Shattered Truth and Alien Disruption By Garry J. Peterson

5/30/2020

Multi-genre, multi-volume author, Garry J. Peterson introduces us to the first two books in the Stargate Earth series, Shattered Truth and Alien Disruption:
The existence of alien life on planet Earth has been discussed and argued for centuries. The ancient alien theory phenomenon is now well established as one of the fiercest debates, and the complex issues of “are there or aren’t there…were there or weren’t there” cannot be answered in a simple yes or no.
In book one, SHATTERED TRUTH, ancient-alien hunter Pete Stevenson was the family generational pioneer in the search for the truth that was out there. In what could only be called a “bittersweet” journey, Pete found such evidence, including encounters with friendly temporal aliens, and paid the ultimate price with his life.
Pete’s granddaughter Sara Steele had an intense need to either prove or disprove Grandad Pete’s alien theories; and as her vision became clear, she established and directed the Extraterrestrial Research Team, or ETRT, and her similarly-wired associates became our world’s best shot at understanding alien presence and even determining planet Earth’s survival.
In SHATTERED TRUTH, Sara’s team was introduced to the same friendly temporal aliens that her grandad had met, but this time the alien encounters prevailed in real life-and-death circumstances. Sara had been given the ultimate gift of alien resources and the penultimate truth that she was Earth’s Chosen One.

Shattered Truth is the first of five volumes and a hefty part of the beginning of the book is setting the stage for the action and events to follow. It seems like a slow start in the beginning, because of that. However, there is a fair amount of dialogue and action, and the scenes are pretty well described. If you are intensely interested in the idea of aliens or just want an overview of the ideas and theories, then this is a great book to read.
There were a number of ‘wow’ moments and some funny parts also. I enjoyed the story quite a bit, despite the slow start.
I award a score of 4 stars to “Shattered Truth”.

You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/shattered-truth-a-sara-steele-novel
https://smile.amazon.com/SHATTERED-TRUTH-Stargate-Earth-Book-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/shattered-truth

In book two, ALIEN DISRUPTION, Sara Steele becomes the absolute leader of a multi-talented and intensely focused group of determined disruptors—fighting crime, tyranny, secret societies, suppressed technology, climate change, and even evil aliens. Having been physically rebuilt and now possessing superhuman strength, Sara’s capabilities are taken to the limit.
ALIEN DISRUPTION is a visionary novel giving the reader an alarming apocalyptic glimpse of the future. Then, the reader gets to play, despite the evil aliens, a constructive part in a creative process promoting a unified advance of our human species through a holistic transformation of Spaceship Earth and the people on board for this incredible journey.
The most dynamic relationship storyline in ALIEN DISRUPTION becomes the intense, mutually beneficial, and effective relationship between Sara and the female alien leader, Echo, as well as Sara’s strong physical, mental, and emotional bond with alien warrior Pulse.
Humor, storytelling, and the several flawed but well-intentioned characters give the reader a sense that this story is as much about people, family, and what we all struggle with day after day, as it is about science fiction. Leadership and a strong moral and spiritual fabric are the pillars that define bad behavior and drive good behavior.
The ending of ALIEN DISRUPTION will provide a multi-faceted cliffhanger that will tie books three, four, and five remarkably into the STARGATE EARTH SERIES, and leave the reader anxious and excited to read book three, WARRIORS OF THE GALAXY.

I enjoyed this story quite a bit. Garry covers a lot of ground, many different topics that affect the lives of people on Earth. Aliens, ancient aliens, artificial intelligence, climate change and terrorism, to name a few.
The ETRT group is front and center of the action and strategy to deal with multiple issues, their expansion of the research of Sara’s grandfather has earthshaking consequences.
No spoilers from me. There are fascinating plot twists in the story, the action is detailed and appropriate for a five-volume set. I found the dialogue to be a lot of fun at times, there is a wonderful collection of characters and they come across as quite alive.
The stakes are climbing for the research group, and the inhabitants of Earth.
I award a score of 4.3 stars to “Alien Disruption”.

You can buy this book:
https://rdrpublishers.com/products/alien-disruption
https://smile.amazon.com/ALIEN-DISRUPTION-Steele-Novel-Stargate-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-alien-disruption

You can follow the author:
https://www.garryjpeterson.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garry-peterson
https://www.facebook.com/garry.peterson
https://twitter.com/GarryPeterson

Tags: science fiction, sci-fi, pyramids, stone henge, Easter Island, time travel, action, adventure, thriller, space, spacecraft, stargate

I have also reviewed Garry's book about business practices:
www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/who-put-me-in-charge

Copyright © 2020 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introductions.

88 Comments

Garry J Peterson link

6/1/2020 02:46:14 pm

I am looking forward to reviews of both of my books. The Amazon Kindle versions of both are ready to go.

Mark

6/1/2020 03:30:57 pm

Please, tell us more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

6/1/2020 03:41:45 pm

After nearly 30 years in corporate America and 10 years in business consulting, I began my writing career about two years ago. I have been fortunate to have three books published in those two years. Prior to my two sci-fi novels, I wrote a "how-to" business book and Implementation Guide titled, "Who Put Me in CHARGE?" I live in Florida and play competitive senior softball and kayak.

6/1/2020 04:12:06 pm

I have previously reviewed your first book, Who Put Me in Charge. I will add that link to the bottom of this review, above the comments.
You are an active guy, the softball sounds like fun.
New questions.
Are you a full-time or part-time writer?
Does your work, or past work if you are retired, have any influence on your writing these books?
What inspired you to write this book?

6/1/2020 05:35:45 pm

I am a full-time writer. Use physical activities for my balance. My business book was entirely about my corporate and consulting careers. It was literally 40 years of that experience in an effort to "give back" to the community. My inspiration was my father, Pete Peterson, an Indiana Jones kinda guy who loved aliens and extreme weather. I am Mike in the book and my daughter, Sarah, is Sara. Nearly all of the 10-12 stories in the first half of book 1 were actual events that our family experienced. Even though the back stories slowed the book down, anyone who reads the book gets a bit of an idea what my dad was like and why I needed to write these books. Even his 'dreams' are in this book #1.

6/1/2020 06:13:01 pm

That is very cool! Thank you for sharing about your dad and family. I have a much greater appreciation for that. That could make for an interesting angle, 'memories of my father' perhaps. A fictional extension of your dad's interest might be good.
New questions.
Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.
What do the elements on the cover represent?
Was it hard to come up with the title? What was the process?

6/1/2020 07:50:44 pm

Thinking back, I wish I had made that reference somewhere in the book. It would have been very insightful for the reader. My amazing cover design is by Little Hippie Mama Book Covers - the BEST! In book #1, a pensive Sara Steele is seen between two planets and the spacecraft is obviously not readily identifiable. In book #2, we see a more engaged Sara Steele gazing at a foreign space craft with an astronaut that could be either evil or good. One of my signatures will be to design a cover for each book in the 5-book series that reflects the final scene cliffhanger from the previous book. I have had the titles in mind for all 5 books for a couple years, as this epic journey is very clear to me and the titles convey transition. I am currently writing book #3 and have the title, storyline, cover and ending set.

6/1/2020 08:24:30 pm

Gorgeous covers, I love them. I am curious about the chain mail Sara is wearing on all the covers. What does it signify?
Knowing all of the titles is quite interesting, many authors go through a lot of gyrations trying to figure out a title. A title is very important, I don't want to denigrate its primary place for shoppers. Some authors hold contests on their website newsletter and let the subscribers (fans) help pick the title.
New questions.
Have you entered any writing contests?
Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?
I noticed that Shattered Truth is in Kindle Unlimited. How is that working out for you? Alien Disruption is not in KU. Will that change or remain the same?

6/1/2020 09:37:16 pm

The chain mail designs are all from Kate Knuvelder, who has a design studio in San Francisco. She is one of five people who make up our production team for future pics and possible videos. I wanted a Warrior Princess design for Sara Steele that would evolve into an Alien Princess for (Sorry, can't tell you yet!). The actual designs are all from Kate, another excellent contributor to my series. We have branding and merchandizing expectations and Kate is actually working on updated chain mail attire. And, the titles for all five books have been established. I have never entered a writing contest and never had any interest in doing so. I'm not familiar with or have any expectations for KU. Will need to research or get some guidance for same.

6/1/2020 10:12:39 pm

The chain mail is very nice looking and labor intensive to make by hand. As a sheet metal apprentice, I made a helmet with hand riveting based on a 13th century design. You can see a picture of it on one of my blogs: https://www.wordrefiner.com/blog-words-for-thought/he-proved-his-mettle-and-gets-a-medal-made-of-metal-dont-meddle.
With branding and merchandising started, you are on the fast track to success. Kristine Rusch has blogged about these topics as well as the potential of licensing books to create a regular income flow. I have links to many of her blogs on my Highly Regarded Blogs page.
Your publisher must have put Shattered Truth into Kindle Unlimited for you. I am sure they can tell you a lot more about it than I can.
New questions.
Did you go through the query process, seeking an agent or submitting directly to publishers or did you go straight to indie publishing and why?
How did you pick your publisher or did they pick you?
What is your publisher doing to market your book?

