The Calling by Branwen Oshea

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Welcome to It's Raining Books. Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

The Calling is sci-fi, but I write both science fiction and fantasy. I write from my own experiences, and I’ve led a pretty weird life, lol. To me, magic is science that we can’t yet explain. Imagine how magical a cell phone would appear to someone a hundred years ago. I love seeking answers for the unexplainable and originally did research on brain biochemistry because I find the science of the mind, states of consciousness, and the mind-body connection particularly fascinating.

What research is required?

I think it’s important to understand whatever genre you write in, because most readers of each genre have expectations. In science fiction, most readers expect the science to be as accurate as it can be, or at least believable, however The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy breaks all the rules and had great success.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

There’s a scene in The Calling where the humans, Bleu and Neviah, are speaking to a group of star being children. I completely pantsed the scene, and still often think about what they learn regarding a very common human behavior. I won’t say more because, you know, spoilers. :)

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

Apparently, I make some pretty strange mannerisms and expressions while writing action scenes. I once had two concerned women in a coffee shop ask me if I was in pain, lol.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I’m mostly a pantser, though I need to know my characters well before I start writing. I then put them in a planned situation, and let them figure out how to get to the ending I want. So for my Finding Humanity series, I know where each book ends and where the series ends, but the fun of drafting is seeing how the characters get there.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

My son. He says hello.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I’m currently editing a short story that takes place between The Calling and The Chasm, which I will be sending out for free to my newsletter subscribers soon. I’m also editing The Chasm (book 2) and drafting The Ruined, the third book in the series.

Do you have a question for our readers?

I love writing and reading multiple point of view novels, but I know not everyone does. So, my question is, do you enjoy multiple point of view novels? If so, why? If not, why not?

Humanity’s wake-up call. Answer it or face extinction.

When Bleu’s little sister shows symptoms of the deadly Sickness, a strange vision directs him to leave humanity’s subterranean haven and seek the cure on Earth’s glacial surface. Joining the expedition team, Bleu expects extreme temperatures, not a surface ruled by ingenious predators.

Rana and her fellow star beings have co-existed with Earth’s top carnivores since the humans disappeared. But when her peers transform into Crowned Ones, the final stage of star being development, she fears remaining Uncrowned like her parents. To prove her worth, she undertakes a dangerous mission—contacting the hostile and nearly extinct humans.

But Rana’s plan backfires, and Bleu’s team retaliates. As war with the more advanced star being civilization looms, both Rana and Bleu separately seek a way to save their people.

Read an Excerpt

“All right, get out, men.” Savas had never experienced such peace on the last mission. This was truly pleasant. They climbed out of the rover, and he tripped on his own feet as if drunk.

Laughing at himself, he reminded the others, “Guns out. Stamf, take the lead. I’ll bring up the rear.”

He paused, swaying a bit, while the other two men passed him and then proceeded slowly down the left branch. Sparkling light from farther down the tunnel lit their way. With a quick glance back toward the entrance, he took up the rear.

Then a voice as ethereal as the wind sang, “Caaaaaahm heeeeeeeere…caaaaaaaaaahm heeeeeeeere…”

What the hell?

Savas shook his head, blinked, and tapped his ear communicator. Stamf and Abdul, farther ahead, had frozen and appeared confused, swaying in place.

Something was terribly wrong. Was this cave filled with noxious fumes? Had they all gotten cold sickness? The databases talked of arctic workers becoming weak and confused by the extreme temperatures.

Think! Think. Savas wanted to lie down and nap. What’s wrong with me? Images from his childhood tumbled through his head. Not now. Not again. I control my own mind.

“Caaaaaaaaahm heeeeeeeeere,” the voice lulled, endlessly peaceful.

They all mindlessly continued forward, as if in a dream. A small part of Savas’ brain screamed in warning. I. Control. My. Own. Mind. He grunted with the effort. Fighting the urge to relax, Savas forced his hands to raise his weapon.

About the Author:

As a young girl, Branwen wanted to become an ambassador for aliens. Since the aliens never hired her, she now writes about them.

Branwen OShea has a Bachelors in Biology from Colgate University, a Bachelors in Psychology, and a Masters in Social Work. She lives in Connecticut with her family and a menagerie of pets, and enjoys hiking, meditating, and star-gazing. Her previously published works include contributing to a nonfiction yoga book, wellness magazines, and her published science fiction novella, Silence of the Song Trees.

Website: http://www.branwenoshea.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/branwenoshea
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/branwenoshea
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/branwenoshea

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735915998

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