This story provides a thrilling adventure that sweeps the reader across some of Earth's greatest archaeological mysteries all the while encapsulating the heros in an end-of-the-world battle between two alien races. Piqued your interest? Read on as Lawrence shares with us more about ESCAPE 2 EARTH 2012 and gives us a peek into his writing experiences.
Welcome Lawrence! Please tell us a little about ESCAPE 2 EARTH 2012.
ESCAPE 2 EARTH 2012 is a sci-fi novel that begins 8 years before December 2012. The three main characters, Matt, Will, and Art discover and eventually decipher cryptic alien messages hidden within crop circles around the world. Earth will be destroyed however another Earth-like planet exists in another galaxy. If Earth’s leaders can decode the alien’s instructions in time billions of lives will be saved. After an encounter with a secret alien origination the three men learn of a plot by a ruthless alien leader that will doom the entire human race. This leads Matt, Will, and Art on a roller coaster ride through deception, sabotage, and murder.
For all you back cover surfers, here's a blurb of the story!
ESCAPE 2 EARTH - 2012 begins when Matt and Will two crop circle photographers team up with a computer expert and discover ominous messages hidden in the circles.
Earth's destruction is imminent. A secret alien organization helps mankind as it struggles to abandon Earth but another devious race of aliens lead by Rotart attempt to thwart their escape. Matt, Will, and Art are reluctantly drawn into an adventure that will unlock the mysteries of Stonehenge, the White Pyramid of China, the Mayan calendar, and the Great Sphinx in a scramble to help save the human race.
This epic quest for Earth's survival takes you from the powdery pink morning skies on the planet Lazon to the subterranean cities under planet Vada and the Whistling forest.
What can you share about your main character/s?
In the spirit of Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek, I wanted it to transcend race and gender. Of the three main characters one is African American and another is British. Will, Matt, and Art are all in their thirties. The fact that the men come from very different backgrounds is an asset because they approach and process problems in different ways. In the beginning, two of the men are crop circle photographers the other is a computer programmer. However, by the end of the story they become much more than three ordinary guys.
There are several women in the story. Although they are not the primary characters I wanted to acknowledge that most of them are smart and mentally strong. Nyssa and Nabila are aliens from Lazon; they are the strongest females in the story. Sara starts off with issues having to deal with a personal tragedy. However as the story progresses she finds her inner strength.
What inspired you to write ESCAPE 2 EARTH 2012?
For many years I have watched documentaries and specials on the sci-fi channel about the mysteries of crop circles, Stonehenge, the Pyramids at Giza etc. One day it just clicked, no one has ever done a science fiction novel using aliens that connects the crop circle phenomenal and various ancient landmarks together. I decided to take it a step future by wrapping it all together with the primary focus being on the upcoming 2012 event.
Did the writing of your book require any research? If so, what surprised you the most while researching for your story?
Absolutely, fans of the book seemed surprised when I tell them I had to research a sci-fi novel. For the most part they focused on the aliens, the mega ships, the bad guys, etc. but nearly seventy five percent of the novel takes place on earth. In the sequel it’s just the opposite, 75% of the story takes place in another galaxy.
ESCAPE 2 EARTH is a global story with parts of it taking place in China, Brazil, Egypt, and the UK. Time zones, customs, and various currencies are involved. I used actual sites and landmarks around the world like the Zocalo in Mexico City and Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. You could say I had an advantage since I have visited many of the places I used in the story. What surprised me the most was how many crop circles appear within a year and where. I was also surprised by what is known as the White Pyramid located in China.
What do you hope readers to come away with when they read your book?
ESCAPE 2 EARTH is pure escapism, a chance to escape from reality. I want people to get way from dealing with day to day problems like bills, work, and their kids. If I had to pick one message from the story it would be unity. I don’t know if this makes sense but even though this is a science fiction novel I wanted it to be realistic. There is a clear enemy in the story and there are casualties. If the human race doesn’t work together they won’t survive. It’s the same in real life, like it or not we need each other.
There have been two covers released for ESCAPE 2 EARTH 2012. Why is that?
When the original book was released I wasn’t sure how it would be received. Every year I attend a few sci-fi conventions and book fairs and the one thing I kept hearing was that people wanted more. They felt the story was too short. They didn’t want it to end so I decided to add 110 additional pages and go with a different publishing company. Since the first publisher owned the rights to the cover I could no longer use it.
It’s something that I always wanted to do but back then we were raising three children and I never found the time. The first story was my idea. It took three and a half years of writing off and on before I finished, but it was my daughter, Lauren, who encouraged me to write the sequel, RETURN 2 EARTH, after she read the first book.
Tell us more about yourself.
I was born and raised in Philadelphia. Even though my stories are sci/fi fantasy some of the experiences of the characters in my stories are based on events I’ve gone through. When I was a travel agent I had the opportunity to travel to a lot of different places including Mexico, Aruba, Jamaica and Canada. One of my first jobs was working for the Philadelphia Housing Authority where I implemented the center’s library for the kids to go to after school also a food bank.
I am impressed to see that you've published 12 sci-fi novels so far. You certainly give your readers a great range of adventures. Are there even more books we can expect to see from you in the future?
Wow, yes I have several projects in the works. My daughter and I have created a series of short stories titled, THE ESCAPE 2 EARTH UNIVERSE. Within that series is a new character, an intergalactic detective name Da’Quan. I am currently writing, PLEASURE ISLAND. this is the third sci-fi short story featuring Da’Quan. GALAZY DEATH RUN is another short story in the same universe as the ESCAPE 2 EARTH series.
I am also about half way through the final novel in the ESCAPE 2 EARTH trilogy. The title of the last story is EARTH 2 REDEMPTION.
Where can readers find ESCAPE 2 EARTH 2012?
You can pick up a copy of ESCAPE 2 EARTH at Amazon.com, Smashwords, Lulu, and Borders http://escape2earth.com/buy.html
Thank you for sharing with us, Lawrence!
Thank you for taking the time to interview me today.
Readers can learn more about ESCAPE 2 EARTH 2012 on its website at http://escape2earth.com/.
To learn more about Lawrence Johnson Sr and his numerous sci-fi adventures, be sure to check out his website at http://lawrencejohnsonsr.com/
You need to be a member of The Book Marketing Network to add comments!
Join The Book Marketing Network