| Author promotes “Sci-fi Chick Lit” in latest novel in adventure series.
Sci-Fi from a Female Perspective
Today, as more female writers enter the world of science fiction and fantasy, multi-faceted heroines and relationship-based storylines in novels are attracting a whole new audience to the genre. Women who have previously read historical fiction and romance are now flocking to science fiction, as evidenced by the highly successful futuristic In Death series by J.D. Robb, aka bestselling author Nora Roberts. Science fiction and gaming conventions, once famous for luring Dungeons and Dragons players out of their hobbit holes, are now playing host to female fans drawn in by their favorite leading ladies. These heroines are saving ancient universes, fighting off evil warlords and setting the standard for strength and femininity.
Heather Hayashi is the latest writer to find success in this new “sci-fi chick-lit” genre. In her latest novel, The Forgotten Past: The Arhka Chronicles, Volume II, Hayashi interweaves science fiction, fantasy and adventure with the exploration of personal relationships and emotions. This new blend of science fiction from a female perspective delivers an action-packed plot in a novel that also takes the time to discover the thoughts and motivations that lie inside each character.
A sequel to the first novel in the series, To Save the World, The Forgotten Past continues the story of Stephanie, her mother and best friend, who have all gone missing on the foreign planet of Arhka. Her brother Derrick and her best friend’s brother, Jason, set out to save them - and the fate of the world. The Forgotten Past features bold, independent women in a science fiction adventure story that would otherwise be reserved for macho action heroes. There are no heroines in skin-tight super-hero costumes in Hayashi’s novel, just Stephanie, a headstrong tomboy from Earth with a penchant for video games, who realizes her own inner-strength while in another world.
“We’re so used to reading novels about Frodo and Harry Potter saving the day,” says Hayashi. “I wanted to see something with well-developed characters a female audience could identify with.”
Hayashi lived much of her youth with her single mother, who helped her move past the emotional turmoil she had held inside since her parents’ separation. Her experience growing up with a strong single mother influences the independent female characters featured throughout her work.
“My mother saw what I needed before I did,” says Hayashi of the difficult time after her parents’ divorce. “With her help, I learned much about the strength of the human spirit. This emotional time in my life eventually became a great source of creativity and inspiration for me, and out of that time, The Arhka Chronicles were born.”
Hayashi lives in Austin where she continues to create further adventures in the Arkha Chronicles. An experienced national traveler, her personal interests include Japanese animation, video games, web design and art. To learn more, visit www.dragonwriter.com.
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