Get ready to learn more about the book A Flame Among the Stars in this discussion with sapphic author Thea Landen.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Thea Landen about A Flame Among the Stars, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Saving the World category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write A Flame Among the Stars?
In “traditional” fantasy stories and fairy tales, the princess marries the handsome swordsman who shows up to save the day. I thought it would be much more fun if she wound up with a female rogue instead!
Who is your favorite character in the book?
Oh geez, I love all of them! Aside from the main characters, I do love Briony – she’s snarky and pragmatic, but she’ll always have your back. In some ways, I guess I am a lot like her!
What inspired the idea for A Flame Among the Stars?
I spent much of the 2020 lockdown playing Fire Emblem: Three Houses on the Nintendo Switch, which soon became one of my all-time favorite video games. By the end of that summer, I wanted to write something in a fantasy setting with a cast of colorful characters, something light and entertaining because I think we all needed it at that point.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
Originally, the title was “Elemental Forces,” referring to Celendra’s elemental magic and her attraction to Meg. As I was writing, though, I didn’t think it was snappy enough and wanted something different. Throughout the book, Celendra is associated with fire and Meg frequently stares up at the night sky when she has a lot on her mind, so I combined the two for A Flame Among the Stars.
What is your writing process like?
Before I start writing a book, I have a bare-bones outline of beginning, middle, and end. What happens between those points is anyone’s guess! That probably makes me a plantser. I’ve tried making more detailed outlines before and it usually doesn’t help me any, but I don’t think I could start writing something if I didn’t know how it was going to end.
Where do you usually write, and what do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
99% of the time, I write on a laptop while flopped on my living room couch. I could never understand how some people write to music, or even if other people are in the room – I need silence!
What’s your favorite writing snack or drink?
I’m such a stereotype – coffee, coffee, coffee!
What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book?
Like many other writers, I have a day job, and a family, and a house to maintain, and and and… (And let’s not forget promoting existing books, and updating social media, and…) Sometimes after all of that’s taken care of, I’m too exhausted to write too many new words.
Have you ever cried when writing an emotional scene?
I have, both for happy and sad emotional scenes. For the happy ones, let’s just say I’m a sucker for a good wedding, both in real life and in fiction.
What type of books do you enjoy reading the most?
Despite being a romance author, my favorite genre to read is mystery/thriller! I love stories that keep me biting my nails as I keep turning the pages. My favorite book is And Then There Were None, which I first read when I was 13 years old. “Everyone dies one by one in the murder house” is still one of my favorite plots all these years later.
What books did you grow up reading?
Like many people in the 90s, I played the Myst computer games. The biggest nerds among us will know that there were also three accompanying novels that I read and reread countless times as an adolescent. Both the games and books inspired my love for fantasy, creating worlds were ANYTHING is possible!
