March of the Writers 2022 – Return of MOTW

It’s amazing how time flies and suddenly March is upon you once again. So in typical moi fashion, here I am announcing the prompts for this year’s March of the Writers! I’ll offer a brief explanation of each prompt though by all means, the main thing about this month-long shindig is to have fun and do these prompts on YOUR terms. This is all about connecting with new readers and fellow authors and creatives alike. You can be as brief or as extensive as you want. Are you in the mood to do blog posts, tweets, or BookTube/AuthorTube videos? Have at it. Want to do this on TikTok? Why not? Again, these are just ideas to connect to people and hopefully help you connect with people including yours truly. 

 

 So without further ado, here are the prompts!

 

 

1.     New month, who dis?

 

It’s the start of #MOTW, tell us who you are. After all what better way to start anything than introducing yourself?

 

2.     Show & Tell (Your Books)

 

I’ve changed the order of certain things to make sure we hit on some key things, like what you’ve written for instance! Have a book or twenty? Show em off, baby!

 

3.     Writing Muzak

 

Something I’m very proud of in regards to #MarchOfTheWriters is the writing playlist I’ve compiled. If you have tunes to share, by all means, suggest so we can keep feeding this list. Well over 1,000 tracks on both Tidal and Spotify so let’s share the wealth!

 

4.     For those about to WIP

 

Are you about to start a new project? Are you in the middle of a WIP? Tell us tell us what you’re working on. Genre, topic, character names, and if you’re particularly brave, title.

 

5.     Sweet spot: writing session length

 

The more writers you meet, the more you’ll realize how varied we are. Some people love long writing sessions. Some like several short sprints. What’s your ticket to wordcount glory?

 

6.     2022 goals

 

Regardless of the state of the world, which is pretty chaotic, we should all have dreams and things we strive for. Although two months have come and gone, tell us what some of your goals are for the rest of the year.

 

7.     Author Tribe

 

Another prompt I’m bumping up in the priority list is to share something about your writer tribe. Want to share a BookTube channel, podcasts, blog, or website we should check out? Go for it. Want to do a collage with your favorite people? Knock yourself out. Want to craft a message saying thank you to the people who are in your corner? No worries, these aren’t the Academy Awards and you can go as LONG as you want with no music to interrupt.

 

8.     Writer DNA

 

As writers, there are certain things that make their way into our projects. What are some of the core message, themes, and topics that make it into your work?

 

9.     Show off your TBR

 

Writers better read, so tell us what is in your reading queue or what you’re currently digging into!

 

10.  What’s on your calendar?

 

We all know the importance of pivoting, but we also plan and hope we can keep those plans! What are some things you’re looking forward to in the coming months?

 

11.  Writer Wisdom

 

We all live and we all learn, so why not share a lesson or three that could help a fellow writer?

 

 

12.  Filmspiration

 

I’m not one of those writers and book lovers who turn my nose up to TV and movies. Nope. I love me some boobtube goodness, so what movies have left a mark on you?

 

13.  Treat-yo-self

 

All work and no play makes anyone dull as dishwater! We NEED to learn to reward ourselves more often, but careful, I do know some people who always seem to find a way to reward themselves. That aside, when you achieve a milestone, how do you say thank you and congratulations to you?

 

14.  Return of the pitch

 

You got a working script? Share with us that pitch and let’s try and be constructive with feedback to help each other get the best spiel possible to convince people to not only be interested in our books, but pre-order the damn thing!

 

15.  How do you social?

 

There are plenty of ways we connect with readers and writers on the interwebs. What are some of yours or what tips would you offer a fellow creative in regards to connecting?

 

16.  Fanfare (reviews)

 

Getting a review is not only nice, but makes the world of difference. As a salute to those kind souls who put words to a review in support of us, share a review that touched you or taught you something important.

 

17.  Fav classics

 

People are ALWAYS raving about the next great new book, but what are some deep dive classics that shall always have a place on your bookshelf and why?

 

18.  Digital or Analog

 

The smell of a book or the convenience of carrying a library’s worth of books in a device. This topic shall never go away because we all have our preferences. So tell us, what’s your choice and why?

