In 2009 I was working steadily on two middle grade novels, all the while mulling over a science fiction story idea.  I had already done quite a bit of research, staying up late at night reading books on dinosaurs, Creation, Genesis, and space travel. But I was hesitant to begin the story as my plot wasn’t fully developed and honestly, science fiction isn’t really my thing.   Besides, I was determined to get my two other middle grade novels completed first.

Then our world was turned upside down.  My extended family had an emergency, which resulted in my young cousin coming to live with us.  We knew it would be temporary, we just didn’t know how long. We welcomed him with open arms and enjoyed having him in our home.  And through each day, every moment of his time with us, there was this quiet fierceness emanating from him with determination to get back to his mom, no matter what.

It occurred to me that this is the same goal of the main character, Logan, in my science fiction story, to get back to his mom.  And Logan is close to the same age as my cousin.  I decided this was the time to write Cosmic Chaos, not later.  I needed to write while I could see and experience the intensity and longing coming from this young man so I could accurately apply it to my story.

My cousin ended up staying with us for a year and we were very sad when it was time for him to go, but also rejoicing with him that his greatest heart’s desire was being fulfilled.  I continued to write Cosmic Chaos and each time I would see my cousin during holidays and family gatherings, he would ask me with a smile, “Have you finished that book yet?”  I would return the smile and say, “No, not yet.”

I finally completed the first draft about two years after he returned to his mom and the book was published just a few years later in 2015. I’m so thankful for my cousin – that science fiction story idea may have never been written without his inspiration.