Blog Archives
Human-Alien Contact
Forbidden Horizon: Abyss of Might follows the grandson of the first commander to make contact with aliens who become involved in the brutal war between two companies trying to control the space industry. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Initially, Forbidden Horizon was designed as a stand-alone novel, with its main protagonist, Commander David Blackstone leading the first manned mission to the nearest star, Proxima Centauri, and meeting the mysterious aliens, who had secretly organized mankind’s venture into interstellar space. The idea for a sequel came to me after I was doing research on the Internet about interstellar travel for my novels archive. I felt that there was another story I could tell that involved the Blackstone family, and the inspiration the younger generation takes from the great achievements of the older. I wanted to explore the human-alien contact further, presenting the challenges humanity might face in the future even with the advances in high technologies.
What was one scene in the novel that you felt captured the morals and message you were trying to deliver to readers?
The story is about human beings of the 22nd century, facing many problems that did not go away with the advances in radically new technology. There was a scene in the novel that captured the morals and the message I tried to bring out in the story. The scene involved the meeting between the president and two powerful corporate kings, who thought of themselves as being above the law and too big to fail. The main message of the novel was that our technological advances far outpace our morals. The story features dirty political maneuvering and insatiable greed for power and wealth, which aliens in the novel despise in human beings.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Forbidden Horizon: Abyss of Might is the second and final novel in this duology. I was glad to create a sequel to the first book and will now work on new ideas, exploring different themes. There is so much information to work with, and during the last ten years, I have amassed a large archive of story ideas that I plan to turn into novels and share with readers around the world.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon
Fascinated By Vampires
What inspired you to reinvent traditional vampire mythology and depict them as a civilized community coexisting harmoniously with humans?
I was always fascinated with vampires and stories about vampires since I was a young teenager, exploring the fascinating fictional worlds. Everyone knows the story of the legendary count Dracula, and most of the people curious about vampire lore have definitely seen the silent German movie from the 1920’s titled The Nosferatu. Initially, vampires were seen as predators, who hunted for human blood, and they did not look appealing in any way. I think that my interest in vampires came form reading Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles and seeing a movie Interview With The Vampire based on her first book. Anne Rice made them beautiful and enchanting, seductive and powerful, and humans are naturally drawn to things that represent longevity, power and inhuman strength. Inspired by such knowledge, I wanted to create my own vampire story and give my vampires an aura of mystery, since they had to hide in plain sight in order to survive and do what vampires do. In my universe, vampires are beautiful but not all of them are nice. Just like humans they have their flaws, their desires and their dreams.
Could you share more about your process of creating such a diverse ensemble of characters and how you intertwined their stories with the main narrative?
“Before the Dawn” is a vampire story, but unlike my previous vampire story “Beyond Sunlight,” this one deals with vampire-human relationship on a whole new level. Because most of the vampire stories are focused on adult main characters, I thought about changing it and making it more interesting by approaching the plotline form another angle. I thought, why not make a young teenage romance between human and a vampire? This certainly has nothing to do with the vampire novel series Twilight and movies based on them. My main protagonists are young teenagers, but one of them is a human and another is a vampire. The story of Frank and Cindy is indeed a love story that is unique, because their characters are so different. I designed Frank Sunborn’s character as a regular young boy of thirteen, who is an explorer of places and senses. Cindy Condor is vampire who hides tremendous power behind her facade as a beautiful and seemingly vulnerable girl the same age as Frank. They are both creatures of different worlds and sometimes the opposites do attract in strange and fascinating ways. The other characters, who come form different backgrounds as both humans and vampires serve as an important background to a story focused on the unique relationship between Frank and Cindy.
How did you approach crafting the vibrant backdrop of New York City, and why did you choose this setting for your narrative?