6/1/2020 10:51:57 pm

I did spend some time in the query process contacting agents, sending out about 25 letters, both electronically and snail mail. I wasn't successful with the few publishers that I contacted. My publisher in Oregon saw a self-published business book that I had on Amazon. It was a weak MS of "Who Put Me in CHARGE?" They requested a full synopsis, liked it, and I contracted with them to write and publish the biz book. They liked my story telling and asked if I had anything else "up my sleeve." I mentioned my sci-fi "trilogy," sent out another synopsis, which they reviewed and approved. So, I then received contracts for the two books here. They will back all five of my series' books. Their publishing core is non-fiction, so I am a bit of an outlier here. I really love Robert D. Reed Publishers, but as far as marketing, I am mostly responsible. I believe they have distributed some promo flyers and have contacted a couple sci-fi magazines. They are relatively small and I LOVE the personal relationship we have.

6/1/2020 11:35:07 pm

Almost every author reports a similar experience, some send out over 100 letters with the same results, most of the time. We have Amazon to thank for that. While it's never been easy for an unknown author to get published, traditionally; since Amazon upset the apple cart for all publishers, profit margins and even the traditional publishing industry has been shrinking seriously for over a decade. So many publishers have gone out of business or been bought up.
I enjoyed reading your business book, I have reviewed it elsewhere on my website, the link is above the interview.
Most authors are now responsible for the marketing and promotion of their book. Unless your last name is Rowland, King, Patterson and such, even the traditional publishers do very little in the way of marketing the book of an unknown or independent author.
Personal relationships are so important in business of all kinds, even more so when dealing with the product of an author's blood, sweat and tears.
New questions.
What are the three most important considerations for an independent author to be certain of when signing a contract with an independent or hybrid publisher?
How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?
There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

Rhani D'Chae

6/4/2020 12:16:12 am

Hi, Garry, it is nice to meet you.
Congrats on getting a publisher for your work. Sadly, most of us are on our own when it comes to marketing. It's very frustrating, but that just seems to be how it is.
Best of luck to you as you move ahead with your writing journey.

6/4/2020 10:35:24 am

Hi Rhani, nice to meet you as well and thanks for the encouragement. I am a living example that getting a publisher is 50% skill and 90% luck! I know, the math doesn't make sense, but the luck part is huge. The writing for me is relatively easy. The marketing is not what I like to do or have much experience with... So, I now have someone helping me with that part of the process. Best wishes to you. Continue to work hard and have patience.

6/4/2020 11:04:54 am

Thanks, for dropping in, Rhani. It's always a pleasure to hear from you. How is your writing going?

6/2/2020 07:49:45 am

I am a newbie in the writing and publishing business, having only been writing for less than two years. I would assume that you would want to have a solid and verifiable piece of work to market, thoroughly research anyone you would consider working with, and have realistic and manageable expectations. I believe that I have more control with a small publisher and I think my book will get published quicker than with a large publisher. Dishonesty is unbearable.

6/2/2020 09:39:42 am

Those are good pieces of advice for any enterprise. Researching the options and educating yourself on the dangers and hazards are a good idea.
The internet has made it easier for the scammers to operate and it has made finding out about them easier also. One of my favorite scam busters is Writer's Beware. I posted a link to one of their recent posts on my Highly Regarded Blogs page.
Personal relationships are very important in business. A small publisher can facilitate that. They can be more responsive to the market and the author also.
New questions.
Have you thought about doing an audio book?
Who would you pick to do the audio book?
Do you have a favorite book by another author or just favorite authors?
Did you have a favorite book as a child?

6/2/2020 10:04:45 am

I have not given any thought to an audio book. They seem to be popular, but not something I would engage in. I do know a couple authors that do audio books. No clue as to who to pick; again, neophyte. My favorite business book author is Patrick Lencioni. In fiction, I like M.D. Copper, Mark Terry, Clive Cussler, Morgan Rhodes and Sarah J. Mass. The last great book I read was "Until the End of Time," by Brian Greene. Awesome! My favorite books as a kid were anything by Jules Verne. Very exciting and imaginative.

6/2/2020 11:10:45 am

I have reviewed several audio books and enjoyed them. I found it hard to stay focused on them until I figured out how to speed up the playback a little bit. That made it easier to not lose track of the story.
Audio books are exploding world wide, even in English, because there are many countries where English is the language of government, commerce and education. In still other countries English is taught at all levels of education as a second language. In many countries many of the citizens have internet access only through a smart phone. So Audio books are perfect for them.
Another great topic to scroll through my Highly Regarded Blogs page for.
Jules verne is one of the great fathers of science fiction. He was amazingly foresighted.
New questions.
Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?
Why is it important for writers to tap into the emotions of the characters?
Have you ever done NaNoWriMo?

6/2/2020 11:48:52 am

Writing raises my consciousness, does have spiritual bearing and absolutely energizes me. Thankfully, I don't get writer's block. I can easily spend a full day writing and often wake up with an idea for a future book in my series. The characters need to be real, honest and often flawed. And character development through the course of the book is important. Plus, you can bounce emotional foreplay from one character to another and get a good sense of both your character as well as the messages and behavioral thoughts you are trying to send to your readership. I have no idea what NaNoWriMo is! I'll need to google it. LOL!

6/2/2020 04:04:12 pm

Good to hear your writing energizes you. Many authors report a great deal of satisfaction after a productive writing session. I experience it after a good day proofreading. I am always tired at the end of the day, but I still feel good.
The characters do reflect reality best when they reflect us, flaws and all. A perfect character would seem flat and unimpressive to me, most likely.
Having characters go through problems like the rest of us do in real life is important and a great vehicle to move the plot forward. It helps to avoid info dumps that can slow the story down.
You will find that NaNoWriMo is the National Novel Writing Month contest held every November. You win the contest by writing at least 50,000 words of a first draft in 30 days. You are only compete with yourself to write less than 3,000 words a day, for 30 days. Many writers have used NaNo to jump start the process for a novel that eventually gets published. People join groups for mutual support and encouragement. They make it a party.
Are you an under-writer or an over-writer? When the first draft is done, do you need to add more to flesh it out or do you have to cut material because there is too much?
Are you talking about sentences, paragraphs or a chapter that didn't survive the final cut?
Did you cut mostly descriptions, action, dialogue or whole chapters?

6/2/2020 05:36:41 pm

I am an underwriter. I will finish my MS at about 50% of final word content, and then go back and add details, highlight significant events, enhance the dialogue and sometimes cut material due to redundancy, verbose descriptions, or irrelevancy. My process may be a little unique. I always have an outline, but once my storyline goes from my head to the keyboard, I simply "live-action" the story, looking at it as a motion picture. And I ALWAYS have the ending in mind. That's why much of book 2 and book 3 is written in screenplay style. And, when I go back to refine from the 50% version, my mind goes into "show," don't "tell" mode. As I have said before, the writing of this series comes easy for me. I'm "living it" in my mind and already have books 6-10 in long-term planning. I often write for 8-10 hours a day. The early part of the day I focus on the current book; the latter part of the day will be spent on synopsis-like plot points for future books. I wrote both Shattered Truth and Alien Disruption in about 6 months. (Should have spent more time on proofreading). LOL!

6/2/2020 06:13:11 pm

Your process makes a lot of sense to me. When I read a book it's like a movie in my head. I imagine what the characters look like and sound like.
Awesome output. Most authors I have chatted with write for only two or three hours at a time, some even less.
With that many books in planning, writing down the plot arc and events would be critical. Knowing the end of the story for each book allows for great foreshadowing also. If I were to write, I think I would write the end of the book first, then go back and work towards that goal. Rick Hall, one of my guest bloggers, wrote a great piece called Non-Linear Writing, an excellent post and very useful to avoid writer's block.
We will talk a little bit more about finessing the manuscript in a bit.
New questions.
Do you save the parts that didn't make it into the final version?
Do you prefer dialogue tags or action beats in your books?
Do you base your characters on people you know or have met, or is it easier to just invent them completely?

6/2/2020 07:50:11 pm

I really do have the "big picture" in mind with my series. I took the original ending from book 1 and made it the ending of book 2. I found a sub-plot point in book 1 that made a great ending for that book. And, I have several elements of book 4, mostly mid-chapters, already written. As a couple of reviewers have told me, I just have "too much stuff" happening and need to thin out the OMG's a bit. I really don't have a good answer for dialogue tags versus action beats. Never even gave that topic any thought until now. Since I must, my explanation is simple. The dialogue tags, mostly, are part of general dialogue with secondary characters, I use action beats, mostly, for main characters to give a little more color to their situation. Maybe a setting is critical to the storyline or emotional conflict becomes important for the reader. I absolutely base many of my characters on people I know. Many even have similar names. Some are alter-egos and some antagonists are somewhat exaggerated in their personalities and behavior. I wanted a future chapter to be called, "Breakfast at Tiffany's." So, I created a character named Tiffany and made her fairly important. I also have had a couple mentors in my life, and they are super great characters in my books and these mentors realize who they are and how they are being portrayed. I love to do that!

