Hello everyone.

Tonight in the Author Interviews Series we have a splendid guest for you in the (human) form of V.R. Craft, who goes into more depth about her craft and also her new Sci-Fi novel with gusto.

Time to start the interview and I’m sure you will all enjoy it very much – prepare to launch!

 

Hi there V.R., thank you being our interstellar guest over here today, we really can’t wait to hear more about your work, I am sure it will be out of this world 🙂

Let’s start with your novel “Stupid Humans”. Why did you call it that specifically and what happens to your protagonist Samantha over the course of her intergalactic journey? Please tell us more about her and the hilarious stupidity she encounters, as she fights to save the day and the fate of the human race.

Stupid Humans was inspired by my time working in retail, where I encountered countless stupid humans. After a particularly long day of dealing with dummies (including one who wanted to know if a six-pack of boxes had more than one box in it) for very low pay, I was running on the treadmill and thinking about how I wanted to move all the stupid people to another planet. Then I realized that, logistically, it would make more sense for the reasonably intelligent humans to leave and let the stupid humans have Earth, since there are a lot more idiots in the world.

At that point, I started thinking about what an interesting setting that would be for a book — what would happen if all the intelligent people left Earth? Better yet, what if they all left Earth thousands of years ago? Might explain a few things.

That brings us to the book’s main character, Samantha, a journalist who travels through a wormhole and meets humanity’s more intelligent, long-lost relatives, the People. She discovers they left Earth thousands of years ago to escape the idiots, and decides to stay with them. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for the Earth humans and the People to be on the verge of a war. Unwilling to return to Earth and plagued by anti-Human sentiment on New Atlantis, Samantha moves to the space station closest to the wormhole, where Human (and People) stupidity lurks around every corner.

A peacekeeping event ends with participants lobbing peace symbols at each other, the station’s Copacetic Communications director needs help finding a word for war that doesn’t sound too much like conflict, and a beer company executive plans to market his product as a way to make peace between the Humans and the People.

Meanwhile, the Human/People conflict worsens with an increase in violence from both sides, causing a growing concern for the security of the wormhole—and its closest neighbor. Naturally, politicians from both sides decide they can provide a diplomatic solution—or at least apologize for forgetting idiots can be hypocrites, too—by holding peace talks on the station.

When a a sabotage attempt puts both the station and the only route back to Earth in jeopardy, everyone blames Samantha—including a manipulative politician with her own agenda. Blamed and framed, she fights to uncover which of her many enemies is behind a plot to destroy the wormhole and cut off Human/People relations for good. Can she find a way to save the wormhole — and her sanity — before it’s too late?

If your novel was to be made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?

That’s a funny question. I always pictured it as more of a TV show, and myself playing the lead. Of course I also pictured myself winning the lottery and moving to a mansion in Malibu, and that hasn’t happened yet either…

Do you work to a specific outline/plot or do you prefer to just see where an idea or ideas take you?

NO OUTLINE. I am 100% pantser. In fact, I recently wrote an article for The Write Practice about the freedom of writing without an outline.

When I started Stupid Humans, I had a general idea of where I wanted to start and where I was going with the main plot, but I also had a lot of blank spaces in between. I just started writing, and even when I knew I wasn’t writing something great, I kept going. I knew I could always go back and delete the not-so-great parts (and my delete key definitely got a workout!) but because I kept going through them I always eventually got to a scene I wanted to keep.

I know some writers who say they absolutely can’t write without an outline, and everyone should do what works for them, but personally, I could never write a word if I had to know everything that happened in the story before I started.

Who are some of the authors in general that inspire you?

I like well-written stories and interesting characters in a variety of genres. I read everything from John Grisham to Stephen King to Ben Bova. Science fiction stories always inspire to think about the “What ifs”—what if we developed some new kind of technology tomorrow? How would it affect society and individuals—in both good and bad ways?

What sort of research do you do to write your books?

I did a lot of research about wormholes and theoretical ways of achieving faster-than-light travel when I was writing Stupid Humans. I did get all my info from Google, so if I got anything wrong, that’s probably why. I don’t consider myself an expert, but I know a lot more about wormholes than I did before I started, so there’s that.

