Bounty Huntress: Invasion of the Keratinians: Chapter Two

 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic and mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems — expect in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews — without written permission.

The capsule crashes to the Earth’s surface, landing on Ture National Park (AKA Ture Park), one of the most popular sites on earth known for vacationing, fishing, camping and more by the inhabitants. The capsule opens; Ki’ara crawls out, yelling, shrieking and bawling in excruciating pain as the contractions are striking her like Muay Thai kicks.

Weariness overcoming her, the crawling comes to a stop, and she gingerly turns over, laying on a land of grass near the lake, her eyes gradually closing after looking directly into the sky. Four hours later, she wakes up to large eggs sitting on the grass. She notices two are starting to hatch. The hunger pangs that were hitting her stomach earlier have gotten worse, and with both of her young getting ready to hatch, she must search for food forthwith.

Her prehensile tongue suddenly sifts through the air, detecting a scent. She sets her sights on a young couple, who seem to be out on a date, walking through the park, holding hands. Using stealth, she peeps and uses the trees as cover corners. Moving gently but steadily, she’s closing in on her targets. This couple has no idea what’s about to overtake them.

Just as the woman looks over her shoulder, Ki’ara’s already in a position to strike. She screams for Jason, the young man’s name, in an attempt to warn him, but it’s too late. Ki’ara’s Komodo claws are extended, and with a swift, sharp, horizontal slash, cuts open Jason’s stomach, spilling his guts. The young lady screams in terror. She tries to run, but to no avail.

Ki’ara turns invisible; jumping into a somersault, landing in front of the young lady, who has no idea Ki’ara is in her path. She unwittingly runs into Ki’ara’s suddenly extended claws, jamming into the woman’s stomach. Ki’ara removes the claws as the woman doubles over. Ki’ara re-appears and grabs the woman by her throat. Raising her claws, she slashes the woman’s throat.

***

Ki’ara returns to her young with grass-filled waste baskets filled with meat that she cut from her victims; she notices the two eggs have hatched. One is a male, the other a female; she names the male Komo, and the female Chamelea. 

After they feast, Ki’ara summons two crocodiles to carry her remaining eggs while she hops aboard an alligator, carrying Komo and Chamelea in her arms. She starts nesting in an abandoned cabin just on the outskirts of the park, now making Ture her territory.

***

Cassandra Leif (pronounced “leaf”) makes her living as a reputable bounty huntress. Standing at 5–10, light-skinned and shapely, her size, athleticism and penchant for getting her target makes her well sought-after, although some may not always agree with her methods of capturing fugitives. She makes a selection from her iPod playlist she calls “OBG” (Oldies but Goodies). She starts putting in work on the pullup bar while Miki Howard’s Come Home to Me plays in the background. She showers after going hard for 90 minutes in her home gym. Afterward, she picks up the remote and turns on the TV.

She has her head down thumbing through her contacts. She presses on Edward’s name to send him a text. Edward is a colleague of hers, whom she seems to have a propensity to get under his skin.

Cassandra: Good morning.

Edward: Morning, Sandy.

Cassandra: What are you doing, today?

Edward: I have quite a few things on the agenda today. Just trying to decide what I want to start with.

Cassandra: I’m sure none of it involves a woman. LMAO.

Edward: Have a nice day, Cassandra.

She sits her phone on the coffee table; falls back on the couch, laughing heartily at getting on Edward’s nerves once again. A breaking news report stifles her laughter, quickly shifting her emotions to shock and concern. She picks up the phone; this time dialing up Edward.

“Now you’re calling me with the jokes, I guess texting wasn’t enough?” He presumptuously answers.

Cassandra rolls her eyes. “No, Edward. This is serious. Are you watching the news?”

“As a matter of fact, I just turned it on.”

“Did you see the part with that white couple that was mutilated?”

“Yeah. Crazy stuff, huh?”

“Who could’ve done that? Was he or she even human?”

“I’m not sure, but to say whoever this person is was having a bad day is an understatement.” He replies. “Do you think this will be a mere isolated incident?”

“I don’t know, but if it keeps up, I have a feeling I will be getting a call soon.”

“I have a feeling we both will.”

***

Ki’ara is giving Komo and Chamelea a bath in the pond. She senses that they’re hungry, and she could use a bite to eat herself. Her tongue picks up the scent of an incoming alligator. She gathers her children in her arms, swimming towards the edge of the land. She sets her children back on land before getting back on the grass herself.

As the alligator is approaching, she quickly grabs her battle vest. Sensing opportunity, the gator explodes out the water targeting Komo. It opens its jars and receives a mouthful of plasma from Ki’ara’s shoulder cannon. She gathers whatever she can of the remains and feeds her children. Meanwhile, more of her eggs are hatching, putting her in a dilemma to find more food.

