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Me: Many of the characters in the book face significant challenges and obstacles. Is there a particular message or theme you hope readers take away from their journeys? Author: Absolutely, Becky! In Spark, I aimed to ensure that you and your companions faced external and internal challenges, reflecting real-life experiences' complexities. Throughout your journey, I wanted to mirror the adversity that many individuals confront in their lives. Crafting characters that readers could relate to was crucial for grounding the story in authenticity. I portrayed you, Becky, as the main character, with deliberate flaws and questionable decisions, illustrating the human capacity for imperfection. Your brother Tommy's struggles with addiction and mental illness, using sarcasm as a coping mechanism, were meant to show the multifaceted nature of personal battles. Despite the conflicts between you and Tommy, I wanted to highlight the deep bond and care you both share. Additionally, your friend Connor serves as a stabilizing force, offering rationality and support amidst the chaos of your journey. 
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The author is in the brainstorming phase of her next project. She has yet to decide what story to write, and she needs an outline before starting to write. Should she write a prequel, sequel, or parallel story to Spark from my best friend Meghan’s point of view? It could offer a fresh take on familiar events and characters, giving readers a deeper understanding of my world. Or should she write a story about life living on the CVN-68 Nimitz, a floating city retrofitted from a decommissioned US aircraft carrier in the Hudson Bay? The concept of a bustling community living in somewhat isolation presents endless possibilities for adventure, drama, and exploration. I can tell the author is thinking hard, but she doesn’t have a full story yet. Writing makes her happy, so for now, she’ll blog, and I’ll blog, too.  Aug, 20xx As we scramble through the chaos of the recent disasters, my mind can't help but swirl with paranoia and fear, especially with the mysterious H20N17 virus lurking in the shadows. Everyone's trying to piece together where this thing came from. Some say it stems from the toxic algae bloom, while others blame it on a chemical spill during the earthquake. And then there are those crazy rumours about secret labs in Ghost Town. Who knows? Maybe that homeless guy Meghan and I saw on our way to Reunion Square who scratched himself raw is the source. I really don’t know. With the Prime Minister's warning still echoing in our ears, it feels like we're really stuck in a nightmare straight out of a horror movie. I mean, imagine surviving the earthquake, only to have our neighbourhood go up in flames, forcing us to flee for our lives. It's like the world's gone crazy; we're just trying to stay one step ahead of the chaos. Every day is a struggle, and the exhaustion is starting to wear us down. But we're not giving up. We will push forward, no matter what. And Meghan, I really hope that you're safe somewhere.  Me: Ms. Leung, what inspired you to write Spark? Author: What inspired me to write Spark was a combination of my concerns about certain issues like global warming and mental health. These topics resonate with me, and I felt compelled to weave them into the book's narrative. I chose to follow your journey in an apocalyptic world. This setup allowed me to explore themes of survival, resilience, personal growth, and the human condition while incorporating the issues I care about into the story. Me: That's pretty interesting! Where can I read my book? Author: Good question! Spark is available from all major retailers. You can find the button to get a copy from Amazon on the top right corner of this page (or click here). The other retailers are listed on the homepage. You can also ask your local library to pick up a copy of Spark so you can borrow the book from the library.  20xx Introducing Barkley, my German shepherd mix! We got him after a scary break-in, thinking he'd be a fierce guard dog, but it turns out he's more of a couch potato. Still, having him around always brings me comfort, you know? He's like my own personal therapy dog. And when it came time for me to embark on this crazy journey to escape disasters, there was no way I was leaving him behind. Barkley's my loyal sidekick, and I couldn't imagine facing the chaos without him by my side. I love this special boy to bits.  20xx There's this girl, Lucy, who was the same age as me, and they found her body in a cardboard box at an abandoned playground. I didn't know her, but I might have caught a glimpse of her getting cozy with someone at a deserted lot hidden by trees and tall grass once. From what I've heard on the news, she had it all—wealthy parents, living the high life. But then they say she started stealing from them for drugs and got involved in other stuff, too. But her being murdered? That's messed up. I'm stuck wondering—should I come forward about what I saw? Will it put me in danger? In this rundown neighbourhood, we keep to ourselves.  20xx Have you heard about the supposed secret society lurking in Ghost Town? Yeah, those old, half-sunken buildings are behind the chain-link fence atop the dike. The word on the street is that there's some kind of cult or group living back there. Nobody really knows for sure—except for the ones in the know, of course. But hey, illegal immigrants have been found hiding in those high-rises, and it's all over the news when the special forces swoop in to round them up. The thing is, it's strictly off-limits to go poking around behind that fence. The government's got surveillance set up to keep people out. Get caught sneaking in, and you're looking at a hefty fine or even a stint in jail. But you know how it goes—some folks are drawn to the thrill of doing something forbidden, or they're convinced there's some shady stuff that needs to be exposed. People have been whispering about government experiments, like testing out new drugs or creating clones, all behind those fences. Some even swear there's a whole hidden community living in Ghost Town. The media's tried to shed light on it, sharing images and stories, but the government's always quick to shut it down, saying it's all just to protect us from floods and stuff caused by rising water levels. But what do you believe? Do you think there's more to it than they're letting on?  20xx Two decades ago, Canada was drawn into the conflict among many nations, leaving scars that still linger. In response, mandatory conscription into the National Service for at least a year has become a solemn obligation for every eighteen-year-old. Most recruits, including myself and my friend Meghan, are destined for the Army under the Military Division of the National Service. Our training begins at the Canadian Forces Base Suffield in Suffield, Alberta, a rigorous four-week program designed to equip us with the skills needed for defense. As I approach my turn for service, I know the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. It's a reality we've all grown up with, understanding that the world remains on edge, teetering on the brink of conflict. But I'm prepared to face whatever lies ahead, ready to do my part in safeguarding our nation's future.  Aug, 20xx So, Meghan and I were down at the waterfront in Langley, BC, pumped to celebrate the Navy homecoming of my childhood friend and crush, Robert, along with Meghan’s mysterious cousin, Connor. We were all buzzing with excitement. But then, out of the blue, an earthquake hit, throwing everything into chaos. Meghan and Robert got separated from Connor and me in the madness. As if that wasn't enough, later that night, the seawater suddenly turned an eerie fluorescent green. It was seriously freaky, like something straight out of a sci-fi flick. But the craziness didn't stop there. Wildfires broke out in my neighbourhood, forcing my brother Tommy, my dog Barkley, Connor, and me to hightail it out of there. It was a night full of unexpected twists and turns, and we had to stick together to make it through in one piece!  |