I live in New York City for more than thirty years. It is a very interesting place, where many races and cultures are blended into a very interesting social and political nexus. New York, the city of the Big Apple, is known as the City That Never Sleeps. It was natural for me to choose this backdrop, because I am very familiar with the details of the city life. Humans are migrant creatures, and they move around and seek places that are comfortable for them to stay. Vampires in my story are also moving around, exploring the world of humans and seek places where they can feel safe and hide their mysterious nature. It is also easy to get lost in a big city like New York if you want to stay away form social life. But vampires, just like humans in my story are actively participating in social life of the big city, seeking new blood donors, associates and simply friends on whom they could rely on. In many vampire stories, big cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, Paris, London serve as a fascinating and necessary background to enhance the story’s social dynamic and spice it up with interesting and unusual situations.
Given the complexity of themes such as betrayal, trust, friendship, and companionship explored in the book, what do you hope readers will take away from these aspects of the narrative?
I think that writers by their nature should first entertain and second educate their readers about what they know. Our human world is complex enough, but in fictional stories about beings that do not exist, we secretly wish that they did exist among us. It is human nature to seek out magic realism, mysticism and occult to make their lives more interesting and fulfilling. In human world, complex relationships are inevitable. When it comes to the social interactions between humans and vampires, well, this is a whole new ballgame. I wanted to show parallel worlds that exit on the same plain and interact out of necessity for companionship, love and human blood, that allows vampires to maintain their power and immortality. Some humans, would naturally be deeply drawn into the vampire world, attracted to it by promises of eternal life and superhuman abilities. Of course, nothing in this world comes free of charge, and there are consequences for the choices we make. In my story, vampires are also answerable for their decisions, and just like humans, in spite of their great lifespan, they can make mistakes. I hope that the readers would take something from my novel, such as living by the rules that keep you safe, while allowing you to explore the world in the most unusual ways. My vampires look and act like humans, but they are very different from us biologically as well as psychologically. Their enormous lifespan offers them a great learning experience about the human world they live in. It is truly the world they cannot do without.
Author Interview: Facebook | Amazon
Before the Dawn
Before the Dawn by David Crane is an engrossing work of fiction that delves into the captivating realm of vampires. Crane’s astute portrayal of mythical creatures seamlessly intertwines with the vibrant backdrop of New York City, implying a long-standing coexistence between nightwalkers and humans. The author’s meticulous attention to world-building shines through, as descriptive elements are skillfully incorporated without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary minutiae.
The narrative unfolds through a first-person perspective, alternating between the voices of Frank and Cindy. This narrative technique allows readers to forge a strong connection with both protagonists, immersing themselves in their experiences and emotions. Frank’s secret journal, with its unassuming style, offers a unique lens through which to perceive the world as he does, adding a layer of authenticity to the story. Rather than adhering to conventional vampire myths, Crane takes a refreshingly innovative approach by portraying vampires as a civilized community coexisting harmoniously with humans. This departure from the norm injects the narrative with a sense of intrigue and curiosity, inviting readers to explore the complex dynamics of this cohabitation.
In addition to the compelling main characters, Crane introduces a captivating ensemble of side characters who enrich the vampire narrative. The conflicts that arise throughout the book lend an air of suspense and maintain a firm grip on the reader’s attention. Moreover, these characters serve as conduits for exploring compelling themes such as betrayal, trust, friendship, and companionship, adding an extra layer of depth to the story.
Before the Dawn is a highly recommendable book that skillfully explores the vampire genre in an intriguing way. David Crane’s adept storytelling and his ability to create a vivid, interconnected world leave readers captivated and yearning for more.
Pages: 323 | ASIN: B0C3Z6HQKJ
Things That Do Not Yet Exist
Forbidden Horizon is yet another sharp sci-fi novel that contains compelling ideas and well-conceived science inserted in the fiction. What got you excited about writing this book?