6/2/2020 09:13:10 pm

I am enjoying learning about how you write, I love the level of organization you have brought to the process.
Action beats are certainly a good replacement for the old he said, she said, they said.
Many writers try to avoid doing that exact thing. Some of them worry that a person may take offense at what the character does or doesn't do. I appreciate the support you receive from family, friends and associates. I think your knowledge of the people allows you to enrich the characters and increase their depth.
Breakfast at Tiffany's sounds very cute. I think breakfast is my favorite meal.
New questions.
Which is more fun to write, the protagonist or the antagonist, and why?
What is one thing you hate about your protagonist and one thing you love about the antagonist?
What is your writing routine when you sit down to write?

6/2/2020 10:17:43 pm

The protagonist, for sure. I love the character development process, having he or she grow and do extraordinary things, especially within the uncertainty of life's many surprises and disappointments. I also take a page out of my own attempts to get the most from my team member's potential. In a way, my protagonist is a mirror image of my focus on becoming the best we can be. How we deal with problems, tragedies or just plain living... The one thing I hate about my protagonist is not delegating; trying to solve all of the problems herself. What I love about the antagonist is how their determination and perseverance and absolute "win at any cost" prevails. Why I love that is the mere fact that it requires my protagonist to solve problems in ways that had nothing to do with the way the problem was created. What got us here...won't get us there! My writing routine is highly disciplined. I am constantly placing ideas (daily basis) on a white board. I have one now for each book. When I sit down, I pick up the flow of my story and interject those ideas as they pertain to the story arc. I also strive to have the last sentence of each chapter become a mini-cliffhanger, propelling the reader into the next chapter. I am a morning person, and I first spend 20 minutes in meditation. Then, I usually spend 4-5 hours in the morning writing the current book and 1-2 hours in the afternoon researching and writing a future book. I also have two computers on at all time. I write on one and research on the other. Facts matter. Two or three days week, I get involved in physical activities as my balance; softball, biking, kayaking, etc.

6/3/2020 10:19:55 am

The struggle of the protagonist is a major factor in the success of a book. We all want to see the good guy triumph in the end, it inspires us. The well-written antagonist is pursuing the same agenda, I love how you put it, success at all cost. The interactions between the protagonist and antagonist must constantly increase in intensity, the stakes rise for each side.
I love the discipline you exhibit as you follow your passion. It encourages me. Reading and proofreading is my passion.
New questions.
Do you write in a straight line or do you write whatever the muse provides for you at a given moment?
Which is more important to a story pace or flow? How do you control it?
Did your writing process change much from your early writing to your current book or did it stay the same?

6/3/2020 10:58:39 am

I always start with a linear perspective. It helps when an alternative break in story structure inspires me or an "aha moment" takes center stage. As I write, my "energy field" expands and, yes, the muse provides the action needed to better tell the story. The finished MS doesn't correlate with the straight line original premise; that is what I focus on. Pace and flow are equally important. Controlling them is crucial. I use flowcharts to visualize the story structure and flow, then work on pace from the reader's perspective. How do I grab and maintain the reader's interest, and drive she or he to
"not put the book down." I see this as one of my non-strengths that I absolutely need to improve on as my series moves forward. My writing process has definitely changed since I began. My first book was a business book and it was all tell, tell, tell. My first novel was Shattered Truth and the first draft had very little "show" and little dialogue. One reviewer told me - "don't quit your day job!" I'm on an incredible learning curve and I love it! Book 2, Alien Disruption, is better than book 1, Shattered Truth. Book 3, Warriors of the Galaxy, which I'm writing right now, will be a better novel than Alien Disruption. I have very high expectations for the series!

6/3/2020 12:15:12 pm

There is a big difference from non-fiction to fiction, no question about that.
I saw a marked improvement in the story from Shattered Truth to Alien Disruption. I am looking forward to Warriors for that reason. I am honored to be partnering with you on that book.
New questions.
How do you think your book relates to the world we live in today?
What is the one thing you hope readers will remember from your book?
Do you have a classical author or poet, you admire?

6/3/2020 03:33:30 pm

My intention early on was to publish a sci-fi thriller and epic story that would be interesting and fun to read. That is likely why one book led to two books which led to three books, and now the five-book series. Once I focused on the bigger picture and my own anguish over the state of our country and our world, I saw an opportunity to look at consciousness, spirituality, the origins of life, evolution and future of mankind. In organizational behavior, the laws of polarity and laws of correspondence are fundamental elements of our lives, but often flashpoints when "tipping points" change history. This book relates to our world because it gives the reader an entirely possible apocalyptic future that can happen unless we work together to solve monumental problems. Darwin's "Theory of Evolution" focused on competition and the survival of the fittest. Books 2 and 3 focus on "A Theory of Cooperation," where salvation will be the fitness of the fittest. I want readers of my books to realize that they can all play a part in securing a sound foundation for our planet, whether or not it is in tandem with with friendly, temporal aliens. And, I want my readership to have fun with my characters and stories and think big! I do not have a classical author or poet that I have followed. Instead, I prefer to read from the arena of many, where useable nuggets and gems of wisdom reign!

6/3/2020 03:45:47 pm

The worldwide big picture has been severely altered. I don't think it will be quite the same as before. Only time will tell. It feels like we are at one of the tipping points now.
Survival of the fittest is something pretty much everyone understands, we deal with it on many levels all of our lives. The theory of Cooperation is an interesting concept, that most of us have known instinctively also from our earliest days of being taught to share our toys. It works well as long as everyone plays by the same rules. Watching it work out in your book is fun. It offers hope.
New questions.
What popular modern authors have influenced you?
What software do you use to write and publish your books, and why do you use those?
How do you keep track of all the characters and events in your books?

6/3/2020 05:48:16 pm

Sarah J. Maas, John Grisham, Michael Crichton and Clive Cussler top the list of modern authors. Ray Bradbury had writing success in many genres that I found fascinating. I have done very basic work with Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Publisher, but don't use any particular software on a regular basis. I simply write in Word and let my publisher, editor, formatter and book designer take it from there. I am very fortunate to be able to focus exclusively on my writing. I use vision boards, flowcharts and several white flip charts to keep track of characters and events. Being a Mechanical Engineer, I have used Gantt Charts frequently. So, I also use them now, manually set up on the Layout tab on Word, to view the timeline for characters and events through book 5, "Journeys to Salvation."

6/3/2020 06:34:23 pm

Big names. I have enjoyed Crichton and Grisham. I have not read the others. Bradbury was a favorite growing up, I read lots of science fiction.
I knew you would be quite organized. MS Word is used by so many writers. It has a huge, installed, user base.
With as organized as you are, I will mention a powerful writing program compatible with Word. Scrivner is very capable and flexible to meet many kinds of organizing and note keeping needs. I have heard it has a steep learning curve, but those that conquer the curve love the program. Blogs have been written about it. If I was a writer I would want to use it.
You were a mechanical engineer, I was a sheet metal worker and an HVAC service tech, before retirement.
New questions.
Have you ever had the experience of the story swerving in a different direction than planned, as if a character was driving it?
Do you have defined space for writing at home, or are you a coffee-shop writer?
Do you listen to music or have the TV on when writing at home, or do you need quiet?

6/3/2020 08:09:21 pm

Yes. Sara Steele had three people close to her die, and it took quite a toll. That was part of the plot development that resulted in her getting the tattoo, "I AM THE STORM," which actually appears on her right forearm on the cover of Alien Disruption. I had her leaning toward a "dark side," and that is when and where her relationship with the alien Pulse takes off. In fact, in books 1 and 2, each chapter is written from a particular character's POV, as you know. "Warriors" is being told primarily from Sara's POV. She IS driving the story, at least until... (can't say yet!). I am anal about my writing discipline. All of it is done in my office, with hundreds of books, three computers, three flip charts and the movie poster of Brad Pitt in Ad Astra. If I'm on the road, I take my small laptop and basically refine or re-work; nothing creative. I need quiet, most of the time. If I find myself at a crossroads with the storyline, I may have Alexa tee-up "Space Oddity" by David Bowie or "Eye in the Sky," by the Alan Parsons Project. The latter tune appears in the introduction of "Warriors" along with Carl Sagan's "pale blue dot."

6/3/2020 08:49:25 pm

One of those deaths took a toll on me too. I was quite surprised. I love that she got that tattoo. It is a statement of not taking it anymore.
I love the intimacy of first person POV. You handled the problem of head hopping quite well, plus the short chapters keep the story moving well.
I don't like or give spoilers, thanks for maintaining the sanctity of the unread page.
While I don't have a poster of Brad Pitt, I do like quiet when I am proofreading. I have a poster of a Boeing 737-300 from the early 80s. It is a partially-cutaway drawing showing all the improvements being made at that time. It's 3' X 4'.
New questions.
Action, dialogue, or narration; which is easiest to write?
Of the five senses which is the easiest to write and which is the hardest?
Have you ever participated in theater in some way, acted, behind the scenes or written a play?

