Readers of fantasy, sci-fi and paranormal are, by nature, perhaps more open to the magical pull of the cosmos. We’re keenly receptive to the possibility of magic or divine intervention—it comes with the territory. Those of us who love to loosen the dirt around our roots in reality for just a little while, we fans of fantasy who relish the thrill of other worlds and super powers also delight in losing ourselves to the many wonders of the universe.
Perhaps part of the pull is it’s so easily accessible. The cosmos is always there. Visible to anyone—irrespective of station or status, of age or identity—who simply looks up. How many times have you gazed into the night sky in wonder at the unfathomable expanse of our universe, or seen the jet stream trail of a plane and imagined where the occupants were going? If you’re like me, it happens with regularity.
Since the beginning of time, humans have not only felt the call of the cosmos, but have attached special meaning—special powers—to our universe’s function. Early humans recognized the cyclical patterns of the cosmos as it related to planting and harvesting. They attached mystical and religious meanings to celestial events and objects. The bigger and brighter ones, like the sun and moon, comets, eclipses and meteor showers, were certainly heeded then—as they are today.
Besides its celestial beauty, in addition to its many unfathomable functions, the cosmos’ role in our daily lives has particular ability to inspire wonder. Most genres of literature have taken note of the moon’s power, for example. From the moon’s relationship with werewolves to gravity and tides, it is said to have an effect not just on people, but on phenomena. A full moon is believed to affect receptivity to psychic experiences, fertility, and sanity. There’s deep folklore about performing certain rituals, and cutting or operating under a full moon.
Stars, too, inspire superstition and lore. While we know a star is a luminous sphere of plasma held together by its own gravity (thank you, Wikipedia), I doubt anyone looks into the night sky reciting the clinical definition, devoid of imagination or awe. Stars are ancient sources of navigation, of mythology, of religion, of wonder. In my fantasy romance series Descended of Dragons, heroine Stella (literally star in Latin and Italian) has always felt the pull of the stars. She studied astronomy in college and has always known there was something out there—something bigger than herself. Throughout the series, Stella finds comfort and guidance in the celestial bodies, and in the end, Stella’s precious stars are her salvation.
The mystery and mystique surrounding the cosmos have been recorded since the beginning of time. Even today, authors use the many celestial aspects of our universe as inspiration, as settings, and even as saviors. When next I look up at the sky, I’ll imagine what new world future book characters may find up there. I’ll contemplate which great asteroid will cause the next apocalypse. I’ll wonder about vampires and werewolves and voodoo magic under a full moon. The cosmos: what a great source of inspiration for all of us, writers or not.
Book Blurb Rare Form (Descended of Dragons, Book 1)
A Secret Past
Fiery redhead Stella Stonewall can’t decide between a margarita and a manhattan. The rest of her life? Please. Stella has never really fit in, and her pretty world comes crashing down when she learns it was never her world at all.
Rowan Gresham is domineering, brooding, and as sexy as chocolate-dipped sin. When he transports Stella to the magical realm of her parents she recognizes her rightful place immediately. Gresham’s motivations are less clear.
A Scorching Chemistry
The enigmatic Gresham aids in Stella’s metamorphosis and their chemistry ignites, though a long-time girlfriend and a significant age difference stand in the way.
A Battle for the Rest of Her Life
Stella’s life fast-tracks to extraordinary when she enrolls at Radix Citadel for Supernatural Learning, an enchanted college whose students turn furry on the regular. As Stella learns to navigate the magical new world of Thayer she must also find her animal form, a task as elusive as her ancestry. Stella soon faces an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn to manipulate an animal form she never knew she possessed.
More About the Author
Though she grew up on a working cattle ranch, Jen Crane has been into fantasy and sci-fi since seeing a bootleg tape of ![Jen Crane]()
The Princess Bride. The third book in Jen’s new Descended of Dragons series releases in May. Book 2 in the series was selected by iTunes/iBooks as “Our Pick” in fantasy/sci-fi.
Jen has a master’s degree and solid work histories in government and non-profit administration. But just in the nick of time she pronounced life too real for nonfiction. She now creates endearing characters and alternate realms filled with adventure, magic, and love.
Jen is happily living out her dream in The South with her husband and three children, striking that delicate balance between inspiration and frustration.
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