Hello book lovers! Today is a day where I will be writing another author spotlight for a well-accomplished author whose work I have loved. As you know book lovers I love learning about authors and the inspiration behind their work, it fascinates me and adds to the depth of the book because the reader will be able to better understand it. That is how the author spotlights were created because I soon discovered that you lovely readers ALSO love learning about author’s, so I am excited to tell you a little bit more about author Omara Williams whose book The Space Traveller’s Lover kept me hooked from beginning to end. I personally would recommend this book to all of those that love science fiction but really the book can be read by anybody as it is flawlessly written and highly enjoyable. With today’s author spotlight, a biography of the author and an interview between me and Omara Williams will be shared, and I hope that you book lovers enjoy reading it! To kick this off here is an author bio about the wonderful Omara Williams!
From a very early age, I was very interested in science, reading and writing. At 17, I finished my first handwritten book; it was a collection of children’s stories, which my friends and family enjoyed. But I had so many other interests and hobbies, so I did not see writing as something that I should pursue and instead, I took it only as a pastime.
I concentrated my efforts on my University degree and my passion for software programming and astronomy projects. Writing became something that I used to do.
When I got married, I came to live in the UK from Cuba, and four years later, my daughter was born. Now and then, I used to find myself wondering, “What if I started writing again?”
I believe that it is never too late when you are determined to achieve something, so I started my science fiction novel, writing in any spare time I had.
Writing a book in English was an amazing challenge for me, plus I had to do it while working full-time. It has taken me five years to see my book project finished, and I hope readers find it as fascinating as I do.
Now, how wonderful does Omara Williams sound?! Omara Williams is a truly exceptional writer and I hope that you lovely readers have a read of the author’s work because you will not regret it! Please see below an interview between me and the author and I hope that you enjoy Omara Williams’ answers to my questions, they are incredible and provide some great advice too!
Thank you for joining us today at Red Headed Book Lover! Please tell us more about yourself
Since I was very young, I have loved reading and writing. Every day, I spent hours imagining characters and situations and then would sit down and write for hours. I would be inspired by anything I would see in my surroundings, and I would come up with a story just by looking at the cloud shapes. Fiction and adventure were my favourite subjects, and I felt very inspired by Jules Verne and Alexander Dumas, amongst many other adventure writers.
At 17, I finished my first handwritten book, a collection of children’s stories, which my friends and family enjoyed. But I had so many other interests and hobbies, so I did not see writing as something I should pursue and took it only as a pastime. I concentrated my efforts on my university degree and passion for software programming and astronomy projects, as well as starting a family when I married and came to live in England. Writing became something that I used to do, nothing more.
More than thirty years after that first book, I wondered, “What If..?” I believe that it is never too late when you are determined to achieve something, so I started to get back into writing.
Writing a book in English was an amazing challenge for me, plus I had to do it while working full-time. It has taken me five years to see my book project finished, and I hope readers find it as fascinating as I do.
Could you please tell us readers about your book and what inspired you to write your book?
I’ve always been fascinated by science and technology and the intense emotions stirred by love stories. Hence I started wondering, “How powerful can love be?” The book’s central theme, about impossible love, was already in my head when I started writing the book.
Ten thousand years ago, an alien race was driven from Earth by ancient humans. They have returned to Earth using perfect human replicas to understand and eventually control the human mind. Stronger, invincible, immortal, and with a technical superiority beyond comprehension, the aliens are fuelled by a zest for revenge while plundering Earth’s remaining resources.
The aliens have remodelled themselves into a genetically superior race and removed any feelings or emotions they consider a weakness. They don’t feel fear, guilt or remorse, and most importantly, they never fall in love. When Erin Lobart, a bright young student, discovers that her destiny is linked to the alien invaders, she often wonders where her loyalty lies. Is it with the humans or the aliens? Will she stay with her best friend from childhood who loves her deeply? Or will she stay with the ruthless alien soldier who shows no mercy? Will she be able to overturn the aliens’ destructive plans?
What would your advice be for aspiring writers?
Write everything that comes to your mind, and turn your ideas into words, sentences, paragraphs, chapters and sections. Let your imagination flow as you write and enjoy every moment. Then you can work on the storyline structure, dialogue and refining the characters. Set your goals and celebrate every milestone that you achieve.
In your opinion, what is the most important thing about a book, and who are your favourite authors?
I have read many books and have so many favourite authors that it’s difficult for me to make a shortlist. I would definitely include Jules Verne, Alexander Dumas, Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke as my biggest heroes. Reading their books, full of vibrant descriptions of exotic places, made me think I was really there. I could get lost in my imagination and visit locations I wouldn’t dream could exist. If it makes you feel like you are there, then the book narrative served its purpose. I also learned that the storyline must have the fast pace, suspense, intense emotions and dramatic revelations at the end to make for a thrilling read. All the above is what I endeavoured to achieve in my book.
What is your writing process like?
When I started writing my book, I only spent two or three hours a day writing. As I was working full-time, I only could write in the evenings and at weekends. Still, as the story progressed and my characters developed their fascinating personalities, I found the creation process so enjoyable that I spent more time writing. Sometimes I spent more than ten hours a day writing.
As I write, I like to visualise everything. So I draw out the scenes and the character’s physiques in detail. Then I make a wall chart where I place carton cards containing a summary of each chapter to set up a storyboard from the initial, middle and final scenes.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
I have several bookshelves full of science books in my working office at home. I am constantly researching and learning about the scientific concepts close to my heart, mainly physics, chemistry and astronomy. As I read many books and always keep abreast of the latest science and technology developments, I already know many of the scientific concepts I describe in my book.
Lastly, when can we readers expect to read more wonderful books from you?
I am currently working on the second novel in what I plan as a series for The Space Traveller’s Lover.
Many storylines are waiting to be explored and developed further from my first book. I am gathering all these ideas while doing a scrapbook with pictures and texts I intend to put together for the sequel.
Its official book lovers, I am obsessed with Omara Williams! If you have liked what you have read about the author and are interested in learning more, then please do have a browse of the links below and be sure to have a read of the preview too! You will not regret it.
Goodbye for now book lovers,
Amazon US – Amazon UK – Goodreads
Author: LinkTree
