for the future are editing the next two books of the Starganauts series, because it will ultimately be 12 books. Lord willing! I’ve fully written the first 4, with the 5th book waiting, since my time has been devoted to publishing and editing.

  • What kind of projects are you working on now? Can you share a bit about your WIPs?

As mentioned previously, I’m editing the sequel to Starganauts…Vengeance of Sorrow. VoS, as I affectionately term it, is one of my personal favorites. 😃 It starts a year after the events of the first book, as the Starganauts adjust to their new lives since Book 1’s main events. There’s an interplanetary war, an alien enemy, adventure, and a dash of romance. Plus, you get to see SO much more of the Gorvan Galaxy I created, and visit several of its planets.

I’ve also got a medieval historical novel in the works, called “Scarborough Faire,” though I don’t often have time to work on it. It’s set in the town of that name, and focuses on a romance inspired by the ballad “Scarborough Faire.” It’s a VERY different genre from what I normally write, but fun.

  • Do you have any advice for other authors?

Yes! Just write, be realistic, and honor God with your words.

Just write.

Oftentimes, we as writers can struggle to finish the first draft. My friend M.H. was such a case, until I gave her this advice. She stopped caring about a decent first draft and just wrote! Etania’s Worth is the result.

Be realistic.

Most people think of this as openness to criticism and acknowledging when your book needs help. It certainly includes this, as someone I know maintained an unrealistically high view of their book and wouldn’t take advice…to their detriment. Yet it also includes the flipside. For 12 years, I believed I had no talent whatsoever to write. It took 6 years in a writing group, plus having an academic paper published, for me to develop a more balanced view of my writing. In other words, don’t think too little or too highly of your talents.

Honor God with your words.

Pray about your story. Invite the Lord into your writing process. Some of my best scenes were inspired by the Holy Spirit. I literally did not write them on my own, and I hadn’t planned on taking the story in that direction. As believers, I think the Biblical passages about our words apply to those we write as well as those we speak.

  • What are some books that have changed your life or that you continue to re-read?

Redwall by Brian Jacques, Beyond the Summerland by L.B. Graham, the LotR trilogy, and The Daystar Voyages by Gilbert Morris and Dan Meeks. I already mentioned Redwall, but LotR was pivotal in introducing me to a deep, rich fantasy world and an epic historical scope. I reread it every few years. The Daystar Voyages were my first exposure to a sci-fi series, and excited my imagination with ideas for Starganauts.

Beyond the Summerland changed my life most of all. As stated, I’ve always struggled with confidence. At one point, I just felt like giving up writing altogether. 😔 I’d received harsh criticism: specifically, that all my characters were flat and my writing wasn’t very good. Then my mom bought Graham’s book for me. His exceptional character development, mixed with how he wove Christianity so organically into the story, convinced me to keep writing. It also inspired me, leading to my first space opera, The Sorcerer’s Realm. (You can read it for free if you join my newsletter club)

  • What’s one unique fact or talent about you?

I have a condition known as aphantasia. It’s the inability to visualize in one’s mind. I have a milder case, as I can visualize very vague, distant, and still images in my head. But I literally cannot see motion, or clear details, and I can’t audibly hear speech in my head…only music. This has the interesting effect of making the “show, don’t tell” style show me *nothing* when I read others’ books. It also means that I heavily rely on my own drawings and inspiration artwork to see what a setting looks like so that I can describe it on the page.

Miraculously, I somehow manage to draw in spite of this. I’ve been drawing since I was 3, and I used to confound people who would ask, “what will that look like?” Because I’d honestly respond, “I have no idea.” However, my aphantasia makes it nearly impossible for me to shade

things. 3D is very difficult for me, too. I have to see the shading before I know if it’s right or not, which is why photo editing has become a passion of mine. Photo editors are my friend! 😂


  • What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Free time? What’s that? Lol!

In all seriousness, I love to write, draw, and photo-edit. Swimming and spending time with friends are fun for me, too. The deeper the conversation, the better.


  • The most important question of all: what’s your favorite color?

That is totally important, and it is purple! I will literally exclaim “purple flowers!!!” if I pass any on the roadside. I love all things purple.

  • Finally, anything that I didn’t touch upon that you’d like to share about yourself or your books?

Since the age of 17, I have striven to write Christian books that glorify God. This was in part influenced by L.B. Graham, Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis. My writings before that were clean, medieval, but secular—a lot like Redwall. I rededicated my life to God at 17, and that was when I felt Him calling me to write explicitly Christian stories. That doesn’t mean preachy, but I seek to craft relatable characters whose faith impacts the way they think, live, and handle hardship. It’s my hope that the words God has given me will draw you closer to Him.


Yay! Thank you so much, C.E., for letting us get to know you in this fantastic author interview. (Also, purple is the best color! ;))

If you as a reader would like to get in touch with C.E. Stone and stay up-to-date on all things Starganauts (cuz who wouldn't?), check out her social media links here! 

Blog/author website: https://www.starganauts.net/au... . Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ce_s...
Join the newsletter crew:
 http://eepurl.com/gc30Pb (free book if you do!).

And don't forget to check out the character interview, coming up next! 

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