World, Writing, Wealth discussion

California has a kinda Mad Max vibe to it post devastation, whereas Union City reminded me of "Dark Angel," post "the Pulse."

Graeme wrote: "It's pretty much super-hero genre, more generally an action story, contemporary fantasy, science-fiction, dystopia, are all words that could be used. Cybernetic or Cybernetic hero, or cybernetic an..."

I kind of agree with you Graeme. At first, I thought I'd market it as thriller but now I'm thinking the primary genre of my marketing focus will be grimdark fantasy. Suits the mood better me thinks ;)

Graeme wrote: "With the special rock that provides the powers, that reminded me of the 2012 movie Chronicle. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1706593/..."

Did you like that movie? I remember leaving the theater shaking my head after that one!

Graeme wrote: "Archer reminded me of Arrow, or Hawkeye."

Kind of intentional. I'm huge DC fan and littered several "easter eggs" throughout the narrative.

Graeme wrote: "California has a kinda Mad Max vibe to it post devastation, whereas Union City reminded me of "Dark Angel," post "the Pulse.""

I get the Mad Max and Dark Angel references, but what is the Pulse?

In Dark Angel, a terrorist attack with an EMP (the Pulse) fried Wall Street, and the world economy crashed and didn't recover. Post pulse actually looks a lot like your world.

Eldon wrote: "Graeme wrote: "It's pretty much super-hero genre, more generally an action story, contemporary fantasy, science-fiction, dystopia, are all words that could be used. Cybernetic or Cybernetic hero, o..."

Nathan and the setting are quite grim.

Graeme wrote: "In Dark Angel, a terrorist attack with an EMP (the Pulse) fried Wall Street, and the world economy crashed and didn't recover. Post pulse actually looks a lot like your world."

It's been so long since I watched that show. It was late 90s wasn't it?

Eldon wrote: "Graeme wrote: "With the special rock that provides the powers, that reminded me of the 2012 movie Chronicle. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1706593/..."

Did you like that movie? I remember..."

I watched it at home and thought it was quite good. It was successful at the box office. but I may never watch it again.

Eldon wrote: "Graeme wrote: "Archer reminded me of Arrow, or Hawkeye."

Kind of intentional. I'm huge DC fan and littered several "easter eggs" throughout the narrative."

Archer = Arrow's doppelganger.

Graeme wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Graeme wrote: "It's pretty much super-hero genre, more generally an action story, contemporary fantasy, science-fiction, dystopia, are all words that could be used. Cybernetic or Cybe..."

It's kinda what I do best. It's always sort of been an ambition of mine to write a story where no one dies. Haven't hit on the concept yet though...

For some strange reason I have a torture scene in all my books.

Graeme wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Graeme wrote: "Archer reminded me of Arrow, or Hawkeye."

Kind of intentional. I'm huge DC fan and littered several "easter eggs" throughout the narrative."

Archer = Arrow's doppelga..."

Well, only in the sense that they both use the bow and arrow and Archer is somewhat of a good guy. I think beyond that, the similarities end.

Archer as a character went through so many versions before I settled on the one that appeared in this book. Originally, he was going to be a government assassin used to kill top officials. That didn't pan out so I moved on to making him a agent with the Department of Supernatural Affairs. Strike two on that one.

Something about the character made me want to include him though, so I reworked him to be a survivor of the big one out west and voila - the best version of him, I think.

Graeme wrote: "For some strange reason I have a torture scene in all my books."

We need help, obviously LOL

Eldon wrote: "Graeme wrote: "It's pretty much super-hero genre, more generally an action story, contemporary fantasy, science-fiction, dystopia, are all words that could be used. Cybernetic or Cybernetic hero, o..."

Oh gosh, Eldon, I hope you don't incorporate the word "fantasy" into your marketing. I did not see this as fantasy at all. I'm not sure I would have read it if you had described it to me as fantasy. In my opinion, your characters inhabit a world that's really not too far into the future, and the last section is a little bit of Indiana Jones-type adventure combined with sci-fi. I would describe it more as a dystopian thriller. But I say that without any regard at all as to what is more beneficial for Amazon categories!!!!

Joanna wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Graeme wrote: "It's pretty much super-hero genre, more generally an action story, contemporary fantasy, science-fiction, dystopia, are all words that could be used. Cybernetic or Cybe..."

Hi Joanna, you know I never thought of it as fantasy when writing it either. But, for Amazon keywords, it might work better to gain visibility there. Grimdark fantasy is hot right now and the story (with all it's powers) can slide into that category nicely. Of course, the language used also marks it as a thriller.

This is the problem with a story that doesn't fit solidly in any genre category. Something, if memory serves, a wise woman once told me ;)

Haha, Eldon!!! BTW: did J.K. Rowling fit into any category when the first Harry Potter was published? I ask in all seriousness because I don't remember. I also never read a single HP book. See? To me it was fantasy /fairy tale although I'm told I don't know what I'm missing!
Also, to tell you the truth, I haven't heard of "grimdark fantasy" but if that is a hot category right now, I would say "ride that wave." Let us know how that works out.

Super-hero fiction often blends sci-fi and fantasy elements.

Both the DC and Marvel franchises had "magic," in them, Constantine, and Dr. Strange come to mind.

The only fantasy element is the "stone," that causes augmentation - UNLESS, it turns out to be something non-fantastical.

Perhaps it's an Alien Relic, or a naturally occurring ore with a strange property... etc.

Joanna wrote: "Haha, Eldon!!! BTW: did J.K. Rowling fit into any category when the first Harry Potter was published? I ask in all seriousness because I don't remember. I also never read a single HP book. See? To ..."

I'm told I don't know what I'm missing too lol. To me Harry Potter is straight up YA. Perhaps this illustrates a problem with genre, it means different things to different people.

We'll see how it works out :)

Graeme wrote: "Super-hero fiction often blends sci-fi and fantasy elements.

Both the DC and Marvel franchises had "magic," in them, Constantine, and Dr. Strange come to mind.

The only fantasy element is the "st..."

Your intuition continues to serve you well Graeme. Alien relic is the answer :) Hinted at in Chapter 50 with the mythology of the stone's origin.

Cool, I love a well placed Alien Relic, now the obvious question - what was the motivation of the original builders?

I look forward to an answer one day, or perhaps it will always be a mystery.

Graeme wrote: "Cool, I love a well placed Alien Relic, now the obvious question - what was the motivation of the original builders?

I look forward to an answer one day, or perhaps it will always be a mystery."

It may or may not be revealed... we shall see ;)

On a metaphorical level, the stone plays a similar role to the "One Ring," as a representation of temporal power, and hence the object that many will strive to possess.

I'd like to wrap up this discussion by thanking everyone who participated in making it a rousing conversation. Thanks to the group for allowing it take place. And of course, thanks to everyone who read and reviewed my book.

I'll keep an eye out if there are any more questions, but if not, I'll see you around the boards :)