Hey, guys! So, as promised, I'm going to be posting a little interview as a celebration of TLP reaching 10 chapters, 50 pages, international readers, and 1K views. Special thanks to Andrea for sending me these questions! :)

1. What inspired you to write The Lunar Project?

Several things! I'd originally drafted the story when I was 13, though I didn't get past 12 pages. The story back then was entirely different and most of its relation to TLP is from basic characterization. The premise itself is actually completely different, and I hope to someday revisit the plot in a different story. The Lunar Project is a manifestation of my love for sci-fi as well as some of my residual excitement from researching diseases in my AP Biology and Physiology classes.

What's interesting is that the disease itself was never supposed to be a disease in the original story, but an aftereffect of a pill. Nigrum sanguis, or black blood, is inspired from the Syfy channel's show Helix. Both the show and my story have the same basics of the viral strain, but mine has a different plot formation and will eventually follow a separate path for a solution to the cure. It's a really cool show, though, and I highly recommend it to people who are interested in that sort of stuff (and can handle gore).

As for the characters, each of them have adapted alongside my reading tastes. Lia, in the original story, was a run-of-the-mill dystopian protagonist, but in TLP I've decided to challenge her with issues regarding PTSD. Later on I'll get into how I've changed her character, but hopefully I'll answer this question as fully as possible!

2. What do you use to create such beautiful covers?

I use a lot of apps on my phone, but to list a few: Moldiv, After Photo, & Phonto. If I want to do some overlays or anything that needs more attention, I'll go on my computer and use Pic Monkey.

3. When and how did you fall in love with science fiction?

I'm not sure when exactly I fell in love with science fiction. My dad is a huge fan of Star Trek, so from the get-go I've had a huge, geeky obsession with space exploration. Some of the sci-fi books that I've read recently that have made me most excited about this genre, though, are Cinder by Marissa Meyer and Across the Universe by Beth Revis.

4. Do you want some competition in Wattpad?

I'm guessing this is asking about whether I'm okay with writing my story alongside other popular authors. I think Wattpad is a very inclusive community and don't necessarily think of it as a competition. I do understand that this particular genre has extremely good writers, especially on this website as it's one of the most popular genres, but I try not to get distracted by competitiveness. I do have my flaws, though. Sometimes I worry over how many readers I'm getting, or how well my story is going with readers, but I think in the end what I really want is to get my story out into the world and to be a part of this amazing community here. :)

5. Would you like to publish your story in the future?

Yes! Thinking about publishing makes me so excited, ahhhh.

6. What would you do if Earth becomes the world you imagine in The Lunar Project?

I would most likely find Dr. Adams as soon as possible and figure out how I can help Project Luna. Finding a safe place, regardless of what I'm working as, would be my number one priority. I would be a terrible Cosmas soldier, though.

7. Are you dating Ather? :3

I think soon enough, we'll all want to be dating Ather. ;)

8. Is there going to be major plot twists later in The Lunar Project?

YESYESYESYESYESYESYES. You will be mind blown. MIND. BLOWN.

9. Are you going to kill Chase?

I actually have gotten this question before, haha. I know you don't want me to kill Chase, and I'm so happy all of you are attached to him. No promises, though. The plotline changes all the time in my head, but I have a few twists that I'm most definitely not changing in the story. I can tell you that there will be some bloodshed, but I will never say whose it is. ;)

10. Are Ather and Lia going to fall in love and have babies?

Hahahaha I don't think they'll be having any babies anytime soon, but we'll see! I love their dynamic so far and I hope I can get into it a bit more.

11. Do you have a cast list?

I actually have thought of this tons of times, but I've never come around to thinking of a cast list. How do you guys picture the characters? Let me know!

12. How do you pronounce Ophelia (I have a hard time pronounce that name, thank you for giving her a nickname XD)?

It's pronounced Oh-feel-ee-uh. It's a pretty random name at first sight, but her character is inspired from Shakespeare's Hamlet. While the Ophelia in the play has a bit of a morose fate, I think her devotion to her family is really telling of how Lia's character in TLP has turned out. Shakespearean Ophelia has bouts of depression, and while I won't spoil her ending here, I'll just say that she doesn't fair to well considering her circumstances. I want to sort of reflect her experience through my Lia in relation to her dealing with her PTSD. However, seeing as Lia's centuries above her, I think she's already adapted into a more independent girl. She's still dependent on her family, yes, but she's starting to understand that sometimes she needs to make her own decisions.

13. Would you think The Lunar Project will make an extraordinary movie if a film company asked you for your permission to make The Lunar Project a sci-fi movie?

Just thinking about this makes me so excited. I'm (hopefully) going to pursue film & media while studying in college so that I can pursue a career in screenwriting, so this is a huge passion of mine. I'd love to see how TLP would look on the big screen!

14. Do you dedicate your story to anyone (except me :3)?

I've dedicated a few chapters to Kass and Andrea, but nobody else! I hope I can do some more dedications later, but I feel like I have to ask for permission from people when I do it. It's really weird.

15. Was it difficult to come up with The Lunar Project?

I've hit some rough patches along the way. I'm not the type of person to write outlines, so changing the story in a split-second is something I do often. Originally, I was supposed to implement the preface of the book into the third chapter, and then I decided against it. It seemed like a trivial decision back then, but I've changed a lot of things since then and the story itself has improved a lot. Sometimes I freak out about how unprepared I am for a chapter, but it all turns out okay in the end. It's not the best work ethic, but it's always worked for me.

16. Who are your favorite published authors and your favorite Wattpad writers/authors?

To name a few, my favorite published authors would have to be Marissa Meyer, Cassandra Clare, Rick Riordan, Michael Grant, Beth Revis, Roald Dahl, and Holly Black. I have a lot of favorite Wattpad writers, but Penny Roux, Kassandra Tate, and Elle Rose are some that I really like reading from. There's a ton more, but I haven't finished all of their writing, so I can't say anything yet. It takes a lot for me to really get into a story, so commenting on it means that I'm really engaged. I've actually gotten to reading stories from people who read The Lunar Project, and I just have to say that you're all talented. Like, absolutely flawless writers. I should probably update my reading list soon, haha.

17. Would you like to go to the moon and travel the universe?

Of course! If I could, I would go all the way to Pluto, because I did my fourth grade project on it right before it was declared a dwarf planet. It was a sad day when I came home to my diorama knowing that it wasn't even considered a planet anymore.

18. What would be your survival kit for the Black Blood Apocalypse?

A first aide kit, a minivan, and some snacks! (Lots of snacks.)

19. If you were in The Lunar Project, what type of keeper would you be?

Probably keeper of literature, like Kassandra. I own an entire library at my house, no joke. And I'm very protective over my books, so I'd think I'd be perfect for the job.

20. Would you like to meet your readers/fans in person?

That would be so cool! If I ever had the chance, I definitely would try! :)

21. Do Ather and Lia have a ship name?

I am absolutely terrible with coming up with ship names! I've heard of Athia and Lather so far. Tell me what you think! What's ship name would you use?

I hope you enjoyed this little bonus! Comment your thoughts/answers. I'd love to hear them! :)

Stay lunar,

Liliana