Her dilemma quickly subsides when she picks up the scent of a woman jogging. Going back into the cabin with her children, she puts them in a spot to hide out, then goes through the closet and dons the rest of her battle gear. For the finishing touch, she grabs her rattlesnake whip. The snake slithers around her forearm, then finally around her waist, appearing as a belt or a sash.

***

Ki’ara silently storms through the trees, watching her prey from a distance. She spots the woman sitting on the bench taking a water break. The jogger hears her cell phone vibrating in her on the clip attached to the hip of her skirt, pulls out her phone and starts talking. As she’s conversing, she wanders into an isolated aisle of trees. Stopping by one of the trees, she turns around and leans against the tree while continuing her conversation.

Her ankle is struck from nowhere by a snake bite; she cusses as she drops her phone, going down to one knee, grabbing her ankle. The individual on the other end is trying to check and see if she’s okay, but it’s useless. Ki’ara turns invisible; runs up a tree, extends her snake whip downwards, coiling it around the woman’s neck.

Ki’ara aggressively pulls up the snake whip, putting the woman in a hangman position, snapping her neck. She cuts up the woman, then takes a mesh bag concealed in the back compartment of her armor to put the pieces in.

***

Making her way back to the cabin, Ki’ara spots intruders. There are gators on the outside eating her eggs. “Enjoy your last meal.” She mutters, firing plasma blasts, obliterating them. A sudden loud shriek from Chamelea calling for her causes her to make a dash inside and much to her dismay, she catches Komodo dragons attacking her unborn, and mostly, Komo in a standoff with a crocodile, holding a short silver spear, with Chamelea hiding behind him, crying.

Her eyes bulge in anger as she nails the crocodile with a plasma blast. Using explosive athleticism and agility, she makes work of the Komodos, slashing and slicing with her claws. After the area is secure, a crying Chamelea runs into the arms of Ki’ara. Letting go of Chamelea, she walks over to Komo.

“You did a good job defending your sister.” Ki’ara commends. “How did you know where my weapons were?”

“I saw you going to the closet while I was hiding.” Komo confesses.

She smirks and puts her hand on Komo’s shoulder. “I won’t punish you, but next time don’t go through my things,” She warns. “Times like this are an exception, but — I’ll tell you what, do you want to start training?”

“Yes.”

Ki’ara nods. “Okay. You’re young; I’ll start you off slowly, then we’ll work your way up.”

“Yes mom.” Komo replies. “When do I start?”

Ki’ara smiles. “You’re so ambitious. I’ll let you know. Right now, work on getting physically fit, okay?”

“Okay.”

***

Cassandra gets on the internet to check her email. She’s about to click on the app that takes her to her Yahoo mail when a headline on her news feed that reads: ANOTHER WOMAN FOUND DEAD; MUTILATED AT TURE PARK catches her attention. “Oh my…again?” She mutters. She clicks on the headline to read the article. While reading, she puts on her Bluetooth earphones to contact Edward.

“Yep, I saw it.” He answers. “He, she, it, whoever or whatever struck again.”

“It says here that the police investigating the scene found trails of blood and intestines in the bushes.”

“Wow.”

“What’s going on?”

Edward sighs. “I have my theories, but people usually don’t believe me.”

“Cause you’re always on that outer space shit.”

Edward chuckles. “Well, I guess it makes no sense to explain my theory to you.”

Cassandra smiles and rolls her eyes. “Humor me, Edward.”

“I’ve been doing some research on this alien race called the Keratinians.” He begins. “They seem to have some physical human characteristics, but their nature is reptilian.”

“Meaning?”

“They stand upright like us, well, most of them. Some could even pass for humans except for one thing?”

“And that is?”

“Their skin is of green hue; some lighter, some darker. Some might be multi-colored.”

“Oookay, so, if this species exists, they should be easy to identify?”

“Ummm, not necessarily. You see, they change can forms. Blend in, look like one of us.”

“Oh wow. So this is what you spend your time doing?”

“Yeah. I’m not a strong, strapping Amazon such as yourself, so lifting things such as diesel trucks is beyond my ability. So yes, I spend more time studying people like you.”

“Edward.”

“Cassandra.”

Cassandra gets a call on the other end. “You better be thankful I have to take this call. I’ll call you back; we’re gonna discuss this.”

“Girl answer the phone. Nobody’s worried you.”

“Alright, we’ll see.”

Cassandra’s smiling as she gets off the phone with Edward and connects with the other line.

***

Ki’ara starts Komo’s training with some agility drills, and she’s working with Chamelea on her shape shifting. “Concentrate. Concentrate.” She tells Chamelea. Chamelea is putting forth the effort; her transformation takes some form, but she struggles to complete the transformation.