Forbidden Horizon novel was a product of my deep fascination with the world of science fiction. I loved it since I was a kid and read many books about humans visiting other planets and dimensions, as well as discovering fascinating alien worlds on the bottom of the oceans. I wrote several science fictions books in the past dealing with interstellar travel and alien contact. This particular novel was different, given its exotic blend of science, adventure and political intrigue. The novel takes place at the end of the twenty-first century, and I believe that in the future separated from our time only by several decades, humans will still be faced with many problems that we face today I wanted to create a book of high adventure, suspense and mystery about the cosmos and alien life that surely exists out there somewhere and is waiting to be discovered.
What draws you to the science fiction genre and makes it ripe for you to write in?
What makes science fiction to wonderful and so attractive is that science fiction in many ways becomes a science fact with the invention of the appropriate technology and tools of science and exploration. Human beings have dreamt about visiting the underwater worlds since the beginning of time. They also dreamed about being able to fly beyond the skies and into outer space. Science fiction is a great tool for discovering the new possibilities of existence, thanks to the scientific wonders that humans are able to make. I would like to believe that one day it would be possible to send advanced space probes to the nearest stars and improve life on our own planet by protecting and cleaning its environment. Imagination of things that do not yet exist but have solid scientific foundation provides me with interesting ideas in my writing.
What scene in the book was the hardest for you to write as far as getting things as factually correct as possible before going full-blown fiction?
It is a very interesting question. There are scenes that are hard for any writer to create because the writer must be absolutely certain and correct about the scientific data he or she presents to the readers. The hardest things for me to write was getting the numbers correct in regard to the distance between the celestial objects and planetary movements. I noticed many mistakes in Hollywood movies in regard to the distance and communications between the spaceship crews going to a distant planet and the time it takes for the signal traveling with the speed of light to reach Earth and be sent back. Sometimes it takes only minutes for the people to talk to each other separated by millions of miles. Sometimes it takes hours or even days, depending on how far the humans have traveled away from Earth. Space is vast and getting the numbers and the basic science data right is very important. The readers will know that the writer did his homework.
Do aliens exist? And if so, where are they?
Do aliens exist? I believe they do. Life can exist in many forms and in many ways. Our own Milky Wat galaxy has millions of suns and tens of millions on large moons and planets where life could have evolved under certain conditions. Humans are carbon based, and we breathe oxygen and swim in water that is composed form molecules of hydrogen and oxygen. It is not inconceivable to imagine an alien civilization that has evolved to have a very different chemical composition in regard to their environment. I once read a science fiction novella long time ago featuring the accidental meeting between human and alien starships in orbit of a distant planet. The aliens were vaguely humanoid, but they had purple skin, yellow blood and could see better at night because of the low intensity of their mother sun. They breathed different gas and could swim in acid, which for humans would be fatal. As for the alien life in the universe, I think that life is very abundant there but may not have yet evolved to reach an advanced technological level. Someone had mentioned once that the possibility of intelligent life in deep space as well as its total absence could be equally terrifying. I do hope that one day we make contact with advanced extraterrestrial intelligence. What will happen then is anyone’s guess, but our world would never be the same again.
Author Interview: Facebook | Amazon
Forbidden Horizon
The human race has an ongoing debate about the existence of life elsewhere in the universe. But what if there was life outside of humans, and what if they already knew everything about us? The Xalin are just such a race. Having conquered what they considered to be human beings’ weaknesses for wars and destruction, the Xalin hatch plans to make themselves known to humans on Earth. They wish to show humans that great scientific advancements are possible, if only they could stop making critical mistakes.
Told in three parts, Forbidden Horizon by David Crane is about groups of astronauts and their adventures in outer space. Humans have already created a base on the Moon, and a group of astronauts are enroute to Mars. But when David Blackstone, the leader of the Lune One Moon base, is confronted with an out-of-this-galaxy opportunity, he has no choice but to take it.
