A few weeks ago, I was invited to take part in The Next Big Thing blog hop. And what, pray tell, is a “The Next Big Thing blog hop”? Well, it involves me answering a set of ten questions on a recent or upcoming release on this blog, and then forwarding the same questions to other writers of my choice so that they can do the same – and keep the process going until, presumably, every living writer with an internet presence has participated.
Amanda Ball, who kindly extended the invitation to yours truly, talked about her upcoming release on her blog last week, here: http://livingforcreativity.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/the-next-big-thing-blog-hop/
I, in turn, extended the invitation to a few more writers:
As it turned out, author Ari Marmell knew all about the blog hop – because he’d already participated several months ago. Get the scoop on the latest installment in his Widdershins series here:
http://mouseferatu.com/index.php/news/november-28-2012-the-next-big-thing/
Author Dave Gross was also on my invite list but, like Ari, he was well ahead of the game. You can find out more about his next book in The Pathfinder Tales series here:
Dave Gross: The Next Big Thing
Author Mandy Hager has yet to participate in the blog hop (Success!). She’ll be talking about her latest release, The Crossing, over on her blog next week: Mandy Hager – Writer. I will, of course, provide a link once the Q&A is up.
And, finally, the ever-entertaining Sam Sykes will be discussing his work here: Sam Sykes » Blog.
So, my turn.
Even though I was only forwarded ten questions, there were actually eleven I had to answer – the 11th (or, more appropriately, first) being: Which work do I choose to discuss? I ultimately decided to go with Dark Matter, my comic book series. Why? Well, for starters, the trade paperback collecting the first arc came out in October. Also, although I’ve written several “things” since, none are yet available for public consumption (I don’t believe there’s an airdate for the Delete miniseries while two of the pilots I wrote won’t be going to camera until the spring). Finally, there’s a good chance I’ll have even more to say about Dark Matter in the near future. And let’s leave it at that for now.
On to the questions…
1: What is the working title of your book?
Dark Matter.
2: Where did the idea come from?
The idea had been brewing for quite some time – some five years! I developed the series while working on Stargate. The plan was to set it up as a series whenever Stargate ended. The only problem was (and, believe me, it was a classy problem) Stargate was in no hurry to end. Thus, I had a lot of time to really flesh out the characters, their respective backstories, and the series as a whole.
3: What genre does your book come under?
Science fiction. Space Opera in the truest sense of the term.
4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Movie? You mean t.v. rendition, no? Well, hard to say. Don’t want to tip my hand just yet.
5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The crew of a derelict ship awakens from stasis with no memories of who they are or how they got onboard.
6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?
The comic book series was published by Dark Horse Comics.
7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The series and pilot were five years in the making – but it took me about a month to write the first script.
8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Certainly Stargate. A few of the space-based anime series like Cowboy Bebop and Trigun. Maybe a touch of Breaking Bad (actually, reverse Breaking Bad).
9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?
I drew my inspiration from a variety of sources: The Dirty Dozen, The Seven Samurai, The Shield, The Thunderbolts, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun.
10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Well, the plan has always been to produce a television series based on the concept. Want a sneak peek at the first few episodes? Pick up the trade paperback: Dark Matter Volume 1: Rebirth TPB :: Profile :: Dark Horse Comics
I can’t wait to hear more about Dark Matter – TV desperately needs some good, space-based Sci-fi.
I just got back home from 5 hours at the hospital and it was a pretty rough day. I don’t think there’s a lot of medical change with my stepmom, although they did determine she does have the flu as well as her other issues, so that’s not helping. But because of her age she is susceptible to “hospital dementia” where she’s normally pretty clear headed at home but once she gets in the hospital, all bets are off. It took me an hour to get her calmed down when I got there this afternoon, and spent the rest of the time trying to keep her attached to reality. Given past experience, I was expecting it would happen, but I’ve never seen it quite so bad as this. She seemed to be resting pretty good by the time I left, so hopefully tomorrow will be better.
I think I need to go unwind now! 🙂
Have a full house here and have been rushing for the past two days, but had to share this with you guys. Michael’s pacifiers have been disappearing and we finally found out what was going on:
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu284/pbugsmom/Codypacifierthief1_zps9128e886.jpg
🙂
@gforce: Stay strong, prayers coming your way. 🙂
Thanks for the info about the blog hop stuff, I am always looking for a new good book, and you certainly have some interesting ones listed here. Great idea of a way to “look inside” b4 I buy.
~gforce, {{hugs}} for better times.
and Joe~~ pleasant dreams~~
Joe I hope Dark Matter gets a TV series. I would love to see that! You said the series and pilot were 5 years in the making. There’s that number 5 again. Maybe this is what is stressing you out? Maybe this is your refrigerator full of leftovers? Tonight you need to dream you had another gathering in the basement and you warm up those leftovers and they were delicious! Everyone loves them! Take that, dreamland!!
@ Deni – That is hilarious!!!!! Big baby!!
@ gforce – Putting you and your step-mom in my prayers. Hope she gets over that nasty flu real quick. Elderly seem to go through periods of bad health. I understand your stress. My parents are both 87 now. Requiring more and more attention from me as they can no longer do daily things. But it is an honor to care for them and let them know I’ll always be there for them with whatever they need. You’re a good son.
Joe I think your book Dark Matter kinda spills the beans too quickly (they find out their unsavory past). In the TV series, I think you should stretch out the mystery a little longer, ala Lost. Lost was very mysterious and slowly revealed mysteries. Of course if you get cancelled, you’ll have to reveal everything real quick.
I really need to read dark matter again
Deni, that’s too freaking funny!
Joe, I think I speak for most of us when I say that we’re pretty excited about what you’re not telling us.