Why do you write? What inspired you to become a writer?

Well, I’ve always had a lot of opinions and a lot to say. I’ve always been creative with the truth, and since I don’t like kissing ass enough to pursue a career in politics, that just leaves writing fiction.

What keeps you motivated during creative slumps? How do you deal with Writers Block?

A few weeks ago, I heard one of my writer friends talking about his recent challenges. He said he decided to take a break because he felt like he was just writing to get something written and wasn’t actually writing anything good.

To be honest, I’ve felt that way many times myself, but I’ve learned not to let that stop me. If I don’t have a good idea, then I write my best bad idea. Maybe it turns out better than I thought. Maybe it turns out worse, but three pages in I write something that gives me a better idea. I figure I can always delete or edit the stuff that doesn’t work, but I can’t do much with a blank page.

How do you spend your free time when you are not writing?

I enjoy the contact sport of haggling for a better deal at clearance sales, and I probably need one of those bumpers stickers that says, “I brake for yard sales.” If there was a job for “professional cheapskate” or “World Class Champion Couponer” I’d probably have it. I also like to kill time on social media, where more often than not I find myself thinking about a sequel to Stupid Humans…

Tell us more about your upcoming projects. Are you working on anything specific or have plans in the pipeline? From the answer to your last question, I think fans of Stupid Humans are going to be happy 🙂

I do sometimes think about writing a sequel to Stupid Humans. I have continuing ideas for some of the characters, and I definitely feel like I could get more stories out of that world. Plus I have no shortage of inspiration when it comes to stupid humans!

I also write a lot of short stories, and hope to release some of them eventually. When I worked in retail, I got into the habit of writing people who annoyed me, like customers and bosses, into stories where they were abducted by aliens in embarrassing ways. That recently inspired me to start a new segment on my blog, “Aliens Abducting Annoying Assholes Anonymous.” I encourage people to tell me about annoying people they know, then I write a piece of flash fiction about the annoying person — names are changed to protect the guilty, of course.

Finally, are there any nuggets of wisdom that you can impart to other aspiring writers?

It’s hard to judge your own work. Finding a good critique group, either online or in your area, is really helpful. I like to get as wide a variety of opinions as possible. You never know when one person is going to notice something important the last ten people missed.

And that’s a wrap! Thank you V.R., you are a shooting star, that’s for sure and we appreciate your time with us today.

Bio:-

V.R. Craft always heard you should write about what you know, so she decided to write a book called Stupid Humans, drawing on her previous experience working in retail and her subsequent desire to get away from planet Earth. She has also worked in marketing, advertising, and public relations, where she found even more material for Stupid Humans. Now self-employed, she enjoys the contact sport of shopping at clearance sales, slamming on the brakes for yard sale signs, and wasting time on social media, where she finds inspiration for a sequel to Stupid Humans every day.

You can connect with V.R. Craft via the following Social Media platforms:-

Amazon Author Page:- V.R. Craft – Amazon Author Page
Facebook:- V.R. Craft Author (FB)
Pinterest:- V.R. Craft Author (Pinterest)
Twitter:- V.R. Craft Author (Twitter)
Website:- The Website and Blog of Author V.R. Craft

You can buy her book here:-

Canada:- Buy Stupid Humans in Canada

UK/Europe:- Buy Stupid Humans in UK/Europe

US/Rest of the World:- Buy Stupid Humans in US/Rest of the World

If you too would like to be interviewed on my blog at TooFullToWrite and you have a book or a series of books that you would like us to chat about then fill out the Contact Me form here with your details and we can arrange a future interview slot.

