Do you like to read? Do you like sci-fi fantasy? If so, you must check out The Last Lumenian series. Read along to learn about its author and her creative process.
Those familiar with my many convention adventures may recognize the name S.G. Blaise. S.G. is a sci-fi-fantasy author I encountered during my trips to L.A. Comic-Con and WonderCon. More specifically, S.G. was born in Hungary and raised during Soviet oppression. According to her, Hollywood media was forbidden, but her father smuggled films in regardless of the consequences so that his children could experience the magic and hope engrained in them. Eventually, she grew up and traveled to sunny California, where she is living her dream of writing stories that transcend reality.
As a writer aspiring to be an author, I remember coming across her booth for the first time and being enchanted by how she described the world of her debut novel, The Last Lumenian. I loved the enthusiasm she expressed when describing the Seven Galaxies depicted in her novels, and it reminded me why I wanted to be an author: to tell stories and have fun in the process. She gave me pointers on writing and a signed copy, and I was hyped to learn more books were on the way.
I arranged this interview not too long after WonderCon ‘24 because I am certain there is plenty to learn from her writing experience. If you’re a fellow writer or sci-fantasy enthusiast, keep reading to learn more about S.G. Blaise, her series, and how she became an award-winning author.
Q: What motivates you as a writer? What frustrates you?
A: What frustrates me is that I can’t learn or write fast enough. I have so many ideas and so many stories in me. And this is not a genre or job where you can hurt. It’s important to take your time. So one of the hardest lessons I had to learn was patience. And I’m still learning. Every single day, it’s a battle. And the second thing I had to learn is to enjoy the process, no matter how small the accomplishment feels, always celebrate everything, whether it’s, you know, you finish the first draft, the second draft, that it’s at the editor, whatever that is always celebrated. Because it’s a marathon, not a sprint. And what I love about this, science fiction and writing and storytelling, is that I get to follow my dream and passion. I do what I love. I don’t consider this as a job. It’s fun. And I’m having a blast every single day.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
A: I advise to aspiring writers would be to believe in yourself. The most important thing is to believe, believe believe. If you have to be your first fan, you’re first encouraging to support yourself. And to find time to write that’s the second part of the advice. It’s not going to be a perfect time, there’s no one’s going to say this is the time and everything’s gonna be perfect. You have to find time to write. And it’s okay that you don’t write every single day. Sometimes writing can look like you reading the how-to book, going to Writers Conferences, going to Comic-Con, whatever it is, it still helps you to become a better writer. And a third piece of advice is to read books inside your genre and outside of it, because reading makes you a better writer.
Q: With four books in the The Last Lumenian series, how would you describe your writing routine?
A: My writing routine is definitely evolving with every single book. When I started, it took me six years to get the first book ready for publishing, I was all over the place. There were times when I was writing 24/7. There were times when I was only writing for months, and then I put it down for eight months. These days, what happens is, once I have my outline and my scenes, I tried to do two scenes a day. And sometimes I’m doing this in two hours, and I’m done. Sometimes it takes me eight hours, whatever it is, I usually try to complete that. And other times life happens, you know, I have a vet appointment because of my little dog bit the other little dog and we have to run because there’s blood everywhere. Other times it’s someone else who needs a doctor’s appointment, right? So I tried to be as flexible as possible. And when I sit in front of the computer, and I don’t feel like writing, I walk away, I don’t force it. I know that means my brain is working on that scene. And it just needs a little extra time to figure out what’s going to be on the paper. So it’s okay to walk away. There is no one way to approach writing.
Q: What would you say inspired The Last Lumenian series?
