What inspired you to write a
series about superheroes?
Growing up, my mom and brother were both huge
comic book fans. While I preferred regular books, I indulged from time to time
in comics as well, drawn in both by the artwork and characters I discovered.
The X-Men and Cloak & Dagger were amongst my favorites back then, and I
even tried my hand at drawing my own characters and writing up little
backstories for them. But, alas, drawing was never a real talent of mine, so
for many years I set that aside for the things I was more interested in.
I think the first time it ever occurred to me
that superheroes were possible in book format was when I listened to the
audiobook podcast of Mur Lafferty’s Playing For Keeps. I loved the world Mur
created, and it’s still one of my favorite stories even now. But I can’t say that
I had any inclination to write that sort of thing myself. For me, it’s all
about finding the right characters or initial idea. Whatever world that happens
to be in, well, I just run with it and see what happens.
The real breakthrough probably happened when
Hollywood started churning out the current round of superhero movies a few
years back. What started with Iron Man (and sort of the Edward Norton Hulk
movie too, but it wasn’t anywhere near as good), became a full-blown love
affair with superheroes when the Avengers movie released. I went back and
watched any superhero movie I could get my hands on, including the
not-so-fantastic Fantastic Four movie during my travels last summer.
It was amidst this movie (for whatever reason
I can’t fathom), that my mind wandered and hit on something. As I showered
before bed that night, a sudden flash of inspiration hit me, like all of the
superhero stuff I’d taken in for the past five years coalesced into a solid,
fully formed idea of my own. The final scene of Evolution: ANGEL sprang to life
and my brain went on a full-tilt rollercoaster ride of plotting and planning
about who those characters were and what had brought them to that point. And
then, I kept going, working out what would become of them in the aftermath and
how they would grow and change and become even stronger for having lived
through it all. It was amazing and unstoppable and insane and the most
phenomenal fun I’d ever had writing books. Either it was going to be something
incredible, or turn into a flaming pile of NOPE.
So far, so good. On the whole, the responses
to this series have been overwhelmingly in the positive. Readers that don’t
even like superheroes are finding themselves drawn into the story and invested
in the characters and their journey. That’s really the best thing a writer can
hope for, so I’m so glad these books are finding a place in readers’ hearts. If
nothing else, it’s helped me learn to trust my creative instincts, no matter
how unusual the idea is.
~ * ~
Title: Evolution: Angel
Author: S.A. Huchton
Series: The Evolution Series (#1)
Genre: Adult Superhero Romance
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 6 2014
Edition/Formats: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
Candace Bristol has always been obsessed with comic books, but in a world where the nightly news often mirrors these inked stories, her dreams of becoming a real superhero could actually come true. After being rescued by members of the government’s AdvaNced Genetic EvoLution (ANGEL) Project four years ago, getting recruited for this elite team is all she's wanted.
Now 18, she's finally reached her goal after years of study and physical training, but little could have prepared her for life as a genetic experiment. As though coming to terms with her new ability to manipulate water isn't tough enough, she never expected to be swept off her feet by one of her fellow recruits.
With genetic alteration, the threat of physical and mental instability hangs over every superhero like a shadow. When one of their own tumbles over the edge of madness, Candace will have to choose between protecting the world, and saving the one who holds her heart.
Book Links:
~ * ~
Author Information:
A geek of all trades, Starla Huchton has
been crafting stories in various genres since 2007. Her first novel, The
Dreamer’s Thread was released as a full cast audiobook podcast, becoming a
double-nominee and finalist for the 2010 Parsec Awards. After releasing short
fiction of steampunk, noir fantasy, and other varieties, she released the first
three books of the Sci-Fi Romance Endure series in 2013. All three books of the
Evolution series will be released in 2014, as well as a Steampunk Fantasy
novel, Master of Myth (the Antigone’s Wrath series, book 1), which was the
first place winner of the Crested Butte Writers’ contest, The Sandy, in 2012.
When not writing, Starla trains three
Minions, a black lab, and a military husband whilst designing book covers for
independent authors and publishers at Designed by Starla.
Author Links:
Blog
Facebook
Author Page
Twitter
Website
~ * ~
Tour-wide Give-away!
Prizes up for grabs are as follows:
Paperback copies of the entire Evolution series,
a Captain America hat,
an Avengers USB drive filled with eBooks (the entire Evolution series AND the Endure series),
an Evolution: ANGEL mini-book necklace,
Arch Nemesis Wanted necklace from Surlyramics,
Captain America wristlet,
a set of Avengers earrings,
Models Own Sticky Fingers nail polish (black) with comic book decals,
temporary tattoos,
and superhero lip balm +pin sets
all in an X-Men tote bag
All you have to do is click the link and then leave an entry on the rafflecopter:
Author Information:
A geek of all trades, Starla Huchton has
been crafting stories in various genres since 2007. Her first novel, The
Dreamer’s Thread was released as a full cast audiobook podcast, becoming a
double-nominee and finalist for the 2010 Parsec Awards. After releasing short
fiction of steampunk, noir fantasy, and other varieties, she released the first
three books of the Sci-Fi Romance Endure series in 2013. All three books of the
Evolution series will be released in 2014, as well as a Steampunk Fantasy
novel, Master of Myth (the Antigone’s Wrath series, book 1), which was the
first place winner of the Crested Butte Writers’ contest, The Sandy, in 2012.
When not writing, Starla trains three
Minions, a black lab, and a military husband whilst designing book covers for
independent authors and publishers at Designed by Starla.
Author Links:
Blog
Facebook Author Page
Twitter
Website
Blog
Facebook Author Page
Website
~ * ~
Tour-wide Give-away!
Prizes up for grabs are as follows:
Paperback copies of the entire Evolution series,
a Captain America hat,
an Avengers USB drive filled with eBooks (the entire Evolution series AND the Endure series),
an Evolution: ANGEL mini-book necklace,
Arch Nemesis Wanted necklace from Surlyramics,
Captain America wristlet,
a set of Avengers earrings,
Models Own Sticky Fingers nail polish (black) with comic book decals,
temporary tattoos,
and superhero lip balm +pin sets
all in an X-Men tote bag
All you have to do is click the link and then leave an entry on the rafflecopter:
Aargh!! I don't know whether my last comment posted or not - so I'll just say that my favourite superheros (because I can't separate them, I'm afraid) are Batman and Superman - and the ones from the DC comics, not the films. There IS a difference ;)
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