During the course of this global pandemic (COVID-19 / Corona Virus 2019), I have decided to release the audio book version of my first novel for free to help pass the time and offer a break from the stressful situation for the masses. Please feel free to support this decision by sharing this with your friends and family, and if you decide to donate, please feel free.
The audio is minimally edited, as I was preparing for an official release in audiobook format, but not in a mastered format (audiophiles might notice, but nobody else should really be affected by that element). Anyway, please enjoy and stay safe.
RISE OF THE MOMENTS - AUDIO PODCAST (Click here.)
Of course, if you wish to buy copies of the actual printed books, just go to www.riseofthemoments.com and get yourself sorted.
Monday, March 23, 2020
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Rise Of The Moments - Book Covers Interpreted
I received an interesting question, recently, about the designs of the Rise Of The Moments novels. It is funny that the question came up, because the process is starting, again. This time, it’s for a novel outside the Momentsverse, but some of the same considerations will no doubt be at the forefront of my mind as I continue the development process.
I have often heard it said that a good book cover should tell a version of the story, or at least allude to the story being told. I mean, you would not want to have a cow on a book cover when there is no cow in the whole story, right? So, that was the first hurdle in the process. It is pretty straightforward, in that regard, though. But let me not digress, further.
As I see it, there are certain aspects that make for successful design work. If I were to sum it up in four, I would list them as follows:
1. Design Elements
2. Technical Requirements
3. Character Representation
4. Story Elements
As a comparison, a story has its corresponding elements that must be present. For instance, you need the setting, the language, the characters and the plots/story arcs. The setting could be considered the design element, since it stands as the tapestry on which the story rests. The language of story and literary content provide for the technical requirements that make the book suitable for and/or worthy of printing. The characters (you guessed it) are the actors that carry the story in a hopefully compelling manner; and the plot fills the role of helping to propel the story from start to finish with elements such as plot devices or twists. All are necessary, and the parallel serves to entice readers to grab the book and motivates them to stay the course of the story.
With these first two novels, the story lines extend outside of the obvious to challenge the reader. The author (me) did so purposely to further the idea of it being a "chronological puzzle" of sorts. It was not an easy task to pull off, but once done, the final versions of the cover had to reflect the story without necessarily giving away the nuance of said puzzle. As Professor Howard (check the blog archives for his review) noted in his observation, "the author is being clever." lol.
The first novel, Rise Of The Moments, features a character in the central imagery that could be one of four focal characters. It could be Joe in one of his heroic guises, a mighty man preparing to strike a mighty blow into the heart of the matter. Or it could be Daniel Kerr, a devout martial artist simply working out and building his inner strength by maintaining his outer strength. And of course, it could be the embodiment of Quantum or an Errant Eight, brimming with energetic resonance. The mood of the skyline depicted clear enough to see the stars shining in the expanse, showing the potential reach of the story and laying out a figurative map to the universe according to the story.
The second of the set, Rise Of The Moments - Effects, the featured characters are silhouetted within a body of purple cloud. The female character is more obvious, with an extended hand holding up a gleaming long object ("The Crowd" and her flute). What is NOT obvious is the character's arc, although you know she is going to be one of the primary characters, based on her appearance on the cover. The male character, once again nondescript, could be either of the same (male or asexual) characters featured on the cover of book one. The skyline, this time, is from a higher vantage point and obscured by the presence of an overall fog. This is a metaphor for the subterfuge and intrigue that occurs, particularly in the second novel.
Both covers feature certain elements, such as bodies of water. The first shows the surface, and the second (if you look closely enough) shows rising bubbles that let you know you are in the depth of it, much like certain characters find themselves, at parts of the story. They both also depict a cityscape with skyscrapers and night skies (which we've already discussed); the actual skylines building on the common mythos of most superhero cultures having a metropolis to protect.
A more direct correlation between the two is the presence of a stylized number eight ("8") as the centerpiece of both covers. It is, after all, the story of the Moments, here told with a focus on the Moments designated as "Eight," severally.
In the design elements category, I will add one additional piece of trivial knowledge for the interested: Yes, the cityscapes pictured are edited versions of photos taken by the author of the city of Chicago (hometown). On the cover of Effects, it's superimposed to look like a hologram intermingled with a digitally painted generic city skyline, also by the author.