Author David Crane’s extensive knowledge of science and space travel really shines in this intellectually-invigorating novel as the ships and methods of space travel are believable for a science fiction novel. The amount of detail about space in this sci-fi story is impressive and, at some points, a little dense. However, Forbidden Horizon draws the reader into the story so much so that you feel like you are standing inside the IMS Daedalus on your way to Mars.
Forbidden Horizon contains fascinating detail about outer space and space travel, making this an intriguing read. I would have liked more action or danger included in the story, but this still feels like a classic science fiction story, much like Isaac Asimov’s novels where the ideas are fascinating all on their own. Fans of hard science fiction will enjoy the attention to detail about space and technology and will surely be engrossed with Forbidden Horizon‘s plot.
Pages: 274 | ASIN: B0BH3HCKG7
Dreams and Desires
Price of Life follows a hidden race living among humans who, along with human fanatics, come up with a horrific plan for world domination. What were some key aspects that were important for you to explore in this narrative?
Price of Life was initially conceived as an action-adventure story. During its creation, I realized that the richness of the described events, people, places and character motivations made me consider a far broader perspective on things. It became very important for me to explore the issues of immortality and human condition, revelations of the origin of the immortal secret race and dreams and desires of everyone involved, be they individuals or a group. Each participant in the story sees the world as they would like it to be but changing the world for good or bad reasons may not necessarily be the right thing to do. Humans often think that end justifies the means, but not everyone pauses to think how many innocents would suffer for the price of a better future.
What scene in the book was the most emotionally impactful for you to write?
It is a very interesting question. My novel contains many powerful and emotional scenes that touch the souls of both humans and immortals. There are moments of deep introspection, stunning revelations and emotional as well as physical suffering. I believe the most emotionally impactful moment for me was the scene Dina Amulai encounters after her unsuccessful attempt to murder young Adolph Hitler during World War I. Fueled by rage against the visions of the terrible future resulting from his rise to power, she later finds her entire adopted Gypsy clan executed by the Germans who did not spare anyone. Dina later makes another clever attempt to kill Hitler during the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games, but is betrayed at the last moment by a greedy mercenary whom she is forced to kill.
Did the novel develop in any surprising ways as you wrote the story?
Actually, yes it did. Initially, the story involved a singular apocalyptic mass murder plot by the immortal group bent on world domination. Then, at some point during my second draft, I thought about creating a similar group, which includes humans with their own diabolical agenda to change the U.S. politics and take over the United States. The goals and methods of both groups are different, but they interact well in the story. Both secret societies plan to use weapons of mass destruction, which makes them very dangerous for the good guys to handle. Battles of good against evil often demand sacrifices but true heroes are willing to die for what they believe.
You published this novel in 2015. How do you feel your writing has changed since then?
I started writing in 2010, initially working on short stories and ideas for the longer pieces. It took me 5 years of writing and practicing my craft as well as attending numerous writing groups and literary sessions to learn about being a better writer. Since the publication of Price of Life in 2015, seven years have passed, and they were very good seven years. I believe that my writing had improved in terms of quality and deeper analysis of my work. I read a lot of excellent books before I became a writer. They inspired me to put my ideas on paper not to earn fortune and glory but to enjoy the labor of love. I continue to abide by this principle and hope to produce many interesting books for people to enjoy.
Author Interview: Facebook | Amazon
At the dawn of civilization, a prehistoric hunter finds an unusual meteorite that offers him powers of life and death and makes him an immortal. Twelve thousand years later, his descendants, inheriting the gene of immortality, are living in secret among unsuspecting humans. Able to give and take life at will, they struggle for survival across the centuries.
When a group of human fanatics and evil immortals each come with their own horrific plan for world domination, other humans and immortals must join forces to stop them regardless of the cost. At stake is the survival of both races as they prepare to face the greatest challenge of their lives.
Price of Life
Price of Life by David Crane is a page-turning and suspenseful science fiction story that follows the journey of a prehistoric boy who discovers an unusual meteorite while hunting, which gives him the power of immortality. He becomes the first known human to possess this power, and all the benefits and challenges that it carries. It’s a great supernatural story that touches on many historical eras, including references to World Wars I and II and the Russian Civil War.