“You’re thinking too much.” Ki’ara concludes.

“I’m trying, mom.” Chamelea says.

“I know, but don’t try so hard. Just relax…concentrate.”

Following her mother’s instructions, Chamelea’s able to complete the transformation, but only for a brief amount of time. “I did it! I did it!” She says proudly, hugging Ki’ara.

“Yes, you did. I’m proud of you. You still have a way to go, but you did well.”

“Okay mom. Thanks.”

Ki’ara walks over to Komo, who just finished his agility training, bouncing from one tree branch to another, along with tree climbing. “How’s it going?” She asks.

“Great, mom,” he responds. “Anything else you want me to do?”

“No honey, that’s it for today. Wow, you two are growing so fast, but you’re still young, so I have to take things slowly with you both.” She touches Komo’s face. “You’re so strong; you remind me of your father when I first met him.”

There’s a moment of silence. Komo looks Ki’ara squarely in the eyes. “Mom, where’s my father?”

Ki’ara sighs. “I’ll explain everything later. You’re too young to understand.”

“Am I really?”

She touches his face again. “In time, I will explain everything, I promise. Right now, get cleaned up while I go find dinner. Watch out for your sister.”

Kids, they grow up so fast. She’s thinking as she’s walking back to the cabin to gather her battle gear. Going into the closet, she dons her customary armor with concealed weapons, along with her 28 inch blade that’s crafted with holes in them and without a guard for a faster slash.

***

Making her way into the park, Ki’ara unexpectedly encounters a cop, who is patrolling the area with his team. Both are slightly startled upon seeing each other.

“What the hell?!” The officer utters.

As he reaches for his .45, she spits venom in his eyes, forcing him to drop his gun. Making quick work of him, she extends the snake whip; the snake bites his face. She extends her claws, slashing his neck. He clutches his throat; falling to ground as he bleeds to death. As she’s trying to dispose the body in the bushes, her ears detect incoming footsteps and her tongue picks up their scents.

She turns invisible just before the fallen officer’s team arrives. She makes waste of the three officers; two men, one woman. She blows holes in the torsos of the men with her shoulder cannon. The remaining officer pulls out her .45 frantically looking around for a presence she can’t see.

Realizing her invisibility is waning, Ki’ara pulls out her blade and with a quick dash decapitates the woman.

***

Like what you’ve read? Be sure to get your copy of The Bounty Huntress: Invasion of the Keratinians by clicking the link below.

Amazon: The Bounty Huntress: Invasion of the Keratinians

Bounty Huntress: Invasion of the Keratinians Chapter One

 

Author's Note: This is a sample I posted on New Year’s Eve in 2019. I wrote and published my fourth novel and fifth book overall, Bounty Huntress: Invasion of the Keratinians. This book is my first Sci-Fi novel/novella. It tells the story of renowned bounty huntress Cassandra Leif (pronounced leaf) who teams with Sylvester “Sly” Scroggins, the founder and leader of a paramilitary called the Grey Wolves to investigate a string of murders taking place at the famous Ture Park.

This story is used in a format similar to a story going from a movie, then transitioning to a TV series. In other words, I introduced the main character in the story in a novel form, then I will tell her story in a series of blogs. This story also introduces Sly and the Grey Wolves, who will be the main feature in the sequel.

In this sample series, I will provide the first two chapters of the book. I believe this will be a real treat, particularly for major Sci-Fi fans. Enjoy.

Copyright © Edward Anthony, 2019

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic and mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems — expect in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews — without written permission.

Dedication

First and foremost, I’m thankful for the gifts of creativity, writing and storytelling. I thank those who have shown support as I continue to elevate in my writing career. It was not easy getting this book finished; there were a lot of obstacles and stumbling blocks in the way, but I’m glad that it’s finally finished.

Also, I want to thank Jim and John Thomas, the writers for the movie Predator. It was one of my favorite movies growing up, and it’s definitely in my Top Five all-time list. The main antagonist of this story is partially inspired by the Predator. Finally, I thank Dahdtoudi, the artist who created the character, Tia’ Ja, who was a character visual for the main antagonist.

Chapter One

On the distant planet of Keratin resides an extraterrestrial species known as the Keratinians. They can stand upright like humans, and some have the features of the human body combined with their reptilian looks. With their reptilian physiology, they can mimic the traits and abilities or the appearance of reptiles. Combined with their alien form and powers, these abilities are augmented. Keratin is also known for its abundant resource of protein, which also attracts a lot of visitors — and poachers. Sometimes the poachers are “visitors” in disguise.

