How to Be a Stardigger, Part 1

Firstly, I must draw your attention to the successful creation of my “About Me” page. After a few hours milling about the spaceport and volumes of advice from the locals (Throrians have an unerring and unfortunately misguided belief in their brilliance with computers) have finally led me to victory. Now you can peruse my brief but thrilling biography at your leisure!

As you can see in this picture, I am toiling away in the corner of an ancient structure we have just uncovered, applying my prodigious archaeological skills to reconstructing a carved seated figure from many small fragments. My new Throrian friend Tumac, has observed that my artistic abilities would be more fruitfully employed in carving “saffonir stuff” (souvenirs) to sell to tourists. This proposal is most tempting, but I fear I must decline. My stardigging duties are far too demanding at present.

Are you curious about what it takes to be a Stardigger? You’re in luck. Today’s transmission is all about the tools you will need to follow me on one of my intergalactic archaeological expeditions.. With the help of some truly arcane cinematic equipment (Thror’s atmosphere is hostile to modern technology) and some steady-handed (and very friendly) Throrian tribesmen, I have even managed to bring you a video all the way from outer space. Please pardon the uneven sound quality, the sound waves may get garbled slightly as they pass Earth’s atmosphere. All I had to do in return for the favor was buy a few handmade mugs to give out to my “spicy friends” and “future Throrian husband.” I would post some pictures, but I’m afraid the mugs are a little too “spicy” for general consumption. I like to keep my blog PG13.

This is Part 1 (Part 2 will become available as soon as I manage to chase a colony of flying lizards out of my satellite dish and establish them in new nesting grounds). Watch and listen closely before eagerly sending in your application. Only the best and brightest will be selected to join our team at Planet Thror’s very first Intergalactic Archaeological Institute.

*Quick note: It is taking more time than I had anticipated to transmit this video and I really can't spend any more time at the spaceport. I must get back to the site, and if I have to watch one more tourist posing as a seductive ash mummy in the photo booth I will be sick. Keep watching this page. If the Essences of the Nine Strata will it, the video should eventually materialise beneath this message.

                        

Messages From Outer Space

Staring thoughtfully at the title of this blog, you may want to ask: “What on Earth is a Stardigger?” Good question. To begin with, I am not on Earth at all. I am currently on an expedition to the distant Planet Thror, countless light-years away from our small green planet, traversing the desert wastes on my trusty quadspacerover in search of lost ancient tombs. I am an Outer Space Archaeologist. Romantically put, that means I “dig in the stars”. You can read all about it in my Young Adult Science Fiction novel, Digging in the Stars, upcoming from Blaze Publishing in the Spring of 2017. (The cover has not been unveiled yet, but you can check out the Goodreads page here or the official Blaze page here for a full synopsis and other details.)

I have vainly attempted to add an “About Me” page, but have so far been unsuccessful. The internet here on Planet Thror is almost nonexistent. The strongest signal is available at the spaceport but I can’t hang around there all day. Too many unsavory types. In the meantime, I have added an outrageously clunky sidebar to the left so that you can get some idea of the person behind the protective space helmet. I promise to remedy this as soon as I return to my Earth-based office in the Archeology of Outer Space Department. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

I am making many exciting discoveries on this little-known volcanic planet, getting to know the locals, and learning a great deal about ancient Throrian art and history. I will be continuing my transmissions from Thror on a regular basis, sharing tales of my thrilling and perilous adventures and posting images of the inspiring, mysterious and sometimes downright terrifying things that I encounter. If I manage to return to Earth in one piece (which is not entirely guaranteed) I will also be posting information on online and in-person events as the book launch for Digging in the Stars approaches.

I hope you will join me on this journey!

Katherine Blakeney, Stardigger