Alpha Convergence: Book Two of the Teragene Chronicles by Morgan R. R. Haze

1/30/2021

Multi-volume, group author, Morgan R. R. Haze introduces us to book two in the Teragene Chronicles, “Alpha Convergence”:
It was gone. Terra Prime – the cradle of humanity – was gone. One moment the center of the colonized universe, the next, a gaping emptiness that would come to be known only as The Void.
Left without answers and without a tether to their shared humanity, mankind has continued. For hundreds of years, they have spread across the galaxies, colonizing planets, while the history of their home, the truth of Terra Prime, has fallen into myth and legend. But in every world, there are those who wander and search for more. There are those who long for a home beyond planets run by corrupt governments and flawed ideologies. There are those like Captain Singer and his crew aboard the Waylay, seeking a better life among the stars. With the Alliedcorp fleet behind them, Jason, Bree, and Mark are left reeling from their time in captivity with more questions than answers about those responsible. But while Bree struggles to process what was done to her during her capture, Ell’s recovery is taking longer than expected, leaving her family aboard the ship wondering if she’ll be able to find her way back to them. With unanswered questions and dangers mounting, the crew of the Waylay finds themselves facing an even greater threat than before with only the bond they’ve forged to protect them. But will it be enough this time?

This is a very worthy sequel to “Alpha Dawn”! I love the short chapters and rotating point of view; each chapter is devoted to a single point of view. The story moves forward smoothly.
I recommend reading the books in sequence, the story in this volume will be much richer if you do. It could also be fun to read this one first, I do like reading a book more than once, in quick order, the second reading reveals more details.
The scene setting is pretty good, the action is even better, but it is the dialogue that really makes the difference. The characters are fully fleshed out and they are growing. Like so many others, the major characters want to live in peace, while there are others who cannot allow that. The classic contest of wills.
I award 4.8 stars to “Alpha Convergence”.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Convergence-Book-2-Teragene-Chronicles-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-alpha-convergence
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alpha-Convergence-Book-2-Teragene-Chronicles

You can follow the author:
https://twitter.com/Morgan_R_R_Haze
https://www.instagram.com/morganrrhaze
https://www.facebook.com/Morgan-RR-Haze
You can find my review for the first book in the series, “Alpha Dawn” here: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/alpha-dawn

Copyright © 2021 Mark L. Schultz, except for the author’s introduction

48 Comments

Morgan RR Haze

2/1/2021 04:45:29 pm

Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed it!

Mark

2/1/2021 05:09:27 pm

I enjoyed it a great deal. We will start at the beginning for now.
First question.
Please, tell us more about the three of you who are writing the series. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

2/2/2021 02:47:34 pm

We have used writing as a way to explore and work through issues we have faced. RR has a child on the autism spectrum and has cerebral palsy. Fortunately both are on the milder side, but it has required a lot of learning and sorting through emotions.
Z dealt with his first wife's death. Lots of what if questions and soul searching to process.
H cared for in-laws at home until they both passed away. Again, many what if questions to be processed.
The themes of loss, choices, and coping with something bigger than you have been a part of our lives.

2/2/2021 02:55:05 pm

Loss is a part of the human experience. There is no getting around it. Those who are many years older than us usually die before us. Sometimes it is a contemporary or one younger. Death comes for us all. Each and every one of us has to cope and some cope better than others.
We will pick up from where we left off in the previous interview.
New questions.
A lot of new authors struggle with finding beta readers. Because, after the first draft is done, fresh eyes and feedback become very important.
Do you have alpha-readers and/or beta-readers to help you smooth out some of the wrinkles before publishing? If you don’t, why?
If you do, how did you find them?

2/2/2021 03:05:23 pm

Basically the 3 of us act as alpha readers for each other. As for betas, coworkers and friends who are readers, gaming friends, and some people from Twitter have all helped us. Mom and dad read as we get closer to finishing the story. Lots of ideas come from them asking questions. We have an awesome support group.

