BooksChatter: ℚ♫ Stardust Dreams

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author S.B. Redstone to talk about Stardust Dreams (23 May 2015, Black Opal Books, 324pages) a futuristic romance.

"[...]Stardust Dreams by S. B. Redstone [...] is an interesting book, a mix of science fiction, fantasy, and romance, with fascinating new worlds, interesting characters, and marvels of technology. If you are a Star Trek fan, this should be right up your alley." ~ Taylor Jones, Reviewer

Author Q&A | Synopsis | Teaser | About the Author | Giveaway & Tour Stops

A very warm welcome to S.B. Redstone; thank you for joining us today.

Here at BooksChatter we love music, so Steven has shared with us his music playlist for Stardust Dreams - enjoy!

What was the inspiration for Stardust Dreams?

"Although I love to write horror and mystery thrillers, I got hooked on the romantic sub-genres in my previous novels. Since I’m not interested in writing soap operas, the romances had to allow my imagination to run wild with just about no constraints on the stories. People will say write what you know. And what I know is life as a senior citizen, making me keenly aware of what I care about and what my peers care about, which is immortality, good health, children and grandchildren, dear friends, and good times.

Once I made that decision to write a senior romance, my unconscious took control and a number of captivating stories came into consciousness. One caught and held my attention. A place where all that we care about could be achieved. A science fiction story. In Stardust Dreams Lance Forrester: astronaut, scientist, and dreamer convinces an old acquaintance to seek their destinies in the stars. What occurs neither could have ever imagined."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"Lance and I share a love of science, astronomy, alien worlds, and a wish for immortality. We are dreamers. But, he’s far more adventuresome and obsessed than I am. His talents have him traveling to Mars and later in life building a spaceship to distant worlds. However, to his misfortune his obsessiveness causes far greater deleterious crises in his life than mine. My imagination is reflected in my writing and creating Lance and his adventures.

One further similarity. Both of us care about others. I was a school psychologist and clinical social worker helping others achieve happier lives. He saves two worlds.

The female characters are not me, but are reflective of women in real life."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Stardust Dreams - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"Jack at Black Opal Books is a talented book designer. I told him my ideas of a cover, which was to reflect romance and an alien world. He captured the heart of the book. But, he didn’t mind consulting with my son who is a prodigy artist and assistant art director on a top show on NBC. Together the three of us pooled our imaginations."

Why should we read Stardust Dreams and what sets it apart from the rest?

"What makes Stardust Dreams unique is my style of writing. I incorporate researched realism in my fantasy stories. This story is so believable that the readers will imagine they’re travelled along with Lance and Sage into the mysterious galaxy on their grand adventure.

I can’t write boring. I can’t read boring. And I don’t expect my readers to tolerate boring either. I’ve created wonderful and memorable characters that you will not see on television or in other books. My settings are awe inspiring. Mystery is always a must. Unexpected twists and turns keep the readers guessing to the last page. And most of all, the dialogue I’ve created is dynamic, loving, contentious, and highly emotional."

Can you tell us something quirky about Stardust Dreams, its story and characters?

"Talk about quirky, I took a real chance creating a female alien character who is like none you’ve ever met before. Medora, an alien scientist, and if you love quirky, wait until you meet her. In fact, wait until you meet the entire population of Pirodinos if you love startling and crazy. I can’t give away the surprise and ruin the story. And Leavander, the leader of the Interplanetary Council. He will have you laughing out loud."

Who would you recommend Stardust Dreams to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"This book can be read by anyone mature enough to understand its themes and messages. It is certainly a senior romance, but it has been reviewed by young adults who’ve loved it as well.

The love scenes are tender not erotic. At the same time, if you have a love of romance, adventure, science fiction, alien worlds, mystery, comedy, human nature, and our future, you won’t be able to put my book down."

If you could / wished to turn Stardust Dreams into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"If I could choose my actors, James Stewart would be Lance Forrester. I always loved his reaction to crises and surprises. And Lance is continually subjected to unexpected surprises. He played Charles Lindbergh the first pilot to cross the Atlantic by airplane.

Sage would be played by any of the bad girls of Hollywood.

Medora of Pirodinos must be played by Ava Gardner.

The director would be Gene Roddenberry of Star Trek fame.

Whomever designed The Wizard Of Oz sets would find work with me on this project."

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I like to write about people. Interesting people. People who were victimized in life and how that becomes reflected in their life story.

In my horror novel, it’s about the first woman burnt at the stake for copulating with the devil. She comes back to life as a vengeful succubus.

In A Sinister Obsession, the lead characters are victimized in childhood and some turn out good and others evil. The same for Stardust Dreams. Lance and Sage are victimized children who are desperate to seek love and happiness in life. The genre is designed around the characters.

And yes, I love to read horror, suspense thrillers, science fiction, and even romance genres. In fact, in editing, I read my stories many times, and never become bored."

What is your writing process?

"I don’t put any words on a computer screen until I’ve written the entire book in my head first. I need to know the beginning, middle, and ending to see if the story is feasible or not.

The main characters are designed in my head as well. Once I have them in place, I make a chapter by chapter outline on the computer and what should take place in each of them. Generally, I do not write out of sequence, however, I always end up adding or subtracting scenes that make the story more or less interesting.

The style I’ve chosen is based on Shakespeare’s plays and film. Like a canon blast, I present the crisis, crime, or conflict and let it evolve for the rest of the story. My dialogue can be tense, witty, or warm, or biting. I keep the action intense and moving.

I do have some compulsive behaviors. I must play computer card games until I feel relaxed and my mind sharpens. I go from one game to another until I win. It usual takes at least fifteen minutes to feel my mind has cleared of its cobwebs."

What is in store next?

"The novel I am working on now is about a montage of lives centered around a magical fifty-five and over retirement community. If We’re Sleeping, Don’t Wake Us Up is a romance, comedy, drama like a Neil Simon movie, Plaza Suite. It explores grand parenting, love, marriage, lost dreams, depression, and self-sacrifice. How would you feel, and how would our lives change, if you woke up and found ourselves appearing young, healthy, and vibrant with life?"

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"My pet dog and cat have both died. I gave my fish tank to the people who purchased my home on Long Island. What is special to me, are my grandchildren. It’s not very quirky. However, in Florida, we were shopping, and I had Cameron in a stroller. He wouldn’t stop crying and my daughter told me to hold him. And I did. Without moving for nearly an hour."