Fifty previous Torkiyan missions were obliterated in space, but new technology gives Mission 51 a better chance to reach the legendary planet Cerulea—also known as planet Earth.
Buckle up, sci-fi fans as we launch our first blog post into the stratosphere with a mission into the mind of author Fernando Crôtte. Pull off your space boots, kick up your feet and join us as we sit down to learn a little bit more about the creative personality that explores the prospect of sentient life from other worlds as well as our own humanity.
Good morning, Fernando, and welcome to the Inkspired blog where we sit down and chat about all things writing. Today we are hoping to share with our readers a little bit of the man behind the pen. Now, your new book, Mission 51, was released on February 15, 2022, but when did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve enjoyed reading since high school, and I often thought, I could have written that! But other than school or work assignments, I didn’t really become a “writer” in my youth. That being said, I write and dictate a lot in my job as a doctor, but that doesn’t count. I started a blog in 2007, and that’s when I first started to write for fun, making connections with like-minded people all over the world. I tried my hand at self-publishing about 10 years ago, personally doing every aspect of the little books I published, more as a self-education in the process rather than anything else. But I’m a late bloomer as a real writer—the writing spark didn’t ignite until I was in my early 60s, in 2016. That’s when I finally sat down to start my first (and so far only) novel, Mission 51.
Never too late to shoot for the stars, right? It sounds like the main character of Mission 51, Zeemat, would rather paint those stars than travel lightyears through them. What inspires you to write?
I write for fun, and to connect with other people. It’s a creative outlet, and my creations bring me joy.
Most of the authors I've met have their own specific way of tackling their mission to write. How often would you say you write?
I tend to write in bursts. I might not write for weeks or months, then I might write every day, especially if I have a fresh idea, or during contests with deadlines.
Zeemat runs into all sorts of trouble when he arrives on planet Earth. What sort of difficulties do you encounter when writing?
Writing complex ideas in ways that are fun and pleasing to read is a challenge for me. As a doctor, my prose is hard, concise, precise. But to write for pleasure readers, my prose needs to be something else. It has been a challenge to write stylistically, to beautify my prose.
"Houston, we have a problem." For many authors, that would be the dreaded "writer's block." Do you ever experience this particular issue?
Not too often. I’m a plotter, so I start projects with an outline. With that outline, I know what I’m going to write. Though, I’ll say some days my writing is more inspired than others.
What advice can you offer to authors who feels like they're getting sucked into that black hole?
Take a break. Take care of yourself: rest when you’re tired, eat when you’re hungry, brush your teeth, make you bed, exercise, etc. It helps to clear my mind and write when my life is in order.
That's great advice. Too often, writers forget to take care of themselves first. After all, you're the one creating the story. If you crash land, the entire mission goes up in smoke! What do you find to be the easiest aspect of writing?
There are times when writing seems easy, when the ideas and the writing flow. I wish I knew how to make every writing session like that, but I don’t.
One of the mysteries of the universe, eh? What advice would you give aspiring authors to help take some of the mystery out of writing great prose?
Read books on craft, especially the essence of story. Seek out critiques and feedback. But don’t accept criticism that’s not constructive. Participate in writing contests.
They all say "write what you know." Now, while I'm pretty sure you're not an extra-terrestrial, have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Of course. I think our experiences color all our writing. That’s one of the advantages of having started writing at an older age—I’ve been around the experiences block a bunch of times! I’m 66 years old.
When he dares the journey to Earth, everything is new to Zeemat. Have any new writers grasped your interest recently?
Too many to mention. I am part of the Inkshares family, and a spinoff called Writing Bloc. Many of us are “new” writers.
What books that you are currently reading and why?
I just finished Sunnyside Up by Rea Nolan Martin, because she’s a writer in my circle who was promoting her novel, and I like it when we support each other’s efforts. As a result, I discovered her glorious writing, and I’ve made a new friend.
Is there anything you are currently working on that may intrigue the interest of your readers?
I’ve started outlining the sequel to Mission 51.
Exciting news! And how did you celebrate the publishing of your first book?
On the day of publication, my wife and I were birding in the Outer Banks. My life is not all about writing.
And finally, just for fun, if you were given the opportunity to form a book club with your favorite authors of all time, which legends or contemporary writers would you want to become a part of the club?
Anne Rice, Steven King, Ray Bradbury, Michael Crichton, Edgar Allen Poe, Malcom Gladwell, Jeffrey Eugenides, and several of my writer friends who write with phenomenal style.
Thank you so much for taking some time to spend with us today. Ready to blast off and read Mission 51? Purchase your copy at the links above, or join the Goodreads giveaway HERE. Turn the pages of the new sci-fi that draws on the best of pulp and pop culture to present first contact from a new perspective in 3...2...1...
Happy Reading!
Fernando Crôtte came to the United States at the age of six, with his immigrant parents in search of the American Dream. With one foot in his native Mexico and another in his new adopted land, he assimilated into American culture while still honoring his Mexican heritage. Along with wife Gail, he resides in Winston Salem, North Carolina, where he practices medicine. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, birding, and general aviation. Mission 51 is his debut novel.
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