6/3/2020 09:12:23 pm

For me, dialogue is the easiest to write. It comes so natural for me. I used too much narration in Shattered Truth and the "telling" of the story lost much of the energy. I need to work on the continuity of my narration. Each book has upped the ante on action. I felt like Alien Disruption had many good action sequences, but "Warriors" is 'warp speed' compared to books 1 and 2. I add a sixth sense to the basic five, and that is extrasensory perception (ESP). Sight is easy; smell just seldom gets into the act. ESP is becoming more relevant. Strange as it may seem, I wrote screenplays and poetry in junior high and high school, but my parents made me quit, as there was no future in that artsy stuff in the 'real world.' And, I acted in several plays in college, but had to use an assumed name in the productions, because I was in an athletic fraternity that frowned on those kinds of endeavors! Suffice it to say, and I now think of it often...I may have missed my real calling. I love to write. Sad!

6/4/2020 09:55:28 am

The balance between narration and dialogue is critical, leaning too much on narration turns into dithering or dumping information. Explaining the obvious that has nothing to do with the plot is the worst in my estimation. There is no faster way bore a reader. Sharing the 'fascinating' results of hours of research can be almost as bad, because it's like going down a rabbit hole and does very little to propel the story forward.
I am in favor of a minimum of narration and using dialogue to share necessary bits of information as the plot requires.
AD had much more action and dialogue in it, I noticed a marked improvement and that made the reading much more enjoyable.
ESP is interesting, I am now quite excited to see how you utilize that in the story.
I think vision is the most common of the senses, that is how we take in most of the information about our environment and the easiest to categorize.
You were very talented in high school. Not many kids act and even fewer actually write plays and poetry. Better late than never is my thought. Sometimes the creative has to wait until other issues are resolved, supporting a family is pretty important.
New questions.
Do you think your experience in performing arts has helped you as a writer?
Has writing plays helped you in writing your books?
What kind of marketing are you doing or planning on doing for your book?

6/4/2020 10:27:48 am

I think my limited experience in performing arts helped, primarily in my dialogue. I appreciate clarity, articulation and good 'listening.' I wrote a couple mundane plays back in high school. My science fiction writing is in another 'galaxy.' No correlation. I had many book signings cancelled, due to the virus, They were scheduled in Florida, Ohio and Texas. Waiting to see when and where I can pick this up again. I have a marketing person here in Florida and we are working on branding and marketing via FB, Twitter and LinkedIn. I don't do Snapchat. My daughter Sarah, whose images of Sara Steele grace the covers of all of my books, lives in San Francisco and works for FB. She is eyeing a couple things, including a book launch for AD in San Francisco as soon as travel is deemed safe. Only time will tell there!

6/4/2020 11:28:34 am

Listening is a critical skill that too few understand these days. Everyone wants to be heard, but no one wants to listen to what another has to say. Active listening skills are mostly lost on the average person. I find that I still have to focus on the speaker to be certain that I am hearing what they say. Sorry to rant.
A play written in high school is very likely to be mundane, partially due to a lack of life experience. I would say that you were right where you should have been. Just writing a play made you exceptional from the start.
Book signings and everything else along with that will come back one of these days. If the book stores are still around. Without having an online presence these stores have had no income and still bills to pay.
There are so many aspects to marketing, having a website and a select online social media presence is a good start. Providing a landing place for people to find you and the social media to converse with fans is foundational to success. Putting out a newsletter is a key piece of that equation also, collecting email addresses of fans represent many sales and keeping their interest focused is an art.
Consider seeking interviews with local cable access, public broadcasting, college and high school TV and media cubs. Don't forget local, independent newspapers also.
New questions.
What kind of marketing has worked the best and the least for you for your books?Do you have a newsletter you send out to fans? Why or why not?
If you do have a newsletter, which mailing service do you use? Is it the same one you started with or not? Why?

6/4/2020 02:12:45 pm

On a scale of 1 to 10, my marketing efforts have been zero! Well, maybe 0.5. Throughout my business career, I never had to market my services EVER! I received clients by word-of-mouth and referrals. A mentor of mine once told me that the sign of success is the ability to "turn down" clients. I did reach that stage in business, which was very important for me. I tried to have fun with client engagements, and the people I worked with, since the work was hard and very stressful. I still do some public speaking, which I enjoy immensely. So, book readings and signings are what I enjoy and what I do best. I am trying to build a social media presence, but that is just in the early stages. I don't have a newsletter; never had one. Many people have told me to start one and I know I should. The simple truth is that I love to write and hate to market; doubt that I am alone in that regard. I do promote my science fiction novels when I conduct any of my consulting sessions that are based on my biz book, "Who Put Me in CHARGE?" All of that has dried up with the coronavirus. Again, I have only been writing for 22 months. Lots to learn and lots to understand, especially in marketing today.

6/4/2020 03:53:36 pm

Congratulations! That is an amazing achievement to be able to turn potential clients away. In my own way I am at that point in my business, I cannot fit everyone in for their time line.
You are not alone. Almost every author finds marketing and promoting their book the hardest nut to crack. It's the opposite of writing the first draft of a book. That is the most solitary job there is. The author has to get the story out of their head, before anything else can happen.
Unlike the first draft or even writing the book, there is no 'the end' when it comes to marketing and promotion. I suggest to writers they take an hour or two, every week or two and devote that time to promotion and marketing. Slow and steady will win that race. It's not a sprint, it's more like an ultra-marathon.
There are many blogs written about all aspects of marketing. There are several written by guest bloggers on my website and there are links to a number of them on my Highly Regarded Blogs page.
I think you are going to have to find time for social media in your schedule. Staying in touch and being visible is quite important. I allow myself about 10 minutes an hour for Twitter. I work in a quick post on LinkedIn and Facebook once or twice a day, mostly retweets.
New questions.
How long does the research process take before you start to write a book or do you do the research as you write the book?
How much time passed from when you got the idea to write your book; then actually starting to write the book?
How long did it take you to write the first draft?

6/4/2020 05:52:38 pm

I have an idea on what my research needs will be before I begin, and then drill down on the details through research as I write. The only difference now that I'm writing a series, I will do some basic research ahead of time for story elements that I will need in books 3-5. I have my research computer next to me and use it frequently. Once I decided to write book 1, I started on an outline within days. I'm an intense person who rarely procrastinates. I should pause here to make an important point. "Shattered Truth" was kind of like a "bucket list" thing. I was motivated to write it but didn't expect to go beyond book 1. That explains why I didn't pay enough attention to tense, revisions, beta-readers, and most importantly, proofreading. I assumed that between my final read and the editor's final work, it didn't need to have a proofreader go over it. I didn't know any better. So, once I got started on "Alien Disruption," I had a much better idea on what I needed help on and what I could do better. Bottom line here is I spent much more time writing AD than I did ST, and it shows. I wrote ST in about two months; AD took about 3-4 months. My first draft of ST took about 6 weeks to write, but it was awful. As I believe I mentioned before, there wasn't a lot of dialogue and way too much 'tell.' Now, I am so focused on the series, that I am currently writing book 3 in the mornings and parts of books 4 and 5 in the afternoon. The really great news is that I know what I need to do better and have no problem admitting that I am still on a learning curve. I actually had to look up "POV" to see what it meant when I started writing, when I was asked about it. Told the person, "I'll get back to you on that." Funny, eh?

6/4/2020 06:17:22 pm

You are an all-in kind of guy, no doubt about that. It's an admirable trait I share with you.
As you have said, you are learning,and truth be told, we all start at the same place, the starting line. It's hard not to compare an early effort to someone's masterpiece. I think you are doing quite well.
There is a lot to learn in this business. Fortunately, you have a leg up over many writers with your business background. While learning the art of writing you will handle the business side better than most.
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.
I think you said earlier that you didn't have any beta readers for the first book.
Did you have alpha-readers and/or beta-readers to help you smooth out a lot of wrinkles before publishing your second book?
Do you belong to any writing groups, virtual or otherwise?

6/4/2020 07:46:28 pm

I did not have a beta-reader for my first book. My main excuse was that I didn't think book number two was a given. When I began book two, my wife was the alpha reader for that book and my daughter became the only beta-reader for book two. Obviously, I will need to change my perspective for A's and B's for book 3. I have discussed this need with a couple people already. So, that is good. No, I do not belong to any writing groups, virtual or otherwise.

