Author Interview with Aftermath author Michael D. Brooks

Welcome to the author interview with Michael D. Brooks as he shares with us about his book – Aftermath: Buried Secrets, Hidden Truths, Missing Chapters!

Blurb

The planet Progensha is recovering from a devastating war that destroyed nearly half a continent. The survivors are angry, afraid, and suspicious.

Their reluctant leaders become embroiled in a covert effort to correct the problems that led to war and avoid another.

Suspicions mount, accusations fly, and emotions run hot as secrets become known and long-held beliefs are questioned.

The fate of an entire world depends on a handful of individuals who are forced to make the hardest decision of their lives.

Should they follow the path laid out by ancestors from the future or forge a new one of their own?

Ready to learn more about  Aftermath: Buried Secrets, Hidden Truths, Missing Chapters and the author behind it? Keep reading for our interview with author Michael D. Brooks!

Author Brooks, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with Scribbles about your book, Aftermath: Buried Secrets, Hidden Truths, Missing Chapters!

Q: Author Brooks, Aftermath is the fifth book in your Destined series. What was the inspiration behind this particular novel?

Author Brooks: A lot of what is happening in our country and the world today politically and culturally has been a major influence on my decision to write Aftermath.

Oh really? Wow! That was a sense we got while reading Aftermath, but weren’t quite sure if that were the case or not!

Q: How did you decide on the cover for your book Aftermath? Were there other covers that you considered? Or did you know this was the one you wanted immediately?

Author Brooks: Yes, there were other covers, but since this is a dark time in the planet Progensha’s history, I wanted a cover to reflect that. I played around with a few different designs before settling on the cover.

The cover definitely gives a sense of a darker time, especially with the desolation of the landscape behind the various characters. So, it works.

Q: Author Brooks, you have a variety of characters gracing the cover of Aftermath. How did you decide which characters would make the cut so to speak?

Author Brooks: I knew I wanted the three primary protagonists to appear, but I also wanted key secondary characters to also appear.

That makes a lot of sense. It allows readers to get a first glimpse of the characters as well as have a reference point, too.

Q: In Aftermath, you introduce readers to a new cast of characters with only a touch back here and there to some familiar names. Why did you choose to write this novel this way?

Author Brooks: I knew I wanted to continue Progensha’s backstory, and thought extending the plot elements from the second book would be a good vehicle to use to tell that story. I hinted at genealogical relationships in the first book, and showed some aspects of it in the second book, but felt the need to paint a more complete picture of the history and relationships of the characters spanning two universes and five hundred plus years.

You were definitely successful in moving toward painting a more complete history of the characters and Progensha for sure. Readers get to know more about the planet and the people with the help of two familiar characters through what they leave behind.

Q: How did you decide on which characters to make the “focus” of the story?

Author Brooks: I wanted to tell the story of Lin and Piper’s daughter, and how what happened to her parents affected her. Martina and T’iang as extensions of the familial relationship were natural additions to the plotline.

You were definitely successful with that aspect of the book! Reading how Zuri learns the truth and getting to experience her reactions and frustrations really helped bring her alive as a character. Plus, having her family be part of the fall-out added another layer to the story.

Q: In Aftermath, the planet Progensha has been rocked by a major explosion fueled by war. Why did you choose to not start the story off with this particular element?

Author Brooks: Because halfway through book two is the last time the reader is in war-torn Progensha, and the planet’s past. The story returns to the future. The past is spoken of in terms of retrospectives and theoretical speculation based on what records survived in Martina’s vault. Notable exceptions are the recollections of Lin and Piper.

Okay, that makes sense. By writing Aftermath the way that you do you stay true to how the series has flowed. Especially in light of the fact that the last time we readers were experiencing that type of heightened drama was technically in the past.

Q: As Aftermath unfolds in the first couple of chapters you introduce readers to several different characters. These in the first chapter appear to mourn the destruction on the land. Then there is another, Nadir. Why did you decide to introduce him so quickly?

Author Brooks: The unprecedented destruction impacted everyone. Whether victor or vanquished, war affects everyone. Bringing Nadir in when I did, I believe, helps to show how what happened affected all sides in the conflict.

Ah! Okay! We see where you were going with the story! You gave us perspectives from both sides so that we could see that not every Thouron was the same.

Q: As you introduce readers to Nadir, a Thouron, you nudge us to believe that he’s no longer falling in line with the Thourons are “the Goddess’s chosen.” Was he always on this path of beginning to question the status quo or was it more driven by the “mysterious” disappearances of those he called friend?

Author Brooks: Nadir, like most of his people, was indoctrinated from childhood into the Thouron mindset. but unlike most, he has an innate curiosity and tends to see things differently. That curiosity leads him to question the status quo and his place in it. The disappearances feed that curiosity and give birth to doubt. The destruction of the valley serves to heighten that doubt.

So Nadir was always on the path of being an outlier so to speak. In that vein it helps differentiate him from the other Thourons and pushes him more towards the path of looking for a better future that doesn’t follow the same old same old. Very thought provoking author Brooks! We like it! LOL!

Q: The majority of the story focuses on Zuri, Martina, and the other people who live in the valley. Why did you decide to write the story this way?