Well, I think that pretty much says all that there is to say about the covers, and my thinking about what to present, thereon. How did I do? Had you already figured out these tidbits of information about my covers? Let me know what you think.
I have often heard it said that a good book cover should tell a version of the story, or at least allude to the story being told. I mean, you would not want to have a cow on a book cover when there is no cow in the whole story, right? So, that was the first hurdle in the process. It is pretty straightforward, in that regard, though. But let me not digress, further.
As I see it, there are certain aspects that make for successful design work. If I were to sum it up in four, I would list them as follows:
1. Design Elements
2. Technical Requirements
3. Character Representation
4. Story Elements
As a comparison, a story has its corresponding elements that must be present. For instance, you need the setting, the language, the characters and the plots/story arcs. The setting could be considered the design element, since it stands as the tapestry on which the story rests. The language of story and literary content provide for the technical requirements that make the book suitable for and/or worthy of printing. The characters (you guessed it) are the actors that carry the story in a hopefully compelling manner; and the plot fills the role of helping to propel the story from start to finish with elements such as plot devices or twists. All are necessary, and the parallel serves to entice readers to grab the book and motivates them to stay the course of the story.
With these first two novels, the story lines extend outside of the obvious to challenge the reader. The author (me) did so purposely to further the idea of it being a "chronological puzzle" of sorts. It was not an easy task to pull off, but once done, the final versions of the cover had to reflect the story without necessarily giving away the nuance of said puzzle. As Professor Howard (check the blog archives for his review) noted in his observation, "the author is being clever." lol.
The first novel, Rise Of The Moments, features a character in the central imagery that could be one of four focal characters. It could be Joe in one of his heroic guises, a mighty man preparing to strike a mighty blow into the heart of the matter. Or it could be Daniel Kerr, a devout martial artist simply working out and building his inner strength by maintaining his outer strength. And of course, it could be the embodiment of Quantum or an Errant Eight, brimming with energetic resonance. The mood of the skyline depicted clear enough to see the stars shining in the expanse, showing the potential reach of the story and laying out a figurative map to the universe according to the story.
The second of the set, Rise Of The Moments - Effects, the featured characters are silhouetted within a body of purple cloud. The female character is more obvious, with an extended hand holding up a gleaming long object ("The Crowd" and her flute). What is NOT obvious is the character's arc, although you know she is going to be one of the primary characters, based on her appearance on the cover. The male character, once again nondescript, could be either of the same (male or asexual) characters featured on the cover of book one. The skyline, this time, is from a higher vantage point and obscured by the presence of an overall fog. This is a metaphor for the subterfuge and intrigue that occurs, particularly in the second novel.
Both covers feature certain elements, such as bodies of water. The first shows the surface, and the second (if you look closely enough) shows rising bubbles that let you know you are in the depth of it, much like certain characters find themselves, at parts of the story. They both also depict a cityscape with skyscrapers and night skies (which we've already discussed); the actual skylines building on the common mythos of most superhero cultures having a metropolis to protect.
A more direct correlation between the two is the presence of a stylized number eight ("8") as the centerpiece of both covers. It is, after all, the story of the Moments, here told with a focus on the Moments designated as "Eight," severally.
In the design elements category, I will add one additional piece of trivial knowledge for the interested: Yes, the cityscapes pictured are edited versions of photos taken by the author of the city of Chicago (hometown). On the cover of Effects, it's superimposed to look like a hologram intermingled with a digitally painted generic city skyline, also by the author.
Well, I think that pretty much says all that there is to say about the covers, and my thinking about what to present, thereon. How did I do? Had you already figured out these tidbits of information about my covers? Let me know what you think.
Monday, November 18, 2019
IF MY MOMENTS WOULD TALK... (Autobiography or Not?)
a.k.a. Autobiographical Bytes and Bits - A Momentary Introspective
One of the questions I am often asked (as I am sure many authors will ever be) is: Which character(s) in your book do you identify with the most? Another variant of the same is: Is this story about your own life? Today, I think I will address it in a more methodical way than I usually do in an unprepared moment.
You see, I believe that every author has to put a piece of himself/herself into a work. It's almost a given, as far as I am concerned. It's art, after all, and just as an artist puts inspiration through the internalized mirror of self, so must a writer, a musician, or any creative individual, for that matter. Sure, there are those times when it is purely experimental, but even those instances are reflective of the self as it experiences the medium. Whether in terms of voice or in a more literal sense, the creator's mind is being shuttled forth to an exterior realm for those without to experience.
