We’re very excited to be a part of The THERE ONCE WERE STARS Blog Tour! I was immediately drawn in by this cover and then could hardly wait to read the story once I read the summary!
First – here’s a bit about the book!
There Once Were Stars by Melanie McFarlane (Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads)Published by Month 9 Books on April 26, 2016
Genres: Dystopian
Peace. Love. Order. Dome. That’s the motto that the Order has given the residents of Dome 1618 to live by. Natalia Greyes is a resident of Dome 1618, a covered city protected from the deadly radiation that has poisoned the world outside for four generations. Nat never questioned the Order, until one day she sees a stranger on the outside of her dome. Now Nat wants answers. What else might her government be hiding from the good and loyal people of Dome 1618?
Describe THERE ONCE WERE STARS in 5 words.
Peace. Love. Order. Dome. Lies.
How did THERE ONCE WERE STARS come about, what was your inspiration? What made you think you had to write this story?
When I got the idea for There Once Were Stars, I had just finished an episode of The Walking Dead. The season had ended and I was thinking about how much I loved that the series was character based, rather than fully focused on the zombies or virus. I started thinking of the last series I read which was Divergent (I didn’t start reading until after Allegiant released), and how much I enjoyed its unique take on dystopian. My two favorite things … zombies and dystopian … and then my mind exploded with this image of Nat—a girl in a dystopian world—who watches the stars glitter along the glass of her dome covered city … and the rest is history.
What was the hardest scene for you to write in THERE ONCE WERE STARS and why?
Action scenes – I had to actually teach myself how to make these more interesting. When I wrote my first draft it felt like I was constantly repeating myself. Thankfully there are tons of action books out there to help you think of ways to describe “my heartbeat thunders in my ears” in more ways than one.
Can you share (without spoilers) a line or section of THERE ONCE WERE STARS that is your favorite?
“In that moment everything dissipates—the fear, the pressures; it’s just us, like it was always meant to be.”
Since we’re talking 2016 books, what upcoming 2016 release (besides your own) are you most excited to read and fangirl over?
I was so excited for Wink, Poppy, Midnight. I absolutely love April Tucholke.
What are you currently reading?
I literally just finished Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver. Mind blowing.
Any advice for aspiring writers?
Never give up. No matter how many rejections, bad reviews, or let downs, writing will always be there for you. Remember why you love it and do it for yourself.
What’s next for you? Are you working on anything right now that you can tell us about?
I am working on 2 YA contemporaries, one where a boy’s sister goes missing, and the other a coming of age story about a girl growing up in an abusive home in the middle of the Canadian prairies. I wanted to challenge myself and leave SFF for a bit.
What one YA Novel do you wish you had when you were a teen?
Hunger Games, hands down. Katniss will always be my favourite protagonist.
Tell us 3 random facts about you.
- I adopted two cats from my local Humane Society.
- I once wanted to be an archaeologist (because of Indiana Jones).
- I cried when Superman died the first time.
Favorites
Favorite Song (right now): No, by Meghan Trainor
Favorite Book (right now): Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver
Favorite TV Show/Movie: Walking Dead
Favorite Word: Yaaasssss
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Curse Word: Frick!
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