Of Friction – Book Excerpt

Happy Thursday, friend! Welcome to an interview with author S.J. Lee about her genre blending speculative fiction novel, Of Friction. I am excited to make time for it. Let’s chat with S. J. and learn more.

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Get to know the author: S.J. Lee

Hi S.J.! Welcome to Armed with A Book. Tell me and my readers a bit about yourself!

Hello! In my off-hours, you can find me writing, gaming, or hanging out with my spouse and dog. I tend to go through fixations every two to three years, and this chapter of my life is dedicated to writing this book and trilogy. I was/am obsessed with photography (Sony A7II over here!), graphic design and illustration, competitive FPS eSports, volleyball, lacrosse, mixed martial arts, etc. and I hope to delve into music production after finishing the Altered Earth series. Jobwise, I started in business, but have since shifted to a dream career in security and investigations (9/11 happened at a very impressionable age). I am fortunate to have worked and lived in a handful of different countries, including Iraq, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Guyana, and India in the last ten years. Although currently on assignment in the United States, we plan on moving back overseas in the next couple years.

What inspired you to write this book?

I go further into this in my preface, but I’ve always played my own long-running stories in my head like TV shows when bored or wanting an escape. Every few years, I’d try to record them in written form, but it was never right. This particular one came about in university and, as I grew into myself, the story shifted from one plotline and characters to another within the same universe. These “side” characters became my focus for the last decade.

The actual inspiration and trigger to write this book? A friend recommended a web series to me, and I was so irritated with the writing–even though I watched all three seasons, the movie, and read some fanfics too. That cringe was enough motivation to write a screenplay in nine days. And then that didn’t feel right, so I novelized it.

How long did it take you to write this book, from the first idea to the last edit?

Less than a year after that cringe-binge. After I moved on from the screenplay, the first draft was written in a few weeks. Betas, revisions, and final edits were completed in eight months. My narrator, Savannah Gilmore, finished the audiobook a month after*.

It was relatively fast, but my situation at the time allowed me to fixate (probably unhealthy). Book 2 is in its first editing stages, but I reckon it’ll take a bit longer than the first.

*She’s so good! The audiobook scratched the itch between screenplay and novel.

What makes your story unique?

It’s a character-driven story in a slightly post-apocalyptic and dystopian world. The characters are not “chosen ones,” just people who are trying to manage. None of this is too unique, but the story has representation that I wanted to see in the science fiction and action genre.

Who would enjoy reading your book? 

Most anyone, I think. It is genre-bending enough that there is something for everyone. Except bigots, apparently.

Did you bring any of your experiences into this book?

Yes! Although I’m not with the military, I manage, work, and train closely with them (paramilitary). I’ll always have a soft spot for my marines, my crayon eaters and window lickers. There are several injections from my own field and experiences in the book, specifically from my year in Iraq.

What’s something you hope readers would take away from it?

The main theme in this first book is identity. I struggled with the culture shock and transition back to “normal” life after working and burning out in Iraq and Mexico. Among other factors, I was in such a slump before I started writing Of Friction. You can be more than your job.

Also, perspective. No one thinks they’re the villain…

Do you have a favourite quote or scene in the book that you find yourself going back to?

To be honest, most of my decades-long story wasn’t in this first book. Turns out what I had in my head was a subplot and I had to figure out all the other devices to get to the points I wanted. Most of my angst-ridden scenes will be in the second and third book. But to answer this question, my favorite scene is probably one toward the end of the book and only via audiobook. For some reason, I feel nothing when I read my own stuff, but hearing the narration? Yes. On repeat, thank you.

Of Friction is the first book in the Altered Earth series. Can you tell me more about the series? What is your vision for it?

Without spoiling Book 1 too much (sorry, not sorry for the cliffhanger), the series will dive further into the characters and how they address anger, trauma, addiction, friendships/relationships, morality, radicalism, etc. as the situation deteriorates around not only them, but the entire human and Altered populations.

What is something you have learned on your author journey so far?

Discipline > Motivation.

Also, imposter syndrome and I have never been closer friends/enemies. In all my other hobbies/projects, I never had to deal with it at this level. Sharing your writing is so vulnerable. It doesn’t go away, but life continues.