Regarding the author's voice, expressed namely in the forms of opinion, ideas, or other such written or verbalized manners, it may come across as a current theme or one of past understanding. Of course, people grow and change, our thoughts maturing as we grow older. That means that the author may have felt a certain way at a certain time in their lifespan as an author. That said, over time, we may see a difference in how that expression may come about.
As for the literal sense of the author's perspectives, autobiographical stories and anecdotes might be the way through which that growth is expressed. Often, however, the story of one's past can be presented in such ways that prove cathartic for the writer. A story written about an incident of childhood years may not provide fruit until the author has fully processed the weight of it. Details are often muddy, glossed over or simply imagined. All have their places in the author's arsenal, and each has its benefit. The author has to trust that element of the process.
In these two novels of the Momentsverse, my own voice is expressed in these terms, sometimes clearly, and other times in a metaphorical sense. In my life, for instance, I tend to be curious, introspective, imaginative, introverted and I hold to a sense of integrity, honor and maybe a tad OCD tendencies. I own it, even though I don't limit myself by it. Still, it allows me to continue growing as a person and as an author. Thus, in the books, you can see various parts of my personality portrayed in the guises of several characters, in fact.
My own life's stories, to some degree, are also portrayed. Sure enough, I have gone through the trouble to colorize details and even circumstances, because my life (albeit quite colorful) would probably bore most people to tears. Anyway, elements of the characters' stories reflect things I have either lived, seen others live through and possibly may imagine COULD have happened.
That's the fun of it. In fact, for this series, I have stepped back and pretended I could be the Moment (designated as "Eight") who recorded my stories. That is how I came up with the idea for the novel, as I have said. And this is science fiction, after all, borne of my imagination. In good fiction, there has to be a hint of truth in order for others to connect with it. My hope is that I have done an honest job of that, and that it does at least inspire the reader's imagination to some expansion.
One of the questions I am often asked (as I am sure many authors will ever be) is: Which character(s) in your book do you identify with the most? Another variant of the same is: Is this story about your own life? Today, I think I will address it in a more methodical way than I usually do in an unprepared moment.
You see, I believe that every author has to put a piece of himself/herself into a work. It's almost a given, as far as I am concerned. It's art, after all, and just as an artist puts inspiration through the internalized mirror of self, so must a writer, a musician, or any creative individual, for that matter. Sure, there are those times when it is purely experimental, but even those instances are reflective of the self as it experiences the medium. Whether in terms of voice or in a more literal sense, the creator's mind is being shuttled forth to an exterior realm for those without to experience.
Regarding the author's voice, expressed namely in the forms of opinion, ideas, or other such written or verbalized manners, it may come across as a current theme or one of past understanding. Of course, people grow and change, our thoughts maturing as we grow older. That means that the author may have felt a certain way at a certain time in their lifespan as an author. That said, over time, we may see a difference in how that expression may come about.
As for the literal sense of the author's perspectives, autobiographical stories and anecdotes might be the way through which that growth is expressed. Often, however, the story of one's past can be presented in such ways that prove cathartic for the writer. A story written about an incident of childhood years may not provide fruit until the author has fully processed the weight of it. Details are often muddy, glossed over or simply imagined. All have their places in the author's arsenal, and each has its benefit. The author has to trust that element of the process.
In these two novels of the Momentsverse, my own voice is expressed in these terms, sometimes clearly, and other times in a metaphorical sense. In my life, for instance, I tend to be curious, introspective, imaginative, introverted and I hold to a sense of integrity, honor and maybe a tad OCD tendencies. I own it, even though I don't limit myself by it. Still, it allows me to continue growing as a person and as an author. Thus, in the books, you can see various parts of my personality portrayed in the guises of several characters, in fact.
My own life's stories, to some degree, are also portrayed. Sure enough, I have gone through the trouble to colorize details and even circumstances, because my life (albeit quite colorful) would probably bore most people to tears. Anyway, elements of the characters' stories reflect things I have either lived, seen others live through and possibly may imagine COULD have happened.
That's the fun of it. In fact, for this series, I have stepped back and pretended I could be the Moment (designated as "Eight") who recorded my stories. That is how I came up with the idea for the novel, as I have said. And this is science fiction, after all, borne of my imagination. In good fiction, there has to be a hint of truth in order for others to connect with it. My hope is that I have done an honest job of that, and that it does at least inspire the reader's imagination to some expansion.
