Influences Part 2

Another strong influence for the main character is Miyamoto Musashi. (1584 - 1645)

I am a big fan of this historic figure, his life story was so interesting and his book of five rings is very inspirational.

For all you who don't know Musashi was a Japanese Swordsman and a well known Ronin (Master less Samurai). He was well known for his swordsmanship even at a young age (His first duel at the age of 13).

Clave shares a lot of parallelisms with Musashi, even some of his battles are inspired from Musashi's adventures.

Musashi roamed the lands looking for the next challenge, always wanting to test his skill. He was undefeated and only had one draw during his time as a swords man. He typically carried two swords and used whatever advantage he could to win the life or death battles.

Musashi once battled a man Shishido Baiken who wielded the Kusarigama. He almost lost that battle if it wasn't for him throwing his second sword. This tactic was not common as it was typical for a swordsman to fight with honor and hold on to his sword to the death. Musashi had no qualms casting aside the code in order to win the battle.

Very interesting man.

Q and A Part 2

This is Q and A part 2.

Q: Why the name Beta Earth? Isn't one Earth good enough?

A: LOL, Yes one Earth is good enough, gonna dodge the first question and it will soon become apparent why Beta Earth if you read the story, no hidden symbolism there sorry.

Q: Why are the main characters who are so young, handling such big or violent problems?

A: This is a good question. I really modelled this story off of the olden times (think Roman age) where there was the appearance of stability inside the walls of a huge city but in reality chaos was all around. In those times young men and I'm sure even some (undocumented women) would be forced to fight. Either as a Roman solider or as a struggling peasant in a unprotected village outside of the Roman walls.

There is a lot more to this question but ill leave it at that for now.

Q: Why did you choose UK Breakbeat for a lot of your themes?

A: I discovered UK Breakbeat back in 2006 by then I already had a story but something was missing... After listening to some UK Breakbeat artist: Breakfastaz, Freestylers, Station Warriors, etc. It filled in the "intensity" of the world gave it mood and drive. I swore as I would listen to some of these tracks, scenarios would write themselves.

Here is my thought on UK Breakbeat - I would say it's bitter and a bit hard to swallow at first, like a good beer, but eventually it becomes that thing you wouldn't mind having after a tough day at work (it's a good escape and good work out music).

Q: Is this going to be another one of those clear cut (I can predict the ending) stories? Or is it ridiculously convoluted?

A: Well with out giving spoilers, I would say it's a bit of both. Between Worlds is a pretty straight forward as it is a setup piece but the saga in general takes twists and turns that you couldn't imagine.

My main motivation for the characters isn't necessarily judged by a moral compass. Their own personal ambitions and goals are heavily at play, this may lead to a conflict in morals or in alliances.

As Andy Warhol once said:

What's great about this country is that America started the tradition where the richest consumers buy essentially the same things a the poorest. You can be watching TV and see Coca Cola, and you know that the President drinks Coca Cola, Liz Taylor drinks Coca Cola, and just think you can drink Coca Cola, too. A coke is a coke and no amount of money can get you a better coke than the one the bum on the corner is drinking. All the cokes are the same and all the cokes are good. Liz Taylor knows it, the President knows it, the bum knows it, and you know it.

I really liked this quote how we are in a time where we created an "equalizer" among the people. This becomes a building theme in Beta Earth where people everywhere begin to discover their true potential.

Q: Why are you answers so... wordy?

A: Sorry it's what I do, thanks for viewing.

Colors and Domain

Beta Earth is filled with colors and symbols.

Here are just a few to look out for:

Red is a reference to Red 42's Domain.

Green is a reference to Decius Hanamex's domain.

Blue is a reference to Kamon's Domain.

"First there was the mother known as Red, as soon as we understood Green was allowed to take action (to go). While the third observant Blue watched it happen."

The white areas and shadows are in reference to.



Plato's Cave

This is and many many more await.

So, keep your eyes open and your mind sharp as there is much to be discovered in...

Beta Earth

Edits Edits Edits

2 to 4 weeks turns to 4 to 8 weeks turns to 8 to 12 weeks.

Lot of changes but it is all worth it. This process is a great experience and writing this book has challenged a lot of my preconceptions.

I choose a different style of writing, more active than normal. I wanted to keep up the tempo of the book. This could either be a good thing or a bad thing because definite breaks are not apparent. Which may mean it will be hard to put down.

I am feeling really good about the dialogue and the events in the book. I am very excited to show you all the final product.

Looks like late winter early spring, will be the release date (hopefully); if you’re in a cold location like me you can snuggle up to this book on those winter days.

Influences

Hands down Mary Shelley is definitely my influence for the story.

Why, you may ask?

Well the answer is simple: Frankenstein.