Crane writes in such as realistic way, as if the story is a documentary, following the character through many years, societies, and relationships. The gift of immortality is a power for which many people would do anything, but what are the consequences when an immortal falls in love with a mortal? Many people, such as Laura, keep the nature of their existence secretive, though eventually, it must be revealed to those closest people to her. The story explores many aspects of immortality and how living without the fear of aging and dying, while an amazing experience, can present a new world of challenges.
How do the characters handle life after thousands of years of existence? Would you abandon your gift of immortality to become a frail mortal and live like everyone else? Crane does an exceptional job of bringing up the question of humanity’s fragile existence and how people would handle a life that never ends. Is it a gift that later becomes a curse when everyone you love eventually leaves you in death?
I recommend Price of Life for its original and creative style and unique twist on the human side of a popular science fiction theme. It’s a great story for fans of this genre who want to explore the implications of immortality.
Pages: 318 | ASIN: B00Y424WD6
A.I. Can Be More Humane
Age of Magnus: Keepers of the Rain follows the ruling A.I. system of Earth as it prepares to battle a group of humans that want to restore power to the human race. Where you able to wrap up all your storylines in this third book?
I must say yes, I have managed to complete the trilogy with this final volume of the Magnus series, bringing this post-apocalyptic science fiction story to satisfactory conclusion. The storyline has been in development during the final stages of completion of the second novel of the trilogy. Before I started my work, I knew exactly how the story would end. All of the characters presented in the final book were new, and it was an interesting process of integrating them into the story. I wanted this to be a character driven book that also poses many interesting philosophical questions about relationship between man and advanced Artificial Intelligence and man’s relationship with nature.
Has writing and publishing this trilogy changed the way you see the future of technology?
Ever since I was a kid, I was always fascinated by technological marvels. Over many years, my interest in technologies, especially futuristic technologies and new forms of energy provided me with rich food for thought. I initially saw technology as the necessary part of everyday world, until gradually, I matured to become more analytical about its applications. Writing and publishing this book made me aware of many interesting possibilities advanced computer technology can offer mankind in its technological evolution. In my novel, I imagined a very powerful Artificial Intelligence that helps mankind in its darkest moments in history, but at the same time demands order over chaos and kindness and respect over cruelty and arrogance. In some ways, the A.I. can be more humane than any human if it taught the right values from the start.
What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?
This is an interesting question. For writer, there are always risks he or she must take to see the story move from start to finish. Some writers tend to be either too shy, too nice or too politically correct to get their point across without being labeled as abnormal or evil. Thankfully, in my story politics takes a backseat to the drama and the scenery where my characters operate. In my story, each person has a motive, regardless of them being protagonists or antagonists. My biggest risk in this book was in taking Magnus’s side in the human-machine conflict. Since I wrote this trilogy from Magnus’s point of view, I have imprinted on Magnus some of my strongest personality traits. There is an old saying: Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Through Magnus, I drove my point across how I would rule the world if I had attained absolute control over the planet. I do think that risk paid off because the book was worth it!
What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
I would advise them to be patient and set realistic goals from the beginning, in order to avoid their great expectations to be damaged or crushed because of multiple rejections. Working on the first book is a great pleasure, once the writer knows what kind of story he or she wants to tell. I would advise the writer to make his first book character driven, have interesting and intriguing storyline and keep the sentences clear, simple and avoid literary cliches. First time book writers are very impressionable and take their inspiration from other books and movies. The trick is to develop your own voice and carry it through the book from start to finish. My final advice would be to make their characters, especially their main characters to have flaws. All humans have them and the characters’ vulnerabilities as well as their strengths would make them more sympathetic.
Author Interview: Facebook | Amazon
LITERARY TITAN 