Catherine
asked
Vera Nazarian:
I am fascinated by how solid the "space" science seems to be in your Atlantis series. Is this an interest of yours or something you researched specifically for the books?Did you use experts or were you able to figure out everything on your own? (Kudos on creating such an incredible, solid world. I don't read a ton of YA and I have thoroughly enjoyed this series so far.)
Vera Nazarian
Great question! I am not a science expert and have only a basic college-level science background. However, in the process of writing The Atlantis Grail series books I spent many, many grueling months researching the astrophysics and quantum theory science concepts such as quantum entanglement, quantum tunneling, black holes, and other physics topics.
I also reached out to several NASA experts and scientists, and received wonderful explanations that helped me tremendously. This is not to say that there may be science mistakes in my books because it is simply inevitable, and after all this is fiction and I am just a writer who loves big ideas. Real world science progresses every moment and new discoveries and theories come to light and concepts become obsolete. And sometimes real science is more wildly outlandish than we can imagine, even seemingly "unbelievable."
I was lucky enough to be writing COMPETE and the Fleet passing the orbit of Pluto just as the real-life New Horizons Mission did the Pluto flyby two weeks after I wrote the scene, so I got the chance to go back and include the "heart" on Pluto in the book!
Generally speaking, I am restating my understanding of the science in the process of worldbuilding, and any mistakes are mine. But everything, including the concept of Starlight, is always firmly based in and inspired by my best understanding of real science.
For more on this be sure to drop by the various TAG fan forums, and also our upcoming virtual convention, TAG Con 2020 Virtual Intergalactic, where I hope to have some actual NASA expert guests on panels. Visit http://tag.fan as a starting point to learn more!
Thanks for the excellent question! :-)
Vera
I also reached out to several NASA experts and scientists, and received wonderful explanations that helped me tremendously. This is not to say that there may be science mistakes in my books because it is simply inevitable, and after all this is fiction and I am just a writer who loves big ideas. Real world science progresses every moment and new discoveries and theories come to light and concepts become obsolete. And sometimes real science is more wildly outlandish than we can imagine, even seemingly "unbelievable."
I was lucky enough to be writing COMPETE and the Fleet passing the orbit of Pluto just as the real-life New Horizons Mission did the Pluto flyby two weeks after I wrote the scene, so I got the chance to go back and include the "heart" on Pluto in the book!
Generally speaking, I am restating my understanding of the science in the process of worldbuilding, and any mistakes are mine. But everything, including the concept of Starlight, is always firmly based in and inspired by my best understanding of real science.
For more on this be sure to drop by the various TAG fan forums, and also our upcoming virtual convention, TAG Con 2020 Virtual Intergalactic, where I hope to have some actual NASA expert guests on panels. Visit http://tag.fan as a starting point to learn more!
Thanks for the excellent question! :-)
Vera
More Answered Questions
Brooke Williamson
asked
Vera Nazarian:
I absolutely love this series and I can't wait for the next book of course. I have two questions first will the books ever be available as audio books and secondly through out the whole story line l have wondered what goes on in Aeson's head would you ever consider writing a condensed book from his point of view?
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