Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Dawn Ross
Book Title: StarFire Dragons
Released: 01/15/20
Genre: SciFi/Space Opera
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “StarFire Dragons”?
Ross: It all started with an episode from TNG called "Suddenly Human". I really liked the idea of a young warrior who struggled with fitting in with the almost utopian society of the Federation. I daydreamed my own story, which eventually grew into a much larger story that begged to be written.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Ross: I completely made up some names. Others, I used Google to locate names from different cultures from all over the world.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Ross: This first book took A LOT of work. I rewrote it more than a half-dozen times. It went through several editors (including developmental editors, content editors, and copy editors) and beta readers before I finally felt the story was worthy of being published. That was a 5 year process. Luckily, writing got easier with experience. The second novel in this series took 2 years, the third took 1 year, and it looks like the fourth will also take a year.
If "StarFire Dragons" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Ross: That's a tough one. I initially imagined the cast of TNG, but the characters have evolved into completely different people.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Ross: I like to do what I call brainstorm writing. It's where I start with a blank document and just type whatever comes into my head. The act of writing something--anything--often gets my creative juices flowing.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Ross: I highly recommend getting editors. Yes, that's plural because there's more than one kind of editor and each have an important skillset that can help you turn the story you want to tell into something that everyone else will love just as much as you do. Writing is a learning process. You don't know what you don't know and editors can help you acquire the skills you need. When I look at the first version of StarFire Dragons, I realize how much of an amateur I was back then and am so thankful for all the people who've helped me improve.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Ross: I love fantasy and sci-fi. I enjoy many of the most popular writers in those genres including Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, John Scalzi, and James S.A. Corey. I also love a few indie-authors including Craig Alanson, Branwen Oshea, E.L. Strife, E.J. Fisch, and so many more.
What are you working on next?
Ross: I am currently writing book 4 of my sci-fi series. It's nearly ready for my beta readers and editors and is on track to be published in early 2023. I'm also occasionally working on a novella that follows a character who is no longer a part of the main series.
Learn More About the Author and StarFire Dragons here:
website: https://dawnrossauthor.com/
Twitter: @DawnRossAuthor
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here or on Kindle Unlimited
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