This has led to their planet being attacked on numerous occasions, namely by the “red-meats,” a name they use in reference to the inhabitants of planet Earth. After the first conquest of some their resources from the earth dwellers, their next move was to colonize. This caused an uproar by the Keratinians, leading to a massive slaughter of a victory against the earth dwellers.

That wouldn’t be the last time the people of Earth would attempt such a conquest, nor would they be the first beings to make an attempt. Years produced some casualties of war, but the sacrifices that was made to defend their planet is part of what sustains the state of Keratin today.

Present day, the Keratinians have just ruled in a majority on a verdict for a trial. The convicted is Ki’ara, who is pregnant with her young, is being charged with the murder of her spouse Shar’iff. Shar’iff was murdered only three months into their marriage, when her pregnancy started to manifest. In the meantime, Ki’ara is sitting on the floor motionless and seemingly staring into space, almost as if in a meditative state.

Cheron, her cellmate, who is imprisoned for multiple counts of murder, walks over to check on her. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“The crazy part is, I believe you.” Cheron says. “You’re the most calm death row mate I’ve ever seen.”

“Death row? So you think I did it?”

“Can you look me in the eyes and tell me you didn’t do it?”

Ki’ara stands up; she slowly walks towards Cheron, stopping two feet from her.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell.” Cheron assures her.

Ki’ara walks closer, leans over to Cheron’s ear. “They promised me everything. A better life for me and my children, they would take care of everything, all I had to do was remove him.”

“Who’s they?”

“The Keratin Division of Family Welfare.” Ki’ara confesses. “They told me they would take care of me if I killed him. I fulfilled my end of the bargain; they didn’t. They double-crossed me to cover their tracks.”

“Do you think they’re afraid you will talk?”

“I know so.”

Ki’ara senses the presence of oncoming guards; she signals Cheron to act as they would normally would. As the whistling guard passes by, Ki’ara and Cheron continue the conversation, this time Cheron sitting next to Ki’ara on the floor.

“All I know is, I have to find a way to get out of this,” Ki’ara says. “When I do, me and the higher-ups have some unfinished business.”

“I don’t blame you,” Cheron concurs. “Well, for me, as you know, I’m in here for life. I have nothing to live for. You know, sometimes I think I envy you.”

Ki’ara gives her a confused look. “Why?”

“I’d rather them just take me out, and get it over with, instead of leaving me here to rot.”

An idea suddenly dawns on Ki’ara. “Maybe there is something you can do.”

“What do you mean?”

“You can shape shift, right?”

“Yes.”

“You can take my place.” Ki’ara suggests. “You won’t only be doing it for me, you will mainly be doing it for my young, for their future.”

Cheron shakes her head. “I don’t know, Ki.”

“Cheron, if they kill me, they will be killing my children, too. You said a moment ago that you’re stuck, and you’d rather die quickly than being left here to rot.”

“No. I’m sorry, Ki, but I can’t do that. I just can’t.”

Cheron stands up, hurriedly walks back to the other side of the cell. Ki’ara walks behind her, placing her hand on Cheron’s shoulder.

“I understand. I guess the opportunist in me just came out.”

Cheron slowly turns around. “I know we’re friends, and I think a friend will do just about anything for one another, but give up my life? That’s asking a lot.”

“I know. That was inconsiderate of me. I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.” She gives a fake smile.

***

The next morning, more specifically, the day of the execution, you can hear the sound of guards storming the corridors like tremors rumbling underground. They stop in front of Ki’ara’s cell, who is sitting on the bottom bunker in a fetal position. The guard slides the cell door open.

“Okay, Ki’ara. Let’s go.” The guard says forcefully.

Ki’ara lifts her head; as she tries to stand up, the guards grab her by arms and forcibly stand her up, carrying her out of the cell. They bring Ki’ara to the dreaded Courtyard of Corpses, an isolated area where the bodies of thousands of Keratinians are executed, then disposed in the nearby sewage system.

They position her in front of a formation of rocks. She takes a hard swallow in her throat as tears run down her face. She lowers her head as the guns are raised. As the Field Sergeant gives the command, the engine of a space cruiser starts revving in the distance.

“Ready! Aim! Fire!”

The soldiers open fire; the plasma-tipped bullets piercing through the flesh and bones of Ki’ara. She slowly falls backwards on the stony asphalt. An officer checks over the body and discovers something startling.

“What’s the matter, Nenning?” The Field Sgt. inquires.

“Sir, we’ve been had. The suspect was Ki’ara’s cell mate.”

“You mean she shape shifted?”

“Affirmative, sir.”

The Field Sgt. is furious; grinding his teeth, snatching his hat from his head. An infantryman rushes over to the Field Sgt., out of breath.

