Reader’s Edyn

I always felt like I could do something more than just read. Finally, I have found both a creative outlet and a chance to do something meaningful with my reading. This blog was created in appreciation of and tribute to all of the authors who have brought me joy through their books. These reviews are my way of giving back to authors and providing recognition for the hard work that each one completes every day!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Guest Blog with Misa Buckley


Guest Blog with Misa Buckley



Hello, hello! I hope all of my lovelies are doing well. Today I would like to introduce to you Misa Buckley. Ms. Buckley is going to talk about a topic I presented to her ~ the draw of SciFi in books ~ because it seems lately that I have been seeing more and more SciFi and the popularity seems to be growing – especially in romance paired with SciFi. Maybe it is just me, but nevertheless, I still was curious to know an author’s outlook on the topic. So here we go!


**MISA  BUCKLEY**

Misa has been making up stories all her life, but it wasn’t until 2007 when she tried the National Novel Writing Month that she realized that writing was her calling. Though she failed to reach the prescribed 50,000 words, the writing bug had bitten and there was no cure.

Being raised on a diet of Doctor Who and Star Trek sealed Misa’s love for science fiction and the extraordinary, and she now writes speculative fiction mixed with a dollop of romance and a sprinkling of sex.

She lives in the north of England with her husband, five children, two budgies and barmy dog. When she’s not writing, she can be found cosplaying Steampunk, knitting, and watching Stargate SG1 because Ba’al is just so damned gorgeous.



**GUEST  POST**
**Topic: The Draw of SciFi In Books**

I’ve been asked to talk about the draw of sci fi in romance books, which is frankly the easiest question ever. I write sci fi because there are no conventions in it. Sci fi offers a freedom that conventional stories don’t, very much like fantasy does. You get to make your own worlds, your own rules. It’s a liberating genre to write.

And space really is our final frontier. It’s an unknown quantity, an adventure. There are sub-genres within it, from the Western pioneering flavour of Firefly to the futuristic universe of Star Trek. The only limit is your own imagination.

To a large degree, the conflicts found in sci fi are like the ones we find on Earth. Questions about race, creed and culture were faced in Star Trek, the first television show to feature a character of colour in a fairly prominent role. Let’s not forget the first inter-racial kiss to be broadcast.

That brings me to the romance element. Why have a love story set in space? Well, why not? If humanity ever does venture off to other worlds, love is still going to happen. As, no doubt, will prejudice and hatred of things we don’t understand, but I like to dwell on the positives. And romances in space are hardly new – take Han and Leia, Mal and Inara, John and Aeryn. Kirk and every female he came across…

In sci fi romance, the romance aspect is key. That doesn’t mean that the sci fi should be discounted – it’s important that the setting have an impact as well – but, for me, the main story is about the relationship. About the trials and tribulations the couple faces and how they overcome them. How that affects them as a couple.

My favourite relationship arc is the redemptive one – where one (or both) of the characters finds themselves challenged on a personal level. I like characters that develop and grow as individuals.

Admittedly, PARADIGM SHIFT isn’t a redemptive tale, though my alien character does make a mistake. It is purely an “us verses them” adventure, with a love story thrown into the mix. It has an alien who can appear human as well as alien. The love doesn’t stop when he’s in that form, either.

Shapeshifting is a fairly common theme in sci fi as well as paranormal, and allows authors to push the boundaries on taboos such as inter-racial affairs and even bestiality. The latter is a fine line to walk, but it does seem to be more acceptable in sci fi – just look at the “tentacle sex” stories that are available. While I don’t write that, I’m aware it’s out there. It’s breaking conventions. Is there anything that shouldn’t be written? Possibly, though I dislike censorship. On the other hand, I hate rape as a romance plot as well. I think it should come down to reader discretion, rather than the publishers forbidding and censoring content. A controversial opinion? Most likely, but that is my opinion.

Before I sign off, I was also asked about Steampunk. Ahh, yes. Now I love Steampunk, almost as much as I adore sci fi. Do I prefer to write one over the other? No, absolutely not, though I think that growing up with Star Trek and Doctor Who kind of put my natural setting on sci fi.

But Steampunk is another genre that pushes the boundaries. For me, it’s the best of both worlds (those being sci fi and fantasy) because I can combine elements and come out with something utterly unique. It also gives me the chance to rewrite history, which is always fun.

Basically, if a genre is quirky and different to the norm, then I want to play in that sandbox. That’s why I have an upcoming story that’s not just Steampunk but Paranormal as well. The true draw of writing sci fi, of writing anything speculative, is that I can mix, match or even mash them together.


ROTFLMAO @ “Kirk and every female he came across”! Word! *nods* I have to say it all makes a bit more sense to me now. Thanks you very much Ms. Buckley for answering my question and for taking the time to create this response. I enjoyed it very much! So how about I tell you about the book now? Yes?


**PARADIGM  SHIFT**


Observatory tour guide Megan Shaw has always had stars in her eyes, so when she all but runs down the otherworldly Raul, she barely blinks. It doesn't hurt that Raul is hot - whether in his human form or his natural one - and that there's an immediate mutual attraction.

But Raul is on the run from his alien overlords and soon Megan finds herself fighting against a foothold situation with nothing more than a couple of cattle prods and Muse for soundtrack.

However Earth is not the only planet at risk and with his species desperate to escape generations of oppression, can she really trust Raul? Or will his loyalties shift as easily as his physical appearance?


Sounds good, yes? Yep. I thought so too. I hope you enjoyed your time spent getting to know a little about Ms. Buckley. This new-to-me author is definitely on my TBR list. I hope she has been added to yours as well. 


Until next time …
HAPPY READING!!!




3 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. You are more than welcome! Thank you so much for being here with us today. :)
      ~K

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  2. Pippa ~ I am so happy that you enjoyed your time with us today. Thanks you very much for hopping in! Have a wonderful day

    ReplyDelete

I lurve comments! Say whatever is on your mind; just keep it respectful. I am always game for a conversation. :)