Author Interview
with S.M. McEachern
How did the idea for
Sunset Rising come to you?
I’m asked this
question a lot and it really is one of the most difficult questions
to answer. I’ve always wanted to write and attempted to pen a few
novels in the past, but I never found a topic interesting enough to
stick with it. When my oldest daughter started reading young adult
fiction, we decided to do buddy reads together and that’s when I
discovered the YA genre. I fell in love. I suddenly had tons of ideas
for a plot, but only one really persisted. Back in my university
days, I did some research on a biodome in Arizona and had to ask
myself the obvious question of why would humanity need a
hermetically sealed environment capable of sustaining life? Given
the current geo-political climate, it wasn’t difficult for me to
come up with a good reason, and the foundation for the “Sunset
Rising” series was born.
Sunset Rising
is a series? Where do you see the story going?
If someone hit the
reset button on Earth, how would you change the future? Would you try
to rebuild what was already here or go in a different direction? The
series is a cautionary tale and I try to show an entertaining, yet
realistic, vision of how civilization might rebuild itself.
Sunset Rising is
the first book in the series and focuses on how humanity might evolve
when forced to live in close quarters in order to survive a nuclear
apocalypse. This book deals with issues like bonded slavery, caste
systems, physical and sexual abuse, and how limited resources can
lead to war. The second book of the series, entitled Worlds
Collide, was just released, and I think I surprised a lot of
readers with it. SR was often compared to The Hunger Games and
The City of Embers, so Worlds Collide blindsided a few
readers. This book picks up exactly where SR leaves off and continues
to build upon the story. I introduce a lot of new characters and
construct an entirely new political system. The third book will pick
up where the story leaves off in WC, but you can probably already
guess I’m building a whole new world in this book as well.
Sometimes it’s
hard to keep at it – what keeps you going?
I love writing,
especially world building, so I don’t actually need any more
motivation for that pursuit. The hard part is trying to juggle
family life with being an independent author. Marketing takes up an
enormous amount of time, leaving little left over for writing. It’s
a difficult balance.
What movies do you
like to watch?
I love watching action
movies—especially if there’s a hot guy starring in it! Some of
my favorites were The Avengers, Star Trek (all of them!), and
Red (the first one). I don’t usually watch typical “chick
flicks”, although I was talked into watching Crazy Stupid Love
on Valentines Day. The scene when Jacob (played by Ryan Gosling)
takes off his shirt in front of Hannah (played by Emma Stone) and she
just stares at him, mouth agape, and finally says “Seriously? It’s
like your Photoshopped!” was hilarious.
Action heroes, huh?
Which one—Ironman or Thor?
Although Thor is hot,
he’s a little too melancholy for my liking. Ironman’s not only a
hero, but he’s witty, funny, charming and filthy rich. Definitely
Ironman.
As an author, how do
you work through self-doubt and fear?
I think everybody on
the planet has to work through self-doubt and fear no matter what
s/he does for a living. Writing isn’t any different. I understand
that when I put my work out there for people to read, I invite their
opinion. Most of the feedback has been fantastic and a real
confidence boost, but there are some critical reviews that keep me
grounded. Accepting that I’m never going to write a book that
every single person on this planet is going to like is the first step
conquering my fears.
Do you find it hard
to share your work?
Yes! Especially with
people I know. My husband’s still not allowed to read my books.
Is there anyone
you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?
I have a LOT of people
to thank for supporting me. My family for putting up with me locked
away in my office for hours; my husband for his technical expertise
on my blog and ebook formatting; and, most of all, for complete
strangers who got in touch with me because they read Sunset Rising
and loved it. I have a lot of beta readers as well that have taken
the time to give me their valuable opinions and critiques. I’m
really just blown away and humbled by the amount of support I’ve
received by so many people.
Every
writer has her/his own idea of what a successful career in writing
is, what does success in writing look like to you?
