OPHELIA STARCLUCK SAVES THE GALAXY by Kristen Gwen

When I interviewed Kristen Joy Wilks about the latest book in her Phooey Kerflooey series, she mentioned a few books her readers might enjoy. One of those was OPHELIA STARCLUCK SAVES THE GALAXY by Kristen Gwen. Have a look:

Two chicklings. Two weasels. One epic battle.

Ophelia Starcluck can’t lose another friend. When her last bestie, Keira, moved away, she told Ophelia that since she didn’t like jumpers and sunflower seeds, she never wanted to see her again. Then Ophelia met Finn, and she’s 95. 7% sure they have everything in common. Nothing could rock their friendship … until weasels, intent on terrorizing the galaxy, invade their spaceship and knock all the adults out with sleeping gas.

Ophelia sends out a desperate cluck for help to any nearby ships, but no one answers. Alone in deep space, it’s up to her and Finn to fight the weasels in a battle of knowledge and skill to rescue their vessel and crew. But when Finn admits he’s been keeping a secret, Ophelia’s world shatters, putting the battle and their relationship at risk.

With another friendship on the line, can Ophelia work with Finn to kick the weasels off their ship and save the galaxy?

On your website bio, it says you “wanted to be an opera or Broadway star, but decided to stick to writing and perform in community theater productions.” In what ways, if any, has this (or does this) inform(ed) your writing?

My experience in acting and singing has been a huge help to my writing, especially in terms of character development. Actors develop their characters in much the same way as a writer does, by exploring the back story, motivations, voice, and physical attributes and movements of each fictional person. I even had an epiphany early on about show, don’t tell. I was sitting on stage playing Joanna in Sweeney Todd and in one scene I “embroidered” a pattern by shoving the needle into the fabric and yanking the imaginary thread back through. It suddenly dawned on me that I was showing Joanna’s anger. I didn’t have to say a word and the audience could see her emotions.

Acting has also given me a great ear for dialogue, and I have a strong suspicion that singing, especially classical works, has helped the flow and pacing of my sentences. It all ties together in such a beautiful way, and I’m grateful that both of these skills can inform the other. It’s been a fun learning experience.

I’ll bet. I love Ophelia Starcluck and her spunk! How did Ophelia first come to you, and in what ways, if any, has she surprised you?

Ophelia came about when I was chatting with my dad. We were talking about another story I was working on about squirrels, when he randomly said, “Starcluck!” Well, that got my mind a-racing, I can tell you! I started picturing chickens in space and the adventures they would have, similar to my favorite Star Trek series. The name Ophelia came pretty quickly after that, and a character was born.

She’s similar to my oldest daughter with her leadership skills, and impulsive, yet fun nature, and many of the lessons Ophelia learns in the books come directly from things my daughter was learning at the time. What surprised me was that I originally had Ophelia as an adult chicken. I had her on a starship, going on missions, and I believe I will write that series someday, but at the time, the story just wasn’t working. When I made her younger, the story, which became book one, finally came together.

Wonderful. You also have a nonfiction book for kids entitled, Rocket Writers: A Guide for Launching into the Author Space for Storytellers Under 18. What inspired you to write this book in the first place?

I started writing when I was in the 7th grade, but then I focused more on theater and singing in high school and early college. When I returned to writing as a twenty-year-old, I wrote with passion and vigor … but not a lot of skill. I’d written thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of words, but I couldn’t figure out how to plot well and how to make my characters and plot work together. I spent twenty years working on my writing craft before it finally clicked and I was able to complete a publishable book.

Kids and teens are so creative, and they have stories to tell. Those stories need to get out into the world. So, I wrote Rocket Writers because I wanted to help young storytellers learn the skills they need now, (not after a twenty-year struggle 😊) to get their writing out where it can bring their readers hope, joy, encouragement, and inspiration. The world is waiting!

Indeed it is! What are some of your current projects?

Right now, I’m working on book four of the Ophelia Starcluck series, and I’m brainstorming my next writing instruction book for kids and teens. I am also recording the audio version of Ophelia Starcluck and the Rebel Prince, book two of Ophelia’s adventures. Which brings to mind another way acting has helped my writing career: I love narrating my own books!

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