A: The Last Lumenian series was inspired by two things. The first of them was my father smuggling in Hollywood movies when I grew up in the second half of the Soviet oppression. And in my childhood, Hollywood movies were largely forbidden, they premiered in the theater. Not always, sometimes they did and if you missed it, that was it. No second chances. And my dad didn’t like that so he rebelled against this cultural and artistic oppression by smuggling them in translating it to Hungarian using his own voice to dub them. So we could understand what’s happening. And that’s how I was first introduced to the Sci-Fi fantasy genre around the age of seven or eight. And then the second inspiration comes from a dream that I had during a cross-country road trip across Europe. And we were in Austria. When I woke up. I had this burning idea in the middle of the night that I had to write down. So I grabbed my phone, it’s pitch dark around me. And the only light is coming from my phone and I’m typing it in with one finger. And as I’m going I started to realize this story is going to span multiple books. And that was the foundation that sparked The Last Lumenian series.
Q: How would you pitch the series to new readers?
A: The Last Lumerian series is Star Wars meets Lord of the Rings meets Princess Bride with little to no spice.
Q: What went into creating the characters and Seven Galaxies depicted in your series?
A: The creation of the characters is one of the best aspects of The Last Lumenian. We have our main hero, Lila, she is a 19-year-old rebel princess, who is looking to find her place in the Seven Galaxies, and as if that’s not enough, she has to deal with family obligations. Her father, the king, wants her to marry someone through a marriage contract. Meanwhile, she has this love triangle between these two amazing men, and she doesn’t know who to pick. And then, of course, we have meddling gods. Ultimately, she has to pick a side in this war known as the Era War. So she has to deal with all of this. And as she embarks on this journey, she starts to collect allies. We have an unhelpful healer, a mage, warriors, hackers, and love interests that both hinder and bring out the best in the protagonist.
Q: Who or what would you say is the inspiration behind your protagonist, Lilla?
A: The inspiration behind the Lilla was all these experiences I had, up to that point when I sat down to write. And I knew I was looking for a character who could be a female role model, who is also struggling with her own inner battle. She has claustrophobia and experiences panic attacks and anxiety. She also someone who is kind and loyal. And sometimes these good intentions can get in her way. And also someone who is looking for her place and tries to find balance in her life as that was one of my personal quests in life.
Q: What would you hope readers learn from reading this particular series?
A: The main inspiration for the readers is that you don’t have to be a hero to be the hero of your own life. I’m not perfect, my characters are not perfect. And the second is to enjoy this page-turning, ritual-building, cinematic story with diverse characters and find themselves in one of these characters, and enjoy the stories. And to get recharged. Life is not getting easier. So to provide that little escape, it’s my pleasure.
Q: What can you tell us about your next book in the series?
A: In the next book, we’re going to this mysterious jungle planet that seems to be inhabited, where Lilla must be on the top of her game if she’s going to survive what this particular planet has in store for her.
Q: Do you have an idea of how many books will be included in The Last Lumenian series in the future?
A: Right now, we’re on 13 books. And the reason behind this is because the first three books can be a trilogy. And then we have a mini-boss like in a video game that she defeats, and then, there is another mini-boss and more enemies to defeat until she reaches the big boss, which will determine the course of the Era War.
Q: Do you plan to attend more conventions or book fairs this year?
A: I plan to go to the San Diego Comic-Con. And I have a big surprise for everyone who comes. I can tell you right now please stay tuned, you’re gonna start seeing hints on my Instagram feed. And in the newsletter. I am so excited right now. I’m literally jumping out of my skin.
Q: Lastly, would you like to say anything to The Game of Nerds’ readers?
A: I would love to say that I hope I get to meet them one day at one of the festivals or Comic Cons. I love talking to my readers and fans and spoiling them with goodies. We always have something to give out like, you know, the first book, posters, and Limited Edition exclusives. I also love to answer their questions about the genre or the book heroes. Or if they’re themselves writers, if they have any looking for any advice, I have my email in my book on the copyright page; they can always reach me when you sign up for my newsletter; I have a little PDF you can download that has some resources in it. I always try to update it every year or so. And then, of course, you can always ask me in person or on Instagram. I’m here to help and lift fellow writers and authors because I believe the tide lifts all boats, and we’re doing this together.
If you’re a writer, tell us in the comments if you felt inspired while reading through this interview, and tell us what you love about sci-fi fantasy. The world of The Last Lumenian awaits you!