 

19.  Method to your madness

 

What’s a writing habit you learned that was instrumental in your writer journey?

 

20.  Block Breakers

 

You could have a proper block or just be exhausted, but blocks can and do happen. What’s something that definitely helps you to maneuver around writer’s block?

 

21.  Bookmark Brag

 

Beyond all the books we have, many of us have plenty of pretty bookmarks. This is not a time to be shy so SHOW EM OFF!

 

22.  Tools of the trade

 

Pen? Pencil? Laptop? Typewriter? Scrivener? Word? Speech to Text? What tools make your writing flow?

 

23.  Fav place to read

 

As creatures of comfort, we also have our favorite places to indulge in what we love. What’s your choice when it comes to getting snuggly with a book?

 

24.  Why do you write?

 

The writer equivalent of “Why are we here?” What is at the top of your Writer Maslow Pyramid in terms of needs when you write?

 

25.  What’s your brand?

 

Some people have done the writing thing for years. Others are starting out. What is consistent is that beyond the books we write, we are a brand. So you, yes you, what is your brand and why should people care about your work?

 

26.  Plot or Pants

 

Oh I do enjoy the passion in which pantsers defend their right to pants as much as I enjoy the methodical and logical approach of planners. So tell us, plot or pants, which will it be?

 

27.  Writer habitat

 

Also known as your writing desk or work area. Show it off!

 

28.  Book you’ve read the most

 

There are some books that are almost a tradition. What’s a book you’ll be rereading until you pass the page of this life?

 

29.  Unpopular Opinions

 

What’s a movie, book, food, band, artist, location, vacation destination, or author everyone loves that you can’t hhhhhhhelp but hhhhhhate.

 

30.  People to follow

 

We mentioned our author tribe before already, so what gives? It’s pretty simple…you’ll probably meet some new people in these weeks. So who has caught your attention and when are we doing a writer sprint?

 

31.  Keep in touch

 

The usual post where we share everywhere people can find us AND our books. Till next we march.

 

Peace, love, and maki rolls

Dancing in Time

Time has a way of flying and more so these times that bring with them so many challenges none of us ever thought we would face. Yet thinking of Mom and talking to her helps ground me a lot. She still brings me peace even in the midst of chaos as do many people whom I love. People who are anchors in our lives and who help us weather whatever storm comes our way. 

There is a temptation to say that today would have been Mama Estrada’s 73^rd birthday. Born in 1949, the math makes sense…what doesn’t make sense is the tense. Saying things in the past might invite some people to leave things in the past and that’s where I struggle. I still talk to her. I still write to her. Even if I miss her intensely, she is part of my past, she shall be part of my future, and she is always present. 

 

I am blessed to have many anchors and many hearts help me in countless ways. From kind words, to boundless love and support, to a meme sent, a phone call given, a text, an email, or hey, even a book review. Acts of kindness can be immensely soothing and healing and if something characterized Mama Estrada, it was her kindness and her abundant random acts of kindness to people who would have not expected her to be the one to offer a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or advice they would carry for life. Every January 17^th, I receive messages from people saying #CheersMamaEstrada and from time to time, someone offers a little story of who and how she was and the kindness and generosity she showed to them. I smile because every time it’s another treasure I store in my heart’s trove. 

 

The curious thing is that today we also celebrate another magnificent golden girl whom we’ve lost, Betty White, who was just shy of celebrating a century of awesomeness. Mom passed away when she was 70 and it definitely feels like she was taken too soon. Betty White passed away at 99…and even at that age, still too soon. The people that leave a lasting impression will always leave us too soon, even if they outlive a turtle. That’s just the nature of it and I think it’s definitely a sign of greatness. That no matter the time that passes, these people live on in our hearts and even our dreams. I love that Mom shared her birthday with Betty White because they both loved life, loved family, were astoundingly cheeky, and loved dogs…Mom later got a soft spot for cats thanks to the most doglike cat we’ve ever known, our dear Leo. So as a tribute to Mama and our dear Betty, I joined the #BettyWhiteChallenge and donated to Save a Sato (a Puerto Rico based non-profit dedicated to ease the suffering of Puerto Rico’s homeless and abused animals) (http://saveasato.org/donate-for-the-satos) and to the Atlanta Humane Society (https://atlantahumane.org).