6/4/2020 08:22:06 pm

That makes sense. I think you understand now, that the more beta readers you have the better your book will be. This is one reason why it's a good idea to build relationships on Twitter, because so many writers hang out there. On my Twitter home page, I have a lists of people who provide services to writers, one of the lists is for beta readers. Feel free to scan and pay close attention to their requirements. You may well find a few that will be happy to beta read for you. Friends who are fiction writers are another potential source for that, especially on a swap basis.
Writing groups abound, In fact there is one I have seen many tweets about, space coast writers live in the area near the Cape Canaveral or Kennedy Space Center. If you poke around you will find them, I am sure. You could even look for writers from Florida on Twitter.
Like everything else in life, there are pros and cons to joining writing groups, a little blog reading might be a good idea.
New questions.
At what stage in your writing process do you bring in the readers?
Do you give them an e-version like a PDF or a hard copy you printed?
What kind of questions did you ask them to get the feedback you wanted or do you let them provide feedback without particular questions?

6/4/2020 08:37:39 pm

I don't have a process yet to bring readers in. That is on my short list to address soon. Since my writing process is to complete an initial draft that is about 50% of the word count of the final MS, I think that mid-point would make a good starting point for a reader. That way, anything major of minor could be easily addressed. I have submitted only Word docs in the past; not sure what format I will use in the future. I would like open feedback based totally on their perception and/or observation and not any particular questions from me.

6/5/2020 10:43:30 am

Some writers pose questions when they send a manuscript and others don't. They let the beta readers share whatever they want.
Do you ask the beta readers to read through more than one draft of the manuscript?
How early was it that you realized how powerful words can be?
What is the most important thing you learned from publishing your latest book?

6/5/2020 01:42:20 pm

I have not asked beta readers to read more than one draft of the MS. I really need to think about using A's and B's much more. Finding someone that will give you good, honest feedback is critical. One problem that I have had is my sci-fi genre. Most of my friends and associates who read, don't care for sci-fi. Inasmuch as my series draws a family generational theme, I have reached a couple people who would not have read it without knowing that. I truly believe that I had a realization of the power of words very early in my life, way back in high school. Most important thing: I overlooked the need and significance of proofreading and it showed. Being a borderline perfectionist, that was unacceptable. It doesn't need to be perfect...just excellent!

6/5/2020 02:24:03 pm

You will find more alpha and beta readers. Science fiction is a very popular genre. I am confident you will be successful.
When a first draft is being written, some authors try to make it perfect and discover that their muse has fled and they are stuck in writer's block. The purpose of the first draft is simply to get the story out of your head, so it can be rewritten and worked on a number of times. The truth is, you can't edit a blank page. Some authors will not send a manuscript to the alpha readers until they have written at least two drafts themselves. Rinse and repeat. Every author has their own process. Alpha readers, draft or two, beta readers, another draft or two, editor, another draft or two, proofreader AKA polisher. Then hit publish.
Editing and proofreading are important to publish a quality product. In the earliest days of e-books, many authors rushed first or second draft manuscripts into publication, to take advantage of the novelty factor. The serious lack of quality control turned a lot of people off to the format. E-books earned a bad reputation and authors have been fighting to overcome that ever since.
New questions.
What are three things, that you wish you knew before you wrote your first book?
Do you have a hero, real or fictional?
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received from another writer?

6/5/2020 03:22:58 pm

The three things that I wish I knew before writing my first book are: 1) My internal structure regarding POV and tense (past or present), was a mess. I didn't realize how inconsistent my writing was in this regard. 2) My story structure had way too many plot points and I took short cuts with some of my "hard science" logic. 3) I wasn't the least bit prepared to market my book. Maybe I just expected my publisher to do it. By the time my first book was released, I had very little social media presence, no readership community or initial fan base and no dedicated writer's website. Those marketing deficiencies were not addressed until book 1 had been out for a while, and only now do I feel that I understand what I need to do. I do not have a hero, real or fiction. There are three people in my life that I have respected greatly. My father is number 1 and my two mentors, Sooi Chong and Dr. Harry Bury, have inspired me to "do the best I can" and to "give back" to the community. There are elements of their character and values in my books. The most valuable advice received from another writer is significant. In book 1, I had the main character, Pete Stevenson, encounter aliens in the middle of the book. My author friend said that by then, you will have lost most of your readers, especially the younger readers...boring! So, he suggested moving the alien encounter to the very first chapter and explain the encounter later. It was GREAT advice and now every one of my books has a mind-blowing introduction, as well as a dramatic and exciting cliffhanger at the end. That old saying of "you don't know what you don't know," is a wake-up call for me.

6/5/2020 04:07:32 pm

Without taking classes on writing your ignorance is easily forgiven, especially since you are working at rectifying that deficiency. I noticed a considerable improvement in your second book, displaying growth and knowledge expansion as a writer.
So many authors expect the publisher will handle all the promotion and marketing, you are not alone in that.The reality shock is staggering for some. A lot of writers scramble to start social media accounts, website and everything, just like you.
That was good advice from your author friend, you implemented it well.
New questions.
Do you think a strong ego is an asset or liability for a writer and why?
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?

6/5/2020 05:57:26 pm

I believe a strong ego is an asset, and I also believe that it ties directly to self-confidence. "Hey, I know you will like my book; its good!" We/I set high expectations for our literary work, and we/I love to hear people tell us how "wonderful" our book is. I think it is one reason, and not a good one, why I don't eagerly seek A's and B's. I don't need to hear constructive criticism, I know what I need to do to make the book better. Usually, though, I don't. That being said, I have two writer friends who are both successful, yet polar opposites on the ego scale. I want my books to appeal to readers who love multi-generational family thrillers, mixed with fact and fiction, that can get themselves involved in the creative process of humanity working in tandem with benevolent aliens to solve both real global problems as well as threats from an imaginary alien regime. I don't have an age group focus; I have fans from 14 to 85. There is plenty of action for younger readers to enjoy, and there is consciousness and spirituality tact for the older readers to reflect upon. My writing lucky charm is an odd one, I think. First, I am a dreamer and any of my dreams make it into my books. I had a progressive dream for about 12 years that became the cornerstone of "Shattered Truth." The cabin by the lake, with me and a dog, and with the water levels rising, and the angelic/demonic light-haired warrior princess levitating, is the centerpiece of ST. It was as real as real could be. And I now have an occasional dream that is likely to end up in book 3 or 4 or 5. But that's not my lucky charm. This is... In the book, Pete is my dad. I am Mike and Sara is daughter Sarah. I am visioning how the three of us, my dad, my daughter and me, WILL negotiate the cosmic adventures of the five-book series, "Stargate Earth." I am writing OUR future!

6/5/2020 06:29:49 pm

You are right. Self-confidence and a strong ego go hand in hand. Querying publishers and agents requires a strong ego, because there is going to be a lot of 'no thanks" before there is a "yes, let's talk'. Promoting and marketing also requires a strong ego, because it is such a long distance event. An author has to have some self-confidence to get through all the negative and persist.
The multi-generational aspect of your series is fairly unique. It has been done to extreme lengths by Asimov in his 'Foundation' series. I also recall 'Dune' by Frank Herbert. It probably has been done by others and I don't know about it. Your book has the extremely unique aspect that it's based on family adventures you grew up with and your dad hunting for UFOs.
I wondered about that dream, it kept reappearing in 'Shattered Truth'. I wasn't sure that I understood it. It was interesting though. You may want to rewrite that book at some point.
New questions.
What is the biggest obstacle you face in writing?
What is your writing Kryptonite and how has it affected you?
Do you see an advantage of writing under a pseudonym, why or why not?

6/5/2020 08:19:24 pm

I don't have any obstacles in my writing. I have frustrations; namely the steep learning curve that I'm on. I am a strong manager of time and critical issues. So, I lay out potential time constraints and issues ahead of my writing, so I can minimize the distractions or frustrations. My Kryptonite is definitely my 40 years of writing business articles, white papers and client presentations. Including trade journal publications and website content, I probably have over 300 such articles. The Kryptonite here is all of the "tell, tell and more tell." There wasn't much "show" in those 40 years. So, I literally look at each finished chapter, seeking out any opportunity to change a "tell" into a "show." Again, I look at my books as a motion picture for many reasons...this is one. There is no advantage for me to use a pseudonym. I don't plan to cross genres, I don't have earlier works that embarrassed me, I haven't written anything that social media could jump all over, and I wouldn't want to confuse a small but growing fan base. But the number one reason? See ego.

6/5/2020 08:31:58 pm

It didn't occur to me that you might have a large body of work in your field of expertise. Quite opposite in many ways from fiction. Tell them, tell them and tell them again was the mantra from long ago that I remember for sales.
The motion picture concept is a good one to have in mind, I think most writers use that visualizing tool to help write their books.
Their is nothing wrong with seeing your name in print. I think it's quite nice. It's good to be proud of your work.
New questions.
Do you think it important to read books in the genre you write in?
Do you ever read books in other genres? Why or why not.
Are there any issues that are peculiar to writing science fiction that might not apply to other genres?