2/2/2021 04:50:32 pm

Your writing support group is awesome! Many writers have a hard time finding beta readers. Every question needs an answer. That is what contributes to smooth reading.
To help alleviate this issue for writers one of the list I have on my Twitter page is for beta readers. All of the lists are available for anyone to use.
New questions.
Do you ask the beta readers to read through more than one draft of the manuscript?
Do you give them an e-version like a PDF or a hard copy you printed?

2/2/2021 05:02:05 pm

Usually use Google docs. However, mom likes paper copies so she can mark them up.
The main betas get the draft that is "finished" and gone through several times by the 3 of us. Mom and dad get it as it is written. H writes scenes, so jumps all around. We do wait for the context to be there to give it to them.

2/2/2021 06:00:09 pm

Quite a few authors use Google docs. That makes a lot of sense for collaboration!
It sounds like you have a really good system for working with the beta readers and with Mom.
New questions.
What kind of questions did you ask them to get the feedback you wanted or do you let them provide feedback without particular questions?
Do you reward the alpha/beta readers in any way particular?

2/2/2021 06:53:51 pm

We ask general questions: Did the story make sense? Are there things you still want to know? Did the characters feel real? Do you have any favorite characters or scenes? If so, what did you like? We do tell them all feedback is welcome.
Most are just excited to read the next part without having to wait. Maybe, as our platform grows, we will have goodies to give out.

2/2/2021 09:42:07 pm

Those are good questions, especially asking if the story made sense. An open-ended question like that gives the reader the freedom to speak their mind.
New questions.
Do you belong to any writing groups, virtual or otherwise?
Are there any writing groups for the genre you write in?

2/2/2021 10:16:04 pm

We are pretty much our own writing group. Growing up we had lots of friends we would talk story with. Most have focused on other things in life, but many of the things we learned with them stuck. I know there are a bunch of groups out there, but since we live so far from each other, and have vastly different schedules, we haven't reached out to them.

2/3/2021 09:47:09 am

Not every writer is in a group, although it is easier with the internet and many of us have learned to conference remotely in this pandemic age. As you say, you three are your own group. It certainly seems to work well in your writing.
New questions.
Going back in time, did you do any kind of creative writing, even back in grade school?
How early was it that you realized how powerful words can be?

2/3/2021 02:59:04 pm

We did have assignments in poetry as early as third grade. But the power of story we instilled in us by mom reading to us. Specific words having power was slowly taught to us, starting with please and thank you. Later, we learned how wording the same basic idea can completely change how it is understood. A poorly worded complement can sound like an insult. Choosing our words is so important, especially when you are putting them down in writing.

2/3/2021 03:47:44 pm

That sounds a lot like how I learned from my mother. I actually knew how to read before starting school in the first grade. A retired teacher lived behind us, she taught me how to read while I sat on the fence.
A writer should have a large vocabulary, being able to find the best word for nuance can go a long way to create a certain mood on the page. That is also why a writer needs to read outside of their genre also, to learn from other writers. We are all using words to build a story.
New questions.
What is the most important thing you learned from publishing your latest book?
What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?

2/3/2021 04:10:05 pm

I think the biggest thing is getting to know the process better. We are implementing more facets each time we do this. It is a continual learning process. Of course, we wish we knew ALL the best ways to edit, format and market our work. Fortunately, we had decent expectations for ourselves. Each of us is continuing to learn what we can. I guess, just confirmation that we will make mistakes, but we can learn from them. We just need to be willing to work at improving.

2/3/2021 05:38:28 pm

That is the right perspective. each of us start at the same place, the beginning. It is unrealistic to not expect to have difficulty the first or second or third time a complicated process is engaged with. Especially if there are changes between the attempts to publish. That process is exacerbated by each platform having different requirements and methods to publish a book.
Just like life, writing and publishing books are an adventure with room for improvement all along the way.
You guys are doing great.
New questions.
Do you have a hero, real or fictional?
What are some challenges to writing science fiction?

