Interview with sci-fi romance author Nina Schluntz

Today’s special guest is sci-fi author Nina Schluntz and we’re chatting about her new romance series, Slaves of an Alien Game.

During her virtual book tour, Nina will be giving away a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Nina Schluntz is a native to rural Nebraska. In her youth, she often wrote short stories to entertain her friends. Those ideas evolved into the novels she creates today.

Her husband continues to ensure her stories maintain a touch of realism as she delves into the science fiction and fantasy realm. Their three cats are always willing to stay up late to provide inspiration, whether it is a howl from the stray born in the backyard or an encouraging bite from the so called “calming kitten.”

If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?
I think telekinesis would be nice. Who wouldn’t want to be able to retrieve things without getting up? And I think plenty of us have stared at objects in the hopes we can move them. Or is that just a me thing?

What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?
I think people would be surprised to learn I play World of Warcraft. I don’t fit the normal stereotype. If there’s ever a delay on a book being released, it’s probably because of WoW. I’ll leave it up to you decide if I play Horde or Alliance. I’m not telling.

When writing descriptions or your hero/ine, what feature do you start with?
I try not to start with the same description each time. I go with the motto of “when you first see a person, what stands out?” Think about when you see someone for the first time, there’s usually something about them that sticks in your head. Did they have a big nose? A pimple about to burst? A pimple that looked out of place? Maybe red glasses or their hair was messy. I focus in on that, even if it’s not an appearance thing, like maybe their breathing is heavy or they smell bad because they were working over a fryer all day.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?
I didn’t even know this was a thing until a few months ago. I started seeing it in some forums. I don’t take notes or make an outline, but I do know the story before I start writing it. The only notes I will make are about names and descriptions, so those stay the same. The plot should flow easily enough that it doesn’t need an outline, but I would never just start writing without knowing the main plot and ending. For Slaves of an Alien Game I knew the outcome of each battle before I ever started writing. The road to getting there might have changed a bit, like Ivard was a last minute addition to the story, but Caden’s life known from start to finish. So, yes, I always knew who he was going to end up with in the end.

Did you learn anything from writing this series? If so, what?
I found out a lot more people are open to being abducted by aliens and swept off to a new life and world. The idea of going out on an adventure is appealing to more people than I thought. Even people who have families and loved ones, they get excited when I talk of going to another planet comes up. I did not expect the fan base for Slaves of an Alien Game to be so vast.