Getting to Know Chrysopteron by Michael K. Rose
Author Michael K. Rose stopped by today to chat with us about his current novel Chrysopteron.
Captain John Hayden, haunted by memories of war and still grieving the death of his wife, is about to embark on the most important mission of his career: to discover the fate of the Chrysopteron, one of five generation ships which left the Earth centuries earlier. The descendants of the Chrysopteron’s original crew had successfully colonized their planet, but less than a hundred years later, all contact was lost. Hayden knows that a mysterious new religion which was formed aboard the ship may have played a role in determining the fate of the colonists, but there is no way to know what he and his crew will find when they finally arrive.
In a story that touches on issues of faith and self-determination, Chrysopteron explores the fundamental elements that define our species. Even though we may leave the Earth, we cannot leave behind that which makes us human.
What is your working title of your book?
Chrysopteron never had a different working title. It was always Chrysopteron. The word means “golden winged” and refers to the Greek goddess Iris. In the book, it is the name of a generation ship sent to colonize a distant planet and the name of the ship ends up influencing the way in which the culture of the ship—and later, that of their descendants—develops.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Very few of my books have a “Eureka!” moment at which I suddenly get an idea for the story. Generally they will ferment for a while and when I do finally decide to pull out an idea and work on it, it begins taking shape as I work on my outline.
What genre does your book fall under?
Chrysopteron is science fiction. It is not “hard” sci-fi, but unlike my novel Sullivan’s War, I have not included any fanciful technology: anti-gravity generators, hyper drive, etc. I wanted Chrysopteron to be a realistic depiction of how a mission to colonize another planet might actually occur.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
There’s only one character I’ve thought about in those terms. Everett Thompson is a friendly but sarcastic friend of the main character, John Hayden. From very near the beginning I imagined him being played by Paul Giamatti as I wrote his dialogue and worked out his mannerisms.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Wow, that’s difficult. I suppose the last sentence of my full description sums it up fairly well: “Even though we may leave the Earth, we cannot leave behind that which makes us human.”
Will your book be self-published or published by an agency?
Chrysopteron is self-published.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About two years. On and off, of course. This is a story I’ve been thinking about and working on for quite a long time. It’s a story that means a great deal to me, and I felt I owed it to Chrysopteron to make sure I got it right, so I spent more time on it that I do on my other novels.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Hmm… I don’t know that I can think of any off the top of my head, although I’m sure they are out there. Actually, one of my biggest fears as a writer is to write a novel and to later find out someone else has already written something very similar.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
As I mentioned, there was no “Eureka!” moment. And inspiration, as with all my writing, comes from life in general. A lot of my personal philosophy has made it into this book, though.
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
I have tentative plans to write more works that, if not direct sequels, take place in the universe of Chrysopteron. So readers who do enjoy it will be pleased to know that this isn’t quite the end of the story. I also think Chrysopteron provides a good balance to the more action-oriented Sullivan’s War. The two give readers a glimpse of the different literary styles I feel drawn to write in.
Biography:
Michael K. Rose is primarily an author of science fiction who also dabbles in horror, fantasy and paranormal fiction.
His novel Sullivan’s War has been called "...a sci-fi thriller that definitely delivers!" and his collection Short Stories has been praised as "...the purest form of literature, as rich as a bottle of Montrachet 1978 and as tasty as a generous cut of Wagyu beef."
His newest novel, Chrysopteron, is already being hailed as a "...gem of a novel..." and "a masterpiece."
Sullivan’s Wrath, the sequel to Sullivan’s War, will be released in early 2013.