Monday, November 4, 2019
RISE OF THE MOMENTS: EFFECTS - Table of Chapters
During the process of finalizing the first edition of the new novel (Rise Of The Moments: Effects; aka RFX), I had to make a few decisions to manage the book’s size. Considerations had to be given to limit the shelf size each book would take, the shipping costs per book and such matters of logistics. What may have suffered was the reader experience, in some instances. However, we are a technically advancing society, and that includes our manners of publishing.
That said, I will consider the additions and alterations to benefit the readers, especially as it pertains to future editions of the print version. One such element that I may opt to include is the table of contents for the book. Just as I have posted the full-sized version of the STORY ARC MAP, the chart compiled to ease the load for readers with regards to demystifying the story arcs within this Chronological Puzzle of my making, I will now offer this version of a Table of Contents.
The reason it was left out, to begin with, is because there are more than 60 chapters! It took a great deal of focus for me to orchestrate the simultaneous storylines and arcs, so I know it takes a special mindset to stay as deeply entrenched as I had to be. Still, it may have been a bit much to ask of many people, and so I gladly present the following for you.
As usual, I look forward to any insights and comments from the readers about the books. I also invite you all to post your experiences, comments and reviews on any site that sells them. And I thank you for joining me in this interest world of mine.
Take a moment... Enjoy!
By the way, if you have not gotten your own copy of the book, just go to: www.riseofthemoments.com
That said, I will consider the additions and alterations to benefit the readers, especially as it pertains to future editions of the print version. One such element that I may opt to include is the table of contents for the book. Just as I have posted the full-sized version of the STORY ARC MAP, the chart compiled to ease the load for readers with regards to demystifying the story arcs within this Chronological Puzzle of my making, I will now offer this version of a Table of Contents.
The reason it was left out, to begin with, is because there are more than 60 chapters! It took a great deal of focus for me to orchestrate the simultaneous storylines and arcs, so I know it takes a special mindset to stay as deeply entrenched as I had to be. Still, it may have been a bit much to ask of many people, and so I gladly present the following for you.
As usual, I look forward to any insights and comments from the readers about the books. I also invite you all to post your experiences, comments and reviews on any site that sells them. And I thank you for joining me in this interest world of mine.
Take a moment... Enjoy!
By the way, if you have not gotten your own copy of the book, just go to: www.riseofthemoments.com
Monday, October 28, 2019
Rise of the Moments - Characters Developing - Part 2
I know, I know... It has been a long, long, long time since Part 1 of this Character Development blog was published, and even longer (about a year prior) since it was initially composed. Since then, as you probably are already aware, the second installation of the book has been published (Rise Of The Moments: Effects). As I eluded to in Part 1 of this blog, it was a heavy task to make that second novel a work worthy of the ideas in the first. Anyway, let us proceed as planned.
We can start with a brief overview, and discuss how the characters were further developed further.
In Book One (ROTM), the characters were secondary to the story line, and the focus was on the “idea” of the characters. This is evident in how Joe Splitt was presented (superheroics at the forefront), how Doctor Daniel Kerr was depicted (formula as plot device, and core person explored ) and how the Moments were represented (both the Eights and Quantum) from the mechanical perspective.
In Book Two (RFX), the focus was more on the exploration of causes that created the effects in their lives. The reader sees more of the instances that Moments have observed in the characters’ lives, especially with regards the formative events. Also, the reader is ushered into the details of the Moments’ hierarchy. While ROTM used a language of prose and poetry, RFX dives into the details with more metaphorical language to help the reader grasp the ethereal a little better. In fact, one reader states that these explorations lend to a more “mainstream” flow.
While these intertwined stories feature the deeper matters of Doctor Kerr, Joe Splitt and Quantum, it also features notable additions like Julia Splitt and The Crowd. Both were featured in the first book, although not prominently, but RFX brings them both into the spotlight. It also shines more light on ancillary characters that contributed to understanding the primary characters’ growth, such as Doctor Kerr’s business partner and Julia’s mentors.
