Acknowledgements and mentors
No creative voyage across the cosmos is made entirely alone. Building the sci-fi fantasy universe of the StarCryer from Crediton has taken passion, patience, and the guiding influence of cherished family and master storytellers. Here is my heartfelt tribute to those who sparked the fire and kept the pages turning.
Family foundations and early inspiration
My journey into literature began long before the StarCryer took flight. My mum helped me immensely from an early age, instilling within me an enduring love for reading and the written word. Later in life, when ideas of starships and mythical realms were merely whispers, it was my darling wife who gave me the vital courage and inspiration to actually sit down and begin writing this debut novel.
Mentors on the page and screen
Crafting a believable universe demands study, and I have found invaluable mentorship through incredible authors. Brandon Sanderson’s university lectures on YouTube provided tremendous practical guidance and encouragement on plotting, structure, and worldbuilding. Alongside him, Douglas Adams inspired my approach with his unforgettable wit and inventive storytelling, whilst the legendary works of Terry Brooks and Michael Crichton shaped my deep love for high-stakes wonder and speculative adventure.
The advice that changed everything
The single most transformative piece of advice I ever received was simple yet profound: if you have a story living in your head, the best thing to do is to get it all down on paper first, and only change it once the whole draft is done. It frees you from self-doubt and perfectionism, allowing the narrative to breathe and discover its own shape before editing begins.
"It doesn't matter who you read, just read what you love and not what someone tells you to love. If you have a book in your head or heart, get it down — even if you think you cannot write, just get it down."
William A Plusnin
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