I write science fiction the way I like to read it. It’s not over the top, at least not always. Some of my stories are about regular folks who drive trucks, listen to country music, like to go fishing, and then aliens or monsters wreck their normal world.
J. Dallas Brooks – 3 August 2020
The Back Flap
This collection presents five hand-selected science fiction tales of the fantastic. Take a trip to an arcade in the 1980s with a mysterious time traveler, see humanity through the eyes of a more “refined” species from the more civilized part of the galaxy, and even peek into the distant future to see how our descendants face the challenges brought from the stars. This book will have you looking up at the stars in wonder, imagining the possibilities that lie ahead of us.
About the book
What is the book about?
Dystopian Spacetime is a collection of science fiction short stories about humanity on the brink, near the brink, or in the case of one protagonist a thousand years in the future, past the brink. Throughout these stories, told from different perspectives throughout time (including my favorite decade, the 1980s!), I present an overall hopeful tone for our ability to persevere through tough challenges. (And no, there are no plagues or virus outbreaks in this one, I promise!).
When did you start writing the book?
These short stories came to me at various times over the past year and a half. During the pandemic lockdown, I decided to finally put them together in an ebook and paperback format and offer them on Amazon.com.
How long did it take you to write it?
About a month, including the editing and formatting phases, of course.
Where did you get the idea from?
An author’s favorite question! To be honest, I’ve always felt that ideas are the easy part. It’s not much of a struggle to come with an idea. What usually hits me is a cinematic view of something within one of the stories. It may be the start of the story. Perhaps it’s the super important “inciting incident.” Sometimes the climax or the final battle hits me. I’m definitely a ‘pantser,’ as well. While I may get an idea of where my story is going, usually I get surprised towards the end of a chapter when a character does something strange. Sometimes when I’m typing, I’m just kind of watching what they do.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
For me, as a writer, I tend to write in multiple 3rd person POV, especially with my longer works. In short stories, however, I try to focus in on one person, and take the advice from fellow writers that suggests it’s better to stick with deep 3rd person POV in these cases. Sometimes it’s a struggle for me not to bring in a new character, but with short stories, it’s not too difficult.
What came easily?
I don’t “plot” my books or stories out. The events that unfolded were pretty easy for me to write. It just flows sometimes, and I’m lost in this other world.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
All of my characters are completely fiction; however, I’m sure there are pieces of me, my late father, and my late grandfather in a couple of stories. Dave Connors in Earth Year 1982 probably looks and talks a lot like my Dad used to. He did drive the exact same truck!
Do you have a target reader?
I write science fiction the way I like to read it. It’s not over the top, at least not always. Some of my stories are about regular folks who drive trucks, listen to country music, like to go fishing, and then aliens or monsters wreck their normal world. I’m a 7th generation Georgian, and growing up there, I have a lot of fond memories of listening to George Strait and watching Star Trek and Star Wars movies. If you are into those, perhaps you’re my target reader. Ideally, even if you aren’t that into science fiction, you might find a few things you still enjoy about Dystopian Spacetime.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I watched an interview with the late great Larry Hagman once, and he said, “The more you work, the more you work.” It sounds counterintuitive at first, but it really does make a lot of sense. My writing philosophy is, “The more you write, the more you write.” The process is to start writing with that first cup of coffee in the morning. Before the pressures of the world try to come in and take their toll on your mind and your emotions, it’s good to get at least something written. I’m happy with a good 1500 to 2500 word session in the morning, but I will always come back for more in the afternoon or evening, unless something important like a kid’s soccer game, family movie night, or dinner with my wife and children comes along, that is. Even if I get overwhelmed throughout the day, I can sort of relax because I got at least something down. Most days, I write a lot of words, as many as 10,000 for several days in a row. I wish I could say it was brilliant prose and a story with great tension and conflict that sells tons of copies, but it isn’t. I give myself permission to write poorly in the first draft (although I try my best to make the editing phase as smooth as possible). After a first draft is complete, I fight the urge to go back and edit right away. I like to give it some time, then I come back for a major overhaul. After fixing plot holes big enough to sink a Mack truck through, I add some foreshadowing, a dash of metaphor, and then I polish.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I’ve tried. Seriously, I’ve tried. I once used the Save the Cat! method made famous by the brilliant Blake Snyder to outline a book. I had a corkboard with about 50 index cards, and I sat down to write my novel. Three cards in, I had changed directions completely, and I’ve never veered away from my pantser tendencies since.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I let it ride on the first draft. Editing comes later. Editing is a great opportunity in writing. It isn’t something to dread. It’s like when you have tense conversation with someone, and later you think of the perfect, witty, devastating comeback that would send the other party trembling before they run home crying to their mother! You think to yourself, “Oh, I wish I had said that!” With editing, you can go back and do that!