 

Mama always loved dogs and adored each of our pups intensely. So in keeping with the topic, I want to share a small story about Mom and one of our pups, Miabella. If you ever visited our home and met our pups, you knew they each had their own unique personality, although from all eight dogs that went through our household, the loopiest had to be Mia. Being a basset hound, she was long, clever, wily, naughty, silly, and was pure love embodied in a not so small and plenty strong body. Imagine a Basking Robbins log ice cream cake, with short legs, and a big heart. The thing is, Mia almost didn’t make it when she was born. Among the many things my Mom was during her life, she was a “canine midwife” on two occasions, once with Tina (our beloved shar-pei and as noble as a dog can be) and once with Kahlúa (our basset momma). 

 

Tina was a trooper and she only had 5 pups so it wasn’t that intense. Mom had been informed by the vet that Kahlúa would have a litter of 7 or maybe 8. Showtime was around 2 AM or Lord knows what hour. It was late, I was sleepy, and for about 3-4 hours, Mom was the “canine midwife” and I was the best “placenta catcher” I was able to be, i.e. beyond moral support, all I could do was hold a plastic bag because although dogs do tear the sacks the pups are in and lick them clean, 7-8 is a tall order and Kahlu needed help, which Mom selflessly and lovingly did. After the 7^th pup, it seemed Kahlúa was done and Mom told me to go back to sleep, which I did. 

 

Fast forward a couple of hours and I am stirred from slumber with some ruckus and I have no idea what’s going on. Exiting my room, I quickly decipher the reason…Kahlúa wasn’t done and after about an hour after I went to sleep, she showed she still had more pups to deliver. Mom was crying though and I asked what had happened. Unfortunately, one of the pups had been born stillborn and it had hit Mom hard…but she had no time to process because more were on the way. The next pup came out fine, but another was also born without breathing. To lose a dog at birth was horrible enough…and Mom wasn’t about to lose a second one. So she cleaned the pup and massaged her chest. She did chest compressions. She put her fingers over the pup’s mouth and she gave her CPR. A family friend who had arrived told her the pup was gone and to let her go, because it had been another of the females, which were in short order in this litter and Mom wasn’t having it. She kept on gently and patiently urging the pup to please hold on, as much for her sake as Mom’s…and she did. The pup coughed, began to move, and she made it and lived a full and long life…because of my Mother’s faith, kindness, and love. Miabella was her name and trust me, that pup lived life with love the likes you’ll rarely see. I’m sure Mom gave a bit of herself so Mia could make it, a small price for the love she gave us and the joy Mom received from her and one of countless examples of her greatness I hold close to my heart.

 

As a person, Mom was wonderfully human and humane. She led with kindness and love and from all reports, Betty White did the same and then some, which we’ll definitely talk about later on this blog. Although leaving a mark is something special, leaving a legacy is something that often just happens because of a person’s nature more than from planning. So on this wonderful day, rather than a tear in my eye, I offer cheers with love in my heart, kindness in my actions, and faith in tomorrow to two golden girls, whom I truly hope can meet up for drinks, laughs, and a cuddle fest with all their furry angels.

 

Peace, love, and #CheersGoldenGirls

Album Review: Elbow – Flying Dream 1

If there’s anything that’s a given is that the last year and a half has not been a normal time to be living through. Most of us have had to adjust in countless ways and there have been a lot of intense and conflicting feelings. So there’s something to be said about an album released in 2021 that drips with dreaminess, kindness, and hope. 

