Journey to the Hopewell Star follows young Sam on an adventure across the stars to save a dying alien planet. What was the inspiration for the setup to this exciting story?

The inspiration came from a combination of different sources. I started writing the story when my husband and I moved from Ontario to the East Coast. Along with the excitement, there was also some uncertainty about the move and what to expect in terms of the transition. Without the long commute, I’d found I had more time in the evenings to explore creative pursuits, and with the new setting, the friendly community, and the beautiful landscape, I felt inspired and compelled to start this new project.

Using my imagination and writing in the fantasy/science fiction genre was the perfect outlet. I wanted to write a story about a strong female character who was thrust on a journey of self-discovery, but I also wanted to make the stakes high, the plot complex, and present her with several obstacles to see what she could handle. I wanted to make it accessible to a young adult audience, hoping it might resonate with others who were going through trying times, with the main message being to never give up, no matter how difficult the journey is.

Sam is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character development?

Sam has a lot of qualities that reflect the strong women in my life and the women whom I admire. I wanted to bring to light a character who was empathetic, introverted at times, but also persistent and sometimes bold and outspoken, who had different layers and complexities. Sam has a willingness to expand her boundaries, to question conventional beliefs and to be open to other possibilities. She loves to question things, and this helps her grow and transform as a character.

What were some themes that were important for you to focus on in this book?

I wanted to incorporate themes that interested me and that had timely, urgent implications, such as concern for the environment, problems with inequality and corporate greed, and the risks of unmonitored technological development. I thought it would be interesting to see some of today’s issues from both human and otherworldly perspectives, to look at some of the similarities and differences that played out across galaxies, and explore whether we would have common goals.

Other themes that I wanted to explore to make it more relatable to the young adult audience included anti-bullying, friendship, dealing with anxiety, overcoming obstacles, and believing in oneself.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

I’m working on a sequel to Journey to the Hopewell Star that will take Sam and her friends on another journey, but the tone will be somewhat darker than in the first book. I’m also working on a dystopian story that has been simmering in the back of my mind for a while, in which the theme of gender will play a major role. There are no scheduled dates for their releases yet.

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