Interview: Gemma Fowler author of ‘Moondust’ talks space and our violet-eyed protagonist

Gemma Fowler, author of ‘Moondust’ an edge-of-your-seat, sci-fi thriller sat down with us to talk about all things writing, her love of space and character development. If you haven’t picked up a copy already, read our review before delving into this interview, you won’t regret it.

Congratulations on your debut novel, ‘Moondust’. How long has the book been in the making?

Thank you! Writing a novel has been one of the hardest, most frustrating and rewarding things I’ve ever done. ‘Moondust’ took seven whole human years to write. Seven years! I started writing it as a hobby in downtimes from my job as a copywriter. When I checked my files and saw that I’d written 100,000 words (only about 10,000 of them made any sense), I decided to start taking it seriously and try to get published. Then the real work started…

How would you describe ‘Moondust’ to those who haven’t yet picked up a copy and read it?

It’s a fun, action-packed space-thriller that will make you think.

Did you do any research into space and the moon before writing your book?

Yeah, loads! I love future tech and science stuff so it was really fun to do. The setting of ‘Moondust’ is super fantastical, but there is a lot of real science behind it (sometimes VERY well disguised!). For example, moon mining will definitely be a thing in a few years time, and we’ve recently discovered a mineral on Earth called KBNNO, that can produce energy in the way that Lumite can in the book.

I read a lot of science mags like Science Focus (which is brilliant at describing brain-exploding concepts to a confused layman like me!). I also had some of my trickier questions answered by a proper, real-life physicist at Imperial College, all the important stuff like “what would happen if you kissed someone in space?” “What does moon dust taste like?” etc.

Creative licence did prevail when facts got in the way of my story, though. Story first, science second.

Celeste, the base’s artificial intelligence plays an important role in the story. Are her personality or traits based on anyone you know?

 Haha! I’m not telling! Celeste was great to write as, not giving any spoilers away, she has her own character development through the book. I loved writing Celeste’s creepy Siri-esque statements and announcements at the beginning of the story, gently letting the other characters know that she has constant control over their lives on the base.

Our violet-eyed protagonist, Aggie is the perfect main character. In your bio you say that she’s been by your side since you were 16. How did you ensure her character developed as you’d hoped?

I grew up with Aggie. We’ve been through a lot together! As I grew as a person and as a writer, Aggie came on that journey with me. She’s had so many lives she’s like a cat. Aggie has been a witch, a dragon rider, a weird shaman dreamer person – but whatever story I dragged her into, her character was always been the same; terrified and brave and immature and strong at the same time, with a big dollop of sarcasm thrown in! 

Are there any books or authors that inspired your own writing?

When it comes to reading, I’m a HUGE fantasy nut. I love big, sprawling, magical, doorstop-sized books by Robin Hobb, George RR Martin and Phillip Pullman. But writing that stuff never worked for me, my voice just doesn’t fit.

So I turned to my love of science and the future and found my happy place there! I love sci-fi books and films, but my writing inspiration always comes from real life. The stuff that’s happening in science and tech right now is some of the best sci-fi waiting to be written!

What are your plans for the future?

I’ve stepped away from the Moon, and am working on some other really exciting future-based ideas, so watch this space! (excuse the pun).

‘Moondust’ is available in the U.K and the US now.