For more information, please visit http://www.michaelkrose.com
Links:
Chrysopteron is available at:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Chrysopteron-ebook/dp/B00APQI9MA/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chrysopteron-ebook/dp/B00APQI9MA/
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chrysopteron-michael-k-rose/1113993020?ean=2940016096322
Connect with the Author:
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-K.-Rose/e/B0062EIPN2/
Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-K-Rose-Author/291149020948554
Twitter Account: http://twitter.com/MichaelKRose
Blog: http://myriadspheres.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.michaelkrose.com/
Captain John Hayden, haunted by memories of war and still grieving the death of his wife, is about to embark on the most important mission of his career: to discover the fate of the Chrysopteron, one of five generation ships which left the Earth centuries earlier. The descendants of the Chrysopteron’s original crew had successfully colonized their planet, but less than a hundred years later, all contact was lost. Hayden knows that a mysterious new religion which was formed aboard the ship may have played a role in determining the fate of the colonists, but there is no way to know what he and his crew will find when they finally arrive.
In a story that touches on issues of faith and self-determination, Chrysopteron explores the fundamental elements that define our species. Even though we may leave the Earth, we cannot leave behind that which makes us human.
What is your working title of your book?
Chrysopteron never had a different working title. It was always Chrysopteron. The word means “golden winged” and refers to the Greek goddess Iris. In the book, it is the name of a generation ship sent to colonize a distant planet and the name of the ship ends up influencing the way in which the culture of the ship—and later, that of their descendants—develops.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
Very few of my books have a “Eureka!” moment at which I suddenly get an idea for the story. Generally they will ferment for a while and when I do finally decide to pull out an idea and work on it, it begins taking shape as I work on my outline.
What genre does your book fall under?
Chrysopteron is science fiction. It is not “hard” sci-fi, but unlike my novel Sullivan’s War, I have not included any fanciful technology: anti-gravity generators, hyper drive, etc. I wanted Chrysopteron to be a realistic depiction of how a mission to colonize another planet might actually occur.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
There’s only one character I’ve thought about in those terms. Everett Thompson is a friendly but sarcastic friend of the main character, John Hayden. From very near the beginning I imagined him being played by Paul Giamatti as I wrote his dialogue and worked out his mannerisms.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Wow, that’s difficult. I suppose the last sentence of my full description sums it up fairly well: “Even though we may leave the Earth, we cannot leave behind that which makes us human.”
Will your book be self-published or published by an agency?
Chrysopteron is self-published.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About two years. On and off, of course. This is a story I’ve been thinking about and working on for quite a long time. It’s a story that means a great deal to me, and I felt I owed it to Chrysopteron to make sure I got it right, so I spent more time on it that I do on my other novels.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Hmm… I don’t know that I can think of any off the top of my head, although I’m sure they are out there. Actually, one of my biggest fears as a writer is to write a novel and to later find out someone else has already written something very similar.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
As I mentioned, there was no “Eureka!” moment. And inspiration, as with all my writing, comes from life in general. A lot of my personal philosophy has made it into this book, though.
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
I have tentative plans to write more works that, if not direct sequels, take place in the universe of Chrysopteron. So readers who do enjoy it will be pleased to know that this isn’t quite the end of the story. I also think Chrysopteron provides a good balance to the more action-oriented Sullivan’s War. The two give readers a glimpse of the different literary styles I feel drawn to write in.
Biography:
Michael K. Rose is primarily an author of science fiction who also dabbles in horror, fantasy and paranormal fiction.
His novel Sullivan’s War has been called "...a sci-fi thriller that definitely delivers!" and his collection Short Stories has been praised as "...the purest form of literature, as rich as a bottle of Montrachet 1978 and as tasty as a generous cut of Wagyu beef."
His newest novel, Chrysopteron, is already being hailed as a "...gem of a novel..." and "a masterpiece."
Sullivan’s Wrath, the sequel to Sullivan’s War, will be released in early 2013.
For more information, please visit http://www.michaelkrose.com
Links:
Chrysopteron is available at:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Chrysopteron-ebook/dp/B00APQI9MA/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chrysopteron-ebook/dp/B00APQI9MA/
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/chrysopteron-michael-k-rose/1113993020?ean=2940016096322
Connect with the Author:
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-K.-Rose/e/B0062EIPN2/
Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-K-Rose-Author/291149020948554
Twitter Account: http://twitter.com/MichaelKRose
Blog: http://myriadspheres.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.michaelkrose.com/
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