Author Interview: Chris Cole

Born and raised in Southeast Idaho, Chris Cole (ze/zim/zis) has always loved stories: reading them, watching them, or telling them. Throughout school, ze always found time to write and be creative in multiple endeavors. From yearbook to choir to English assignments, Chris always found joy in creating.

First published in 2020, Chris has multiple books on the market, with many more in the works. These include three planned series in addition to the science-fiction series Fragments already published, several plays and screenplays, and sequels to books already and yet-to-be-published. In May 2023, Chris graduated with a master’s degree in counseling. Currently working as a full-time licensed professional counselor, ze continues to write in whatever spare time comes along. Chris also enjoys advocacy and outreach in the LGBTQ+ population, as well as participating in local theater.

Author Links:

Website: chriscolebooks.com

Books: Amazon US

Find zim on TikTok, Insta, Facebook, Threads: @chriscolebooks

What was the inspiration behind your queer Sci-Fi series, Fragments?

So, Fragments was initially quite different when I first officially wrote it in 2015. It started when I was in high school in 2004, and it started out with me conceptualizing all my friends as mutants after we all survived a nuclear blast in a dream.

So, a dream, I guess, is where it all started. From there, it evolved into something much more as I worked through my own issues surrounding the ‘big’ questions, like if there’s a God, or how we came to be on this planet.

Then, I just filled in some cool ideas about aliens, what powers they might have, incorporated their presence into world history, and boom: Fragments.

How did you interweave religion and history into the series, and what research rabbit holes did you find yourself falling into?

Over the years I wrote, rewrote, and re-rewrote the series. At each point, I was in a different spot in my religious education and journey.

I went from being raised without religion in my home but surrounded by it in my area. As I tried on the Episcopal church to see if it fit. As I delved deeper, finding out more about religion and how it intertwined with history, I found it more fascinating from a research standpoint than a spiritual standpoint.

Finally, when I started my master’s degree, I stepped away entirely as I realized just how harmful religion in general has been, and how so often it’s been utilized throughout history in some of the bloodiest and longest-standing feuds, wars, and campaigns. So, all of that came into play as I readied my series for publication.

Including current conflicts, setting the story in the slight future, and continuing on the path set before us all, it was difficult to fathom just how much has been done in the sake a creator we don’t even know for certain exists!

So, I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the world, exploring via maps, images, and even reading blog posts about specific destinations my characters go. I learned more about deep sea diving than I ever thought I’d need to know, as well as creatures living that deep.

I researched wild animals found in Zimbabwe, along with learning about cultures there, and I did more math than I thought I’d ever have to do to calculate speed and distance.

What Action Adventure tropes do you most enjoy writing, and were there any scenes you especially enjoyed in the series? (If you can say without spoilers!)

I really like incorporating intense situations in conjunction with everyday life, so a few car chases made more interesting with the use of powers, some big explosions to really keep you on your toes, and, because I like to laugh, sometimes incorporating funny dialogue as the characters navigate the pulse-pounding ordeal.

I definitely wasn’t afraid to put my characters through it, and Jake sustains more than his fair share of ‘owies’ throughout the series. I think so often we see main characters come out of an action scene with a few bloody scratches and some minor injuries, but not often does the main character get so close to death, toeing the line more times than he’d ever wanted or expected.

What is your process of character development, and how did you build up a picture of Jake West and his arc for the four-book series? 

Jake’s story is one of change being forced on you, and having to deal with the consequences of that change and your decisions therein. Do you adapt to change, adjusting your sails with the new direction the wind is blowing, or do you fight hard against it, knowing if you don’t, humanity’s very future hangs in the balance?

My goal for Jake was to make him as relatable as possible, even if he does end up with superpowers. He’s still afraid of heights, for example, so any time he’s not on the ground he’s supremely uncomfortable. I also tried to make him relatable in terms of stress.

All the things he goes through have an effect on his mental health, and we see that as the series progresses. Going from everyday college student to having to help save the planet isn’t something many people could really adjust to easily, and Jake demonstrates that by being vulnerable, making mistakes, and having to learn to work through the hard things, rather than stuff them down.

What is/are your favourite reader response(s) so far? (Use this space to quote some of the best reviews and blurbs)

I was honored to receive a few reviews, one of which said:

“One of my favorite aspects of the story was the honest sense of “overwhelmed yet trying my best” coming from Jake. Anyone thrown into such a jarring new reality would likely behave the same way. The dialogue amongst characters was witty and humerus and the development of interrelationship dynamics felt like a natural unhurried progression.” I also received this feedback on book two: “Chris write faster to complete the series, I am a voracious reader and need it all now!”

Reviews like that make writing that much more rewarding!

Do you have any future publication plans, anything we can look out for? 

I have a lot of plans, as I have finished my sci-fi series, while still maintaining the queer action-adventure romance side of things.

I’m working on a new series called Ancient Wonders, of which the first book was released in May 2024. I’m hoping to release at least one book every year of that series for the next several years.

I have a sequel to my romance Avoiding Aiden planned.

I’m also branching out a little from novels and working on screenwriting! So, with any luck and hard work, you may see something from me on the screen at some point!

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