Simone Pond's Blog - Posts Tagged "science-fiction"
Of course Ava Rhodes is no Katniss Everdeen
First of all, let me say I'm flattered that some book reviewers and critics have mentioned The City Center's heroine, Ava Rhodes, in the same paragraph as The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen. This is a huge compliment. Yes, they are young women who rebel against their oppressive circumstances, but that's pretty much where the similarities end.
In The City Center, Ava is designed from her inception to be a symbol of perfection. She's raised inside a modernized center where she's sheltered and pampered, and lives a life of luxury. Ava is borderline robotic because of her programming. While Katniss is living in the worst conditions, starving to death and has been fighting for survival since birth.
Inside the City Center people are pumped up with chemicals and years of indoctrination to keep them unaware and clueless of their prison state, so this should indicate the level Ava is operating from. She's not a wimp, she's like a newborn foal slowly discovering how to use her wobbly legs. To have her escape the City Center, guns blazing, would be totally out of character. Her ascent into heroine-ism is slow and steady, and eventually she wins the race.
Some critics say she's strong at certain points, but then she checks out from time to time. And I say, of course! I don't know anyone who's faith or courage doesn't waver every now and then. Ava's overcoming a long-term internal conflict––the abusive relationship with her assigned partner, James, that's been pecking at her self-confidence and planting seeds of doubt since she was a kid. This might not seem like a big deal to contend with, but in my experience it's usually the 'smaller' stuff that knocks me on my ass.
I'm not writing this to defend my work, but rather my heroine, Ava Rhodes. I wanted to keep her in character and true to her story arc. Sure, the ending might have been a bit rushed. It's my first novel and I was so excited to get it out into the world, I wanted to hurry up and get it done. Also, I wasn't as interested in the specifics of rebuilding the city––that might happen in another novel––I was more interested in Ava's journey from being a prisoner in Plato's cave to a place of awareness and enlightenment.
Hope this clears things up, I feel MUCH better. And so Ava.
In The City Center, Ava is designed from her inception to be a symbol of perfection. She's raised inside a modernized center where she's sheltered and pampered, and lives a life of luxury. Ava is borderline robotic because of her programming. While Katniss is living in the worst conditions, starving to death and has been fighting for survival since birth.
Inside the City Center people are pumped up with chemicals and years of indoctrination to keep them unaware and clueless of their prison state, so this should indicate the level Ava is operating from. She's not a wimp, she's like a newborn foal slowly discovering how to use her wobbly legs. To have her escape the City Center, guns blazing, would be totally out of character. Her ascent into heroine-ism is slow and steady, and eventually she wins the race.
Some critics say she's strong at certain points, but then she checks out from time to time. And I say, of course! I don't know anyone who's faith or courage doesn't waver every now and then. Ava's overcoming a long-term internal conflict––the abusive relationship with her assigned partner, James, that's been pecking at her self-confidence and planting seeds of doubt since she was a kid. This might not seem like a big deal to contend with, but in my experience it's usually the 'smaller' stuff that knocks me on my ass.
I'm not writing this to defend my work, but rather my heroine, Ava Rhodes. I wanted to keep her in character and true to her story arc. Sure, the ending might have been a bit rushed. It's my first novel and I was so excited to get it out into the world, I wanted to hurry up and get it done. Also, I wasn't as interested in the specifics of rebuilding the city––that might happen in another novel––I was more interested in Ava's journey from being a prisoner in Plato's cave to a place of awareness and enlightenment.
Hope this clears things up, I feel MUCH better. And so Ava.
Author Interview via The Reading Cat
What book genre of books do you adore?
Speculative fiction and memoir.
What book should everybody read at least once?
The Outsiders.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I was born in Kensington, Maryland - a small town just outside of Washington D.C. I went to the University of Maryland, College Park and moved to San Francisco a week after graduation. After five years, I headed south to Los Angeles where I live today. I came for the opportunity and stay for the weather. I love the city, but my dream is to retire in the small town of Ojai, CA.
How did you develop your writing?
By writing, writing and writing.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
I love sharing my work. When I was in junior high school, I’d write stories in my spiral notebook and read to my classmates. They couldn’t wait to get to class the next day to hear what happened.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
My family is incredibly supportive. My father is my number one blog commenter. I drive my poor friends nuts with my constant requests for their support. I wouldn’t be as inspired to keep going without the love and support of my family and friends.
Do you plan to publish more books?
Absolutely. The City Center is the first in the series. I’m not sure how many there will be total, but I’m staying open to the possibilities.
What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…
I’m a freelance project manager in advertising. The job requires a lot of organizing, communicating and planning ahead. I’ve become an expert on managing the creative process – with a smile.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Sometimes I fantasize about living in Paris, but then I’d have to start drinking, smoking and eating meat again.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
I write on a laptop at my dining room table. When I start to get cabin fever I go to a coffee shop to be around other humans. I keep a notepad next to my bed and write notes when they come to me in the middle of the night. I learned the hard way that I won’t remember them in the morning.
The City Center
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre - Science Fiction
Rating – PG-13
Connect with Simone Pond through Facebook and Twitter
Website http://www.simonepond.com/
Original source: http://thereadingcat.blogspot.com/201...
Speculative fiction and memoir.
What book should everybody read at least once?
The Outsiders.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I was born in Kensington, Maryland - a small town just outside of Washington D.C. I went to the University of Maryland, College Park and moved to San Francisco a week after graduation. After five years, I headed south to Los Angeles where I live today. I came for the opportunity and stay for the weather. I love the city, but my dream is to retire in the small town of Ojai, CA.
How did you develop your writing?
By writing, writing and writing.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
I love sharing my work. When I was in junior high school, I’d write stories in my spiral notebook and read to my classmates. They couldn’t wait to get to class the next day to hear what happened.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
My family is incredibly supportive. My father is my number one blog commenter. I drive my poor friends nuts with my constant requests for their support. I wouldn’t be as inspired to keep going without the love and support of my family and friends.
Do you plan to publish more books?
Absolutely. The City Center is the first in the series. I’m not sure how many there will be total, but I’m staying open to the possibilities.
What else do you do to make money, other than write? It is rare today for writers to be full time…
I’m a freelance project manager in advertising. The job requires a lot of organizing, communicating and planning ahead. I’ve become an expert on managing the creative process – with a smile.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Sometimes I fantasize about living in Paris, but then I’d have to start drinking, smoking and eating meat again.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
I write on a laptop at my dining room table. When I start to get cabin fever I go to a coffee shop to be around other humans. I keep a notepad next to my bed and write notes when they come to me in the middle of the night. I learned the hard way that I won’t remember them in the morning.
The City Center
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre - Science Fiction
Rating – PG-13
Connect with Simone Pond through Facebook and Twitter
Website http://www.simonepond.com/
Original source: http://thereadingcat.blogspot.com/201...
Book Trailer - The City Center
Check out my new book trailer: http://youtu.be/nZPeCIJ0dWo
