Today we’re celebrating the launch of Beth Revis’s A MILLION SUNS by participating in the Virtual Party! Each hour of the day, from 9am to 5pm EST, there will be a different feature on a different blog. And each stop, in true party fashion, will have a party favor to give out—in the form of a signed book plus some cool swag—and a party game: a puzzle piece to a truly epic prize for one winner! So read on to find out exclusive information about A MILLION SUNS and enter to win a signed book!
INSPIRATION IS EVERYWHERE
One of the most common things I'm asked is, "where does your inspiration come from?" And the truth of the matter is....
I don't know.
Honest! I have no idea where I'll get an idea. It could be something complex, like a what-if question. It could come from reading a good book...or even a bad one. But it's often a combination of many of these things.
Usually, my big ideas stem from what-if questions that come from a lifetime of curiosity and cramming my head full of good books and good movies. Part of the mystery of my books comes from dozens of Agatha Christie novels. The sci fi setting came from a love of (a) astronomy, and (b) Sailor Moon.
But the little details sometimes have the best stories. For example: Harley. Harley was supposed to be a minor character who was only in one scene that I was writing on that took place in the Hospital. One of my students had painted a koi fish, and so I made the extra character an artist. My student's name is Charly, so I named the character Harley. From that one scene came Harley, Elder's best friend, complete with a backstory, a dead girlfriend, and a tragic twist.
I hold onto interesting things, like water holds onto a sponge. I'm always on the lookout for something that can inspire me. And here's a detail that I perhaps shouldn't be sharing yet...
In 2010, I was on a European field trip, my last official duty as a teacher. And while there, we saw a glass-making demonstration in Venice, Italy. I popped out my camera and filmed it quickly. And here's the secret: there is something in this video that was an important inspiration for SHADES OF EARTH, the last book of the AtU trilogy. I won't say what it is, but there's something in this video that has made it's way to the final book.
I don't know.
Honest! I have no idea where I'll get an idea. It could be something complex, like a what-if question. It could come from reading a good book...or even a bad one. But it's often a combination of many of these things.
Usually, my big ideas stem from what-if questions that come from a lifetime of curiosity and cramming my head full of good books and good movies. Part of the mystery of my books comes from dozens of Agatha Christie novels. The sci fi setting came from a love of (a) astronomy, and (b) Sailor Moon.
But the little details sometimes have the best stories. For example: Harley. Harley was supposed to be a minor character who was only in one scene that I was writing on that took place in the Hospital. One of my students had painted a koi fish, and so I made the extra character an artist. My student's name is Charly, so I named the character Harley. From that one scene came Harley, Elder's best friend, complete with a backstory, a dead girlfriend, and a tragic twist.
I hold onto interesting things, like water holds onto a sponge. I'm always on the lookout for something that can inspire me. And here's a detail that I perhaps shouldn't be sharing yet...
In 2010, I was on a European field trip, my last official duty as a teacher. And while there, we saw a glass-making demonstration in Venice, Italy. I popped out my camera and filmed it quickly. And here's the secret: there is something in this video that was an important inspiration for SHADES OF EARTH, the last book of the AtU trilogy. I won't say what it is, but there's something in this video that has made it's way to the final book.
Thanks for stopping by today as a part of the Virtual LaunchParty for A MILLION SUNS! To help celebrate, one commenter on this post will receive a signed paperback of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, the first book of the trilogy, along with some custom swag, including a poster, an art print of a koi
fish (made by the student who inspired Beth to write the character Harley), NASA goodies, and
more. This contest is open internationally, and will end in 24 hours.
fish (made by the student who inspired Beth to write the character Harley), NASA goodies, and
more. This contest is open internationally, and will end in 24 hours.
JUST COMMENT ON THIS POST TO ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN THIS PRIZE!
Make sure you go back to Beth’s website for full details onthe party. Visit every site in the party to gather clues that will enable you to enter for the GRAND PRIZE—a signed paperback of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, a signed hardback of A MILLION SUNS, an exclusive water bottle, a poster, an art
print, and more!
print, and more!