See, Joey, doesn’t this look like more fun than the NFL?!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tULPB5pFA5Q
😀
Watching – and listening – to the entire game is just fantastic – and hilarious! Some of the things the announcers said had me in stitches!
“They’re growing rice over there”
“I’ve seen sties in better condition than this pitch”
“That corner they got into is a paddling pool”
“There’s a couple of carp in there”
Like I said, far more entertaining than American Football.
🙂
das
So much happening, so much!! Very, very busy…BUT also very, very chatty!
1. @ Deni – 😆 Methinks someone may miss being the center of attention. 😉
2. The Queen – One question – I was never quite sure if the title of this one referred to Teyla, or Todd. 😉 I really wanted to add more about this episode yesterday, but got too busy at work and didn’t get home until 8 pm, and had to eat and stuff…sooo never got around to it.
Anyway, there was so much to love about this one, from beginning to end. From a Wraith fan’s standpoint, it was good to finally see some of the politics and inner workings of the hive. It would have been a great loss had this episode not made it into what, sadly, was to become the final season. I loved Bald Commander Wraith, too, and felt rather sorry for him because if you looked at things from his standpoint Teyla and Todd were really the bad guys. I think this was a good gray area ep for that reason. Sure, Todd and the Atlanteans were trying to help both Wraith and human alike, but in doing so they crossed lines. And sure, the line Todd crossed (killing the queen) was part of the system he knew and understood, but it helped to show that you never quite know what to expect when making devilish deals. I looked at this episode from two different viewpoints: from the human viewpoint it was a risky endeavor that hopefully would help resolve their deadliest problem, but from a Wraith’s standpoint it was pure betrayal (yes, Todd, I’m looking at you!). But that’s why I loved it, and why I just adore Todd!
If memory serves me, I believe this was also the ep where Todd/Chris was given the wrong wig and some pictures slipped out before the correction was made. Boy, the speculation that raced through the Wraith worshippers camp about that one! Pretty sure it spawned a fan fic or two about Teyla brushing out Todd’s tangled mane while whispering sweet nothings in his ear. No wait…mebbe it was Sheppard with the brush and honeyed tongue. Either way, it seemed to work for the fangirls! 😉
(I however, take the dignified high road of common sense and never, EVER put my fangirlish fancies down on paper! EVER! Okay…maybe once…but then I burned it AND I ate it. 🙂 )
3. @ Joe – RE: dreams. Doh, doh, DOH!!! *smacks forehead* How could I have missed it?! Reliquary! Finding the hidden area in the basement (did it look like a grand old subway station, perchance?), entertaining guests in the subterranean recesses of your home, the old leftovers stashed away (was there track rabbit in that fridge by any chance? 😉 ) – you were dreaming about the book, silly, only in terms more relevant to you!
I betcha your subconscious is trying to warn you that there be monsters in yer basement, mate! 😀
das
gforce: Praying for you and your stepmom. Having the flu is bad enough without the Congestive heart problem.
Deni: Please think about framing that picture!
for the love of Beckett: Thanks for posting your headache treatment. I’ve done that and sometimes it helps. A neurologist told me once that packing your neck/head in ice ( for a migraine) will help. It’s hard to do that sometimes, so going to the pool is a good substitute for me. There is something about that cool water surrounding my head/shoulders. Of course, my hands are numb from Raynaud’s but you can’t have everything 😉 .
Mr. M.: Those books look intriguing! I’m looking for some new authors, so thanks for posting.
I agree with gforce, we need more Sci-fi on TV. Fingers crossed that all your deals work out for you. Did you figure out your dream yet?
Oh…MYYYYYYY…
Benedict Cumberbatch as Julian Assange – or, as I’d like to call him, Elric Aloysius Zenith Pendergasp!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/dasNdanger/Benedict.jpg
*dies*
das
G’day all
@ gforce – Sorry about your stepmom. Hope she recovers quickly, hugs all round.
Cody is a big baby, too funny.
Here is hoping for Dark Matter tv series. Would be soooo good. TV needs GOOD science fiction.
Das: Pretty….
1. I need more Dark Matter. It was a darn good story, plus it had Two-Katana-san. 🙂
2. Will check out Sam Sykes site. I had looked into his books before, but shied away when discovered it was fantasy. But now I’ll give them a second look. 🙂
3. … … …
Okay…I can’t think of a number 3. 😛
das
Thanks for all the well wishes, everyone. You guys are truly the best blog community anywhere!
A quick update: I was at the hospital most of the day and although the day started off pretty rough. The terror parts were pretty much gone, thankfully, replaced by demands to leave NOW. By this evening things had leveled out pretty good and even her health seems to be turning a bit for the better, finally. Well, at least for now. I’m just hoping that if the fluid on the lungs can be brought under control, she’ll be able to get out of there as soon as possible.
2 pilots and Dark Matter? This is going to be a banner year. Here’s hoping you have an excess of projects to juggle. It would be really nice to have some quality viewing back on the air. Persons of Interest is entertaining, but I really want some sci fi shows on that are watchable. Not that i wouldn’t take a good show of yours if it’s another genre, but Dark Matter would really hit the spot.
Best of luck with that, and gforce, I hope the stepmom recovers quickly and well. Ive heard of the hospital induced dementia, but I have to admit, it’s something i’ve never actually seen.
Speaking about that blog you mentioned Joe, I noticed she only gets like 1-2 comments on her blog posts. She seems to put an awful lot of effort into something such a small audience seems to appreciate.
Anyway, hurry up and get Dark Matter on TV already Joe!
@Gforce Hope your stepmom is better. I know I am very behind in blog posts.