2/3/2021 06:13:49 pm

Heroes? In real life, probably our parents. They have always been there for family and friends who needed them. They repeatedly opened their home, wallets and heart to others. It hasn't always ended well, but it hasn't stopped them from helping others.
In fiction, the.Skywalker twins. They had different skills, but the combination of those skills and their bond lead to victory.

The challenge in sci-fi, at least for us, is making sure the tech we include doesn't pull the reader out of the story. We need to maintain internal logic. As we have new ideas, they have to be made to fit if they are included.

2/3/2021 08:20:10 pm

Your parents sound like lovely people.
Your fictional heroes are an interesting choice. I think this is the first time I have heard someone put Leia in that category, it makes a lot of sense to me.
The internal logic in science fiction is very important. The basics were set a long time ago, all the way back to Jules Verne in some cases. The technology is not the story, it is merely part of the wrapping of the real gift, the struggle to overcome evil and to survive.
New questions.
Do you write notes by hand or on the computer?
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received from another writer?

2/3/2021 09:01:07 pm

Some things actually get put on paper. RR and H write mostly short pieces on their phones or tablets. Z tends to write longer chunks on his computer. Much more gets added in revision.
I think the best advice is that the first draft is supposed to be "bad." It frees us up to get the ideas down. We then polish it later.

2/3/2021 09:50:23 pm

You each work a little bit differently, but the end result is marvelous.
Personally, I do as much as possible on my laptop, I am a terrible typist and the many corrections are much easier than on the phone.
You are correct. The first draft has only one purpose and that is to get the story out of the author's head so it can be edited and rewritten into a glorious piece of prose. But it starts out as a piece of garbage. Letting the muse flow is the best idea and allows magnificent creativity.
I have heard of authors trying to produce a perfect first draft, sometimes they get so bogged down that the muse runs away and the book is frequently unfinished.
New questions.
What has been the biggest surprise in your writing journey?
You have published two books. You are writing more. Are you writing anything strictly for your own pleasure, not necessarily planning to publish it?

2/3/2021 10:22:35 pm

I think the biggest surprise was that we actually got to the point of holding a published book in my hands. Closely followed by the people who have been excited for book 2,

All of our writing started as something for our own pleasure. We are interested in many things, but we seem to like linking things. Z has an idea for a fantasy story, which he has already figured out how it could tie into the Teragene Universe. Whether we go that route or not, he will play with the idea. He has also thought about games based on the stories. H writes some poetry, but most of the creativity not put into this story goes towards crafts. RR uses much of her creativity helping raise her children. They have repaid her though by providing ideas that has made it into the first 2 books and planned for book 3.

2/4/2021 10:14:49 am

Holding that first book in your hands has got to be one of the best feelings in the world. Not as great as holding your own newborn child, but almost.
The fantasy spinoff sounds interesting. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres to read.
New questions.
What are common traps for beginning writers?
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?

2/4/2021 02:40:33 pm

New writer traps are varied: Thinking it has to be perfect before sharing. Using anything other than said. No accepting constructive criticism. Bombarding people who aren't into writing with your story. Telling instead of showing.
With 3 of us writing together, we naturally avoid some of these. The whole dialog tag issue is one we have to actively watch. It is so easy to fall into the habit of adding more than needed. The other is showing. The easy thing to so is say "said angrily." It takes much more effort to describe how they stand, facial expressions, stomping, etc.
Ego is a double edged sword. You need a healthy one to accept feedback, both helpful and hurtful, without getting angry or wanting to give up. The negative is when you feel you are always right and have nothing to learn. There is always room to improve in every facet of living. We can also take away something positive from most situations, even if it is how not to do something. We all need to be open to learning new things, and others point of view. We don't have to agree, but we do need to be respectful.

