Interview with Author Greta van der Rol

Today, I have the privilege of interviewing Greta van der Rol, who is the author of A Matter of Trust. Greta loves writing action-packed adventures with a side salad of romance. Most of her work is space opera, but she has written paranormal and historical fiction.

Greta lives not far from the coast in Queensland, Australia and enjoys photography and cooking when she isn’t bent over the computer. She has a degree in history and a background in building information systems, both of which go a long way toward helping her in her writing endeavours.

Please welcome Greta to the EverydayFangirl blog!

1) What does the title, A Matter of Trust signify?

In A Matter of Trust, trust is the theme of the story. Princess Amira finds that those she expects to trust, fail her. Help comes from unlikely sources.

2) Do the names of the characters in your novel have some sort of significance or importance to you? If so, give a few examples…

Not really. I needed an alien name for the Admiral. Ul-Mellor sounds a little bit different, but it’s still pronounceable. (Unlike something like Admiral Tr’ch-szkry – I’m not sure why authors use unpronounceable names for aliens.)

3) What prompted you to write in this genre and who or what inspired you to?

I’ve read and enjoyed SF for most of my life, usually the ‘hard’ variety by writers like Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov. When Star Trek and (even more so) Star Wars arrived, I thought I could write fast-paced, fun stories like those – only with a bit better science. And a bit more romance.

4) What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer and do your characters reflect some of these attributes?

I think you have to write for yourself and develop a thick skin. Not everyone will like your work. Let’s face it, there are plenty of writers whose work leaves me cold, some quite famous and successful. Like Dan Brown and Terry Brookes. Why should I be immune?

I think Admiral Ul-Mellor has had to develop a thick skin and do things his way. He’s an alien in a human society. Because of his appearance – jet black skin and red eyes – he’s called the Demon Admiral. He has attracted plenty of prejudice, but he has risen above his detractors and achieved his position because he’s very good at what he does.

5) What kind of research did you have to do for this novel that was different from other types of writing that you have done before?

Any space opera combines science with a certain amount of fantasy. In this particular novel the spaceships are atmosphere capable, as in Star Wars. I don’t do that in any of my other SF books. In those, big ships stay in space in orbit or at space stations, and small shuttles or space elevators are used for the journey to the ground. Since this particular story started off life as a fan fic, it also has a few intelligent alien species. I don’t normally do that, either. I’m sure there’s heaps of life out there, but intelligent, space-faring life will be rare. I have intelligent aliens in my Ptorix Empire stories – but those aliens are not at all humanoid. In A Matter of Trust, Ul-Mellor is a Jort – but I make it clear that Jorts are descended from humans, with only a few differences in DNA. So I guess what I’m saying is that I didn’t have to do any special research for this novella. It was great fun to write.

6) What makes you laugh?

Clever British humour, in particular the late, great Ronnie Barker. The antics of animals. Fine weather. The beach.

7) What makes you cry?

Cruelty to animals. Deforestation. Pollution in the sea.

Greta THANK YOU for taking the time to coming over and answering my questions! It was fantastic having you stop on by!

Thanks for having me. It’s been fun!

A Matter of Trust

Will the Demon Admiral protect her from her family?

Princess Amira is ready to start a new life after the death of her husband, but that doesn’t include marrying the man her father picks out for her. Pursued by his agents, she races across the galaxy in a desperate search for a safe haven. Amid simmering tensions at the edge of the Empire, Amira renews her acquaintance with Imperial Admiral Ul-Mellor. Although his detractors call him the Demon Admiral, Amira finds him intelligent, articulate, and very attractive.

But Ul-Mellor is not human and Amira is a princess – far above Ul-Mellor’s status on his home world. He and Amira will have to overcome a gulf of cultural and class differences if they’re to turn their mutual attraction into a relationship. And what will Ul-Mellor do when faced with a choice – Amira or his hard-won commission?

Read an excerpt http://www.wattpad.com/story/14461185-a-matter-of-trust

You can find out more about Greta van der Rol and A Matter of Trust by visiting any of the following sites:

Website – http://gretavanderrol.net/
@GretavdR on Twitter
Greta.J.vanderrol on Facebook
Payhip
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iTunes
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