Virtual Mirrors BookClub Notes with Ms. Raven

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A big shout out to Alex Lee in NYC and her awesome group of ladies for hosting our first book club meet and greet. We all toasted with the complimentary swag wine glasses as I shared the origin story of how Mr. Raven and I created the avatar Crystal Raven and inspiration behind the main characters Gemma and Armory.

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Mr. Raven on 5 Hacks on Becoming a Great Author

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1. Confidence. Have confidence in yourself and quit stalling. You don’t need to be the “greatest” author, but with that story in your head, you already are an author. If you are thinking about writing, you are already probably better than you think. The story is in there, so let it out! Incorporating elements in the story you already have learned or know something about also bolsters your confident voice.

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Mr. Raven Interview Excerpts I I

from Authority Magazine

Q: What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

A: Overseeing and participating in converting the Virtual Mirrors series into a screenplay. As I write, I always see the scenes unfold as if it was a movie in my mind. The structure of Virtual Mirrors is intentionally a very cinematic novel, so converting to screen was always a goal.

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Mr. Raven Interview Excerpts I

from Book Marketing Buzz Blog

Q: Thank you so much for joining us! Can you share a story about what brought you to this particular career path?

A: That’s easy! A lifetime of reading and enjoying the work of other authors. Asimov, Crichton, Heinlein, and too many others to name brought me here.

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Mr. Raven

Q & A VIII

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Q: Can you speak more about the world of Virtual Mirrors? Specifically, how did humanity abandon the physical connection to love and intimacy.

A: That’s really the heart of Gemma’s quest. We learn early on that she was mentored by Emma, her Grandmother. Through that education, Gemma is aware of a history that the current ruling powers have almost succeeded in erasing..

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Mr. Raven Q & A VII

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Q: Artificial Intelligence is interwoven throughout VM. Can you speak to some of your favorite tech elements and the inspiration behind them?

A: We grew up watching AI on television and at the movies. Star Trek, as an example, had advanced machines and computers that were woven into the plot. At the time, we all realized these were simply derived from the imaginative minds of that show’s creators, and were something we might not ever see in our lifetimes. That changed for me in about 1982.

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Crystal Raven Book Club Launch

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The Virtual Mirrors series: Is based on a daring heroine’s quest to satisfy her deepest desires for intimacy and sexual fulfillment in a repressed futuristic world.In “Virtual Mirrors,” the world of the future is ruled by the Unions of the New World Order, where the ruling elite is in charge, sexual repression reigns, and personal freedom is at a minimum.

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Mr. Raven Q & A VI

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Q: We learn something about Gemma in the first paragraph as she challenges the reader with lines such as “A simple up-front warning should be included at the start of this tale.” Did you do this to show us her empowerment?

A: Yes, but there’s more to it than that. I wanted to set the tone early for what the reader should expect down the road. The clear implication is that before sharing her story, Gemma has experienced a transformative journey.

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Mr. Raven Q & A V

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Q: Gemma’s Virtual Mirrors obviously takes place in the future, but when exactly? Is there a reason you avoided naming the year her adventure took place?

A: You mean, will take place, as she is living the future, isn’t she? There are several reasons for this. While Gemma does make references to certain past events, such as her musical likes from the late 20th century, or the United States in the 1980’s, these references to the Gregorian calendar are a reflection on her love of history.

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Mr. Raven Q & A IV

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Q: Can you speak to the concept of freedom woven throughout the journals and it’s personal importance to you?

A: The concept of freedom is clearly important to me as it is such a rare gift in the history of humanity. Often, one doesn’t realize it has been lost until it is too late, as liberties can erode incrementally. It takes constant diligence to preserve liberty once it has been established.

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Mr. Raven Q & A III

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Q: Why did you choose the combination of erotica and science fiction?

A: Think of chocolate as an analogy for sex. Most people I know don’t pass up a quality piece of chocolate. The better quality it is, the more it is appreciated and savored. Same for sex. I’m talking about something so delicious that one might be tempted to gorge oneself until it was unhealthy.

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Mr. Raven Q & A II

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Q: How did this story form for you?

A: The story evolved in real-time, using the Hero’s Journey as an outline. Gemma’s goals are clear, but how would she find them in a future world that is set up to thwart her goals?

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Mr. Raven Q & A I

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Q: Why Virtual Mirrors?

A: It’s a tie-in with a piece of technology that actually exists today. Also called smart mirrors, they are digital screens that show the image of a person as if it was a mirrored reflection.

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Crystal Raven Interview Excerpt III

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Q: Can you speak more to the idea of a ‘Virtual Mirror’?

A: Human nature longs for expression. As men and women, we desire physical attraction and chemistry. We have a need for intellectual compatibility, emotional intimacy and spiritual understanding.

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Crystal Raven Interview Excerpt II

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Q: What is an empowered female?

A: As humanity evolves, there is a greater calling for authentic balance in the male and female dynamics. We all have aspects of both the feminine and the masculine within.

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Crystal Raven Interview Excerpt I

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Q: Why did you choose Crystal Raven as a pen name?

A: Essentially, it is a synergy of the two of us. When we were first toying with the idea for this project, “Mr. Raven” came up with a name that would embody both of us.

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