Get ready to learn more about the book Tenacity in this discussion with sapphic author Elaine Burnes.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Elaine Burnes about Tenacity, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Science Fiction category in the 2025 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Tenacity?
Tenacity is a sequel to Endurance and grew out of an interest in What if? I hadn’t intended to write a series. I thought Endurance ended well, but readers asked questions, which led to more question by me. And from that an intriguing continuation of the lives and loves of Lyn and Diana evolved.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
This book is really hard to pick a favorite from. We meet Diana’s parents, who are a hoot. I love Jill Faber. It’s fun to realize a former boss can become a friend. Aurora Parula is someone thrust into a leadership role before she’s ready.
My relationship to my characters is more aspirational than autobiographical. They aren’t me. Some are nothing like who I want to be. Others would be fun to be.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
After Endurance, I’d come up with potential titles for the next two books. This one happened to be a key component of an Amelia Earhart quote that I just love and fits it so well.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
There will be a third book, which I’m working on. Tenacity ends with more of a clue to what might follow than Endurance did, so I start from there. Let’s just say this What if upends everything we know about being human.
What’s your favorite writing snack or drink?
Coffee! I like to write in the morning, and that rush of caffeine gets the brain cells firing. I’m lucky to live near a terrific coffee company—Dean’s Beans. All their coffee is sourced from small farmers around the world. The now-retired owner (he sold the company to his employees) traveled the world meeting these growers. The coffee is organic, shade-grown, and bird friendly. And delicious!
What are three words that describe your personality?
Shy, funny, cynical. People tend to be surprised when I say I’m shy because I can put on a façade. But being an introvert (hey, I had to choose three) means that façade is exhausting. Humor saves me. When I came out, I discovered Kate Clinton. This was the 1980s, when feminism had a hard edge, and she made me realize I could be a lesbian and keep my sense of humor. That might seem weird now with all the queer comics, but it was huge back then. I’m also a glass-half-full person, but I think the water is polluted. I hope for the best but expect the worst.
When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
Mostly I try to limit distractions. Music, headphones. Maybe close the blinds. Then I sink into my imagination to put myself in the scene. It might be a bit dissociative. It’s generally somewhat cathartic when I finish.
What author in your genre do you most admire, and why?
This is one of those questions that will change over time, but right now I’m smitten with Malka Older’s Mossa and Pleiti investigator series. This is a sapphic Holmes and Watson set on Jupiter. The style is nothing like I even want to do, but I’m crazy impressed with her world building and use of language. I settle in with each book and am so happy to be transported to this gas giant where people live under a shield on platforms. None of it seems plausible, but it’s so engaging and totally works!
Describe your favorite reading spot.
I have a futon couch in my office, and I love lying there and reading. (It’s also great for napping.) It gives me a view out my window, so if something interesting happens, I have my binoculars within reach. I’m in the woods, so I’m not peeping on anyone!
Do you only read books in one genre or do you genre hop?
Oh, I’ll read pretty much anything. It all depends on my mood. Sometimes I can handle deep literary fiction, other times I need something light. When I crave comfort, I’ll turn to a series. Once you’re into a series, you trust the author to take care of you and the characters, though I really don’t mind a surprise or two. Because I’m writing SF now and have come to realize the sheer number of women writing great SF these days, I’m focusing on that. I love science fiction that is set in the near future. I haven’t found a lot of it, which is why I write it. I love Earth. I hate what we’re doing to it. So I hope for and look for stories of how things might work out.
