Tevun-Krus #69 - Erotic SF

Author Spotlight: @elveloy

This is a special Author Spotlight, 'troopers, in that we've already interviewed this writer in the past. The first time was a long time ago, in an issue far, far away... called DecoPunk. Our fifth issue. We're at sixty-nine now. That's pretty impressive, and this writer has been there with Tevun-Krus and Ooorah for the entire journey!

Let's welcome back elveloy!

elveloy, if you had to describe yourself in one word, what words wouldn't you use?

Tall... dark... handsome...

Now, as previously stated, we first interviewed you all the way back in issue 5 for DecoPunk. We're at 69 now. What do you think about that?

Amazing! So many great editions behind us... I'm looking forward to number 100!

What did you want your nickname at school to be?

Anything but 'four-eyes'

When you were a young 'un, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An architect, but unfortunately maths was never my strong suit. On the plus side, as a writer, now I can create structures without worrying about those pesky details.

What's your favourite quote?

"Beam me up, Scotty!" which is interesting, because apparently that phrase was never used in any of the Star Trek episodes...

While not necessarily "erotica," you are known for your romantic sci-fi stories. What do you think of Erotic SF?

Hmm. Not my area of expertise, to be honest! When it comes to erotic fiction, whether sci-fi or plain romance, I tend to be one of the 'less is more' school. As you can probably tell from my own romantic sci-fi stories, lol. I've only written two which I'd class as Mature (and neither of those are currently on Wattpad).

Tell us about your reading/writing habits.

I read a lot... usually 2 or three books a week. Unfortunately my writing habits are less prolific! I don't work to a pattern of so many hours per day, and I tend to have long dry patches between works. That's why I've enjoyed smackdowns and other competitions over the years – they give me a deadline to work to.

As your crew casts your lifeless body into the heart of the nearest star, list three pieces of music likely to be rattling the bulkheads of your beloved vessel!

Sam Smith – "Stay With Me", Ike and Tina Turner – "Nutbush City Limits", and Eric Idle – "Always Look on the Bright Side"

Who is your all-time favourite author? How much, if at all, has their work influenced your writing style?

A. Currently, Suzanne Brockmann. I've read some of her books at least four times. She's inspired me to write stories featuring gay action heroes, that can be enjoyed by readers of all gender identities.

Of everything you've written, which piece is your favourite?

Ooh, this is a hard one. As regards the longer stories, "Gothic Romance" was great fun to write, but I think "To Boldly Go..." one of the short stories I wrote for the Ooorah Smackdown in 2016, is one of my most powerful.

Pitch the above story to us. Make us really want to read it!

Inspired by another famous Star Trek quote, "To boldly go where no man has gone before" I wondered what would happen if I turned it around, to "where no woman had gone before"? If, for example, only women could travel safely through space, that something about the different brain waves turned men mad when they went through the Starlock. A world where women were the space explorers and men were planet-bound, or at least confined to their own solar system.

To what extent does the mythical 'real life' influence your writing?

I think it's generally accepted that you should write what you know. This might sound impossible for sci-fi writers, after all, unless we are qualified scientists (and even then!) we rely heavily on our imaginations to create our 'worlds' and 'what if?' scenarios. However, when it comes to the story line, especially regarding relationships, behaviours and interactions, I think we all draw on what we've experienced or observed in real life.

If you could have any superpower, what would that be and why?

To swap people's minds into different bodies, so that they can experience someone else's circumstances for real and hopefully become more empathetic. There are a few politicians I'd like to put in a refugee boat, or men who talk glibly about rape to experience it firsthand... for example.

What would you do if you woke up to discover you were Superman?

I'd be a little worried TBH... seeing as I'm currently female

The Technological Singularity presents a rather daunting, some say inevitable, future. Does the prospect of that level of artificial intelligence excite you, or leave you quaking in your space boots?

Unfortunately, given the current state of the planet, I'm not at all sure we're going to be around long enough to worry about AIs!

Who was your first Sci-Fi crush? Who is your current one?

*Sighs dreamily... Captain Kirk in the first Star Trek series (I was very young!) would be the first I can remember. More recently, Captain Jack Harkness from Torchwood still brings a smile to my face. (Are you sensing a theme here...?)

If you could experience the world of any Sci-Fi story on Wattpad, which would that be and why?

I'd quite like to visit my own world from "To Boldly Go." I'd love to explore space (in my dreams, at least!)

And finally, any words of wisdom to new and aspiring Sci-Fi writers?

1. Read lots of different sci-fi to discover what works for you and what doesn't.

2. Do your research when writing about known facts. Although you don't have to be a qualified scientist to write sci-fi, you do need to know enough not to make foolish errors.

3. Pick up that pen (or finger) and start writing! 

Thanks for once again being our Spotlight Author. We hope you'll stick with us all the way to #100!