“Sir! Sir! One of the space cruisers has been stolen!”

“What?!” It dawns on the FS what has just happened. “The Commander is not gonna like this.”

***

Evading lasers and plasma gunfire, Ki’ara flies towards freedom. She shrieks in sudden pain, as the first contraction hits. She subtlely dips the cruiser to avoid two cruisers trying to flank her. She navigates the cruiser into a nosedive, then shifting upward, now positioning the cruiser behind the space crafts. She fires plasma rounds into the wings of the two space crafts, forcing the pilots abroad them to bail out.

Just as she navigates to the left, her cruiser is suddenly struck by a missile. This forces Ki’ara to think on her feet, despite battling an angry Keratin military and child birth pains. She remembers the space capsule, which is similar in use for pilots abandoning jets or planes but built to endure oncoming attacks and durable enough to survive the Earth’s atmosphere.

Quickly pressing the button on the dashboard, the capsule envelops Ki’ara, ejecting her out of the cruiser like a jet dropping a bomb. Not wanting to enter Earth, this causes the Keratin forces to turn around and go back to their planet. Speedily entering the earth’s atmosphere, tears run down Ki’ara’s face, clutching her stomach, she closes her eyes and bow her head, in a moment of silence.

Thank you Cheron. I couldn’t have done this without you. I assure you; your death will not be in vain.

***

Like what you’ve read? Be sure to get your copy of The Bounty Huntress by clicking the link below.

Amazon: The Bounty Huntress: Invasion of the Keratinians

Copyright © Edward Anthony, 2019

Second Interview with Author Lauren Chow

Today's guest made an appearance here back in 2017 (when it was EA: Creatively Creative) to talk about her debut novel, Chosen. Till this day, that interview has received the most views (so far) out of all of my blog pages. Today, she returns, but for the first time in the Literature Lounge. I welcome back, author Lauren Chow.

LL: Welcome to the Literature Lounge, Lauren.

LC: Hello! Thanks for inviting me.

LL: The last time we spoke, you were releasing your first ever novel, Chosen. How's the book coming along since its release?

LC: It’s been phenomenal. I’m genuinely surprised at how well it’s still going. I thought that after a few of months people wouldn’t really care about it. It’s now been almost two years and I’m still receiving messages about how people enjoyed the book and asking for the release for the sequel. It’s a strange but amazing feeling knowing that your piece of work impacted someone else in the world.

LL: What have you learned from your experience so far in your young career?

LC: I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned from writing is that you can’t please everyone. You should always be proud of the work you poured your heart and mind into. However, there will always be haters and people looking for flaws in your work.

In one of my works called “Rosaline” on Wattpad, there were some users that commented or messaged me, accusing me of supporting abusive relationships and that I was anti-feminist. The comment that stood out to me the most said that I should “check my morals” if I am writing stories like this and gave me a set of instructions on how I should change my story. I remember being shocked and rattled by these messages, thinking “where in the world is this coming from?”. I never thought I would experience this and now it slapped me right in the face.

Immediately after that, I posted a warning and defended my beliefs. When it still didn’t stop, I didn’t write for a solid month and deleted the app. During that time away, I began to realize there will always be people who want to knock you down. I don’t need to satisfy these strangers and let them demand how I write my book. I know my beliefs and what I write doesn’t have to reflect who I am as a person.

When I finally downloaded Wattpad again, I was overwhelmed by the support and love I got from fans when I posted another chapter. “Rosaline” is one of my most popular works and I don’t regret how I wrote it. It’s my book and I’m proud of it.

LL: Knowing what you know now as a writer, is there anything that you would do differently?

LC: I personally wouldn’t change anything. Each book taught me a lesson and helped me find my writing style. If I changed anything, who’s to say I wouldn’t have created Chosen in the first place? I may not be the writer I am today if I didn’t make mistakes or changed my way of thinking.

LL: I understand that you're working on a sequel to Chosen. Would you tell us the name of it?

Yes! I’m happy to declare that the sequel to Chosen is called Risen! I have been working on this book for years! Initially, I finished this book around 2017, but I’ve constantly been editing and changing the plot. It’s safe to say that I am finally satisfied with it.

LL: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

LC: Be patient and take your time writing your stories. Remember that you’re not going to write an entire novel in a day. It’s okay to get writer’s block, so don’t just write if you feel pressured to keep going. Pressuring and rushing yourself to finish your book can cause your plot to get wonky (I speak from experience). Writing is a way for you to express yourself and your imagination. If you rush to the end, you’re missing the adventure. As cheesy as it sounds, just have fun!


LL: Finally, can you give us an idea of what readers can look forward to in the sequel?

