Title: Power Divided
Author: S. Behr
Series: The Evolutionaries (Book 1)
Genre: YA, Coming of Age, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Behr Ink
Release Date: Jan 21, 2020
Edition/Formats: Digital & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
Violet is the princess of Neyr, the third of the Nine Realms
of Amera. At least, she was until the day came when Violet was to demonstrate
her abilities to the people and solidify her place in Ameran Society. The
citizens of Amera have extraordinary abilities, from living on the ocean floor
to flying in the air. But no one can turn back time. When the unthinkable
happens, tearing her heart and her family in two, Violet flees and is unable to
escape a tidal wave of events that brings her face to face with forgotten
truths buried for millennia. Only the discovery of a thousand lifetimes may
provide the key to her return home. When old enemies arrive on the shores of
Neyr, distrust and prejudice resurface. Secrets begin to explode all around
Violet, setting her world on fire, and those she loves fall victim to a
terrorists' plan to eradicate their enemies. But Amera stands in their way, and
with no mercy, the enemy is willing to go through the innocent to get what they
want. Violet turns to her best friend Lily, and a few unexpected new friends,
who band together to save what they can of her realm, and the rest of Amera.
But in the storm that has turned her world upside down, will Violet be able to
overcome the nightmare of her past in order to save the future of everyone in
Amera, and perhaps the world?
“This first volume in the Evolutionaries series skillfully
balances intriguing worldbuilding, whose details are slowly revealed, with
well-paced action sequences. It also ably handles Violet’s character
development along the way while also offering a diverse, lovable supporting
cast whose members become the protagonist’s close friends and allies. The novel
effectively addresses themes of cooperation and isolationism as well as
autonomy, consent, and moving on with one’s life after learning of long-held
secrets.”
“A notable and thoughtful addition to the crowded shelf of
post-apocalyptic YA novels.” Kirkus
Review
How long have you been writing?
So if we take it literally, since I was about three. Ha-ha!
Ok, seriously probably about four years. I really have been writing longer than
that, but it was by no means anything I would ever want to share which probably
means I should light a fire tonight.
Have you always wanted to write or was that something that
come later in life?
So that’s a really tough question. I have had a really
strange life, I took my first college course at the age of sixteen because I
dropped out at fourteen got my GED and went on with my life. I was completely
independent by then. I had always imagined I would be in music, so writing was
more of a lyrical endeavor in my mind. Then life happens, and you end up where
you never expected to.
It took a few years to decide I needed something other than
photography to keep my creativity going. I was mentally burning out and writing
was therapy.
Do you plot your stories before writing or does it just flow
when you sit down to write?
I do have a general idea of what I am doing before I start,
but I usually let myself have free days to just go nuts, then I do a readback
every morning before I continue. I have two jobs, so my time is very
structured. I only get so much time to write so I try to make it as efficient
as possible.
Do you use a Story Board (Notebooks) to keep everything
organized for when you write series?
I do, but not in a traditional sense I suppose. I have a
murder board for the big rules, and when I feel like I can’t write for the book
that day, I go into character bios and make background histories for all the
characters no matter how minor.
This actually helps me know them, and how they would react
in situations while I am writing, and makes it feel more organic when I am in
the thick of things.
What is the hardest part of writing for you character growth
or world building?
The hardest part, of The Evolutionaries series, is that
there is just too much. I could tell you everything I imagine the world to look
like, smell like, down to the food they are eating. So finding the balance
between world building and info dumping has been the biggest challenge.
I love a good story,
in all artforms. I have been a professional photographer for nearly 20 years
and I had to learn to tell a story with a click of a button and capture the
layers of emotion in a single image. Little did I know it was boot camp for
writing.
Being an author was a childhood
dream and as I got older it seemed to be a dream that grew further out of reach
with each passing year. But with encouragement from a lot of friends, new and
old, my husband being my biggest cheerleader, The Evolutionaries series has
begun with Power Divided.
To keep me company during my
writing bubbles are my husband and our fur babies. They love whatever I write,
even if they can't read it but they don't always love the music I write to. We
all have to make sacrifices! And I am still pinching myself ever since I found
out, that, recently I became a Featured Author. Power Divided will be in the
Feb 15th Issue of Kirkus Magazine.
"This first volume in the
Evolutionaries series skillfully balances intriguing world building, whose
details are slowly revealed, with well-paced action sequences. It also ably
handles Violet’s character development along the way, while also offering a
diverse, lovable supporting cast whose members become the protagonist’s close
friends and allies. The novel effectively addresses themes of cooperation and
isolationism, as well as autonomy, consent, and moving on with one’s life after
learning of long-held secrets." excerpt from Kirkus Review about Power
Divided.
STEPHANIE BEHR
It took a long time to realize
that being half Chinese and half Filipino, (the country I was born in), then
growing up in Texas from the time I was less than a year old, made me a child
of many faces, traditions, and ideologies. Needless to say, it was confusing.
But it was also amazing, and I am the person I am because of all the places my
life has taken me so far, and the people I have met along the way.
When I met my husband, he was a
rock star, and I was his biggest fan. His first gift to me was a camera, and
without the support of Pushmonkey (his band), I might not have learned how much
I love photography and made a career full of priceless moments. Now, Howie is
my biggest fan. With photography, we got to work together, and it has taken us
around the world. Who would have thought that would happen when I opened that
gift, my very first camera?
Photography is the study of
light. To capture a story in a moment and freeze emotions with a single click.
To commemorate memories for future generations. I learned how to tell a story
with a single image. Little did I know it would also be what started me down
the path of wanting to tell stories with the written word.
SEE YOU IN
THE NEXT BOOK!
