1. What is the title of your newest book or short story? What’s it about? Where can readers find it?
The title is Stars’ Fire, science fiction for young adults.
Dahliea Gherac, a twelve year old girl, is the sheltered daughter of a politically powerful father. She is also from a very wealthy and prominent family. Yet, Dahliea is treated as an oddity by the dominant society, is hounded by the media, and is bullied by her peers because her mother is a blonde-haired, fair-skinned woman from Earth. Dahliea so desperately wants to be accepted by her schoolmates and wishes that she is like every other S’Renen.
Even though this is a science fiction novel, anyone who understands what it’s like to be bullied, excluded, or different may also find Stars’ Fire appealing.
Readers can find Stars’ Fire at Dark Oak Press (www.darkoakpress.com), Amazon, or Barnes and Noble. Readers can find me on: Facebook (Natalie Silk, Author), my blog (NatalieSilk.blogspot.com), and Twitter (NatalieSilkSF).
2. How did you choose to become a writer?
I always wanted to be a writer since I was a little girl. I would spend hours in my room making up stories. I started to really write when my sister gave me a journal for my thirteenth birthday.
3. What inspired your new book or story?
When I was twelve or thirteen, I had a dream about five men in monk robes standing in a circle. I could only see their chins under their hoods. One of the monks turned to me and he said, “You’re not ready.” I wrote down the dream. I had another dream where I was standing on the side of a mountain overlooking beautiful trees and a huge monolith. I wrote this dream down also. Those two dreams became the foundation for Stars’ Fire.
4. What do you read for fun?
I love reading reference and spiritual books; just about anything that stretches my knowledge.
5. What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
Don’t give up your dreams, ever. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you ‘never.’ Believe in yourself and believe that your dreams will come true someday.
Bonus: Listen to Natalie read from Stars’ Fire: https://ghostinthemachinepodcast.com/?p=398