2/4/2021 03:41:46 pm

Those are great traps for a new writer to avoid.
There is a lot of controversy about whether to use said or the 101 synonyms available. I have finally decided that using said is better most of the time. I am so used to seeing it, that it barely registers on my consciousness. When a plethora of other words are employed in its place, it can get disturbing and slows my reading down as I have to judge if the word is a good fit or not, especially when I am proofreading.
An author can even skip dialogue tags and the necessary punctuation by using action beats instead. I have come to like them better than dialogue tags when they are done well.
You are right, just like so much of life, a balance between a strong and weak ego must be found.
New questions.
Can you describe the demographic of your ideal reader? Who is the person most likely to buy your book?
Do you have anything you consider to be your writing lucky charm?

2/4/2021 04:14:51 pm

Our ideal reader is into need culture, super heroes, spaceships, alternate worlds. We teasingly say that they would have ADD as well. Our short chapters and multiple POV characters irritate some people. Some have specifically told us to limit the POVs. Others have loved the quick changes, saying they don't get bored. It has also helped some who have to fit reading into small periods. They can reach a natural spot to stop, then do whatever is needed.
The closest thing to a lucky charm would be each other. We have each had story ideas, some written up through the second draft. We didn't actually finish anything until we started working together. We keep each other motivated.

2/4/2021 05:29:04 pm

You have those characteristics pretty well defined. Especially with the ADD thing. I have suspected for a long time I have a touch of that, I like the short chapters and rotating POV.
You guys make a great team.
New questions.
What is the biggest obstacle you face in writing?
What is your writing Kryptonite and how has it affected you?

2/4/2021 05:44:36 pm

Our biggest challenge has simply been time. Since we all have day jobs and family responsibilities, writing isn't always top of mind.
Our Kryptonite is probably stress or depression. Though we have channeled these into creativity, they can also push all other thoughts away. We all need to be thinking of the story to write more of it. It is a rare occurrence that.inspiration strikes out of the blue.

2/4/2021 07:53:05 pm

I understand, family comes first, then earning money for the family. It's a battle every writer faces more or less.
Stress and depression are very detrimental to inspiration and creative writing, no question about that.
New questions.
Do you struggle with writer's block, if so, how do you overcome it?
Do you see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?

2/4/2021 08:09:39 pm

Writer's block attacks us all at some point. Most of the time it has to do with having no reserves left. Personal care can be a big motivator. Also, reading & watching other stories can spark inspiration again. Z will play video games. H will watch YouTube videos about space, writing, other cultures. RR listens to Podcasts and music.
As for our pen name, it just made sense with three of us equally creating this universe. If any of us wanted to publish poetry or other genres, it won't muddy the waters of our Teragene universe books.

2/5/2021 10:16:33 am

So many writers do experience a block of the muse at one time or another. Most writers have developed different strategies for releasing the block. Some, like your siblings, seek inspiration in different venues, music is very inspirational for many. Other writers will seek to stimulate the muse by working on different writing projects, poetry, short stories and contests. Still other writers will work on a prequel or a side story related to the main work. Some engage in household or outdoor activities to get their mind off the work in progress.
Your pen name makes a lot of sense from that perspective.
New questions.
If you branch out into a different genre, will you use a pen name, why or why not?
Do you foresee ever publishing something using your real name?

2/5/2021 03:40:54 pm

We so have ideas of other genres, specifically fantasy. But we have each tended to see a way to link them to the current series. Maybe after we are finished with this trilogy.

All of us have submitted poetry under our real names, but nothing has been published. We would keep that separate from the scifi/fantasy novels. It is just so different. Obviously, if one of us wrote something without collaborating with the others, it would only make sense for them to use a different name. H would definitely use a pen name for anything other than poetry. Z and RR probably would too. We are all more introverted and like privacy. Seems in conflict with putting our work out there in the public. But hey, we are all full of contradictions. :-)

2/5/2021 04:26:01 pm

Your fans will be glad to know that there might be many more branches off of the creative tree.
Pen names make a lot of sense for writerly types. Getting that first draft out is a solitary project for most writers. After that point, the tribe needs to increase. I use a pen name for my proofreading bylines. Privacy is one of the few things over which we can have a little bit of control.
New questions.
Are there any issues that are peculiar to writing in the sci-fi genre that might not apply to other genres?
Do you think it important to read books in the genre you write in?

