First Saturday Sci-Fi - February

Today we're speaking with Judith Lynn Higgs (pen

name J.L. Higgs) Her interest in Science Fiction stems from a love of science in school, and in the environment. Judy grew up on a cattle station in Outback Australia, surrounded by native animals that are now becoming endangered.

Born in Tampa, Florida. During her 50+ years, she has been married and divorced, a single parent, a mother and a stepmother, in full-time employment and then unable to work at all due to a chronic illness. One important thing she has discovered is that no matter what she faces in life, having a twisted sense of humor helps immensely. This above all is what she brings to her writing.

1. Tell us about your favorite work… what makes it special ?

I write a science fiction series called Earth’s Guardians. It is based in tropical Northern Australia and looks at environmental disasters thru the eyes of a group of teenagers. The Earth’s Guardians are a group of advanced humans instead of aliens although later in the series I plan to add a twist to this. I attempt to use real science but in a fictional way. With these two features, I try to help the reader see the story from a realistic viewpoint by using First Person POV.

The first book of this series is called A Life Redrawn.It introduces the Earth’s Guardians through a series of mysterious drawings that lead the two main characters Hannah and Taylor to the city hidden inside a plateau.

2. What do you think makes for good Sci-Fi ?

Any that someone enjoys. My preferences depend on my mood. Sometimes I like to zone out in the realm of sc-ifi fantasy and other times I like the more realistic style. I love the Star Wars series.

3. Do you think your books can help shape the future and if so how?

No, I am not that ambitious, although I do hope to encourage awareness of the damaging actions are having on the environment.It would be great if there was a real Earth’s Guardians organization looking after the earth as a whole.

4. Do you have inside jokes or true events hidden in your writing?

No, although I did grow up in the area the series is based in.

5. Which do you prefer… model your characters after people you know or just make them up?

It depends on the character but I tend to make them up. Some of their characteristics may be based on real people to help me keep it realistic.

6. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to take away?

Real science is fascinating and the more we learn the more amazing it is. The long term effects of tampering with the environment may be worse than we anticipate but there are usually natural solutions to them if we have the motivation to find and use them.

7. What is your favorite review?

From anyone who enjoys the story and finds it hard to put down. I have had several of these.

A Life Redrawn won an award as a Finalist in the 2017 IAN Book of the Year Science Fiction category.

What comes next?

I have more books planned for this series but will see how book 2 is received before I decide how far to take it. Book 2 Fork in the Road is due for release 14th February 2018.

Where can we learn more?

My website is www.jlhiggs.org

It has information about me, my books and their series, as well as tips for writers that I have found helpful.

author page: www.amazon.com/author/jlhiggs

books page: www.amazon.com/-/e/B06XRYWDYC

goodreads page: www.goodreads.com/JLHiggs