How I, then a young girl, came to think of, and to dilate upon, so very hideous an idea?
"Preface", 1831 edition of Frankenstein

How I, then a young man, came to think of, and to dilate upon, so very hideous an idea?
"Preface", 2010 edition of Beta Earth: Between Worlds

Now don't get me wrong Shelley had many great revolutionary books, the Last Man, being one of them. She was also a very progressive thinker in a time that didn't accept progressive thinkers (especially from women). Her brave writing definitely inspired me.

When creating Beta Earth I really wanted to create that sense of a mythological monster in modern settings.

Clave is that modern day monster and just like Frankenstein you have to ask yourself. Can a monster ever be loved?

I think we all feel like an outsider at one time or another just looking for love or acceptance.

Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein
For more information.

The wait!

I sent the manuscript to the editor and it's going to take 3 to 4 weeks before I know need to be done.

I can't WAIT!!!!!! Wow I can't wait... This is agony, all I keep doing is second guessing myself and wanting to scrap the whole thing.

I don't know how people do this.

All I want to do is entertain people in my own way so way am I so invested like this?

---------------------------------------------

On the flip side.... I just gained a whole new respect for Hideo Kojima

Creator of Metal Gear Solid 1-4 and my personal favorite Zone of Enders 1 and 2

So as far as Video Games. I do play them occasionally but I usually have two motives and then I move on.

1. Some of them used to have good stories (and I love me a good story).
2. I like to discover the gameplay mechanics (dunno why I just like to learn how they design things).

Hideo does both very well, not to mention he is one of the most innovative story tellers of the century.

I didn't get the chance to play MGS4 but I watched the cut scenes... The story was kind of convoluted but it was good for Social Political majors, pretty accurate future with PMC (or private military corporations). Which is something like we have now with the not so known Blackwater company.

What I like about watching MGS4 is he really made me feel good for playing the other three games in the series, he brought back all the old locations, old characters and old situations. He literally showed footage of the first metal gear solid and the hero was dreaming about it. It was genius.

He even goes as far a so break the forth wall just like he did in the first MGS (which was spectacular) you actually had to switch your controller in order to beat a boss, because he could control you character. That boss could also control your TV and shut off your screen (no joke) Phycho Mantis.

I am just really impressed with him, he should be under wikipeida's definition for "thinking out side of the box."

Umm so yeah 4 more weeks of waiting and hopefully no cruel edits.

Dao of Beta Earth

As I mentioned, I based all the characters after the elements.

地 Chi (sometimes ji) or tsuchi, meaning "Earth",
represents the hard, solid objects of the world. The most basic example of chi is in a stone. Stones are highly resistant to movement or change, as is anything heavily influenced by chi. In people, the bones, muscles and tissues are represented by chi. Emotionally, chi is predominantly associated with stubbornness, stability, physicality, and gravity. In the mind, it is confidence; and emotionally it is a desire to have things remain as they are; a resistance to change. When under the influence of this chi mode or "mood", we are aware of our own physicality and sureness of action.

Characters related to Earth:
General Qwell Taris
Vin
Telno
Agent Damon

水 Sui or mizu, meaning "Water",
represents the fluid, flowing, formless things in the world. Outside of the obvious example of rivers and the like, plants are also categorized under sui, as they adapt to their environment, growing and changing according to the direction of the sun and the changing seasons. Blood and other bodily fluids are represented by sui, as are mental or emotional tendencies towards adaptation and change. sui can be associated with emotion, defensiveness, adaptability, flexibility, suppleness, and magnetism

Characters related to Water:
Lana Mizrahi
Seraph
Akari
Riff
Rena
Eva

火 Ka or hi, meaning "Fire",
represents the energetic, forceful, moving things in the world. Animals, particularly predators, capable of movement and full of forceful energy, are primary examples of ka objects. Bodily, ka represents our metabolism and body heat, and in the mental and emotional realms, it represents drive and passion. ka can be associated with motivation, desire, intention, and an outgoing spirit. Besides the obvious examples of heat and flame, lightning can also be thought of as an extension of Ka.

Characters related to Fire:
Slade
Loki
Riken
Gate
Sol

風 Fū or kaze, meaning "Wind",
represents things that grow, expand, and enjoy freedom of movement. Aside from air, smoke, and the like, fū can in some ways be best represented by the human mind. As we grow physically, we learn and expand mentally as well, in terms of our knowledge, our experiences, and our personalities. Fū represents breathing, and the internal processes associated with respiration. Mentally and emotionally, it represents an "open-minded" attitude and carefree feeling. It can be associated with will, elusiveness, evasiveness, benevolence, compassion, and wisdom.