LC: I don’t want to spoil it too much. But in the sequel, we are flash forwarding eight months after the end of Chosen. The readers are about to enter a world filled with fear and hopelessness. While the readers are going to find out what happened to Clara and her family, it doesn’t mean they are safe and sound. Be prepared to go on a rollercoaster of emotions as you’ll finally get the conclusion to Chosen.

Epilogue

"You can't please everyone" is one of the golden rules of this business/industry, and you must embed it in your mind quickly. I have a story of my own to illustrate that example, but I've talked about it enough, so I'll pass on this one. 

Going back to Lauren's WattPad experience, this is why I have the "screw them"-- and I'm being very politically correct-- mindset that I have. Obviously, there are some things one should consider when writing. For example, I wouldn't write romance material for a children's book. Some things should be common logic.

To change your work or style due to someone's opinion/criticism will cause you to overthink: "Is it too political?" "Is it too this or too that?" Not only that, if you're not careful, they will take over your story-- or at least attempt to, as shown by the individual who had the unmitigated gall to give instructions on how to change her story. Man, screw that! Again, that's not the word I want to use, but I try to keep it PC here. I'm not referring to those who give honest and fair criticism, but I think you should vet those as well.

Express yourself completely as you see fit for your story. Yes, you want to write something compelling for the audience, but it has to be compelling to you first and foremost, regardless of what they think. By the way, I'm anti-feminist myself. At the end of the day, you can't please everyone, and neither should you try.

Anyway, that's enough of my rant, I'd rather save that for my social commentary blog. Being patient during the writing/creation process is key. It can be very tempting to work on a story for a while, and get the urge to rush to get it out of the way. To be fair, most readers can detect when one rushes a story. I've witnessed it from their comments on other authors.

"Writing is a way for you to express yourself and your imagination. If you rush to the end, you’re missing the adventure." I couldn't have said it any better myself, and most definitely have fun doing it. Enjoy the process. I want to thank Lauren again for stopping by the Literature Lounge. For more on Lauren, and her written works, visit her website at https://www.lchowbooks.com.

17,000 Views Edition: Interview with Author and Director Celine Terranova

This evening, EA: Creatively Creative speaks with a woman who made her name in Fan Fiction before becoming a full-time writer, but prior to that, she received her Masters in Physics and moved to Switzerland for a short period of time to continue her work in that field. Along with writing, she's also a director, who has directed several short films in French and English. Her stand-out film project, up to date, is Sherlock Holmes and the Stolen Emerald, which was a tribute to the silent film era, with a steampunk twist.

Currently, she's working on her first Sci-Fi novel, as well as another short film project (more information on that will be released in the upcoming future). She's Belgium born, currently living in London, I introduce author and director, Celine Terranova.

EA: Thank you for your time. To begin, when did your love for stories and writing begin?

CT: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to appear on your blog! I feel like I've always been a writer, even when I didn't know how to write. I have always loved stories, crafting adventures and making them feel real. Books were my companions very early on, and I knew that one day I would write stories too. I started my first novel very young, when I was 11.

EA: Over the years, you've written several Fan Fiction stories. The one that seems to stand out is Eternal Snow, which has received over 300,000 views and over 1,200 reviews. What is the story's concept, and what are your thoughts on your work having a such a positive reaction and feedback?

CT: Eternal Snow started as a Harry Potter short story (in French) that I wrote for a challenge on a forum that I was managing at the time. I liked the concept so much that I decided to add a few more chapters to it. The idea was to write my version of the last Harry Potter book before it came out. Eight years, and 250,000 words later, the story became a full fan fiction novel with quite a lot of readers. I never imagined that it would be so popular, and it makes me immensely happy when I still receive reviews years after the story finished. I think it was so well received because I put a lot of energy and a lot of myself into that story, while I was having some of the toughest years of my life. It allowed me to be real, and the readers could find an echo of what they were living too.

EA: For our readers/viewers who may not understand or even heard of this particular genre, what exactly is Fan Fiction?

CT: A fan fiction is a work of art that is based on someone else's world. For example, I have written stories based on Harry Potter, Stargate, Star Trek and NCIS. These stories are mostly published online, and commented. There's a lot that has been said about fan fictions: some people like them, some people hate them. Some authors forbid fan fictions based on their creation, some encourage them. My personal take on it is that fan fictions are a formidable way of working and improving your skills as a writer, and at the same time to build a community around you. It made me the writer I am today, and I can't be grateful enough for everything that I have learned while publishing my stories.

EA: It's also my understanding that you're currently writing your first Sci-Fi novel. What is the title of the story, and would you tell us a little about it?