 

May I present to you Flying Dream 1

 

If you’re looking for something raucous, look elsewhere. The name of this album describes it perfectly and I would further describe it as a combination of latter days Talk-Talk and Peter Gabriel, except that the melancholy you can find in songs has a heavy dose of hope. It’s an emotion Elbow is masterful in tapping into and it’s possible thanks to combining all the elements that make up this band. The curious thing is that this band has always been on top form. If you listen to their debut, Asleep in the Back, it sounds like a seasoned band. That was 20 years ago and what’s happened with the band is that they’ve explored a variety of textures and approached music in a way I’d describe as minimalist prog. They don’t go for speed or mind bending time signatures though they are meticulous in the placement of every single element, from main instruments to backing vocals and orchestral arrangements, and small electronic flourishes and drumbeats. It's always music that invites you to dig in and see the layers for there are countless. 

 

Another way I’d describe the use of instrumentation is that each instrument truly plays with the rest in the sense that there’s a literal playfulness in how the band plays and that only comes about through chemistry and understanding each other. The track Is it a Bird is a perfect example of this where there’s space for the track to sneak in a lot of magic. The winds and the bass in this song border on exquisite. It’s jazzy in a very floaty way and that’s a word I’d use for a lot of the songs here, floaty or ethereal, or well, dreamy. Depending on the track, the lead player will either be the guitar, the keys, or everyone takes turns like a round robin of quirky passages and riffs. 

 

It’s curious that what brings it all together are often the vocals and Guy Garvey’s lyrics and vocals are a thing of beauty quite often. For me, he has a tone that just makes me smile in a many layered way. It’s easy to see why he draws so much attention though it punches through thanks often to Craig Potter’s wonderful work on the keys. Everyone plays a huge roll in this band, though what the keys bring is something very special. 

 

Seeing some interviews, Guy Garvey described the songs as love letters to each other as a band and I think that’s an exceptionally apt way to describe this album. It’s music where you can feel how happy they are to be together playing and that they recorded tracks at the Brighton Theater also comes through the music. It’s theatrical, occasionally quirky, but never in a rush to anything, and with what this year has entailed, I for one welcome this dreamy slowburn and the dreams I’m sure they’ll inspire. 

As for me...2022 seems like a great year for another Odventure and you can be sure this album will be keeping me company. 

Peace, love, and dreamy maki rolls

#SoftNaNo

November. 

A month where we think of Thanksgiving, where Fall gets confused with Winter in some countries or states, where leaves finally turn to new shades of wonderful colors, and where writers dive into National Novel Writing Month (also known as NaNo Wrimo – Pronounced [Na-no -Wry-Moe]).

 

I’ve done both NaNo Wrimo and Camp NaNoWrimo and have benefitted from both. To participate in NaNo during November, the goal is to write 50,000 words in one month. If ALL you’re doing is writing, it’s a doable task and one that teaches you discipline and has a very active community in many places around the world. For Camp NaNo, you’re the one who establishes the writing goals for the month. It’s more flexible and can be as intense or as loosey goosey as you want. Before I knew what Camp NaNo was, there was a moment where I did something I called #NaNoEstrada during November and set my own goals for several projects. In the end, the intention of this wonderful effort is to get people writing, creating habits, and pushing everyone a bit…but for some people, FULL NaNo is a bit intimidating and often frustrating. 

 

In my case, November has often been problematic for this type of writing because in the industries I’ve worked in, November often brings end of the year campaigns, communications, events, and beyond and adding 50,000 words to that is batty at best. From what I gather, I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one for whom the month does little in the way of cooperating. This can lead to stress, frustration, angst, dread, and all sorts of goodies that we’re basically piling on ourselves.

 

2021 has had its own agenda and I’ve had to adjust continuously to stay afloat and motivated. So for this year, I’m doing what I’m labeling #SoftNaNo. It is closer to Camp NaNo but for me, I’m not measuring any word count or page count, I’m just focusing on broader milestones, i.e. finishing a chapter, outlining a story arc, writing a short story, writing three poems, editing a chapter or section of a book, and stuff of the sort. Although I have an overall idea of what I want to achieve during the month, there are two main goals: Creating Momentum & Enjoying the Process.

 

Too often I see people fixated on word/page count, on pushing, and pushing, and pushing, and enjoyment is set to a side. I’m not saying this is the case for everyone, by the way. I’m saying this has happened to me and I’ve seen it happen to others. This has everything to do with people finding motivation in different things and in different ways and that leads me to something I often recommend: do what works for you.