Characters related to wind:
Clave
Gene
Anul
Cage

空 Kū or sora, most often translated as "Void",
but also meaning "sky" or "Heaven", represents those things beyond our everyday experience, particularly those things composed of pure energy. Bodily, kū represents spirit, thought, and creative energy. It represents our ability to think and to communicate, as well as our creativity. It can also be associated with power, creativity, spontaneity, and inventiveness.

Characters related to Void:
Kamon 2.0
Montello
Tryle
Abel
XR

I'd like to think we all have an affinity towards an element.

I think mine is wind what's yours?

Technical stuff

Um so like I said this story was started back when I was 16 so, here are all the works associated.

Beta Earth: 4 Days (Status: Treatment done this is the absolute first story),
Beta Earth: Children of Paradise (Status: This story hasn't been fully developed yet but it's the childhood story of Lana and the mysterious young man know only as XR),
Beta Earth: Zero Hour (Status: Treatment done story of Rena, Kamon, and Cage),
Beta Earth: Between Worlds (Status: The book that is going to be released yay),
Beta Earth: Awakening (Status: Full Script of this takes place directly after Between Worlds),
Beta Earth: Residual Effects (Status: Another Full Script),
Beta Earth: Lost Paradise (Status: Script not completed yet wraps up the story).

Phew. Or as the youth would type (zomg).

Of course this isn't the only project I've worked on but it's definitely the funnest by far.

My other projects are mostly dramas with heavy comedy... ill make a blog for them soon enough.

What does it take? 1 to 2 hours of writing a night sometimes up to 8 on the weekend if I hermit it up.

Movie Magic (Thanks Polino)!
MS Word
Lot of patience
and fingers help although not required.

My favorite parts to write.
Dialogue by far!!!

I love it when the world comes alive around me... When you read this story it's not what I'm thinking, it's what's actually happening and I am just viewing it. Think of me as your mediator between worlds.

The most difficult parts to write.
Action scenes

Don't get me wrong, they are my favorite to imagine, actually whole characters are designed around how they fight. It play a very important role in defining style and persona. That being said, it is difficult trying to describe even detail and nuance of the battle without having the reader (modern day reader) be bogged down.

Sometimes in combat slight differences make the win, sometimes a fight can be won before anyone makes a move. If both characters are experienced enough they can assess their opponent and conclude a battle before it starts. These are the things I hope to display even if it's in a slightly condensed form.

Can't the future be peaceful?
Hell no!

Actually I do envision the future as peaceful, old conflicts do wear thin and this world is becoming smaller and smaller and we are connecting on a whole new level as people.

That being said, there will always be something to fight about. In times of chaos people will fight for order in times of order people will search for chaos.

It's all about progress and how we can't seem to live without having it.

Personally even though I don't like conflict on a large scale (like war), I can see how conflict makes us better. We all need challenges to grow no matter how big or small.

What is (soft) Softcore Sci-Fi?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_science_fiction

Read it lol.

No I do like science fiction but for this saga I wanted to focus more on the mystery of the characters and their affiliations.

Thanks for reading more to come later.

JR

Welcome to Pre-release!

Wooooo I am very existed.

The first of this series is finally out of my head and on to paper!!!

It's such a liberating feeling... I have been working on this project since I was 16!

Thank you for checking this blogg, I have to say I am normally an introvert so this whole thing is counterintutive...

Anyway, im gonna try to inform and have fun.

I've always wanted to make an epic story, something different that transcends the normal trends. When I first had the concept it was revolutionary... but now people have caught up to me lol.

Still I am putting my ideas out there because they stand apart from all others I've seen.

Beta Earth: What is it?

Well from a grand stand point BE is my belief in humans.

I believe we are so much more then we even comprehend. It's exciting and scary at the same time. Because even though we can aspire to more we are still individuals and as such we have our own agendas. So, it's interesting to see if we will aspire to great highs or if we will let greed and discontent get the best of us.

Beta Earth takes this idea to the extreme by that I mean the future... (ohhh scary).

In this future a few individuals are the first to be blessed with extraordinary skills... However, they do not fully understand what this means and how it will effect the peace that most have so far.

Deep huh?

O.K. I just wanted to tell an entertaining story!!!

This is (soft) Sci-Fi because I don't want people to be bogged down by the technology... but I made it Sci-Fi because the philosophy of yesterday is tomorrows technology.

I wanted to make the characters diverse as well, not just ethnically but in temperament I used the elements.

So you will see.

Fire
Water
Wind
Earth
and
Void

In a since you can pick which character you relate to and hope for that character to achieve his or her goals. That's right there is no single hero or heroine.

There are just people with different objectives.

Get ready to chose a side and come for a ride!

I would like to welcome you all to Beta Earth.

JR