LUDLOW, Maine — Local author Betty J. White has penned a new science-fiction novel that features scenes from the greater Houlton area.
“The Tellurians,” story begins in Houlton at the Community Farmer’s Market but quickly transitions to a fantastical journey, 140-million miles away.
According to her website, “The Tellurians” is a futuristic sci-fi novel grounded in historic realism, a springboard to credibility, taking the reader on a journey from northern Maine to the founding of the first colony on Mars. Readers will be rewarded with having a renewed sense of faith and confidence in human exploration of places far, and near, and within the human soul itself.
“I wanted to write about heroes because heroes are important to me as role models and as positive examples who provide inspiration,” White said. “My fondness for science fiction stems from way back. When I was 23 years old, I was a science teacher. I believed that introducing sci-fi as a reading genre helped to interest students in both reading and science.”
White said one of her early students became a NASA scientist and is still a close friend.
Betty J. White of Ludlow has written a new science fiction novel, “The Tellurians.” (Contributed photo)
“I have followed the space program closely from the 1950s,” she explained. “So, I wanted to write a sci-fi novel because I am fascinated with science and technology.”
White took about a year-and-a-half to complete the actual research and writing process, but it was not a difficult exercise.
“When I started writing the story, I decided I needed to establish a writing schedule,” she said. “I sent a message to one of my favorite writers and asked her how much time she devoted to writing each day. I never received a reply. This was just as well because I immediately discovered that I was so full of thoughts about the characters, the plot, the setting, and the research that the writing process enthralled me. To prevent writer’s block, a writer should more or less, write every day.”
White completed her undergraduate work at the University of Maine in Orono and earned her “English as a Second Language” endorsement at National-Louis University in Chicago and her master’s degree from Louis University. She has served as an educator for numerous school districts and taught English composition at Northern Maine Community College’s Houlton outreach center.
White said she continues to expand her knowledge of space exploration, plant and animal eugenics, geology, human relationships and issues that affect people and the environment.
“The numerous areas of science, although specific in their own way, are all connected,” she said.
White also has a passion for music and the fiber arts.
“Readers may expect to find that the humanities are an important part of life for the members of the first colony on Mars,” she explained. “With that said, it should come as no surprise that this is a sci-fi novel for knitters and anyone who enjoys a hand-knit sweater, hat or a pair of socks.”
The book includes a knitting pattern inside, as well as a discussion guide. She is also planning a sequel.
White’s books are available from Lulu.com (http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/bettyjwhite), Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.