What’s the best piece of advice you have received related to writing?

Just write. Don’t try to edit your first vomit draft until it’s done. It’s going to be terrible. Let it be terrible.

If you could give a shout out to someone(s) who has helped in your writer journey, please feel free to mention them below!

To the people around me who have tolerated my highs and lows–especially my patient and supportive spouse. And I’m willingly getting back on that emotional roller coaster for Book 2 and 3! Sorry, Amor.

Where can readers find you on the Internet?

Connect on Instagram, Goodreads and find other links on LinkTree.

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Book Excerpt from
Of Friction

“You saw the big kid’s tattoo?” Fox’s voice broke the spell.

Nas nodded vigorously, a frown contorting his brow. “Charon’s mark.”

Kai called out, “Jun, the Charonites. How large is the presence here?”

The teenager threw his voice over his shoulder. “Big.”

“We are closer to the border,” Nas added.

“And in the south,” Miriam said.

“I heard that Charon himself grew up in one of the southern settlements. Before all the ‘humans first and only’ stick,” Nas said.

Kai turned to him. “And who did you hear that from?”

Nas shrugged.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” said Miriam. “His words are like wildfire in the outer settlements.”

“Is his mantra really that terrible?” Fox said.

Kai’s head whipped to him. “Humans first and only?” She emphasized each word separately.

“We are humans, Kai,” Fox said.

“So you support kidnapping, torturing, raping, and executing innocent people?” 

“Are alties actually innoce—” Nas cut off as Kai’s intense glare stabbed at him. He flinched. “Add on how they treat sympathizers. COC doesn’t care about collateral damage.”

Fox raised his hands in defense. “I d’int say I agree with how they do it. They’re nutters anyhow.”

But he had already stoked a fire. Kai’s face flushed, and her steps became heavier against the dirt road. “They’re criminals. Terrorists. They’re on the same level as wunbies. ‘One blood, one promise’ drivel.”

Fox pumped his hands again. “Oy. I don’t support the COCsuckers, Kai.”

Kai sighed, her ire dissipating. “Why can’t we just coexist?”

“Yoomy and COC? Or humans and alties?” Nas snorted. “Things are okay with the alties right now, I guess. But only because of Station. And maybe the current Sovereign.”

Yuri, who like Krill, Sam, and Scott, had remained quiet but was following the conversation, called out now. “Nas, were you even alive during the last Sovereign’s reign of terror?”

Nas mock laughed and stuck out his tongue. He wasn’t immune to the age jokes from the team, even with Junpei there.

The team’s second winked back.

“Well, we’re doing better now, at least,” Kai said. “We have the summit, so that’s a big step. We have City Center in Station. If only we could get the south to play nice…” She perked up. “Jun, what are the settlements really like? Any equivalent of diplomatic centers or efforts here?”

Fox rolled his eyes. “If they did, we wouldn’t be here, would we?”

Kai shot a look at him.

Junpei shrugged. “We have the governor and other leaders. But I do not think anything diplomatic like you say. My mother used to tell me and my sister stories about the old times, when it was more peaceful. She said the towns used to be run by old women. Elders or something… They were more diplomatic, I think.”

“Matriarchs?” Kai asked.

“Yes. Those. She said they kept the peace a long time ago, but then the alterados came and…no sé. They’re just stories now. I guess the people wanted more security. More power.”

Yuri chimed in. “Sounds like they became scared. Fear does drive people…”

“And hate,” Miriam said.

Kai shook her head. “So they turned to the Charonites?” She pondered for a second. “I guess you can’t blame them. Legionnaires are pretty intimidating.”

“Have you met one?” Nas said.

“No, have you?”

Nas shook his head. “I think I’ve only seen them from afar. That armor though…wish I could get a better look. I’d love to see a praetorian too…”

“I could take one on,” Fox said. “Get rid of all that tech and armor? Yeah. I could take on a legionnaire. Think you could, too, kid.” He patted Junpei on the back.

Sam didn’t have to scoff. Kai, Nas, and Miriam did it for her.