As
a debut author, for me success is being able to write something that
readers want to read! Luckily, I’ve been able to do that, so I
guess it’s time to set the bar a little higher. I’d like to
expand my audience. Quite a few of my readers said they’d like to
see Sunset Rising made into a movie—that would be super cool!
Tell
us about your new book—what’s it about and why did you write it?
Worlds
Collide is
the second book of the Sunset Rising series. It picks up exactly
where Sunset Rising leaves off—with the two main characters, Sunny
and Jack, outside the Dome exploring a world they always believed had
been devastated by nuclear war. They discover the Earth is fine and
there are people living outside! As they uncover the horrifying truth
of President Holt’s plans for the Pit, they realize time is running
out to not only save the urchins, but the world.
If you could do any
job in the world, what would you do?
That’s easy. Be a
writer.
What’s
the reason for your
life? Have you figured out your reason for being here yet?
I’m
here because I was born, so I might as well use my time wisely.
Reading, writing, researching, interacting with others, teaching,
learning, raising two kids, being a wife, being a friend—this is
what life is all about. We take what we need and then we give back.
Learn about the world you live in and see how you can contribute.
Do you do much
research for your books?
I do a ton of research
for my novels. As a reader, nothing takes me out of science fiction
story faster than bad science. For Sunset Rising, I had
already done quite a bit of research on the Biosphere in Arizona, so
that was a bit easier. For Worlds Collide, I got in touch
with a scientist from the National Institute for Nanotechnology
(NINT) to advise me on theme in that novel. I’m currently doing
some research for the third book, which I’ll keep secret for now
Have
you ever had writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?
I’ve
had writer’s block a few times and I cured it by going to see an
action-packed movie. A really good book can get my creative juices
flowing too. On a daily basis, I also go for a run with my iPod
loaded up with inspirational music, like Moby, Keane, Cold Play, and
Lana del Rey.
Have
you started another book yet?
I
have started the third book in the Sunset Rising series. I’m doing
a lot of research at the moment, so not many words have put on paper
yet.
Do
you have any advice for writers?
Invest
in your craft. Listen to what readers are telling you through their
reviews. Constantly seek to improve your skills. If you truly like
writing and want to make a career of it, join a writer’s group,
take workshops on writing and network with people in the industry.
Research is an important component of being a successful writer, both
in terms of writing a story and selling one. If you’re going to
self-publish, find an editor you can work with, a good cover artist,
and beta readers who can give you critical feedback. Learn to accept
that the bad reviews are just as important as the good reviews.
If
you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who
would you ask?
I’m
not so sure I’d want to invite a dead person to a dinner party…
ew! I’ve been lucky in that I’ve met a lot of influential
people. My mentor in university was Elizabeth Mann-Borgese, the
daughter of author and Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann. Her entire
life was devoted to finding a way to foster world peace and, like her
father, she’s been nominated for the Nobel Prize. I’ve also been
to Buckingham Palace for a tea party with Queen Elizabeth (alongwith
3,000 other of her “closest” friends!). And I once had the
opportunity to meet President Bill Clinton when he was in Halifax for
the G-9 Summit meetings, but got tired of waiting for him and left.
I always regretted that. So, if I had to choose someone to come to
dinner, I’d probably pick the President of the United States. I
wonder if Mr. Obama would come?
When
you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
I
have a hectic family life. My oldest daughter is a competitive
swimmer and my youngest is competitive in martial arts. My husband
just returned from a one-year deployment to Afghanistan. So,
honestly, I don’t spend much time relaxing. If I do find some time,
I like to read a good book and sip a nice vintage.
Are
you a city slicker or a country lover?
I’m
a city girl who likes to escape to the country from time to time. I
prefer to have modern amenities within walking distance in my
day-to-day life. I’ve lived in the country before and ended up
doing way too much driving for my kids extra-curricular activities,
shopping, doctors, etc. However, I do like to go hiking, kayaking,
bird watching and exploring coastlines, so the occasional escape to
the countryside is fun.