CT: My novel is called Healers. It is a dystopian young adult book set in a world destroyed by deadly diseases. It is the first book of a series that centers on two main characters: Alaina who has to free her mother from prison, and Gabriel who is kidnapped by an underground tribe. I had the idea years ago and I first tried to write it as a script for a TV series, then a web series, before settling on a series of novels. I am very excited about it, and I'm currently finishing the second draft. I hope to be able to publish it by the end of this year or early next year.

EA: Who are the biggest influences in your life and career?

CT: Besides my family, friends and my partner, who are obviously huge influences on my life, I am also very inspired by people throughout history who chose their own path. I recently listened to a podcast about Jane Fonda, and how she reinvented herself several times over the decades. I admire women who worked so hard and against very strong resistance to leave their mark on history. They taught me how to be authentic, how to do the things that scare you, how injustice can be fought. I love learning about all of these stories.

When I think about my career in writing, it was influenced by J.K. Rowling, Philip Pullman, Pierre Bordage, Alexandre Astier and many more. I feel like everything I read influences me one way or another, and it's a good thing! You should never stop learning and getting inspired.

EA: Do you consider writing to be an easy process?

CT: It depends on the day. Some days, writing is a breeze and I'm really enjoying the process. Some days, it feels like getting you teeth pulled by a sadistic dentist. On thing is for sure: writing takes a lot of work, much more than people imagine. Every writer is a trooper, going through the ups and downs of the creative process. 

EA: Are there any upcoming projects on the horizon?

CT: Apart from Healers, I am also working on translating my non-fiction book, How to Write a Fan Fiction that is aimed at new writers who want to try that genre. I have also a science fiction short story that is going to be published in a magazine very soon. Finally, I am toying with the idea of a supernatural fiction podcast that I've had for quite a while now. As you can see, I don't lack ideas, my problem is to find the time to work on them!

EA: Prior to pursuing a career in writing, you received your Masters degree in Physics, and actually relocated to Switzerland to continue working in that field. Would you tell us about that experience, and how does it compare to writing? By that, I mean which career is more challenging?

CT: I studied Physics because I was good at it in high school, and at the time I didn't think I could build a career in writing. Studying for my Masters was challenging, but it was at that time that I discovered fan fictions, so I felt like I had a good balance between the two. After my Masters, I moved to Switzerland to study for a PhD in Particle Physics, but I soon found out that I was not really passionate about it. It was really hard because without passion I didn't have the necessary motivation to continue, especially after going through very hard personal issues. 

I quit my career in Physics in the middle of my PhD and, while I am still very interested in new ideas and experiments in that field, I think it was the best decision I've ever made. The difference between science and writing is that I feel like I am meant to be a writer. It's a need, it's who I am, while science was just a job which is why I struggled with it so much.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

CT: Writing is a muscle that needs to be trained regularly, not only to progress but also to silence that nasty little voice in your head that sabotages you. It's a hard but extremely fulfilling process, and you will have to learn patience. Surround yourself with people who will build you up, not destroy your hopes. If you don't have that support at home (I certainly didn't at first), you can always find it online. Be bold; don't be afraid, do it, even if it is just one sentence a day. Ask for advice, vent, cheer up other writers. Be mindful of your mental health. Us artists are more at risk of depression, anxiety, eating disorders. Ask for help. You are not alone.

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Healers will be a must-read.

I think the readers who love dystopian stories will be very pleased with Healers. There will be a lot of action, a lot of science, a fully realized world, a slow-burn romance and complex characters. I'm putting all my heart in my stories, because I want my readers to have an awesome time reading them.

Epilogue

I share the same problem as Celine, as far as having a myriad of ideas, but seemingly so little time to work on them. Her statement: "Writing is a muscle that needs to be trained regularly, not only to progress but also to silence that nasty little voice in your head that sabotages you," is an essential aspect of writing, and I couldn't have put it any better myself.

Speaking of "essential aspect," Celine's  mentioning of putting a lot of herself into Eternal Snow while facing the toughest years of her life, and how it allowed her to be open and honest, as well as it being a story others can relate to, is a penchant of all writers and authors, and the therapeutic common bond we all share. A final word from Celine:

You can find more info on my projects on my website: www.celineterranova.com , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CelineTerranova and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loufocaceline/ 

Interview with Author Lauren Chow

In the second of back-to-back interviews, I sat down with a writer who started writing her first novel, Chosen, as a junior in high school. She's (currently) the youngest author ever interviewed by EA: Creatively Creative, Lauren Chow.

EA: What inspired you to become a writer? Are there any authors who further inspired you to write?

LC: I have always been a daydreamer. There was always a story happening in my head, whether if it was about everyday life or fantasy. Reading books from different authors such as Shelly Crane, Alexia Praks, Kristie Cook, and Kaitlyn Hoyt, not only increased these ideas but developed them. These daydreams inspired me to write them out on paper. Writing almost seems like my dream diary to me.