6/5/2020 09:19:58 pm

I didn't realize how difficult it would be to go from writing business articles and books to sci-fi. It has been challenging. Even my publisher was surprised that I had an interest in fiction after the volume of business writing that I did. I do think it's important to read books in your genre for many reasons. For example, when your story arc has a plot point that needs expanding (say, time travel or teleportation), research alone won't cut it. You need to see how other accomplished writers have traversed that arena for guidance. Or, internal structure or story structure may be a hurdle that you are facing, and other authors may open up possibilities to build on. And, for the matter of creativity, imagination and visualization, the SF competition is where to go for inspiration and pure fun. I only read non-fiction, unless it deals with my SF writing. It helps me to understand what is happening in our world and why. Science fiction is one of the most creative genres in literature, taking the guard rails off of imagination and visualizing a future that could be anything from utopian to dystopian. Those would be the kind of issues that are peculiar to writing SF that might not apply to other genres.

6/6/2020 11:27:46 am

You make some good points there. I love science fiction, it's my favorite genre to read. Time travel is my favorite topic. Fans have certain expectations regarding books and they have to respected a certain amount. If an author tires to blow all the gaskets, many fans will probably be unhappy and reviews will reflect that.
As you say, the guard rails are off in comparison to many other genres, and there is a lot of room to play around and be creative.
New questions.
Do you think reading, watching movies or listening to music help you be a better writer?
Have you ever read a book that changed the way you look at writing?
Would you agree or disagree with the statement: suffering is a requirement to be a good writer, and why?

6/6/2020 11:44:20 am

Yes to all three. Without a doubt, reading really helps me write. I purposely read within my genre as well as on the fringe. Movies tend to have snippets of gadgets, novel ideas or simple explanations for weird stuff that I can extrapolate. Music is HUGE for me. As I have said before, I need a quiet space to write. However, I find some inspirational "aha moments" in a thought, phrase, place or time in music. Oddly enough, I still like "old time rock and roll" and new gen trance and electro-pop. The latter really gets my juices flowing, not for the actual writing...but for visioning. I have never read a book that changed the way I look at writing, but I hope to. Suffering can beget some empathy, for sure. And it can truly allow a person or writer to "live in their shoes." But with my limited SF writing experiences, I do not see evidence of how suffering would be a requirement to be a good writer. Better person? Yes.

6/6/2020 12:45:35 pm

Some writers use music like you do, in part. They have a play list or inspiration list in the back of the book by chapter, character or scene. I have seen authors use a snippet of lyrics or a song title as a chapter or subtitle heading also. Another way to connect to fans.
More empathy is desperately needed in our society these days. Fear is driving so many people into camps and enclaves, increasing division and splintering everywhere.
We all have pain and suffering in our lives.
New questions.
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?
Do you ever brainstorm with non-writers and if so, is it effective?
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer to enhance your career?

6/6/2020 01:03:31 pm

The messages for both books can be found in my signed copies of each. For Shattered Truth: "Be forever curious...The answers you seek are often outside your reach!" For Alien Disruption: "Be forever curious...Our past is inaccessible. Our present is disruptive. Our future is unknown!" I don't know as of today whether or not that message has gotten across to my short list of fans. Feedback from a couple readers has been positive. I do not brainstorm with other writers. I do brainstorm with philosophers and futurists. There were two instances of money well spent to enhance my writing career. One was a subscription to "The Writer" magazine. The second one was attending Alien Con in Dallas last October, and meeting David Childress and Giorgio Tsoukalos of the History Channel's Ancient Aliens series. I now correspond with David Childress.

6/6/2020 02:26:27 pm

The messages are well illustrated by the books.
I can imagine that the magazine subscription is very useful.
Attending Alien Con proved to be quite fortuitous since you were able to start a relationship with Childress. I watched the show a few times and really enjoyed it. I have enjoyed a number of shows on the History Channel in the past.
A writer friend of mine recently subscribed to ProWritingAid. He has told me that it is really helping him with his writing in many ways.
That might be useful for you also.
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 ebook 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.

6/6/2020 03:12:21 pm

We now have a six-person production team in place in San Francisco that includes the costume designer, videographer, photographer, writer, make-up artist and Sarah as Sara Steele. As soon as travel restrictions are lifted, we are headed out there for a 3-4 minute Amazon Prime Video shoot for posting on YouTube, etc. According to the writer, a rep from Lucas Film is supposed to attend. So, yes, we are definitely poised for a streaming service. Scenes from book 2 are going to be scripted. Kate, the costume designer, is already working on some Sara Steele merchandize and my Sarah is working with a couple of her FB friends regarding graphic books. Audio books is a category that I know is exploding and I need to investigate my options.

6/6/2020 03:47:41 pm

Excellent! You are ahead of the curve compared to a lot of other writers. Many of them haven't even thought of audio books, much less providing streaming content.
I have links on the Highly Regarded Blogs page that can be useful to most writers, but you might be past most of that now.
I will suggest that you might find part of this series below useful. While I may not have the exact episode linked below, much of the series might be very useful for you.
Your Intellectual Property rights are the key to your future! Business Musings: Learning, The Future, and CES (Contracts/Negotiations) https://kriswrites.com/2019/02/13/business-musings-learning-the-future-and-ces-contracts-negotiations/ via @KristineRusch is her Twitter handle.
Joanna Penn, thecreativepenn.com has written a lot about audio books that may be useful, including how to set up small studio in your house. She has a regular podcast.
I got to interview a narrator of audio books during the course of a promotion of an audio book, you might find that useful also: https://www.wordrefiner.com/book-reviews/heir-to-a-prophecy-by-mercedes-rochelle-narrated-by-kevin-e-green
If nothing else, this information will help you choose wisely.
New questions.
Have you looked into foreign markets? Many different countries use English as an official language or a second language. Big Bad Wolf is a company that sells English language books all over the world in the millions.
Do you subscribe to any blogs or podcasts that enhance your writing career? Feel free to share as many as you would like.
What are your favorite reference books or websites for grammar and writing?

6/6/2020 03:58:26 pm

I have not looked into foreign markets yet. Marketing in this country is "foreign" enough for now. Will investigate. I do not subscribe to any blogs or podcasts yet. I don't have any favorite reference books or website for grammar and writing; just use Google.

6/6/2020 05:02:28 pm

I hope I am not dumping too much info on you. Some of our visitors might be helped also.
Selling books is a little like the stock market, the money is made in the long term. The more platforms, countries and formats you can get a book into the greater return in the long run.
New questions.
Have you ever created a throw-away character that developed into a major player?
Do you ever put a story aside and come back to it at a later date; if so, how long before you return to it?
Why do most authors write in 3rd person POV instead of first and second POV?

6/6/2020 05:56:54 pm

Your info is important, as I need to set some priorities going forward; can't do everything. So, no problem with the info stream. I originally wrote Michaela Marx as a brainy astrophysicist, but then could see the value of her intellect and drive as a suitable partner and sounding board for Sara, So, she was never going to be a throw-away character, but I never intended for her to become a main character. Now she is and she will be part of several great plot twists to come. The only time I put a story aside was when I committed to write my business book. I was working casually on my SF book, but the impetus on the biz book made me put the SF book on the back burner. It was "on hold' for only about 6-8 weeks. I'm no expert on third person POV versus first or second POV. I read a good book on writing techniques and it included portions on POV. Book was "Make Your Words Work: Proven Techniques for Effective Writing" by Gary Provost. Gary refers to viewpoint as an emotional camera and breaks down different ways to use it. If you are writing in first person, it's straightforward enough, but has a lot of restrictive issues. It puts the reader in direct contact with the narrator of the story, which I believe would be awkward for me. Third person has more descriptive room from a specific POV. In third person POV, the author is telling a story about a set of characters, and is not a character in the story. I like third person omniscient POV, as it allows the reader to get a feeling of inner-thoughts, rationale and motivations that would not be possible in first person. In both books, I gave my characters each POV chapters and rotated them. It worked. In "Warriors," however, I will change to chapters with specific titles that follow the story arc.