 

The NaNo Community offers a lot of support, but not everyone is on your side, which goes for pretty much every community. There are people who are in a constant state of worry and worry can be quite contagious. There are other people who share their word counts in a very arrogant manner and you see a person here and there who takes NaNo as the chance to compete and belittle fellow writers, which goes against the very core of what NaNo WriMo is. NaNo is about the individual AND the collective. It’s about rallying yourself and others. It’s about motivation and momentum. It’s not a word-count swinging competition for however much some people insist it is or at least I don’t think it should be (and I suspect I’m not alone).

 

With #SoftNaNo, what I’ve done is commit myself to do something writing related every single day and sometimes, that doesn’t even include writing a single word. Too often we focus on getting the words down that we lose our way in a story. As I’ve been working on Beyond Human, I also have a lot of other projects and what I’m in the mood for one day is not the same as the next. This includes short story collections, translations, and future outlines. If time or focus have not been on my side, I’ve sat down to have a proper think about the story, where it is, where it’s going and that led to adjusting 12 chapters of my outline after 2-3 times of sitting down to think. I’ve done a lot of writing by hand and have held from transcribing in the hopes of giving things time to settle a bit. I’ve also revisited some texts from a soon-to-come release and have adjusted accordingly. The goal is to achieve flow as often and in as many ways as possible and to be honest, it’s been very lovely.

 

I’ve stayed away from beating myself up over typos, unmet goals, and other stuff, and have instead focused on being mindful of all the things I’m doing, which includes leisure, relaxing, and research (i.e. watching movies, playing video games, reading, posting random stuff on social media, and enjoying life). Which reminds me, I’ve been posting more random stuff and not being so strict ALL the time about what I post and how I post it. Again, while some people are turning it up to 11 or 12, I’m turning it down and it’s been lovely. 

 

Life can often be hard…and sometimes the best way to meet something like that head-on is to be soft in return. I’m posting this today because we’re halfway through the month and halfway through NaNo. If you need to switch things up? By all means, take this as an invitation to cut yourself some slack. If full NaNo is working for you, cheers, kudos, and keep at it. I salute all writers during this month. May the muses dance with all of us and may we all write a collective storm. 

 

Peace, love, and maki rolls

Ride on, Tom

Today the bodyboarding community unites to send off someone who is our collective grandfather or uncle, Tom Morey. This year we celebrated 50 years of bodyboarding and today we raise a glass of salt-water wine to the guy who started it all for us. 

 

What’s curious is that Tom invented many things…but the bodyboard is what unites so many of us today and he’ll probably be most known for. Generous with his time and knowledge, I don’t know a single person who met him who didn’t think the world of him. What I love about Tom is that like many of the highest profile riders and ambassadors of the sport, he was always humble and never interested much in tooting his own horn. Instead, he’d rather play the ukulele or do something more worthwhile to contribute to the world.

 

If you see his trajectory, it’s also clear he was never in it for the money and instead was more into spreading aloha and creating an invention that at the same time lowers and elevates the skill curve of wave riding. I’ve always mentioned that one of the more beautiful things about bodyboarding is how accessible it is, meaning that most people can put on a pair of fins, paddle out, and catch a wave. You might not be an expert or do the more advanced maneuvers, but you’ll be able to ride a wave and even make it to the shore during your first surf. At the same time, the nature of bodyboarding allows people to make critical drops and throw PLENTY of caution to the wind. How much? Well let’s just say MANY of the waves you’ve seen “discovered” by surfers were ridden by bodyboarders first. When you see contests, it’s always extremely competitive because the level is so high making it a truly global sport with chargers from anywhere with waves. 

Growing up on an Island, it’s fairly normal to pick up a watercraft of some sort. As for falling in love with the sport, well how often can you do something that lets you feel like you’re flying over water? I’ve been riding over 20 years and some of my happiest, most profound, and intense experiences have been in a lineup. I’ve had a blast surfing with friends and been able to heal deep wounds and experience profound epiphanies in the waves…all thanks to one invention from a dreamer that today rides on into the light. 

