Crisis at Validor Archives - Greta van der Rol Books

On the art of writing what you know

I write mainly space opera. So you might be forgiven for raising an incredulous eyebrow when I talk about writing what I know.

Even if you write science fiction

I guess you guys all know I write mainly space opera. So you might be forgiven for raising an incredulous eyebrow (maybe even two) when I talk about writing what I know. And sure, I take out the space opera tool kit for the space bits. FTL travel, artificial gravity, shields to divert radiation (and attacks) etc etc. But not everything happens out there in the wide black. I usually have some goings-on planetside. And Crisis at Validor is no exception.

Opening scenes – Crisis at Validor

On the 500th anniversary of Human arrival on Validor the queen is assassinated, throwing the country into chaos

In the opening scene of Crisis at Validor Captain Brett Butcher has taken a short holiday at his home planet before he takes command of his ship. He witnesses the assassination of the ruling Queen and members of her family.

The berzhani of Validor

At the heart of Crisis at Validor is conflict over a chain of islands. The planet has two continents. Between the two continents lies a chain of disputed volcanic islands which is home to the Berzhani.

A giant dragon-like creature emerges form the rocks of a cave and looms over a man

Wars have happened throughout human history. They’re usually the result of one country invading another – much as is happening in Europe at the moment. Russia has invaded Ukraine and the Ukrainians are resisting. But sometimes wars can start over silly things.