Tony Valdez · Author · added over 9 years ago · 7 likes

Hello friends and readers!

Yes, I know, I know. It’s been a good long while since my last update. Rest assured, I have been hard at work on Dax Harrison. I did not meet my previously planned end-of-February completion goal, but I am steadily heading toward the finish line.

"Uh-oh. Tony, do you have... *dramatic gasp* ...writer’s block?"

No! Not at all! In fact, progress on the book has been happily moving along very steady! However, it is taking longer than I originally thought it would. First off, this is my first novel I’ve ever written, so I am most certainly learning and improving as I go. Also, as I’ve mentioned before, Dax was originally written as a screenplay. When I dove into this project of converting the story from script to novel, I thought, "Hey, I’m already ahead of the game! The story is already done. I’ll have this out in no time!"

Oh... silly me.

Interestingly enough, I think having written the story originally as a film script is part of what has made this a challenging journey. Scenes need restructuring and expanding, characters have inner-thoughts to be addressed, the world needs a bit more fleshing out, etc. It’s pretty much the exact opposite writing style of a screenplay, in which the only things on the page are quite literally what your audience will see and hear on screen. A bare-bones blueprint for the movie, if you will. Anyway, that mental gear-shift has taken some time and patience, but I believe I’m improving every step of the way. :)

It is also hard not to get excited about the sequel. Once book #1 is out, it won’t be long at all before I dive right into book #2. Dax’s world is going to get bigger, more fun, more dangerous, and might even make you shed a tear or two. I can’t wait!

Thank you again everyone for your support and patience in my journey to become a legitimate author. It has been an unbelievable gift and continues to fuel my creative fire every time I sit down to get some writing done.

Final thought: As of today, I have an editor lined up! Woo hoo! As soon as I’m done with the manuscript, I will pass it along and someone will be able to tell me how terrible it is! (This is actually, in fact, exciting news)

All right, gang. I will try to get these updates out a little more frequently, but for now, it’s back to the writing dungeon for me!

-Tony

OK, Final, FINAL note: I stumbled onto this beautiful digital artwork yesterday online and said, "Oh my God! It’s Logan!" I am not sure if this is a character from another already established sci-fi universe or just an original creation from the artist. Nevertheless, this is a perfect image of Lieutenant Logan Weaver in my mind, so I thought I’d share. Enjoy!

(Source)

Tony Valdez · Author · added over 9 years ago

Hey @Alexander Barnes ! Well it’s absolutely bonkers to me that Amaranth hasn’t hit the finish line yet. What did I do? Made a fool of myself in video updates, coffee mug giveaways, pitched like crazy on Inkshares, Facebook and Twitter, bugged every family member, friend and coworker...

Join us fellow Inkshares authors at the Goodreads group. We’ll see what we can figure out for you! https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/171196-inkshares-writers

Alexander Barnes · Author · added over 9 years ago

Hey @Tony Valdez , You have any advice for crossing that milestone of 250 pre-orders? How’d you do it? I’m about half way there and out of ideas. :-/

Tony Valdez · Author · added over 9 years ago · 9 likes

Hi readers!

Some days, well, the writing just doesn’t flow.

You know what you need to do. You know where you’re headed. You know that nothing should stop you. But for whatever reason, your brain just says no.

But that’s ok! You still dedicate the time to writing, you still push yourself, and if your brain still says no, then you focus your energy elsewhere for the day. Today is one of those days.

So let’s pay it forward a bit, shall we? The NERDIST SPACE OPERA CONTEST is in full swing at Inkshares, so if you haven’t checked out all the amazing new talent this contest has attracted, I suggest you do so. I have already overspent on several new books, and I thought I’d take the time to throw a few suggestions your way.

Here’s a few I’ve already backed:

Infinity Mind

To Live and Die in Avalon

Champions of the Third Planet

Rogue

Artum: Immortal Legacy

Eden M51

Lucky

They Are The Last

The Life Interstellar

"Holy smokes, Tony! That’s a lot of books! ...You may have a problem."

You’re right. I may be turning into a book hoarder. Nevertheless, I encourage you to check out these fine authors and see if any of their projects tickle your fancy.

Here are a few more I have not personally backed (I’m on a budget and currently out of Inkshares credits), but I would also like to recommend for your consideration:

The Madness of Mr. Butler

Dangerous Thoughts

The Guardians: The Veiled Hope

Ace Tucker, Space Trucker

The Traveller’s Cup

Fortunes of the Space Sloth

The Revenant

Piperverse

Now, back to Dax for a minute. The writing has steadily and delightfully continued (today being the exception). On days like this, one of the ways I recharge my batteries is taking a look back at some of the earlier chapters. I’ve mentioned before that I don’t want to reveal the whole story before the book comes out, especially with chapters that still require editing. HOWEVER... sometimes I read something, get overly excited, and say "What the heck? Why not?"

So I’ve uploaded THREE NEW CHAPTERS of Dax goodness. You’ve seen the intro, you’ve seen the comedy, and you’ve met a few characters up to this point. It only makes sense you should at least see them start to meet each other, and maybe get into some hair-raising action, yes?

Here are the links. Enjoy!

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

-Tony

Tony Valdez · Author · added over 9 years ago · 11 likes

Hello readers!

A new Dax article is live at Examiner.com! CLICK HERE to read it!

A very special thanks to reviewer Alicia Smock for taking an interest in the world of Dax Harrison.

That’s all folks. The writing continues. *runs back into the writing cave*

-Tony

G. R. Paskoff · Author · added over 9 years ago

I love this! Love the sarcasm. Love the retro cover design. Dax reminds me of Keith Laumer’s Retief character and of the comic strip, Brewster Rockit.

Peter Ryan · Author · added over 9 years ago

I’ve got to say, the narrator does a fine job. That was very entertaining.

Tony Valdez · Author · added over 9 years ago · 14 likes

Hello readers!

I’m emerging from my writing cave ever so briefly to present you with something very fun! Last month, I was contacted by a Mr. Devon Oakander, a talented acting school graduate who took a liking to the adventures of Dax Harrison. Devon asked if there were any plans for an audiobook version of Dax, and if so, could he submit a recording to audition as narrator?

Needless to say, I was completely humbled. I would LOVE to hear Dax narrated in all his ridiculous glory. As I have been focusing on completing and publishing the print manuscript, I have yet to research the ins and outs of audiobook publishing. If it ends up being feasible, then yes, there will be news on this front at an undetermined point down the road.

In the meantime, you can CLICK HERE to listen to Devon’s terrific reading of the book’s prologue! I believe he matched the over-the-top opening scene quite well with an old Hollywood radio quality in his voice. But don’t take my word for it. Go give it a listen!

....Okay, did you listen? Good stuff, right? He even managed to pronounce "Carteagan" in a much fancier fashion than I originally meant. Haha. Feel free to share the link around and get some more readers on the Dax bandwagon!

As always, my thanks again to each and everyone of you. I hope you find my humble little adventure book to be worth the wait. The writing continues. I even decided to use a bunch of vacation time off work through the second half of February. I want to be laser focused with as little distractions as possible. Wish me luck!

-Tony

Matthew · Author · added over 9 years ago

This definitely seems like a great book just from the first chapter. Every part of Dax H. is an excellent character and I love how you’ve built him.

Christopher Leone · Author · added over 9 years ago

Cool man, this pulled me in! I was a little worried about the prologue until I realized it was a fake-out. Very cool anti-hero and you pull off a great tone -- sci-fi and comedy -- that doesn’t always go together. Reminds me in a good way of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.