Still want more? Well as it so happens, there is a Daily Prompt over at The Daily Post that seems very relevant to V.R.’s book. For more articles using the theme of  space and the stars in the form of ‘Twinkle’, check out the links below:-

1. Le Happyone – Why Simplicity in Life Is Happiness
2. Like a diamond in the sky… – Thoughts Of An E’ville Woman
3. artifiswords – TWINKLE
4. Frank Prem – stars in his sleeves
5. It’s. A. COLD! – Just shave your legs!
6. shame – Bedtime story
7. Fluffy Pool – Little Pharma
8. Goodies in the Post with Lucky Dip Club – London Vegan Bunny
9. Little Pitchers – have BIG ears! – Let The Light In ~ Reflections
10. Twinkle Twinkle Little Flowers… (Onam Day 7) – Pebbles
11. The Little Spark That Ignites a Fire – Vickie’s Corner
12. “Twinkle.” – Nomadic Adventurer
13. A girl like me . . . – Bhavana Desai
14. Spokane Adventures – From Sand to Gemstones
15. kwesi – Twinkle
16. TWINKLE – My QuotesVilla
17. witchlike – When Darkness Falls Part 3
18. Twinkle – Roaming Urban Gypsy
19. Le Drake Noir – Flashing
20. Mainline_Matter – Twinkle Just A Moment In Time
21. This Blog has Grown – April’s Perspective
22. Suddenly Single… Minded – Have you ever read a Trip Advisor review?
23. Teenage escapade – zorazebic
24. The Green Dog Chronicles. My Life in Navia – To The Love of My Life.
25. The Green Dog Chronicles. My Life in Navia – Just So You Know…
26. The Green Dog Chronicles. My Life in Navia – Love Letter at Dawn
27. MY ENDURING BONES – Wish I May, Wish I Might
28. Devils Bathtub – Tuckers Kreative Journey
29. Sandmanjazz – Star Eyes
30. Our Random View – Twinkle
31. A mom who’s more than a dentist – The Twinkle Winky
32. Sparkle – aYoKa
33. Once Upon a Weekend – just a little magic
34. Made of Stars – Narcoleptic Skeptic
35. Choices – The Chaos Within
36. Annette’s place – Daily prompt/twinkle/9/7/2016
37. My newly discovered hobby since 1 year ago – Daily prompt: twinkle.
38. logicaldreams – Drabble: Twinkle Twinkle Little Mirror, How I Wonder How You Got There
39. The Twinkling Trait – rupalislale
40. Buhay Nanay – The Visitor
41. Twinkle – Twinkle – Trying to be positive
42. A Twinkle So Dear – atrangizindagieksafar
43. What A replied Text Could Do…… – Nit Bits of life
44. My Mother – in her niche
45. The Midas Touch? – Life of Di
46. Twinkle – Mac’s World
47. Plan B – Moving on.
48. Void – A lot from Lydia
49. slideaways – Swipe (v.9.7.16)
50. Lost Property Repository – Twinkle in one’s father’s eye:
51. Cynthia Goes Online – Stars
52. Twinkle Spark – Simple Existence
53. Samantha Linda – In the eyes
54. Meander Marquee – Twinkle
55. Twinkling – Time
56. Lights across the Dark Sound – Sascha Darlington’s Microcosm Explored
57. eladybug52 – Twinkle
58. e.laser.beth – Crystals out-twinkle stars anyway: Rocky Cosmic Crashes Can Forge Space Crystals, Laser Test Suggests
59. Dylan Thomas – English Lit Geek
60. 83 Unsung Heroes – Do Stars Really Not Twinkle?
61. domestic diva – A Dream into Wakefulness
62. Nattydread2009’s Blog – Twinkle
63. Twinkle. – 1withthepen
64. The Night the Twinkle in His Eyes Died – Sascha Darlington’s Microcosm Explored
65. C**k God In The Sky – Insidious Temptation
66. Later on Today – aspoonfulofmiracle
67. The Fiction Cafe – Daily Prompt – Twinkle
68. cm writes – Twinkle
69. Write Now – The Real Most Wonderful Time of the Year
70. Feeling Twinkly – By the Wayside
71. Walking on Water – findingbreathless
72. I wonder where you are! – Abi&Stella
73. Light & life – Sparkle and Roar & a February Fix
74. Letters From Then – On that Day