Did you hire a professional editor?
Not yet, but I believe it may be time to do that as I progress into writing as a career instead of a side gig or hobby. The more you can delegate to qualified professionals, the better prepared you’ll be. That goes for cover design, marketing, and even business management, as well!
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Yes! Music is supremely important. It’s so important that I might offer QR Codes to playlists for my readers in subsequent books. I tend to prefer music that isn’t too familiar to me, and lyrics are often a bit of a distraction. In my daily life I would be likely to listen to anything from The Counting Crows, George Strait, Brad Paisley, and The Naked and Famous. When writing, I stick with synthwave or classical. The Midnight, Marvel83, and FM Attack are tops on my list. Some movie soundtracks by Hans Zimmer work great for me, as well. I’m also very big into Johann Johannsson when writing.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I did not submit Dystopian Spacetime to agents because many of them simply don’t accept short story submissions. I won’t be submitting Dystopian Spacetime 2 to agents either. For regular full novels, however, I will likely query at least a few agents who are open to my type of story.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
The stories I wrote just had to be told. There was no use letting them sit in an electronic folder, and I know that there is an audience out there who will enjoy the work I’ve written. I understand it’s not for everyone, but getting my writing out in the open, to potentially be seen by my target audience is well worth the self-publishing effort. I’ll self-publish the next book, as well. That is because it would take months and months to submit each story to various publications with the hope of being accepted. I’d rather just get the work out there now, and let the readers decide for themselves if they like it or not.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I did this one myself. Dystopian Spacetime 2, however, has been done by a professional, and all subsequent book covers will be hired work. Professionals do it way better than I ever could.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I struggle with marketing. I know, partly intuitively and partly from reading the works of Seth Godin, that I only need a core audience. My target audience isn’t (and can’t be) “everybody.” However, I’m not great at self-promotion. It still feels strange to me that I’m telling people that they should spend their hard-earned money and their valuable time checking out something I’ve done. The trade off, however, is that they get some entertainment and a break from the crazy world we live in today. That’s my hope, at least. My marketing plan will include a bit of social media, word of mouth, a few online ads, and reaching out to as many readers as I can.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Write what you like. Write for one perfect reader, and when you put that book out there on whatever platform you choose, in your mind be putting it out there for that one reader. Don’t expect things to go crazy right away but stick with it. Think of self-publishing your book as making a tiny ball of snow with your hands, but you’re standing on top of a great mountain. Then you push it little by little until it grows and grows, eventually becoming an unstoppable force.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I was born there, and my 4th Great Grandfather, Sampson Brooks, had moved the family there in 1844 from South Carolina. I was the first in my line to leave when I joined the Air Force in 1998.
Where do you live now?
I live with my family on a small 40-acre farm in southern Colorado.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I came to writing relatively late in life. I was 34 (6 years ago), and I just had one of those moments that you get sometimes when you live that cubicle life where khakis, golf shirts, and misery are the uniform of the day. Perhaps it was a bit of a crisis, but I had realized at that age that I was living the wrong kind of life and that I was missing something. I found writing and started giving it a shot. It took about 5 or 6 years to get the junk out though. The early stuff is always bad. That’s something for other writers to know. Just go through that stage. Just press on. I’m still pressing on today.
What are you working on now?
Since self-publishing Dystopian Spacetime this year, I’ve written two complete novels and one more collection of short stories (Dystopian Spacetime 2). The first of the novels is titled Martian Mist, and I’m getting that one ready for publication very soon. It’s a YA dystopian thriller that I believe will keep readers wanting to turn the page. I wrote a MG paranormal book that I have titled Ghost Karate. It’s written mostly for 5th graders (like my daughter!), and there’s an empowering message for them throughout the book. I hope to have that one out in time for fall and the Halloween season!
Thank you for having me today! I enjoyed speaking with you, and I hope that your readers (and mine) found it somewhat entertaining and informative!
End of Interview:
For more from Mr Brooks, visit his website.
Get your copy Dystopian Spacetime from Amazon US or Amazon UK.