EA: Who are your biggest influences?

LC: There are multiple influences in my life when it comes to my writing. A lot of my ideas came from different books I read throughout the years, such as The Prophesized Series by Kaitlyn Hoyt, Dorothy Must Die by Rebecca Elise, and Red Dawn by Alicia Michaels. These books made me think of different plots and stories. The person who really influenced me was my high school English teacher, Ms. Winder. I always loved her passion for English and she has taught me a lot about grammar. In class, we read multiple novels, plays, and myths that helped develop my stories. I wouldn’t have been able to create my stories without her.

EA: Would you consider writing a novel to be easy?

LC: Writing a novel does not happen in a day. First, you need an idea, which is easier said than done. There’s so many ideas you would want to write about and it can overwhelm you at times. Once you have an idea, you use it to develop the plot and characters. When I was writing Chosen, it took me weeks to figure out how I wanted a chapter to play out. Writer’s block is a huge issue an author has when writing a novel. There could be plot holes, bad development, or the story can seem unoriginal. I have redone Chosen multiple times so I could make it an original story.

EA: What is the concept of Chosen?

LC: Chosen is about a girl named Clara Evans who was being bullied and harassed by her classmates. She becomes isolated and is known as the “Freak” of her town called Ford, where her foster parents care more about their reputation than her needs. Clara was counting down the days when she would graduate and leave Ford for good. However, things begin to change for her when a transfer student named Jay Woods, joins her school. If things couldn’t get any stranger, when Clara reached her eighteenth birthday, she discovers that she has been chosen by fate to stop a civil war. Fate has then graced her with magic powers to stop the reigning darkness from taking over the world and enslaving the humans. With the help of new friends, Clara trains and prepares herself for the final battle to come.

EA: Were there any overwhelming thoughts or feelings, writing and having your first book published at such a young age?

LC: I started writing when I was sixteen years old. I never thought anyone would read my work. Imagine my surprise when I started to gain fans. It was a shock that thousands of people were reading my work and encouraged me to write. I am forever grateful for their support or else I wouldn’t be here. When Inkitt said they wanted to make a publishing deal, I had to reread my email multiple times to make sure it was real. I was only seventeen years old when they took interest in my story. To me, having my book published didn’t seem realistic for me, especially at my age. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. I still am. However, I am proud of what I have accomplished and I feel like this is my first step into adulthood.

EA: I understand that you're currently enrolled in California Lutheran University, studying to become an art therapist. Would you educate the readers on what that profession entails?

LC: Sure! This profession is for someone who is passionate about art and social science. Art therapy is a therapeutic method to improve one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Instead of sitting and talking, an art therapist encourages you to draw and paint. It’s a creative process to resolve issues artistically. For an art therapist, their job is to help you find the hidden meanings behind your artwork and help uncover unresolved issues. It helps control your behavior and feelings, self-esteem, and reduces stress.

EA: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

LC: If you put the work into your story, you will go far with your writing. Don’t write something you think others will like so your story will become popular, write something original that you want to write about. I learned that the hard way with all of my stories. It takes a lot of time and effort, but eventually, it will all be worth it. Always be proud of your work!

EA: Finally, tell the readers why Chosen is a must buy.

LC: Chosen is a book that relates to everyone, especially teenagers. This book has action, magic, humor, romance, and teaches you to love yourself. The main theme I tried to express is the idea of self-worth. In my story, you see the main character question her potential constantly, even when others contradict her. There are always trials in our lives and I believe we all have questioned our worth. This book can relate to these issues and hopefully send a message to the readers.

Epilogue

Till this day, I constantly envision a story, its characters, how everything is going to play out, and making sure the story makes sense. From Lauren's description of art therapy, writing could be very well be included in that process. Writing is very therapeutic; it is an option where an author can vent and resolve issues, in this case. It can help others who can relate to what the author and/or character(s) is going through.

I couldn't agree more with Lauren's advice. Though it may be tempting for some authors to write what others want to them to write, but I believe that hinders them from a creative standpoint. One of the essentials of writing is not only the therapeutic aspect, but the having the creative freedom to express yourself, and allowing the story to flow the way you want to, not by the dictation of others. Everyone-- even those who have overcome it-- at some point in their lives has dealt with doubting themselves. Faith and persistence is key.

I'm definitely thankful for the opportunity to speak with Lauren. I'm impressed by her maturity, and I can see why she gaining such a fan base. I hope the best for her in her journey as an author and art therapist. For more on Lauren, or to purchase Chosen, visit her author page in the hyperlink below.

Amazon Author Page: Lauren Chow