After joining the SFR Brigade, I've met so many fantastic scifi romance authors. I have one of them here on the blog today: it is a pleasure to introduce Pippa Jay!
Welcome Pippa Jay - Author of Science Fiction with a Romantic Soul!
I self published a hot scifi romance short
story back in November and I have a YA scifi novel coming out with Champagne
Books in June.
If you were to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No. Some people have found the ending of Terms & Conditions Apply controversial, but I like that about it.
Jaine Fenn. I love how she blends a touch of fantasy with tech, which is what I like to do. I aspire to being as good as her.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I hated it when books ended or didn't finish the way I thought they should. So I wrote my own versions. Ironically I remember one of those early attempts was a Star Wars sequel to Return of the Jedi. And now they're making one!
How does your family feel about having a writer in the family? Do they read your books?
I got teased a lot for it to begin with, because no one took it very seriously. My husband read my first two books as drafts because I didn't have anyone else to read them before submission (do I get an awwww?). But it isn't really his genre, and now I know fellow authors willing to read, he's escaped the torture. Otherwise, no. My two eldest kids are looking forward to Gethyon - my June release - because that's okay for them to read. They aren't old enough for the romance ones.
They very much go their own way once I've started them off. For example, Keir was never intended as a romance but my characters pulled a fast one on me.
That's funny. Do you base any of your characters personalities off people you know, and if so, do you tell them?
One or two may be based on people I know. But I'd never tell them.
What type of scene do you enjoy writing the most?
I love to write tragic scenes, to explore my characters suffering.
Hahaha, that's funny, but kinda mean. LOL! How does it feel when you write?
Depends on what I'm writing. If ideas are coming thick and fast it feels like a race against the muse to get the words out, which is exhilarating. If I'm struggling the frustration makes me want the bang my head on the keyboard. Mostly I'm so lost in the scene or the emotion of it, I'm oblivious to everything else.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in writing?
Getting over my own self-doubt enough to keep on writing and to submit.
Of all the wonderful pieces you’ve written (Please list them all so I don’t miss one or worse, misspell one), which is your favorite?
Wow, that's like asking me to pick my favourite child! Er, out of my published works it has to be Keir, because it was my debut novel. The Bones of the Sea was an experiment - my first short story and first attempt at self publishing. Terms & Conditions Apply was a personal challenge - to write something hotter, and also to a setting and theme decided by someone else as a submission call. Gethyon is what I call my Star Wars story - a lot of fun to do but it didn't tear my heart out as much as Keir.
Out of my WIPs it has to be Tethered, another science fiction romance. Again, it was a push to do something different - single POV, and with characters a step away from Keir. I just have such a good feeling about the story.
What’s your favorite place you’ve visited? Do you have a “must see” destination on your bucket list?
I really loved Sweden. It's so vast, and so quiet and open. It's hard to get away from the sound of traffic and the glow of light pollution in the UK, and the real sense of solitude and the escape from civilisation in Sweden really struck a chord. As for must see - New Zealand, Alaska, Thailand, Fuerte Ventura and pretty much anywhere in Scandinavia all feature.
Yay! I miss Sweden for all those reasons. Is there something funny about you people don’t know?
Not that I'm confessing in public. ;)
Hehe, now you have me curious. Anything else you want to share?
Keep a watch out for a science fiction romance anthology coming from the SFR Brigade later this year. There's a range of very talented authors submitting to this project, and it's going to be available to download for free!
Thanks for having me, Maria. :)
An absolute pleasure!