2/6/2021 02:15:57 pm

The biggest issue is internal logic. Like fantasy, you need to set rules for how things work, and then stick with them. Several of the big sci-fi franchises have broken their own rules and the fans have noticed. It pulls people out of the story. Sci-fi requires a lot of suspension of disbelief. You need to do everything you can to avoid breaking that.
I do believe you need to read in your genre. It helps you know what is accepted. There are certain things in every genre that, though not necessarily realistic, are expected. Those things won't break the reader's immersion. Of course, you can put your own spin on things, lean more into realism, but the foundation is there. Examples in sci-fi are faster than light travel, artificial gravity, inertial dampers and shields.

2/6/2021 02:31:06 pm

That makes sense, the internal logic needs to be consistent all the way through.
That is a good list of basic elements for sci-fi space stories. They are found in varying degrees in most of the genre.
I would imagine that going into too much detail for these types of things otherwise you could create a trap in the story and get the protagonist stuck. You just can't pull a Harry Potter, it has to fit.
New questions.
Are there any writing styles or genres that you disliked at first but soon came to like?
Do you think reading, watching movies or listening to music help you be a better writer?

2/6/2021 03:42:08 pm

For the most part, our tastes haven't changed much. Mom used to get a Reader's Digest condensed book each month. We were exposed to many different genres. None of us care much for horror or tragedy. Too much of that in real life. For us stories are an escape.
Music helps create a feeling, a setting to inspire certain scenes. Reading helps with understanding story structure. Same with movies. The visual medium can help you examine how to set a scene, little cues that make an impact. The other thing we appreciate is all the YouTube videos about writing, what reader's are feeling and tropes being broken down. You need to constantly learn and examine. Seeing how others have succeeded or failed will help you improve if you take lessons from them

2/6/2021 04:42:57 pm

Reader's Digest Condensed Books. My mom got those too. I hadn't thought about that in a long time. I did read some of those stories. I was not big on horror or tragedy either, especially the gory and gruesome stuff. It has a negative impact on me.
Books are only one form of consumption for a story. There are quite a few including plays, and graphic novels.
I bet YouTube is a great resource, I don't spend much time there. I might have to shift my priorities.
New questions.
At this time, do you read books for entertainment or just research homework?
What type of book is your favorite guilty pleasure to read or listen to for fun?

2/6/2021 05:07:33 pm

Yes we do read for pleasure. Sci-fi and fantasy are mostly our go to genres. Sometimes romance will make it in there.
We mostly read just for pleasure. The research part is more visual/ audio. For some reason having the different format helps to avoid overload. That is where the play lists for songs, YouTube and various podcasts come in.

2/6/2021 05:37:34 pm

Sci-fi and fantasy are my top two favorite genres also. We have that in common.
I was introduced to fantasy by reading Tolkien's LOTR. I read that 3 times before graduating high school, I also read The Hobbit once or twice also. Later, I discovered The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I loved that also. Did you know that Lewis also wrote a sci-fi trilogy? He did and patterned the protagonist after his old friend, JRRT. Out of The Silent Planet is the title.
New questions.
Have you ever read a book that changed the way you look at writing?
What hurdle did you face in writing this book and how did you overcome it?

2/6/2021 10:24:38 pm

The 2 things that stick out are the books that didn't feel like the ending was satisfying and the traditionally published books with typos in them. Definitely gave of feeling of, "I could do that well, if not better."
The biggest hurdle we all faced was that all 3 of us moved within the last year, so carving out time for all 3 of us to sign off on edits. That is the hard part of collaboration. We all need to be on the same page before we go forward.

2/7/2021 10:03:47 am

I read quite a bit. 60 to 70 books a year. I find spelling errors in all of them, except one. For the last 6 years or so, I don't find any spelling errors with one read through, once a year. That includes traditionally published books.
Everybody moving like that would certainly put stress on the project.
New questions.
Would you agree or disagree with the statement: suffering is a requirement to be a good writer, and why?
What was the message you wanted to deliver when you wrote this book?
Do you feel you were successful in getting that message across to the reader?