 

From so many who shall keep riding your dream.

 

Mahalo

Here today…

Yesterday I learned that a fellow member of the indie community took his life last week. Although I’ve known of people who have committed suicide, this is the most I’ve known someone and if it’s hard for me to wrap my head around it, I can’t imagine people who were close to him and his family. 

 

This is a post with me trying to sort what I feel about someone whom I knew and who is now gone. The fact is that although I liked him, we weren’t that close. My inbox was always open if he wanted to chat and we kept in touch, though it was far from being joined at the hip. Even so, I find it extremely upsetting because I don’t think anyone deserves to feel that way or reach that point, yet it happens way more often than it should. He had talent, wit, and could definitely be intense, though my experience with him was always positive and as I mentioned before, I liked the guy.

 

Different people will respond to a situation like this with anger, sadness, frustration, and a variety of feelings. Some will hurt because they might feel they didn’t reach out in time or didn’t do enough to help. Some will want to punch a wall and say he was selfish. Some will be left wondering what the hell happened. People will also speculate over what led to him taking that action. All of these are understandable responses yet none will bring him back and nothing anyone says or does from now on can bring back any person who has passed away. 

 

He was here one moment…and the next he was gone. 

 

But today is here and if you’re reading this, you’re here today and can pick to be here tomorrow. Mental health is a fragile thing. Especially during these times. This blog and writing in general have helped me sort through some tough situations in life. Music also helps, as does exercise, as does doing a variety of things in the pursuit of happiness and the attempt at balance. But I have had to ask for help before and didn’t think twice about it. Pride could have gotten in the way, but there’s a time and a place for pride, and when you’re struggling, that is a time to set pride aside and forget concepts like shame or embarrassment. If you need help, ask for help. If one door doesn’t open, go to another, and another, and another, and as many as you need. I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m not saying it won’t hurt. I’m not saying it’ll make sense and all will be wonderful. But you’ll still have a chance to find another smile, make a difference, and find meaning.

 

Some people lose touch with their meaning, their purpose, and even their will to live. Judging these people won’t bring them back, make you stronger, or superior. Some people will offer a shoulder to cry on, some people will do their best to offer to help, or help them get help. Sometimes it’ll make the difference and it’ll work and we’ll avoid a sad loss…other times it won’t. 

 

Last week, a lot of people lost someone they cared about. For a lot of people, someone is gone…but we aren’t. 

 

We’re here today…and that being the case, we can call or write someone we love, help someone out, or ask for help. Too often pride gets in the way of that and we should never feel ashamed to ask for help if we need to. 

 

The number to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 / 1-800-273-TALK. If you need it, use it. Talk. If you need help, ask for help, by any means. You can feel embarrassed later and we can talk about it over a cup of coffee or tea. No harm, no foul. 

 

So be kind to yourself

 

Be kind to others

 

And here’s to today…

 

So we can enjoy tomorrow.

 

Peace, love, and maki rolls

Writer Wednesday: David Hernández

It’s not every day you read something that feels pretty different most of the way through, though that’s what happened when I read Outlanders Book 1: Malefactor. It’s a curious piece of fiction where there’s a novel, some sections that are fully illustrated, and sections where it’s the dialogue between two people who are observing the entire narrative or are involved with several parts of it. I’m not saying it’s the best novel I’ve ever read and I won’t say it couldn’t use a bit of polish. What I will say is that I’ve never read anything like it, the thought behind it is as unique as the author, and that it takes balls to take on a project like this. I can also say I really enjoyed it :D

 

In looking for my next interview, I realized that on the week where Go Indie Now has its premiere with the first ever All-Puerto Rican panel, I hadn’t interviewed David Hernández. So what better time than now to sit down for a chat?

 

Hey, David. So happy to have you on the blog. Although I’ve read you and we’ve chatted, readers here haven’t had the pleasure. So why not start off by telling us who you are and what you’ve worked on?