Along the way, we also meet other super beings, including others in Joe’s superhero repertoire, such as MimeWanderos and Lotus. They appear as characters who come into being as Joe’s temporal schizophrenia worsens (gradually as the life cycles progress toward the 17th and final iteration.) Of course, their missions occur in accordance with the previously established rules that govern Joe’s malady. The challenge was, once again, to determine which hero would logically appear (and to imagine how the gradual splits might have occurred) in order to tend to the missions. Bear in mind that theoretically, these events had to have occurred the same way over the entire span of man’s life cycles.
To round off the cast of “challengers” that help to employ the heroes, the reader is introduced to shadow organizations bent on extremism of one type or another. Their methods help to add tension necessary for building proper heroes and villains, taking special interest in acquisition of power for their own devices. Even in doing so, the idea of a true villain is dispensed with in favor of deeper questions that deal with social and technological advancement.
One final question is presented in the form of the initially formless purple enigma referred to as “Purple Sand” (later actually named “Paradigm” after achieving form.) Aside from being tasked as a “Terminator-like” being, little is actually explained about it, on the surface of the story. However, there is subtext that might clue the reader in on its deal. I won’t say much more about that, because I don’t want to spoil it.
Fun Fact: When the idea for the entity came about, it was as a tribute to tribute to Prince (the musical genius), who had just died while I was formulating the story arcs for RFX. Hence, the purple color and even some of the imagery projected in its depiction. If you know the author, you KNOW he is a huge appreciator of The Artist.
By the way, if you have not gotten your own copy of the book, just go to: www.riseofthemoments.com
Monday, October 21, 2019
Rise Of The Moments- BOOK REVIEW by Prof William Howard
The following is a review of my first novel (ROTM) by Professor William Alvin Howard, a retired Mathematics Professor & renowned Proof Theorist who also happens to be an avid Science Fiction fan. Sometimes I think he is more of a Science Fiction Historian than just a fan, based upon some of our conversations on the subject. I can always trust his honest and open-minded insights to keep me contemplating the possibilities as I put in the work of writing.
Anyway, what follows is his written review of the project verbatim. He has given me express permission to publish it as I see fit, in whatever mediums I will, so long as I include proper credit for the work. Further, he has also given permission for anyone who wishes to re-publish the review, as well, as long as we all include his byline (which we are honored to do, of course!) Please do enjoy, share and feel free to add your own comments and insights, both here and at whatever book sellers you might purchase your own copy from.
By the way, if you have not gotten your own copy of the book, just go to: www.riseofthemoments.com
Without further ado:
Anyway, what follows is his written review of the project verbatim. He has given me express permission to publish it as I see fit, in whatever mediums I will, so long as I include proper credit for the work. Further, he has also given permission for anyone who wishes to re-publish the review, as well, as long as we all include his byline (which we are honored to do, of course!) Please do enjoy, share and feel free to add your own comments and insights, both here and at whatever book sellers you might purchase your own copy from.
By the way, if you have not gotten your own copy of the book, just go to: www.riseofthemoments.com
Without further ado:
Saturday, October 12, 2019
Rise Of The Moments - EFFECTS -- How to read it!
For Readers of
RISE OF THE MOMENTS - EFFECTS
Here is a map to follow if you should choose to explore the book in a decoded fashion. It's included in the novel (which is now available around the world from your favorite booksellers), and easily found if you search by the Author Name ("Carl L. Gabriel, Jr.")
As I mentioned, it's in the book, itself. It's just so small a rendering that only the industrious (with a magnifying glass) can actually read it. The books are challenging to read, to be sure, so of course I had to make it a challenge to cheat. Anyway, here you go.
Let me help you further by describing the different formats (in italics) of the story arcs:
a. LINEAR FORMAT - Told in a seemingly chronological way, but traversing iterations (life cycles) in a likewise straight chronological format without skips back and forth in either time or iteration, for the most part. There is only one exception to this rule.
b. SLIDE FORMAT - Told in a format that may be chronologically straight forward, but happens to go back and forth thru the iterations for the particular story arc.
c. ITERATIVE FORMAT - Generally, this story arc happens within the same iteration AND the timeline happens in a chronological way.
d. INFINITUM - Limits in neither time flow nor iterative direction.
Enjoy the ride! and be sure to share your reviews and comments about the books wherever you buy your copy. Of course, I sign any printed books, so if you catch me in your area (or you happen to be in my area - Chicago), let's make it happen... like now.
By the way, if you have not gotten your own copy of the book, just go to: www.riseofthemoments.com
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