6/6/2020 06:37:43 pm

Michaela is pretty important. It's nice how her role increased naturally.
I like first person POV because it provides lots of intimacy for the story, from one person's viewpoint. That can be limiting, but it can also stimulate creativity because every other person's thoughts can only be expressed by words and actions. I reviewed a book a couple of years ago, "Divinity Bureau" a sci-fi, YA, dystopian thriller. The author alternated chapters between the two main characters, the action was nearly flawless. One crucial scene was told from both POVs in consecutive chapters. It was quite well done. The biggest thing is to avoid head hopping with suitable notification to the reader.
I like the chapters in AD, they were short and the story never bogged down.
Excellent, I do like chapter titles over numbers. They provide a hint of what is to come. I don't like spoilers, but I do like hints.
New questions.
Were you a plotter or a pantster when you started writing for business?
Do you think you were born to write or did you have to learn the craft?
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

6/6/2020 07:56:46 pm

I plan for my titled chapters in "Warriors" to be short as well, and maintain the continuity of the story. One reason that I discontinued the character's POV for each chapter is that "Warriors" will have additional characters and way more action than AD. Business writing was all plot and highly organized. No "seat of the pants" whatsoever. I firmly believe now that I was born to write and I firmly believe that I missed my true calling. I say that for two reasons. First, I didn't know a damn thing about fiction writing 22 months ago and had to start (from Vince Lombardi), gentleman, this is a football (I mean a SF book!). Second, I had success in business, but I never really enjoyed it. It was a job and paid the bills. I LOVE to write and can honestly spend an entire day or weekend, just writing about Sara and her friends. I loved writing occasional dating poetry in college, much to the dismay of my frat bros. I would write girlfriend-specific poems about them and did not think it was odd. The most difficult part of my artistic process deals with solitude. I am a very sociable guy and I love people. I really can't go a day without starting up a conversation with a total stranger. But when I get creative, I need my space and solitude...not loneliness. Big difference. And I have no one here to share my thoughts or that understands the artistry in writing. Daughter Sarah does, but she's 3,000 miles away. The good news...the very good news is that the creativity regarding my SF series comes easily for me. I know what my cast of characters needs to do going forward. Not this minute; it'll just come to me.

6/7/2020 09:35:08 am

With a name like 'Warriors' I would have the expectation of a lot of action. Action sentences and passages need to be short, tighter than the rest of the story. One way of conveying the accelerated pace and intensity.
There isn't much room for being a pantster when writing about matters of business. The reader wants the facts without a lot of fluff.
I am excited that you have found your calling. Operating in your giftedness is very exciting!
We are social creatures for the most part, in varying degrees. Personal wounds can impact that quite a bit at times. It makes sense to me that you crave social interaction, especially to share your giftedness with others. A local writers group might help to satisfy that need.
New questions.
What is the easiest part of writing a book in general?
What did you buy with your first royalty check?
How did you celebrate when you published your first book?

6/7/2020 11:35:36 am

I think there are two issues in play when writing that makes the effort easy. One is having a passion to write, not an obligation. The other parallels my business writing. In biz writing it helps to know your subject matter well. Haha! In SF writing, the more you understand the three-act play in your mind, the easier it is to put it on paper. Above all else, I am a CAR GUY! In high school I drag-raced a '67 GTO and, as a certified SCCA driver, I raced a Triumph TR6 on various circuits while in college. I currently own a wonderful MB AMG C63. With my first royalty check, I bought several accessories for my Benz; mats, windshield cover, clothes, etc. I celebrated the publishing of my first book with a week in Key West. My wife and I used to spend much time at a condo we owned there many years ago, and it was a joy to revisit the Keys and celebrate my book at the same time. Duval Street is the best and I even had a book signing there!

6/7/2020 11:46:13 am

In business writing it's critical to know your topic well. People will notice quickly if there is little to no meat on the bone.
Three-act play, character and plot arc, it's all important to crafting a good story.
I love that you had a Goat in high school. I had a 1960 Sunbeam Alpine, Mark 1, red with a white rag top. I am surprised I survived those years.
That had to be so much fun! Being able to buy those things because you had written a book! Congratulations!
New questions.
How many times did you rewrite the first page, the first chapter of this book?
Do you have a “favorite” filler word or two that you have to keep taking out of a story, like “just” or like “like”? 😉
What was the earliest experience that made you realize that you could influence and change lives with the power of writing?

6/7/2020 12:31:39 pm

For book 1, Shattered Truth, I wrote and re-wrote both the first page and first chapter many times. There were two reasons for this. I was taking the advice of my writer friend to bring my alien encounter from mid-book to the first chapter, and that was a puzzle that I had to work out. Also, as it was book 1, I had to pay attention to internal and story structure right away, so I would not deviate from the continuity and validity of the MS. In my second book, Alien Disruption, I didn't need to rewrite first page and first chapter, only refined and edited them. The second book, and the third book that I am now writing, were much more comfortable for me to write after I got book 1 figured out. And, I added much needed dialogue to books 2 and 3 after I re-read book 1. Oh, do I have filler words: okay, sure, nice, really, then, well, yeah and yes. There were two instances that made me realize my influence on lives through the power of writing. The first was when a was the commencement speaker at my H.S. alma mater in 1989. My talk was entitled "You Make the Difference." One of the elements of my speech was a list of 12 Fatherly Advice bullet points. I was approached by several graduating seniors following the speech for copies of that "Fatherly Advice" document. I had many copies with me that I distributed and then sent copies to a few students who gave me their names and the school's mailing address. The other time actually made it into Shattered Truth as a story that happened to me. In 1995, I was asked by a professor at Baldwin Wallace University to take over his MBA class for a couple weeks. Instead of using the University's "canned" case studies from a variety of text books, I used actual case studies from my business work, complete with root-cause problem definition through problem solving and management report writing. All 25 of these MBA students were excited with my "left field" re-do from their traditional curriculum, and I ended up giving them notebook binders filled with my documented work, with actual client names redacted. That was cool!

6/7/2020 01:54:31 pm

The foundation of a story is so important, continuity follows right behind. Many authors struggle with that in the beginning of the story of any length.
Your writing skill shows much improvement from book one to book two. In book one I saw parts of the non-fiction book I reviewed previously, 'Who Put Me in Charge'.
Those are great examples of the power of writing. You impacted many lives in both cases.
New questions.
Do you believe that a good book will sell itself?
Do you think good marketing can overcome the limitations of a mediocre book?
What is the biggest myth about writing that would help aspiring authors?

6/7/2020 02:37:25 pm

No, I don't believe a good book will sell itself, not without promotion. If it did, it would be a long process, likely dealing with word-of-mouth and generally favorable reviews from small pockets of readers. I do believe that a good cover will sell a not-so-good book. Many people have told me that and I agree. That is why I went to great lengths to find my cover designer, whom a cherish. I have seen good marketing sell a host of crappy products, so I have no doubt that good marketing could sell a mediocre book. Sad, but true, I think. On the flip side, bad marketing could negatively impact a good book. Please refer to social media in general, here. One big myth that has been true in my writing is the one stating that good writers are born that way...born to write. I am a living and breathing example of that myth being totally wrong. Even as an educated person, I had to learn grammar, tense, POV, punctuation, structure and basic writing mechanics. Good writers aren't born with a natural writing awareness and ability. They must learn, learn and learn. They must also listen and ask questions...plenty of questions. This is a very important issue. You aren't going to get answers to questions that you don't ask. ESP? I don't think so. It is vital that a newbie writer is cognizant of where he or she is on their respective learning curves. And, if you assume that you know most of the answers, you have assumed wrong. My mantra is, and has been for a while: Be forever curious!

6/7/2020 05:06:57 pm

I agree, a book, good or otherwise, will never sell itself very well. It takes reviews and people telling their friends and family about how much they love the book.
Marketing is important, but it is not the only factor. We have all run into products with snazzy marketing that failed to live up to the expectations. We have all become wary of the glitz and glamor to a certain extent.
Some people are born to express their innate creativity through writing, but mastering the mechanics is very necessary or the writing career will fizzle. If the prose is not understandable then all the talent isn't going to make up for it.
Be forever curious. I like that.
New questions.
Some authors go to great lengths to get inside the heads of their characters. Some create a biography, find photos that match the picture in their head, fill out psychological profiles. What do you do in that regard, if anything?
Where would your work be if you didn't have real people to base characters in your writing?

6/7/2020 05:53:11 pm

I really don't do any of that kind of visualization. I have a cast of characters laid out in my mind and then just build the 3-dimensional model as I go. I guess that sounds a little too random, but that is what I do. Then, if I need to add another character or two, which will definitely be the case in Warriors, I have a blank sheet of paper to simply create. Having real people to base many of my characters around is important for so many reasons. I want to honor some, repay some for all their help, and maybe get a little self-therapy from those who I had a difficult time with in my life or my career. I think these real people add a lot of color and my writings without them would be less colorful!

6/7/2020 07:19:07 pm

Those are great reasons for basing characters on people you know. The characters come across as very organic and seem quite real. I am guessing that you are familiar with the different "What Type of Personality do you have" books. They can be quite helpful and are popular. One of my guest bloggers has, Rick Hall, has created a tool that blends several of these types of analyzing tools together and folded in famous people and characters for illustrating purposes. His goal was to make it easier for writers to keep their characters psychologically congruent. https://www.wordrefiner.com/guest-blogs/character-creation You might find it interesting.
New questions.
Do you have any problems when writing about characters of the opposite sex, why or why not?
How do you balance the demands on your time as a writer with personal relationships?