 

First and foremost, thank you for having me here! It's always a pleasure to talk to you. For all who are currently reading us, it's a joy for me to meet your acquaintance! I'm an independent writer from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, who primarily worked on comic books but decided to take some of my self-published creator-owned characters and translate them into a different medium as best as possible. As you stated, Outlanders: Malefactor, The First Of The Fallen, is just the first volume in a trilogy. Currently, I'm working on the third and final volume of the aforementioned.

 

It’s a fascinating project indeed and definitely takes a varied skillset to tackle. Part of your background is with comics, which is way more challenging than most people give it credit. What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from your background?

 

A lack of proper guidance will teach you what not to do in any given situation. That's been the case for most of my life. There was a time in the late '90s when I worked with some great talent, but we didn't have the tools to take our creative efforts to print to be published. Most of the printing companies on the island had never worked with a comic format before. Odd considering that comic books had been around here for decades. So, most of the print samples sat around on a shelf of my closet, gathering dust for years until a friend introduced us to an online company that printed comics on the go. A little over a decade later, those pages finally saw publication. Most people think that the hard part of creating a comic book is the creative process, and in my experience, it is not. It's marketing, promotion, distribution, etc. In our first year, the creative team and I traveled to every comic book, manga, or comic-related event on the island. By the second year, the list of events to promote and sell our titles was much shorter.

 

That happens and there are plenty of challenges all around and for all sorts of creators. Being from Puerto Rico, we’re often described as a cultural crossroads and your book definitely lands in the category of a crossroads of topics, genres, mediums, and styles? What are some of the influences behind Outlanders?

 

Malefactor, The First of The Fallen, is my first experience undertaking a work of this magnitude. When I first started to flesh out the story, I wanted two things: an origin for the antagonist and to create a whole universe that I could expand into other books. However, the creative process took a turn of its own. The intended protagonist, who was the book's main antagonist, took a backseat to make a more cohesive story. There is one thing that I always ask myself when I'm about to write something of my own or someone else's characters, what the purpose of this story is? Aside from the characters' traits and how the environment affects their decision-making process, there are quintessential aspects, such as the social hierarchy and the human condition, which are inherently found in every story. All the divisive nuances that humankind tends to turn into this massive brick wall are present there. Pettiness, cruelty, and hubris are traits belonging to imperfect characters, and yet throughout our history, we see them as part of deities that some people worship. I have a very unorthodox approach to writing; I wouldn't say I like to box myself into a specific genre. I am mindful enough to see that the story does not derail from its intended purpose, but I will not refrain from entering into a subgenre if it shakes up the story. For example, Malefactor, The First of The Fallen, is a supernatural book with a philosophical approach to it. However, there are some messed-up things that some may consider belonging to a horror story. If I were to describe it to you at gunpoint, I would say that it takes place in an alternative universe, and the pace of the story goes from philosophical, to tension, to horror, dark comedy, and circles back around to informative.

 

Wow, that’s a pretty deep answer, so how about a curious and potentially deep question. All your characters are in a chess tournament…who makes it to the finals and who wins?

 

Everything comes to an end. I have suffered enough loss to understand that no one is everlasting. Some characters have roles in other books, but that does not mean they will come out on top every time. The progress of the story dictates who stays and who goes. It's chaotically fun to figure the fates of characters as you write along.

 

Sheesh!! That’s intense though on point when it comes to the story. Actually, you also designed the artwork for Malefactor. How long did this project take and which part was more challenging?

 

I do not consider myself an artist; I drew the images out of necessity because I lacked the monetary resources to hire a professional. When you write comic books, you present the plot to the artist, and if you had worked enough time with whoever is drawing the book, you expect that person to carry most of the weight of the storytelling, seeing as it is, for the most part, a visual medium. When you get the artwork back, you work on your dialogue according to whatever is happening on the panel. One of the things you avoid is to describe what the artist already drew. The dialogue serves as a way to convey things that are not in the scene. Writers accustomed to this type of narrative often develop this handicap when it comes to descriptive writing. For me, at least, it was an uphill battle when it came to wording the scene in a tone that didn't feel monotonous.

