The following is an interview with David Colby, author of the upcoming book, Shattered Sky. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Colby about the book and the Lunar Cycle trilogy, his creative process, what he hopes that readers will take away from the story, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of your novel, Shattered Sky, which is book two in the Lunar Cycle trilogy! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the novel’s premise?
David Colby: A terrorist attack triggers a poorly thought out war that forces a generation of youth to die to protect the interests of the rich and powerful! But enough about the Afghanistan-Iraqi Wars, what about my novel? It’s a coming of age story during a time of crisis and war. Also, there are lasers!
BD: What inspired you to tell this story and the Lunar Cycle saga, and what are some of your creative influences?
DC: I was heavily inspired by the works of Joe Haldeman, the author of The Forever War, and by John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War, as well as the movie, Jarhead, which I only vaguely remember. I love military science fiction, but I find thoughtless celebrations of militarism to be somewhat distasteful, so I gravitate towards books that have a more critical attitude than, say, Starship Troopers. I was also hugely inspired by the anime/manga, Planetes – right down to stealing the design of their space-suit.
BD: What can you share with us about your creative process in working on this latest book, and what do you hope that readers will take away from the story?
DC: I am a freakish mutant who writes without outlines. I did end up talking out the plot while in the shower to myself, and fixed any plotholes I missed on re-reads! And, well, I hope that readers take whatever they find from my book. The author is dead, after all!
BD: Given that Shattered Sky is the second book in the series, do you feel that it serves as a solid jumping-on point for new readers, or would you encourage them to begin with the first novel, Debris Dreams?
DC: It will be a little confusing, since it starts literally hours after the ending of Debris Dreams. So, yes, I strongly encourage you to go back and read the first one. And buy it ten thousand times! Then, buy the second one ten thousand times each. And send me more money via the mail!
BD: If given the opportunity to expand your books into other entertainment mediums, in what format do you hope to see them adapted?
DC: I think it’d be a neat anime!
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
DC: Well, I’m working on the sequel, Luna’s Lament!
