Hi all, I know it's been a while. Please, forgive me. Today, I have a special treat in store for you. The one and only Poppy Orion has stopped by to share a little about herself, her writing journey, and life in general.
Orion is a fellow Top Faved author. What's even better is that she writes science fiction. So, plus one for us good guys. She, like myself, also tends to favor longer episodes.
Double-score.
Tomorrow, I'll be posting my review of her magnum opus, The Valmoran Chronicles. If you're a fan of her writing, or like how I do my in-depth reviews, then you won't want to miss that. If you have some spare time today, I encourage you to check out TVC. The first three episodes are free, and you can get there by visiting this link:https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0BHQ5WZKX
Without further ado, let's bring you this week's victim.
1. Tell the world a little bit about who you are. Open format. This can be about where you’re from, your favorite food or place to vacation, how old you were when you had your first kiss, or even what your pet peeves are. You’re a writer. Take it away.
I’m a weirdo. A bit of a renegade. I love to learn. People are fascinating, and I believe stories can change the world. I love video games, sci-fi, and I speak Japanese poorly. Singing and music are super important to me. I’ve worked a variety of jobs, but spent a lot of my career working in AI and Data Strategy. I have two doggos named Link and Zelda.
2. We all know writing is a marathon where many stories don’t make it across the finish line. Tell us about the story you were writing when you stopped and thought to yourself “Hey, I like this and kind of want other people to validate my soul.”
Currently, I’m obsessed with creating The Valmoran Chronicles on Kindle Vella. It’s an epic sci-fi mystery drama, with progressive themes and a hint of hopepunk. I would love for you to join the TVC Discord, where readers hang out and chat—mostly about TV, video games, and our pets. TVC readers are the best!
The Valmoran Chronicles, my main project, is going to take years to finish (talk about a marathon!). I wouldn’t say that I write TVC to validate my soul, but I sincerely hope that readers find validation in the characters. It’s also a story about imperfect people needing to connect and rely on one another to meet their goals—and that’s a theme I’m thrilled to send out into the universe.
Aside from TVC, I also have a VR dystopian story called Perfect Life that I first started drafting when I was in my twenties. Never finished it because of plotting struggles and the demands of my graduate research program. Luckily, working on The Valmoran Chronicles has forced me to really exercise those muscles and I’m revisiting Perfect Life.
3. Why do you think it is so hard for writers to showcase their work to people they know, yet they crave the unsolicited opinions of strangers?
The reasons writers might struggle to showcase their work to others are as varied as the individuals involved.
Perhaps they’re writing things that expose parts of themselves they haven’t shared with those closest to them yet. Maybe the idea of being rejected by people whose opinions matter to them is terrifying. Who knows? Their family might be a bunch of jerks! I can think of a dozen perfectly valid reasons, and that’s honestly part of why I love writing—people are complex, and fascinating.
I’m grateful that I don’t struggle much with this, because those close to me are eager to read TVC and they seem to enjoy it.
4. When did you start fabricating the life events and thoughts of individuals in your head?
According to my parents, I’ve been telling stories forever.
5. What makes a story good?
Of course, this is totally subjective. I enjoy a lot of different types of stories, depending on my mood. But I’m partial to stories with characters that feel real, conflict that makes me feel things, and novelty.
6. What genres and types of endings are you partial to?
Again, it depends on my mood. Sometimes I want to read a nice paranormal, sci-fi, or fantasy romance. Other times, some mind-bendy sci-fi. I prefer stories where the heroes prevail in the end, and stories that tackle big questions with underlying themes of hopefulness.
7. Give your take on the publishing industry vs indie publishing and why you’ve chosen the specific routes you have for your various works.
Talk about a can of worms! Both are valid, both have challenges. When I started writing TVC, I knew that I’d go indie, because I felt that I’d have more creative control if I self-published. (Double-edged sword, because it also means wearing a LOT of hats.)
As an aside, most of the stories I’ve really loved over the past decade have been indie. And I think it’s probably to be expected. Indies are able to take risks that publishers might not be willing to take, so you can find a lot of great novelty and edge if you’re willing to search for the gems.
8. Have you ever written something that has made you laugh/cry? What was it, why did it make you laugh/cry, and where can other people find it?
All the time. I get really deeply into character and feel the bodily sensations and emotions of my characters while I write. Conflict is what drives story—the characters need to want something, they need to have things they fear, desires they’re too afraid to even voice. Bad stuff needs to happen to them, so they can win. The tears, the laughter, the elation of triumph—I feel it all.