2/7/2021 06:12:17 pm

No, you don't have to suffer to write. You need imagination and empathy. Certainly, having experiences enriches your work, but you don't need to experience something to imagine it.
The themes are choices, found family and finding yourself. We definitely feel we are highlighting those ideas. We didn't start out trying to necessarily have a message. The characters were the point. As in life, themes reveal themselves.

2/7/2021 06:25:52 pm

A long time ago, the suffering writer was a common trope. If the writer didn't suffer he work was suspect.
Those are great themes. While we don't get to choose our first family, we do have the power of choice with our subsequent family. That is a strong theme in your books. The characters had to make many choices and brought the themes out.
New questions.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer to enhance your career?
Do you subscribe to any magazines, newsletters, blogs or podcasts that enhance your writing career? Feel free to share as many as you would like.

2/7/2021 07:24:47 pm

So far, the best money we have spent is having Vicky Brewster do an edit for us. We try to improve our process each time. Even though we only paid for line edits, she helped us learn so much.
RR subscribes to the I Ship It podcast. It delves into fanfic/fan theory, but it helps us understand what connects people to story. H and RR both subscribe to YouTube channels.
Overly Sarcastic Productions, trope talks specifically.
Chris Fox Writes, story structure and self-publishing.
Murphy Napier and Daniel Green do book reviews and discuss with their subscribers what they like.
Alexa Donne's channel is mainly about traditional publishing, but she breaks down story structure, tropes and how to stay positive.
A new one has been Cinema Therapy. They break down the psychological reasons for our reaction to stories.
To include more scientific stuff, H watches SciShow, What Da Math, Kyle Hill and SFIA.
Basically, learning as much as we can about story.

2/7/2021 08:24:40 pm

Good choice on hiring an editor. Covers are another essential expense, if you can't catch the reader's eye, they will never see the inside of the book.
That is a great spread on podcasts and YouTube channels. There is so much to learn, it never really ends. Just like promoting a book, it's an ultramarathon rather than a sprint.
New questions.
With the explosion of different streaming services, these companies are scrambling for content. Writers are going to be sitting on the top of the heap soon, because they are content providers. Have you considered shopping your content to these companies?
An e-book is only one form that writing can be consumed in. Have you considered licensing large print, graphic books, plays or audio books? Audio books, in English and translated, are exploding worldwide.

2/9/2021 01:41:43 am

We teasingly said that maybe Amazon might like it. Until we won't really think about that until this part of the story is finished.
We did an audio book for the first book. Probably will for this one too. Haven't started that process yet for book two. A graphic novel would be awesome. But again, our current focus is getting book 3 finished.

2/9/2021 10:34:39 am

Amazon might like it, very possible.
A lot of people listen to audio books. All over the world, There are hundreds of millions of people who use English as the official language, besides the USA, and still more who use English as a second language.
Last questions.
What are your favorite reference books or websites for grammar and writing?
Have you ever created a throw-away character that developed into a major player?

2/9/2021 12:33:22 pm

As horrible as it sounds, we don't really use books for reference. We just go with what sounds right for grammar. As for writing, much has been learning from just reading. As mentioned, we do listen to and watch a lot of things that discuss story structure, tropes and cliches.
In book 1, we had Surry & Patrice introduced. They were just created as a reason for the Waylay to go to New Ireland. Then they became the link between the Waylay and Bree, Natasha, Damian and Kendric. In book 2 they became even more important. It started as something small, but has evolved into a complete storyline.
Thank you so much for this interview! Again, it was fun and made us think. That is always a good combination.

2/9/2021 01:08:49 pm

Very interesting about Surry and Patrice! Thanks for sharing that peek behind the curtain.
Thank you also for being a great guest on the Word Refiner channel. I have another promotion started already.
Until we chat again, keep on writing.

Alpha Convergence: Book Two of the Teragene Chronicles by Morgan R. R. Haze

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