Interview: SF Author Linnea Sinclair
Writing the Space-Opera Adventures of Doc Eden Fynn
Sep 14, 2009
“Games of Command is a fast-paced and fun space-opera/adventure/ romance, which I know sounds like quite a mouthful!” says author Linnea Sinclair, laughing. “What’s interesting or different about this is that instead of having one or two protagonists against the antagonists, I have two female protagonists and two male protagonists. I actually have two couples.
“And that was insane to write.”
Creating Eden Fynn
Games of Command (published March 2007, Bantam Spectra Books) began life as something very different: quite possibly the world’s longest “thinking of you” note.
“Some time ago, a very dear friend of mine, who was living across the state from me, was going through a divorce. I felt so bad that I couldn’t be there for her and ease some of her pain. Here she is, newly divorced after 21 years of marriage, with two teenage girls, and on her own. But we did a lot of e-mailing and a lot of talking.
“At that point, I’d already written a couple of books. So I began to e-mail her adventures once or twice a week. I made up this character called Doc Eden Fynn, who in reality is Jane, and I placed her on a ship. I made Doc Eden Fynn a United Coalition Chief Medical Officer, and I put her on a ship with her friend, Captain Tasha Sebastian.
“That’s really where Games of Command started. It was my friend Jane’s adventures on a starship – battling evil aliens and falling in love. Honestly, it was never meant for publication. It was a series of e-mails that went on back and forth for over a year and a half.”
Putting the Fun in Science Fiction
Sinclair has won a multitude of awards for her cross-genre fiction (including the prestigious RITA, from the Romance Writers of America), in which she typically blends elements of romance, science fiction, and the paranormal. Given the blending of a science-fiction storyline with the hope of romance in her e-mail exchanges, it's no surprise that her correspondence eventually led to a new novel.
Once Eden’s adventures grew to over 300,000 words, Sinclair saw the story’s potential interest for a wider readership. The published version has been pared down to a relatively svelte 123,000 words, but the original’s space-opera pacing and romance remain intact.
“It’s a fast-paced and fun space-opera/adventure/romance, a Saturday-afternoon-at-the-movies kind of story,” the author says.
In other words, a typical Linnea Sinclair novel.
“In all of my novels, I try to offer a rip-roaring good time,” she says. “With a kick-ass heroine and strong male protagonists.
“Yes, I write science fiction. But it’s not the kind of science fiction that you need a PhD to read. It’s pure fun.”
Let the Games Begin
Games of Command is currently available in both mass-market paperback and Kindle editions.
Other similar cross-genre books from Linnea Sinclair include:
- An Accidental Goddess
- Finders Keepers
- Gabriel’s Ghost
- Hope’s Folly
All are currently available in mass-market paperback and Kindle editions.
Reviewers on Linnea Sinclair
“Accidental Goddess proves once again why Sinclair is one of the reigning queens of science-fiction romance.” – Penny Kenny for STARLOG magazine
“Linnea Sinclair has masterfully created science-fiction romances featuring the most vibrant heroines who gleefully kick interstellar butt across several star systems. Trilby Elliot [in Finders Keepers] may be one of the best!” – Celia Merenyi for A Romance Review
“Gabriel’s Ghost exceeds all expectations! Sinclair creates a world of psychic gifts and shape shifters, of dangers beyond imagination and love beyond question…. A tale so entrancing, so mesmerizing that readers will be absolutely blown away.” – Cindy Penn for Midwest Book Review
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