Hard to believe its ten years since I published the first volume of the Orion’s Spur series. I first wanted to write science fiction when I was about 12 years old, but life happened. Multiple stories floated around in my mind until I finally made the decision to simply start writing. Once I started it was hard to stop. The original story arc for Demeter was to be three books, but before I finished the first book the entire story arc evolved to five novels.
What inspired me? Well, as far as writers go three come to mind with regard to Demeter. Robert Heinlein, Jules Verne, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The concept of a group of teenagers naïvely thinking they were going on a study abroad program to Europe being kidnapped to a far away planetoid for a year of conscripted service felt original. The story had a mystery to uncover, surprises and a certain amount of danger with a voyage of discovery mixed with ironic twists. The other inspiration was my own five children. They are very much on display in the story. Ryder was modeled on my oldest son, who has since passed away, quiet, shy, and a bit dark. Debbie, his younger sister is the most entertaining in fiction and in real life. She is overconfident, and often the comic relief. Much to the chagrin of her brother she is successful at her wild ideas more often than not. She certainly made for great comic relief. The bookworm, the athletes, the sibling rivalries all are part of the story and part of real life.
Why now? The books were originally published starting 10 years ago. Why now? The books have now been converted to first, paperback and now audiobooks. I was fortunate to get a great voice actor to do the books and he did a fantastic job. I’ve listened to some of my favorite books recently and discovered how a great voice actor can bring a story to life or in one case destroy a favorite tale. Matt is a winner. He was on the very large cast and crew of Lord of the Rings when it was filmed and it shows. Finally I love the series. It makes me laugh and cry and I rarely do that when reading any book series.