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The Calling
by Branwen OShea

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Humanity’s wake-up call. Answer it or face extinction.

When Bleu’s little sister shows symptoms of the deadly Sickness, a strange vision directs him to leave humanity’s subterranean haven and seek the cure on Earth’s glacial surface. Joining the expedition team, Bleu expects extreme temperatures, not a surface ruled by ingenious predators.

Rana and her fellow star beings have co-existed with Earth’s top carnivores since the humans disappeared. But when her peers transform into Crowned Ones, the final stage of star being development, she fears remaining Uncrowned like her parents. To prove her worth, she undertakes a dangerous mission—contacting the hostile and nearly extinct humans.

But Rana’s plan backfires, and Bleu’s team retaliates. As war with the more advanced star being civilization looms, both Rana and Bleu separately seek a way to save their people.

Guest Post: How do you get your ideas for your characters?

I’ve found it fascinating how much the process of writing varies among authors. I definitely fall into the “pantsing’ category, where I write by the seat of my pants rather than plotting everything out in advance. 

I don’t think I’ve ever had to consciously design a character. Either they show up fully formed in my head and introduce themselves, or the show up in a nebulous form with a very clear storyline. In the first case, I simply write, while the characters tell me the story. In the second case, I write the plot and the character fleshes out a bit more in each scene until by the end of the first draft I have a character that I can fully “see.” Then I go back and make the character consistent with their final form.

For my novel, The Calling, I first met Rana in a dream where she began sharing her story. The next morning as I was writing notes on what Rana had told me, the other characters appeared in my mind and began telling their portions as well. It became clear that their stories started separately and then crashed into each other. That was when I realized I had a multiple point of view story on my hands.

The only main character from this book that gave me extra trouble was Bleu Reinier, the character that starts off the story. Bleu had lots of secrets, and it wasn’t until I began drafting the sequel that he came out to me. I kept trying to write a kissing scene and every time something was about to happen, he’d just stop. Lol. Finally, he explained his asexuality, and everything that had happened in book one suddenly made more sense. (Don’t worry, I’ve spoiled nothing, as I then went back and put in hints to this in book one.)

Pantsing my characters adds extra fun to writing process for me. Writing the first draft is a lot like meeting a new friend, where intimate details are revealed the longer you know each other.

Excerpt

A bloodcurdling howl pierced the darkness nearby. He startled, and the rover lurched to the side, the treads grinding against the ice. In all his years of secret studies, he’d never considered studying animal vocalizations. Anything, including the Undescended, could be making the howls beyond the range of his snow rover’s headlights. As much as he had longed for this world, he was lost here.

As he scanned the inky horizon, a large dark blob drew his gaze to an elevated area of ice. Did it move? He narrowed his eyes, straining to confirm reality. Just get to the camp. Just get to the camp.

It moved.

“Base, something’s out here…pacing on a hill above me. I’m maintaining course, but I’m going to have to pass below it. Should I change course?”

“You heard Commander Savas. Shoot it as soon as it’s in range. Continue course.”

“Continue course. Got it, sir.” Bleu hastily checked his gun, wishing for Stamf’s longer-range rifle. It’s not close enough yet…

His hand tightened on his gun. I don’t even know what it is, and I have to kill it? The rover sped along as his indecision churned within him. Trust your instincts, Bleu, his mother had said. It lured us, Savas had said.

In his mind, Bleu replayed Neviah’s terrifying video footage. That creature could be stalking him right now. Orders were orders. He raised his gun.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a young girl, Branwen wanted to become an ambassador for aliens. Since the aliens never hired her, she now writes about them.

Branwen OShea has a Bachelors in Biology from Colgate University, a Bachelors in Psychology, and a Masters in Social Work. She lives in Connecticut with her family and a menagerie of pets, and enjoys hiking, meditating, and star-gazing. Her previously published works include contributing to a nonfiction yoga book, wellness magazines, and her published science fiction novella, Silence of the Song Trees.

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