Title: The Journey: A Gray Guardians Series
Author: Kathy Porter
Publisher: Cott Spangers Productions
ISBN: 979-8987806401
Pages: 523
Genre: Science Fiction / Fantasy
Interviewer: Gary Sorkin
Author Interview Questions: Kathy Porter
Today, Hollywood Book Reviewer Gary Sorkin is talking with Kathy Porter, author of The Journey: A Gray Guardians Series.
HBR: What were some of your visions when beginning the Gray Guardians series, and how has this developed over the penning of 3 books? The Gray Guardians Series began as an intertwining of actual events that happened to me and merged with my fascination with science fiction and space operas. When I started writing the series, I believed I was writing one book, having my characters experience these incidents and creating characters, species, and new worlds. As my storyline developed, the characters took over. I realized they had stories to tell, planets, politics and issues we could learn from. So, my initial book became a planned series of eight books as the characters led me to discover their fantastic accounts of their lives.
HBR: Some of your characters communicate telepathically. Kindly tell us how your imagination of telepathic communication works, for example using different languages or conveying images. Telepathy is a method of communication that has intrigued me since my childhood. I remember reading books where the author expressed the character’s inner thoughts. These thoughts made me wonder, what if others could hear the thoughts? Would it help communication, or would it possibly cause issues if their thoughts were overheard unintentionally? In the Gray Guardians Series, several of my characters have telepathic abilities. The Journey features Amanda Hartman, who is one of the few who have enhanced telepathic abilities, allowing them to mentally communicate over vast distances. Amanda can also implant images into someone’s mind to emphasize their understanding of a situation. Plus, Amanda can change a person’s memory, implanting new experiences to remove trauma or make a happier memory. She also can read thoughts and will intrude into the mind of another when she feels there is danger or deceit. Telepathic communication appears in my first three books. It will also be featured in book four as a preferred method by some species and a means to discover the truth.
The Grays are a species known for abducting humans. When abductees explain their experiences, they experience telepathic information and directions from their Gray captors. Often, humans are left with a warning or a vision of what’s to come for the future of Earth.
HBR: Your writing educates readers on many of the qualities of leadership. How have you developed such a deep understanding on the subject, and have you ever been a teacher or speaker on the subject? I have been an avid political junkie throughout my life. Leaders occupy positions where they can make or break an economy or society. Their leadership can make a country soar to its highest peak or delve into despair. History and a life of watching leaders has given me an extraordinary insight into the minds of world leaders, which I draw from.
As it happens, I was also a teacher; I was a physical education instructor for nearly 12 years. It was one of the most fantastic times of my life, teaching kindergarteners how to become strong and fit. I learned daily from them that life was joyful and fun and taught them how to handle some of life’s complex issues, like how to handle being on the losing team, how to handle a disagreement without violence, and most important of all, how to forgive so you can move forward as friends. Children are our future so I took this responsibility deeply to heart.
HBR: Please tell us your personal thoughts on extraterrestrials and alien societies. There is no doubt in my mind that Gray extraterrestrials are real having encountered them. We have learned to understand that aliens have been part of our history since ancient times. I included many experiences that I have had, and experiences of others within my stories. Alien societies I believe are as basic in life as ours. Every society has political, economic, and need to expand and trade. Each of the planets you will come to know in the Gray Guardian Series I have taken pains to make sure you become knowledgeable of their lifestyle so you can understand where they are coming from even if you do not agree with them. I believe this gives the reader an intimate grasp of what could be going through the mind of a species during a conflict or a romantic interlude.
HBR: Are you currently working on future episodes in the Gray Guardian Series? Currently I am writing book four in the series, Reversal of Prey. If possible it will be out later this year, but early 2025 for sure.
HBR: What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book? Like most authors time is an issue, which has eased up for me since I back off work to concentrate more on writing. Also, I have had eye issues and three surgeries. One of the eye surgeries forced me to be face down for an entire month as my eye healed. Needless to say it was an emotional time. Being that I deal with many emotional issues in The Journey I sometimes needed to take breaks to steady my nerves as many of the situations I wrote about could bring me to tears. Especially when dealing with unwanted children, aliens or humans.
HBR: What was the highlight of writing this book? One character, Amanda Hartman, became center stage and her amazing growth and intuition was a joy to write about. I do not control the characters I create, so some of her abilities and sophisticated critical thinking were a surprise to me. as she revealed all her talents. I believe readers will be enchanted by her.
HBR: How can people find your books to purchase? https://www.grayguardians.com. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and where all books are sold.
HBR: Would you like to mention anything else to your readers? The Gray Guardians Series is a perfect series for new to science fiction readers. It’s suspenseful, fast paced, and makes you wonder if it’s already happening before our eyes. I originally began the series with women in mind, but it has enough conflict, romance and alien cultural issues, battles, and technology for all lovers of science fiction.