75. The carpets can fly – Mahiself
76. The Daily Prompt… My first riddle… – Serendipitous Web Life
77. Daily Drabble #1 Twinkling Pools – Bookish Drabbles
78. Response to The Twinkle – The Bag Lady
79. The Daily Post – Progressing into Solitude – Trying To Find Twinkle
80. The Gift of Racing – Sneakers on Pavement
81. 365 Days of Thank You – Twinkle Lights
82. twinkle – The Inkwell
83. The Housewife Chronicles – We Used To Twinkle
84. je ne sais quoi – ink and toast
85. B_ up to date – Twinkling Hearts
86. Explore with Mafaza – The stary night
87. Twinkle – Image & Word
88. a flutter of timid ideas- and bit of prose – ink and toast
89. A twinkle in your eye… – Cooking with the DeGroffs
90. manvsloneliness – Day 64: The Man and that Thing in His Eye; ‘Twinkle’
91. Standisms: life through my eyes – twinkle? how about Dull?
92. Ad Gloriam Gentis – Because the Law Bores Me
93. The Cliffhanger Chronicle – The Storm
94. The Showers of Blessing – Man in Charge
95. Twinkle – Daily Prompt – ladyleemanila
96. Twinkle – a collection of poetry – ink and toast
97. Sure Scribbles – A Crescent
98. The Eye Story – Part 1 – The Fifteenth Concession
99. Twinkle ~ The Twinkle in Her Eyes – Word Adventures
100. ATG Successful Living – Twintuition, How to Be Your Own Person
101. Autism in Our Nest – Change Happens
102. Twinkle – Vermont Book Works
103. A twinkle in my Dad’s eye – susiesopinions
104. Two Twinkling Eyes.. – CrossGear
105. Making it write – Winkle, Twinkle and Nod
106. Lakeland Musings by Irwin – What’s That Gleam in Your Eye?
107. Eclipse – Angela Montijo
108. lifelessons – a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown – Twinkle
109. lemonadeletter – we won’t remember this.
110. Diary of a Married Woman – Don’t Look Up
111. Is it? – november child
112. The Lady & The Lyrics – Who is my sweetheart? (Short Story – Fiction)
113. 171,476 – Making Sense of Complications
114. To Wear A Rainbow – twinkle
115. Twinkle – disue
116. prettyflyforawhitemom – Twinkle
117. For my boy – Leaking Ink
118. Asteroid Minific – Leigha Robbins
119. Twinkle – shesfightingforherfreedom
120. Twinkle – Rhea Khaira
121. Twinkles Fade – Confessions of a 20-something
122. Stars – The ink drop
123. That Glimmer of Hope – Dreamer’s Paradise
124. Midnight Twinkles – LIVING AND LEARNING
125. I wrote a book. Now what? – Solicited advice.
126. When Magpies Fall in Love – Caillen James –Author
127. Twinkle – Covert Novelist
128. A speck of gold amidst the clouds – Walkthrough
129. Eden of Knowledge – Twinkle in the eye
130. Orion Sky – Introverted n’ Proud
131. Chris Writes – Her Life Twinkles
132. There Are More Poets than Stars in the Firmament – famous last words
133. The Curse of the Fair Queen – ARJUN SHIVARAM
134. Twinkle – Snapshots of a Disaster
135. Your Nibbled News (c) 2016 YNN – Child and mom wait anxiously for bus
136. I And Twinkle – Its Digant
137. Book Review: Showmance by L.H. Cosway – Sleepless Book Junkies
138. dinamicdynasty – Twinkle
139. SUMMER’S GIFT – MY WALL
140. Twinkle – iamdeltapositivenegative
141. Life with Jess – Light Up The Night
142. Writer Sanctuary – Making Your Content a Shining Example of Success
143. A Vibrant Palette – For its you..
144. masihbersambung – Olive Oil on My Face
145. TWINKLE – seequoyah
146. wordsareallihavesite – Twinkle
147. SERENDIPITY – TWINKLE, TWINKLE IN WONDERLAND AND ELSEWHERE
148. Axis of Action – Meus Dois Centavos: Not All Critics Suck
149. prompt: twinkle – beautiful dreamers
150. My bi-reality – Visitation No 4 – Afterlife Love Story