Definitely, check out The Valmoran Chronicles if you’re interested in a scifi mystery drama with a cast of complex and loveable characters with all the feels. https://www.readtvc.com/
9. Tell us about the worst experience you ever had with a peer in the writing industry. Is the situation resolved or ongoing? Why?
My experiences in the writing industry have been largely positive. The Vella author community, taken as a whole, is one of the most welcoming professional communities I’ve encountered in my life, and I’m very grateful to be part of it.
10. Give us all your thoughts on Kindle Vella. Why did you choose this route for your stories? Do you think opening it up to an international audience will hurt your Vellas or help them? Do you wish there were more long-form serial publishers available to you? Do you see it as its own thing or just an avenue to cultivate stories before going to the traditional self-publishing route?
Kindle Vella is working well for my writing process. It’s a platform, among many, and the landscape will continue to evolve. I will always publish TVC serially as I write it, and for now, it’ll be on Vella, but I’m keeping options open as to which platforms I’ll use to serialize it in the future.
For me, Vella isn’t simply a stepping-stone to books (although TVC will be published in book form, as well). TVC is both a serial experience AND a novel, and every episode I write is written with the different experiences in mind—the binge, the weekly drip, the book, the initial read, the re-read. But I know other authors are using the platform differently, and it’s all valid.
11. Give us a rundown of your Vella that you would like others to read.
Read The Valmoran Chronicles! :) I would love that. https://www.readtvc.com
TVC reads a lot like a long-form scifi mystery drama—eight heroes from two galaxies, weird shit happening to everyone. Over the course of the story, they meet one another and unravel the mysteries of the universe that threaten their civilizations. I hate describing TVC, because readers say that the reveals and mystery are too fun to spoil!
If you like stories like Sense8, The Magicians, BSG, Silo, The Expanse, Dune, Game of Thrones, Firefly … there’s a really good chance TVC will suck you in. ;)
12. What five Vellas, not your own, do you think readers should check out?
Oh, geez—there are so many great stories on Vella! Here are five of my favorites, in no particular order:
Dark Stars by T. L. Ryder is an awesome scifi adventure story. There’s space bugs, pirates, court intrigue—what’s not to love? I love the characters—Theron, the slightly OCD space privateer, and Elena, a brilliant neurodivergent scientist, have amazeballs banter and chemistry. Found family vibe from the crew, too. Love so much about this story. https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0BXPVM7GB
Revival by Debbie Lynn is an NA urban fantasy with an upbeat portal fantasy vibe. While she doesn’t skimp on conflict at all, the story feels really positive, and full of wonder (almost like reading Harry Potter, but for grownups?). Really enjoyed it. https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0BKNKZ7B6
The City by C. J. Ripley—I haven’t gotten too far into it yet (super behind on my reading), but really excited about it. Dystopian scifi with a cyberpunk edge and themes of class revolution? Yes, please! This one ticks so many of my boxes, and I’m really enjoying it. https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0C4MHQTD6
Tales of a Vernian Youth by Gaius Augustus. This one won me over in the first couple pages. I love the representation and the wonder in Gaius’s stories, but their prose is what charms me most. Gaius describes a city as if it’s a character, and their words are just … lovely. Definitely check it out if you’re looking for wonder and a cozy science fantasy vibe. https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B09QZMN4LT
Eva by Alex Goble is a really great slow-burn scifi mystery, with a cozy and slightly melancholic vibe of a near future US. I don’t want to say too much about it, because spoilers, but it’s a great read. https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0BPN5FT8Q
13. No one ends on 13 questions. They’re too scared. We’re going to tempt fate. Why do you write?
I’ve always loved stories. Always. But after developing CFS, my world started getting smaller. I wasn’t able to work the same high-powered jobs, didn’t have the energy to go out on adventures anymore. It was … an adjustment.
I had already started writing The Valmoran Chronicles when I discovered Kindle Vella, and posted it on a whim. Things snowballed quickly, and now my life is all about creating TVC. I’m … still pinching myself.
I love delivering this story to readers, sharing my ideas with the world, and now my universe is vast again. The Valmoran Chronicles is both my passion and my portal, and I’m very grateful to the readers who make it possible. <3
I'd like to thank Orion for taking the time out of her busy schedule to answer these questions instead of plotting her next episode! If you're interested in other reviews and interviews, stick around my website and check out my review of Heidi Harris' "Reverse Ella" or her interview, as well as my chat with Steve Sierer and my review of "Squared Circle."
Of course, if intricately plotted sci-fi thrillers with complex characters and detailed action are your jam, check out The Adventures of Rascal Boy and Marionette!
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