6/7/2020 08:05:04 pm

Okay, you have now opened up a can of worms...but in a good way. For most of my adult career, I have preferred to hire women managers, especially for key positions. I truly believe that women are much better at managing than men. Let the men be the soldiers or "doers," but let the women decide what to do. The commander of the alien Arrans force on Earth is Echo, and as you know, she is awesome. In my movie, Echo will be played by Sigourney Weaver. And, Sara and Michaela will continue to drive this point home. And, I love women. I mean I really like being around them and getting to talk about stuff other than sports, cars, famous people, the "blame game," lunch, the weather, politics, etc. When I meet a woman who is creative as well, I get excited, because I may actually learn something! This drives my wife nuts, as she accuses me of "flirting." It is easy to draw that conclusion, until you hear what we talk about. This has gotten me into hot water and I now minimize those contacts to keep things open and honest with my wife. I have gotten a couple book ideas and some constructive criticism from women, and I am grateful. So the long answer to your short question is I have NO problem writing about characters of the opposite sex. Keep in mind my "reverse mentoring" writings regarding my daughter, Sarah. I was her mentor when she was young...now she is mine! I realized a long time ago how important balance is and I structure my day/week/month in such a way that personal relationships are not ignored. Am I always successful? Hell no. But if I screw one up, I will try my best to fix it. I also "take" what I am "given" in terms of writing time. If on a particular day, I have 8 hours to write, I will use them. If, on another day, I have only two hours to write, I will use them. The balance also gives me time to reflect on both the writing and the relationships.

6/7/2020 09:01:48 pm

I am with you concerning women in many ways. I believe they have a better sense of the big picture much of the time, sometimes without being able to articulate why. Men are better at drilling down, focusing on vital details and getting things accomplished.
I learned this from over 40 years of marriage and from apparent structural differences between the brains of men and women. At some point, in utero, a hormone is released to turn the undifferentiated fetus into a boy, this hormone does many things including severing much of the connection between the two hemispheres of the brain. This enables men to focus on details and women to grasp the bigger picture.
New questions.
Is there a cause you are passionate about?
Did you have a favorite book or type of book as a child?

6/7/2020 10:36:25 pm

My major concern is with education. Students in this country are so far behind their peers in other countries, it makes me sick. There are so many factors involved here I can't even begin to discuss. I traveled throughout Asia and Europe and saw education systems that worked and worked well. They all had tremendous leadership structures and vision, built into their cultures for generations. We simply have other priorities and they deal with self-serving agendas, both political and social. One of my mentors told me that world hunger could probably be overcome if it weren't for selfish world leaders and resource mismanagement. I believe the same thing holds true for our education systems. Like the racial issues that are currently confronting everyone worldwide, real change will take generational time and it seems like no one wants to start that arduous journey now, because the he's and she's wouldn't get proper credit for it. Part of my narrative in Stargate Earth is to point out what can and cannot happen if ignorance remains bliss. I always was a curious kid, and read a variety of books. My favs were always the SF pioneers; H.G. Wells, Ray Bradbury, Jules Verne, Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Rod Serling. "The answers you seek are often outside your reach..."

6/8/2020 10:24:13 am

Education and resources are huge, no doubt about that. Leadership and vision cannot be overestimated. Much of American leadership has become very short-sighted.
I love your list of authors, it mirrored mine quite a bit. Asimov's Foundation really stuck with me, after several decades.
New questions.
What type of scenes do you find hard to write and why?
What did your family say when you announced your desire to be a science fiction writer?
What do they think now?

6/8/2020 10:46:13 am

I am a "big picture" guy, both in visioning and in writing. I could easily be persuaded to write about the end of the universe as we know it. The scenes I fine most difficult are the "soft" scenes. I am more focused and interested in action and "big bang" stuff, and soft, emotional and sensitive scenes require a lot of thought and I don't think I do them particularly well. For example, scenes with Matt and Sara or with Pulse and Sara seemed kinda forced. My family know me as a restless guy, so anything I would take on during retirement would not be a shock. Whether that is running for mayor, traveling around the world or becoming a SF writer, no surprise whatsoever. In fact, one of my mom's constant comments to my wife was: "Is he ever going to stop chasing dreams? Can't he just enjoy what he has?" I got a kick out of that. The family is proud of where I am, given I'm a newbie to this, but not surprised. I have always said: "Do what you love, do it with people you love, do it WELL!"

6/8/2020 12:11:15 pm

It makes sense that emotionally intimate and detailed scenes are difficult to write, for a person of your bent. A visionary sets the goal and lets others work out the nuts and bolts of the details. Operating in your giftedness is important.
I knew what I wanted to do in retirement, years before it started. So I amped up my services, made my website and started to learn about Twitter and other social media.
New questions.
How do you maintain the excitement for yourself? Your excitement will impact others around you.
Do your friends and family members buy your books?
Is there a non-writing skill you would like to have that might help you as an author?

6/8/2020 03:08:30 pm

I have always been a "people person" with high energy and a ferocious curiosity. One thing my dad instilled in me was to be grateful and to give back. It has been a driving force all my life. I also try to extend myself, both physically and intellectually. That way, it's exiting when I reach a "stretch goal" that is important to me. I read a book in 2016 that has had a soothing effect on my quiet self. That book was "The Urban Monk" by Pedram Shojai, OMD. Besides getting me started in meditation, the author wrote about how important it is to associate yourself with like-minded and optimistic people. The part about distancing oneself from negative people has been a challenge. Basically, there are not too many people in my orbit that are more upbeat than me! And yes, my energy does impact others around me. I have about six people who where members of an original "lean" team during an early client engagement, and they would literally "drop everything" to work with me on any subsequent engagements. That door swings both ways. There ingenuity on problem solving inspired me. Yes, many of my friends and family members buy my books. My biggest local fan bases are my senior softball teammates and members of the M Power Fitness club that I belong to. I'm not sure if there is a non-writing skill that would help me, but I know one thing that would help, for sure. Patience!

6/8/2020 03:43:35 pm

That sounds like an interesting book. I thoroughly believe in being associated with people of like personality, I am an energetic and positive person also.
Those lean team members are a testimony to the impact you had on them and vice versa. They sound like family.
Several heads are better than one so many times.
New questions.
Have you ever killed off a character unwillingly because it fit the plot?
With sequels, how do you handle the wishes of readers compared to your original ideas?
You mentioned earlier that your daughter Sarah is the model on the covers of your books. You could have chosen any of several themes for your series. Why did you choose her and how does the costume she is wearing relate to the sci-fi theme of your books?

6/8/2020 05:45:27 pm

Yes, Kat was an unfortunate victim. I did this for two reasons: to portray Scorpio's terrorist group as ruthless and to further incite the tattoo, "I am the STORM!" I must confess that I have had very few wishes from readers. I have been asked to look at spirituality and consciousness a bit more, and I am. Several have asked me to up the tempo of the Arrans' characters to give them more personalities to relate to and to identify with. A couple oldsters want me to tone down the violence. Oh, and I have had a couple young readers ask for pics or graphics. Not ready to integrate Dog Man into the series just yet. Maybe later or in cartoon format. Daughter Sarah is the image of Sara Steele on all of my books and for many reasons. When I decided to write my SF series, I wanted a futuristic heroine who young women could relate to. I wanted to create a normal, flawed, open-minded character that a reader could say, "hey, that's me!" I wanted the whole package: strength, beauty and perseverance. Sarah works in Silicon Valley for a major social media firm, but does singing and modeling on the side. And, we are very similar in our thinking regarding alien presence. We often spend hours discussing various research results that distinguish between informed speculation and irrefutable fact. Great fun! So, while most authors would need to go out and hire someone for the image of Sara, our Sarah was perfect. And, if we can manage to get a video trailer shot, I think Sarah Peterson could play Sara Steele quite well. And there is one more thing... As you know, Pete Stevenson is my dad, and I have tried to somewhat immortalize that man in my series. That is how I look at daughter Sarah. Long after I am gone (you need to stay tuned for my version of the afterlife), depending on how many books in the Stargate Series get written and published, Sarah's futuristic alter ego and images will live forever. You need to eventually be where the world is going...

6/8/2020 06:08:35 pm

I love the tattoo and what it represents to Sara.
Your daughter is pretty and looks good on the covers.
Once again, one of my Twitter lists may be of use to you, "Book Trailers" has 12 members. When you open the list click on the member count if it doesn't show first thing. At least one of them says they make movie trailers.
I want to thank you for being a fabulous guest! I am looking forward to working with you on the next book, Warriors of the Galaxy.
I have another promotion that starts tomorrow. Lets shut this one down now.
Stay safe and keep writing.

6/8/2020 07:53:07 pm

Thank you so much for your time and sharing your wealth of knowledge with me. The questions and comments were extremely interesting and most definitely thought-provoking. Several new issues are now in play... I may re-write book 1 at a later date for a few reasons. I now know that I can make it better and I really should have prefaced my dad's influence on me and my writing in some sort of intro. Daughter Sarah thinks maybe a short blast about dad as Pete Stevenson could be written in some form in book 3; better late than never. And, I innocently believed that an editor did proofreading as well. Oops! I also look forward to working with you on "Warriors of the Galaxy." Thanks, again. Cheers, Garry.

Shattered Truth and Alien Disruption By Garry J. Peterson

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