151. Write Away… – SUCCESS STRATEGIES
152. vertical combustion – orion
153. kStan(ly) kSays – heads turn on her arrival
154. Perceptions Unplugged – Daily Prompt:Twinkling high-rises
155. Twinkle twinkle, You’re the Star. – Your deevibes
156. The Real Thing? – My Second Act, Scene One
157. the memories of you – Love it Now
158. Insach – Twinkling
159. City Planning / Urban Solutions – Accidents
160. lifeafterbefore – No more ‘the fear’.
161. A Little Twinkle in a Starless and Bible-Black Sky… – Chronicles of an Orange-Haired Woman!
162. kristinakoti – Me and my Ego
163. An Elusive Twinkle! – Some More Fiction
164. Fallopia japonica – Bits of Poems
165. STAR.. that Frightened Me – mySestina
166. Back to the future, using U.S. Post Office as Bank – The Mono-Economy of the New Millennium
167. juantetcts – The Daily Post:Twinkle
168. Michael J. Fite – The Twinkle Challenge: Can You Make Someone Twinkle Today?
169. Think About It – Song for a Lone Star
170. The Goodbye Invitation – Let Me Stay Among The Stars
171. Chris Thilk – Daily Post – Twinkle
172. Einstein and Toast – The Page Turns
173. New Phone? Nahh! – Eloraquence
174. Destiny – indisputably inconclusive
175. Story Stew #2 Grandmothers Brew – jotabouts
176. The Cat Chronicles – Daily Feline Prompt: Twinkle Tabby
177. thelonerose – Twinkle
178. Navaratri is Coming! – Living, Learning and Letting Go
179. Twinkie Talks – Twinkle
180. Candlelight – Oh, border!
181. Qua Madrigal’s Creative Bend – Tribute to a Carrier
182. Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss – Flash Gordon twinkles again
183. Goodbye? – writemebad
184. resarf poetry – the mystery of little mozart’s twinkle toes
185. Twinkle, Twinkle: Get It Write … – SUCCESS STRATEGIES
186. Fallen Star – Occasional Dreams
187. helen meikle’s scribblefest – Daily prompt: Umm…
188. Story Stew- #1 – jotabouts
189. Twinkle…not – Jane Dougherty Writes
190. MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO – Twinkle
191. Zombie Flamingos – Ah Tuesday…
192. Handsome stranger – Bloggers Paradise
193. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – Asleep At The Wheel
194. Your Kids Don’t Get HALF of What You Say to Them. Sorry. – I’m a Writer, Yes, I Am!
195. Madeline Scribes – the Town Crier
196. Twinkle in my eyes – Second Time Blogger
197. Lost Property Repository – From a Plop to a ttwinkle
198. Summertime – Bolognese’s Blog
199. They all fall down – Dear Allah
200. Devil Doll Musings – Swinging On A Star
201. Write to Experience the Power of Words – in Sounds – Jacki Kellum
202. Twinkle in your eye.. – Random Thoughts and Musings
203. Southern By Design – Electric Night
204. Relax – Of freeze-pops (and other banes of my existence)
205. Young Woman Watchful – Justus Books
206. Twinkle(100wordstory) – LAW OF THE LETTER
207. the15thday – a little nursery rhyme for the z-lister “celeb”
208. How I wonder what you are? – Postcard from a Pigeon
209. Wordless Wednesday: Twilight Twinkle – whippetwisdom.com
210. Fallen Stars – Meow Keela
211. Designer Sophisticate – Up above the world so high.
212. Tanka: Eyes Of Spring – whippetwisdom.com
213. Hot White Snow – A Twinkle in the Ice
214. The Eyes Have It – Pete Gardner Psalms
215. Mozart and Twinkle – Just Writing!
216. The Wandering Poet – Twinkle night city lights
217. Passion through Poetry – Twinkle
218. Travel Much? – An Irishman goes into a bar…
219. Frank Prem – goodnight moonlight
220. Travel Much? – Beef and Guinness Stew (English)
221. Lantern Words – In A Twinkle
222. Lost Property Repository – Murder Club secrets revealed