Junpei looked at Fox, the others, and then back to the large marine. “I think I am good. The regular alterados are already…” He quieted.

“Nah, Legion ain’t too bad. It’s just their armor, but once you get through that, easy peasy,” Fox grunted back, but with a softer smile reserved for the kid.

Sam raised an eyebrow. Fox was wildly understating, but Junpei’s shoulders relaxed.

The path flattened out into a road barely wide enough for two rabbits side by side, or six of Echo shoulder to shoulder. Small fencing on each side of the lane separated the throughway from rows of vertical pods with fresh greens. Irrigation and fertilizing tubes ran between each pod, and micro-solar panels covered the tops of each rack. The north had similar structures, but Sam had never seen this many farms together in one place.

Loud voices and commotion turned her attention further down the road. Sam could make out a group of men smudged with dirt and dark stains huddled around something, struggling to drag it into the road from a perpendicular path. Beyond that, Sam could make out a bridge over what she assumed was the river.

“Hey, hey.” One scrawny, especially dirty man with mangy hair nudged one of the others and nodded at the marines who had come to a stop meters away from them.

Fox quietly pulled Junpei, who had gone stiff, behind him.

Sam realized the large bag on the ground was, in fact, a person. It was a bloodied man with a swollen face, and scrapes and welts showing all over exposed skin where the clothes had rolled up or torn. A breeze lifted, and she could smell a metallic copper twang mixed with another foul scent. She wasn’t sure if it came from the person on the ground or the hoard of men surrounding him.

A tension suspended in the air as the gang turned to face Echo. Sam angled herself toward the right side of the road, almost standing in the ditch shoulder to watch everyone. She knew her brother had moved to the left, mirroring her.

There were six people. Sam monitored as two of the men furthest away moved their hands to their waistbands. She could spot dark shapes of ink on different parts of the individuals’ skin. Children of Charon lamps.

She touched her right thumb to cool metal and slowly manipulated the safety off on her rifle, keeping the weapon in a casual position against her chest so as not to alarm or telegraph her intentions. She could hear a few soft clicks around her as the other marines had the same idea. They hadn’t even reached the settlement walls and were already face-to-face with their target.

Krill held a hand out in a greeting and placating gesture, not touching the weapon still slung on his shoulder. He called out in a steady voice, “Good afternoon, gentlemen.”

One of the gang members, a large birthmark stamped on the side of his bald head that looked like a single horn, dropped the leg he was holding and straightened up much taller and wider than Echo’s team lead, almost the same height as Fox. He puffed his chest out and looked menacingly up and down at Krill and the heavily armed group behind him.

Sam fought the urge to roll her eyes. The bull had bravado.

A knotted, smaller hand curled around the man’s forearm at his lamp tattoo. At the touch, Bull took a small step to the side, although his threatening glare settled on Fox. A spindly woman with a small, sharp nose, a shrewish face, and a short haircut that stood up at odd angles stepped forward. A long revolver hung loosely in a tattered holster on her skinny waist.

She addressed Krill in an equally shrewish voice steeped in the regional accent. “Good afternoon…”

Sam was confident Krill’s greeting of “gentle” did not suit the group in front of them.

The woman flashed a cruel smile, and Sam saw red gums and yellowing teeth. Her eyes were dark black, but they blazed with something furious and crazy, asking to be challenged. Her skinny neck showed a red patch of irritated skin—scratch marks.

Sam quickly scanned the others, and she found more of those scrapes. Her lip curled. She recognized it. She had seen it many times before. This woman, this shrew, the leader of this band of misfit Charonites, was a stim junkie. Dilated eyes proved they were hopped up on it now. Sam raised her guard a tick higher. She disliked the Children of Charon, and she hated junkies. The combination…

Behind Shrew and her pet Bull, the person on the ground groaned and flopped over onto their back, the bloody and bruised head lolled to the left. Black and gray hair stuck out in tufts, matted with thick blood. He opened his eyes and looked at the marines.

A flash of blue, green, and brown.

Heterochromatic eyes.

Altered.

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Interested?

Find Of Friction on Amazon, Goodreads, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books and Rakuten Kobo.

Thanks for taking the time to join us for this interview!

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