PHOTO: Award-winning author Hayley Chow, creator of Into the Churn, brings passion and authenticity to her captivating science fiction series.
Passion-fueled Writing That Captivates Readers
Hayley Chow, award-winning YA author, shares her journey of crafting Into the Churn, blending personal experience, science fiction, and heartfelt relationships into a multidimensional, action-packed series readers adore.
Hayley Chow is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with, both in the literary world and beyond. An award-winning author with a penchant for crafting electrifying stories, Hayley has poured her boundless creativity into works that captivate readers and leave them yearning for more. Her celebrated “Into the Churn” series has established her as a master of blending science fiction, romance, and action, creating richly imagined worlds filled with gripping stakes and heartfelt connections. Titles such as Into the Churn, Into the Fire, and the highly anticipated Into the Abyss are a testament to her remarkable talent and imaginative prowess.
Drawing from her dynamic life as a mechanical engineer, Air Force Reserve officer, mother, and former ultramarathoner, Hayley infuses her books with a rare authenticity and intensity. Her characters embody her love for STEM, endurance, and the indomitable human spirit, while her deft storytelling skillfully explores the complexities of relationships, resilience, and ambition against the backdrop of high-stakes adventure. As a creator, she writes with an undeniable passion that resonates powerfully with readers, proving that stories born from the heart are the ones that truly endure.
In this exclusive interview with Reader’s House, Hayley offers a fascinating glimpse into the inspirations behind Into the Churn, the challenges she overcame to bring her vision to life, and the deeply personal experiences that have shaped her unique voice as an author. With sequels on the horizon and a love for her craft that shines through every page, Hayley Chow stands as a beacon for aspiring writers and a beloved storyteller for fans of gripping, action-packed sci-fi. It’s an honour to share her insights and celebrate her soaring journey.
Hayley Chow’s imaginative storytelling, authentic characters, and passion elevate her Into the Churn series to unforgettable heights.
What inspired you to create the world of Belethea and its deadly storms in Into the Churn?
For Into the Churn, I think Ezren’s character came to me first, and then I shaped the world around her. I really wanted to write a book that captured my experiences as both an athlete and a STEM major in college. When I looked back on those years, I distinctly remembered the passion of some of the weather majors that I worked with, and I wanted Ezren to capture that energy. From there, my mind moved to the media that had snagged my imagination growing up: Twister, The Day After Tomorrow, Firefly, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Speed Racer… Throw that all into a blender, and the stormy, backwater planet of Belethea was born!
“I really wanted to write a book that captured my experiences as both an athlete and a STEM major in college.” – Hayley Chow
How did your experiences as a USAF veteran, engineer, and ultramarathoner influence your writing, particularly the high-stakes action in your books?
In Into the Churn, I definitely gifted Ezren both a love for STEM and the dreams that it can bring, along with the pressure and challenges of being an engineering student. Then she also got my obsession with running from the ultramarathoning era of my life, along with that incredible tenacity that ultramarathoners have to have. I think my experiences as a veteran mostly influenced the action in the second book of the Into the Churn series, when soldiers and weapon technologies are introduced into the mix. As a veteran, reservist, and military brat, I spend and have spent quite a lot of time with military folks, and I think you can find that influence in my fierce embrace of slang and their edgier team dynamics. With all of those influences put together, I guess it’s no wonder that I can’t resist life-or-death situations that have global impact.
What was the most challenging part of writing Into the Churn, and how did you overcome it?
Into the Churn was my first science fiction, one of my absolute favorite genres, and I was so worried that I wouldn’t be “smart enough” to write it. It was also my first novel written with dual points-of-view, and I was terrified I’d have to do significant rewrites in order to get it right. In the end, I rolled the story over in my head for over a year, plotted extensively, and hyper-focused on my characters. Both Ezren and Foster came to me immediately, and through them, the story really just flowed out. I love the depth their perspectives gave the story and the world, and now I don’t think I’ll ever go back to writing books with just one point of view.
Can you share any insights into the development of Ezren and Foster’s relationship and how you approached writing their dynamic?
To answer this question, I must tell you, I’m a huge K-drama fan. I love how K-dramas often follow a relationship over large swaths of time, how the characters show their love in so many huge and small ways, and I loved getting to see the mutual pining and challenges from both perspectives. So that’s exactly how I built Ezren and Foster’s bond. They’re both recovering from past relationship difficulties while they’re pressed together in this high-intensity, high-pressure environment. But they lean on each other, and they make each other better in a healthy relationship that really feels like it could go the miles.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write compelling sci-fi or action-packed stories?
Write exactly what you love. There are so many people who told me Into the Churn, as a romantic sci-fi with a murder mystery element, was unmarketable or unsellable. And to date, it’s my most popular book. Readers resonate with passion—so be sure to leave yours on the pages.
Are there any upcoming projects or sequels to Into the Churn that fans can look forward to?
Yes! Into the Churn currently has two sequels out—Into the Fire (book #2) and A Churn in the Dark (book #2.5. Into the Abyss (book #3) is currently available for preorder and comes in March, and then there will be one more surprise novella (book #3.5) coming out in September! The September release will be the final Into the Churn book, and we’re so excited to put a bow on this series. Readers will absolutely love Ezren and Foster’s final explosive adventure in Into the Abyss, and I can’t wait to hear their reactions!
