Writing Science Fiction by Diane Burton #Giveaway

I write science fiction because I believe in the future. I grew up in the days of Sputnik and the Space Race. President John Kennedy said we were going to the moon in that decade, the 1960s, and, by golly, we did. Back in those days, every launch was televised. So exciting to watch that cloud of smoke as the rocket lifted—oh, so slowly—off the launchpad and into the sky.

We explored the moon several times. Then we backtracked, built the International Space Station, and practiced for missions beyond our moon. Once we do go farther into our solar system, I’m certain we’ll set up colonies. Because that’s what humans do—we send out explorers, followed by adventurers, then we colonize.

My new release, Rescuing Mara’s Father, A Science Fiction Adventure, goes in reverse. The story starts in a colony on the frontier of space, the Outer Rim, then takes the reader to a “civilized” planet, a planet in the throes of a rebellion against an evil ruler. Why? To rescue fifteen-year-old Mara’s father from the queen’s clutches.

While the characters—Mara, her best friend, eleven-year-old Jako, and his brother, sixteen-year-old Lukus—have no idea what they’re up against, Mara’s determination leads them on a quest.

I have no doubt that somewhere, out there, are planets colonized by humans. They found “Goldilocks” planets where everything is “just right” for humans to live and thrive. Will we ever meet those humans? Will we ever travel to those planets? Not in my lifetime. In my grandchildren’s? I hope so. I wrote Rescuing Mara’s Father for those grandchildren that they will believe in the future. Maybe one of them will be an astronaut and “go where no one has gone before.”

3 friends, a hidden starship, a quest

Her father is gone! Taken by the Queen of Compara’s agents. Mara has to rescue him before the Queen tortures and kills him.

Instead of the kind, loving father she’s always known, he’s become demanding, critical, with impossible expectations—not just as Father but also as the only teacher in their frontier outpost. Mara would rather scoop zircan poop than listen to another boring lecture about governments on Central Planets. Give her a starship engine to take apart or, better yet, fly, and she’s happy. Now, he’s gone.

Never mind, they’ve had a rocky road lately.

Never mind, Father promised she could go off planet to Tech Institute next month when she turns fifteen, where she’ll learn to fly starships.

Never mind, she ran away because she’s furious with him because he reneged on that promise. Father is her only parent. She has to save him.

Along with her best friend, eleven-year-old Jako, and his brother 15-year-old Lukus, Mara sets off to find her father. Her mentor, old spaceport mechanic, seems to know why the Queen captured Father. In fact, he seems to know her father well. But, does he tell her everything? Of course not. He dribbles out info like a mush-eating baby. Worse, he indicates he’ll be leaving them soon. And Lukus can’t wait to get off their planet. Mara’s afraid they will all leave, and she’ll be on her own. Despite her fears, Mara has to rescue her father.

Rescuing Mara’s Father, A Science Fiction Adventure, is appropriate for middle grade students (4^th grade & up). It's now available at most online vendors.

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

  

GIVEAWAY

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