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A Father and Son Collaboration
Sebastian J. Schwartz
Author Interview
Secrets of the Moon is a story about defending Earth from colonization by an alien species they discover on the moon. I think this original idea is intriguing. How did you come up with this idea and develop it into a story?
Sebastian has functioning autism, but because of it, he has the gift of being an amzing storyteller, thinking about things from a unique perspective, unlike no one else I know. One night in July 2022, told me the story & showed me a digital drawing he’d made of the creature, over a few hours & I was completely blown away by the originality of it. Having already written hundreds of articles and always wanting to write a novel, I proposed we write this book together. We put together a 12 page straw man and found it worked well. After that, it was a true collaboration. Each day we’d get between 8-20 pages done, then read them out loud and discuss/change/edit/delete as necessary to make sure it remained true to his original concept. I would add backstory to give them characters substance and the father-son project grew into a 6 month journey. When we finished the draft, it was 430 pages long, so we started back at the beginning and cut out a few characters/storylines & found we had over explained some things.
What was your approach to writing the interactions between characters?
We wanted to make the characters all ‘loner types’ due to their individual geniuses, but when the chips were down, they were all dependent on one another, each offering their own unique skill to offer the collective. We wanted to avoid much of the ‘noise’ in the modern news cycle and limited profanity, sex, etc. – if it didn’t contribute to the story, we didn’t put it in.
Much of the interactions were based on how we thought real people would react in this trying situation – panic, conflict, competition, infighting, loss, and even a little bit of new found love. Human beings are capable of so much and have the capacity to rise to great heights when the chips are down. We tried to show that in our own unique way.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Technology was at the front of the line. We did a lot of reading about emerging technologies, and consulted with a Chemistry Professor at a local college on some topics. What we really wanted, was a book that stood up to scrutiny – in our minds, everything we used has the potential to actually work, if only the scientific community could crack the code.
We also wanted to tie the book to some things we are seeing happening now, that’s why its set in the near future. Space X, and other advancements in space exploration, plus the high demand for rare earth minerals for electric cars and electronics seemed to mesh well for our story line & gives the reader a smooth transition into the story – the new space race will be business dominant, not exploration.
Will this novel be the start of a series or are you working on a different story?
Both are true – we are outlining a sequel (after all, readers will want to know what went on in that secret conversation in Stanley Drummond’s office (that’s the introduction, actually, which sets the stage for a new adventure and more advance technologies developed based on the ‘previously unknown’ mineral found while procerssing the ore brought back from the moon.
Sebastian is currently working on a graphic novella/comic book. I just published ‘Things That Go Bump in the Night, Poetry of Fear and Fright” and I’m currently working on an Inspirational Poetry collection. Lots of irons in the fire, as usual.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Website 2
The Secrets of the Moon
Secrets of the Moon by R.J. Schwartz and Sebastian J. Schwartz is an extraordinary story set in the near future, 2033, where there is a high demand for minerals due to scarcity on Earth, driving billionaires to invest heavily in space exploration and mining. The book opens ambitiously, moving through the earlier stages of this shift in intergalactic mineral exploration. As it becomes clear that big businesses are acutely focused on expansion, at such an extreme that they propel their plans quickly, launching into space without question.
Once Orbit Mining launches the Comet spacecraft, the plot abruptly shifts into a chaotic, unpredictable journey that leads to suspense, action, and secrecy. As technology becomes more advanced and corporations grow overconfident, this quickly escalates to a new height of disaster in a world that is already vulnerable and on the brink of apocalyptic collapse.
R.J. Schwartz and Sebastian J. Schwartz do an incredible job of painting the background of the story, panning across all the developments that lead up to 2033, including the launching station, the key players, and corporate decision-making that ultimately sets up the initial mission. It’s a fast-paced but well-narrated story that pulls the reader in from the very beginning, with just enough description and atmosphere to highlight the dreariness of a futuristic world, combined with excitement and anticipation for the unknown.
Secrets of the Moon by R.J. Schwartz and Sebastian J. Schwartz is a gripping story that sheds light on the possibilities of our own world and how we must deal with the challenges that lie ahead. It’s a great novel with solid, well-developed characters and a robust storyline that will keep you turning one page after the other. The authors have given readers a creative, original take on the current state of our planet’s resources and the potential for disaster in the future. I look forward to reading more from these authors!
Pages: 337 | ASIN : B0BWBK6F96
LITERARY TITAN 