Get ready to learn more about the book The Fate of Stars in this discussion with sapphic author SD Simper.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz SD Simper about The Fate of Stars, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Mermaid category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write The Fate of Stars?
The Fate of Stars began as a “what if” sort of writing prompt and expanded into something much bigger than I ever could have anticipated. I had no outline. I just winged the entire first book, not knowing at all where it was going, but it was a fun distraction from the longer, more intensive horror series I was working on. However, what began as a silly romantasy book ended up delving heavily into topics such as depression and gender non-conformity, and through that the narrative became less silly and instead much deeper.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
My favorite character is probably Staella, but she’s a reoccurring character throughout multiple of my books and series, so there is a lot of history there. For being a goddess known for forgiveness and mercy, she certainly has an impish streak, which is a lot of fun to play with. She’s nothing like me, although there are pieces of her backstory that are reflective of struggles I’ve been through.
What was the biggest challenge writing this book?
The biggest challenge, funny enough, was ending it! It’s not uncommon for me to complete the climax of a story and put it aside for a while before writing the falling action, but The Fate of Stars had about a six month hiatus with that. I struggled for a long time trying to decide how to end the book because there were simply so many options, but ultimately I realized that reason I wasn’t able to decide was that it wasn’t meant to be over yet. Books two and three followed shortly.
How much research did you need to do for The Fate of Stars?
This is cheating a little because this is technically research from the sequel, Heart of Silver Flame, but how would mermaids have sex? How would physiological differences between living on land vs under the sea affect all of that? (All of this and more can be learned in Heart of Silver Flame!) Joking aside, I did a lot of research into sealife, but while I learned quite a lot, I threw away much more science in favor of fantasy than you’d think. (Because let’s be real, mermaids are sea creatures, so technically they’d have blubber and not fat, which means mermaid boobs would be less fun…and that just couldn’t do.)
What is your writing process like?
I have a very scattered brain and thus a very scattered writing life. I’ve plotted. I mostly pants. The one time I ever outlined something, I write 75k words in two weeks (but added 100k more words while editing). I either write sparse and add details later or write a scene utterly perfect the first time (though it takes forever). I tend to work on multiple projects at once (I have four WIPs at the moment, plus Patreon projects). Sometimes I go long periods without writing at all and just focus on editing. Sometimes I write obsessively and forget that I need to be social in order to sell. I tend to write better late at night or early morning, while the afternoon is when I get non-writing things done (because I can’t focus to save my life). There is no rhyme or reason. My writing simply is.
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
Nowadays, I throw online launch parties, complete with games, trivia, and prizes, but from the beginning my cousin has always baked me a cake inspired by the book! For The Fate of Stars, she decorated a mermaid cake, as you’d expect. It was adorable.
When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
I pretty much always write while listening to music, so picking a good song or playlist is crucial. Also, when I start crying, I know I’m doing it right.
Have you ever cried when writing an emotional scene?
Constantly. All the time. If you’ve ever felt a strong swelling of sadness or bittersweet joy while reading my work, I was sobbing while writing it, guaranteed. There’s a reason I keep a 40oz cup on my desk.
Do you feel bad putting your characters through the wringer?
I’m gleeful, but I don’t exactly feel bad. I try to make sure everything is earned, at least. I more feel bad for what it does to readers, but I make sure the payoff is worth it.
When I’m not writing about mermaid, I’m writing horror romance (or “horroromance,” as I’ve recently seen it called), so to say I feel about mangling a character’s hand or forcing them to watch a vivisection (or be vivisected) isn’t really something to feel bad about. But there is one death that I legitimately cringe when I know people are going to read about because it’s just SO out of nowhere and tragic and has cataclysmic consequences (it’s in Fallen Gods book 5…if you know, you know). I felt terrible writing it, and I feel terrible when people read it.
Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
There are two books that really set my trajectory as an author: The Dark Wife by Sarah Diemer, which was also my first ever sapphic book, and Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Both have exquisite and lush writing styles, and as a young writer, I felt like if I could give to others the same feeling those books gave to me, that I will have succeeded as an author.
What books did you grow up reading?
I read a ridiculous number of fantasy novels growing up, everything from Gail Carson Levine to Tolkien to every Warcraft novel (EVERY Warcraft novel – I played the games obsessively too) and to the most obscure of dark fantasy novels. I dove deep enough to find the rare gay fantasy books from that era as well (Lord of the White Hell, Havemercy, Luck in the Shadows, etc), and, as I mentioned above, I was eventually able to find the even rarer sapphic fantasy books.
Describe your favorite reading spot.
I’m constantly surrounded by animals, so of course my favorite spot is to find a comfy couch with at least two cats on it (and maybe a Great Dane, if she’s feeling cuddly).
Do you only read books in one genre or do you genre hop?
I will read absolutely any genre. I generally steer toward fantasy, horror, and historical fiction because I love the aesthetics, but I love a good contemporary thriller or space opera as well. I’ll probably be happy with whatever you recommend me.