 

Interesting perspective. Also, we often include a lot of who and how we are in our work. What parts of David made it into this work?

 

God, hopefully, none! (lol) I'm a goofball that often likes to make people smile, especially if they are not having such a great day. I will be the first to admit that there are nonsensical theories and whatnot in the back of one's head that surface once you enter the writing state. However, all my characters have traits of people I know. So there is very little of David in my books.

 

Hahaha, hey we write what we know. Also, there is a lot of philosophical questioning in this work. What influenced this and what have readers told you they’ve gotten from the work?

 

I think there is a general consensus that we are not living in the best environment, which is deeply rooted in how we have chosen to live our lives. Unbeknownst to us, at birth, some choices have already been taken for us before we take our first breath. Your creed and values are a result of your social environment. For some, it is not until you venture outside of those walls that you have access to a plethora of information that was unattainable before. Some stay firmly believing in what they have been indoctrinated to think— taking assertive action against those who dare to think otherwise. Others see the opportunity for a better way of living and are met with strong opposition from their social nucleus. 

 

The feedback I get changes from person to person. I wrote the book to be open to interpretation to invoke discussion among those who read it. Some see characters in a different light than others. Others merge characters as one, some miss clues that are crucial to link the identity of one character to another, and so on. I think it’s all fun. There is no wrong answer here—some who have re-read the book tell me that they always find something new and unexpected.

 

Huh, curious and might have to go for a re-read as well. Anywho, here’s a random Q for you. We all have our own version of breakfast of champions…but what would an OUTLANDERS Breakfast of Champions look and taste like?

 

LOL! It depends on what character you ask. I think Daystar will have an abundant feast of the most ridiculously extravagant delicacies from across the universe, eating only a handful and relishing on the look of starvation of her servants as the food inevitably rots. Depending on what state of mind the Traveler is in, he very well may eat from the most delicate fruit to a half-eaten candy bar found on the floor. Malefactor will have his very own breakfast place where he will pose as a busser, the waiter, the cook, and the unseen critter roaming through underneath the tables. All those characters’ portrait at once, just to see the behavior of each of the visiting patrons, and finally to see their reaction as each dies in a gloriously unique way. We will have death by ballooning up someone and having pancake batter flood out of his every orifice until they burst. Strips of bacon oinking while strangling someone. Malefactor will bring a bottle of Miss Butterworth to come to life and sit on someone's face drowning that poor fool in syrup, and so on.

 

HA!!! Now that’s not an answer I expected. Anyways, how’s book 2 coming along and what other projects are on the horizon for you?

 

It's been a slow process. In terms of storytelling, this time is contained to a single planet. Many things are happening that will connect at a single outcome. The characters’ backgrounds will be treated as unique individual story arcs; however, at some point, each character will cross paths with each other. This world is rich in terms of historical and cultural background. The vernacular used in this book, however, will be more straightforward. There's going to be a lot of action and intrigue in this one.

 

Can’t wait to have a chance to read it, my friend. So kind of you for stopping by the blog and now, all that’s left is to share where people can further connect with you, my friend.

 

Thanks for the opportunity!

 

Link for the book in Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VVW1BMY

 

 

You can find out more about my books @

www.facebook.com/DGHGBooks

Instagram @dghg_creations

 

There is a collector’s edition, not found anywhere else, The crate box. This includes a signed edition, a bookmark, a holographic sticker and a certificate of authenticity. You can inbox me at Facebook and Instagram.

 

A link to a short film "Outlanders: Malefactor, The First Of The Fallen" ©

Directed and edited by Carlos Mario Boscio.

Written by David G. Hernandez

Music by René G. Boscio

https://youtu.be/3iowDz90qf0

 

A book trailer in  video for the book

https://youtu.be/3JmUOQ_hlDc

 

You can also find me at

Instagram: @bmoviescenter]

 

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And there you have it, dear frands. David’s a cool and I highly recommend giving him a follow to try and keep up with what he throws your way. Be prepared though, it’s an intense ride. Anyways, til next we chat and hang out in words.

 

Peace, love, and maki rolls

 

JD