Author Brooks: I wanted to showcase how the experiences of Lin and Piper transferred to their daughter and illustrate how much she loved them and missed them. As established in the second book, Zuri grew up viewing Martina as her great-grandmother and referred to her as Gran as a child. I wanted to make it clear to the reader that that relationship has not changed–and neither has the love Martina had for Lin and Piper.

(a) Why not have more chapters focusing on Nadir and his struggles?

Author Brooks: Aftermath is primarily about Zuri’s adjustment to life following the deaths of her parents and of how the people of Uderra and the Valley cope with the spectre of still being persecuted by the Thourons.

Okay. So, then Aftermath is more of Zur’s story than anyone else’s, so that definitely makes sense that you would choose to make her one of the more focal characters of the story than pivoting off to another.

Q: Compared to the previous books in the Destined series, Aftermath isn’t as action-packed. What was the decision making process behind this?

Author Brooks: Where the previous books were basically military space adventures with time travel subplots, Aftermath is intended to be more of a political thriller. People less inclined to read science fiction may be more inclined to read Aftermath. Even though each book is part of a greater whole, they can be read as standalone adventures.

Wow! We never would have thought about it like that! The military space adventures are definitely thrilling, but for this book to be a mix of science fiction blending in political thriller adds a new twist to it! Also, it definitely should work to draw in readers who are more inclined to be drawn to thrillers.

Q: In Aftermath, you do a lot of world-building to tell readers more about Progensha and the Uderrans. What was the process like creating this distant planetary world?

Author Brooks: It was half putting my imagination into writing and half a research project. Even though I have created the world of Progensha, with four previous books, I needed to refer to them as if I were studying for a test to make sure I got the history and continuity correct. With such an expansive and ever-growing world, it’s important that I get everything right–or what I humanly can.

Well, well done on the research project element! LOL! Readers will definitely get the sense that a lot of thought process went into the development. We like to think that your hard work paid off, because the story flows nicely.

Q: Martina appears to have a unique gift of being a strong empath concerning reading people’s emotions. Is she the only one with this type of gift?

Author Brooks: Her granddaughter, Sylvia, exhibited the ability in the second book.

(a) Why did you choose to selectively use this gift throughout Aftermath?

Author Brooks: Martina and Sylvia both used this gift in the second book when interacting with Lin and Piper following their initial encounter with the couple. Aftermath gave me the opportunity to show Martina actively using her talent.

Okay, so compared to previous books, we get to be more engaged with Martina in Aftermath and thus witness her using her talent in a more active sense.

Q: In Aftermath, you finally decide to give us something we’ve truly been waiting for…introduction of those who live in the Dark Woods and the mountain area. What was the writing process like in bringing this aspect of the story to life?

Author Brooks: Good question. Since Aftermath delves more into the history of Progensha, it presented an opportunity of being able to give the Mountain People and the inhabitants of the Dark Woods greater depth.

It was definitely exciting to finally be able to “meet” those who live in the Dark Woods and the mountain area! We’ve been curious to learn more about them since we first learned about them. So, this was a real treat to finally discover them!

Q: When we saw that you were giving us the Dark Woods and the mountain areas, we were so excited! Why didn’t you make them a bigger part of the story?

Author Brooks: Making them a bigger part of the story, I believe, would have bogged things down. The Mountain People make brief appearances in book one, are mentioned in book two, and briefly appear again in book three. The Dark Woods People are mentioned in the first three books. They are referred to as elusive. Keeping their appearances brief adds to the lore of their mysterious nature.

We figured you’d say that. LOL! But we had to ask. Honestly, we’re inclined to agree with you at the end of the day. Both groups are meant to be elusive and withdrawn from the overall “collective,” so if you had made them a bigger part, it would have diminished that. So, we absolutely understand.

Q: Did you ever consider having more chapters focusing on the Thourons and the things going on there as they watch and plot against the Uderrans?

Author Brooks: Not really. The Thourons are the evil antagonists. Revealing more about them could detract from them being the “bad guys” who are hellbent on conquest and subjugation.

Hmm…okay. It would be nice to learn more about them, but if it would take away from being viewed as evil, we understand. Sometimes it’s best not to try and understand something that just wants to hurt you and those you care about.

Q: In Aftermath, you introduce readers to the individual behind the Thouron name – Neander Thouron. He’s more than just the individual behind the name, though. He’s the spark to the fire of hatred that dominates the people. Is that where the hatred and essentially “racism” originated from? Neander?

Author Brooks: Yes. The character of Neander is an interpretation of the Greek translation of the word, which means new man or human. It is also a play on the early neanderthal and the early beliefs of their primitive nature. He’s also a stand-in for history’s worst despots and their charismatic personalities. His influence drove the Hill People into a new direction.

Oh wow! Thank you for explaining that! We would never have pieced those two elements together. We always thought that Neander was just a name you made up out of thin air. LOL! How you describe him though, it sounds like him being a stand-in for history’s evils is a good fit.

Q: How many books will be a part of the Destined series?

Author Brooks: At this point, I don’t know. Every time I think I’ve reached the end of the story, new ideas present themselves and I write a few experimental drafts to see if the idea has potential.

LOL! We can roll with that answer. Aftermath was such a surprise, especially after you had said that the last book was going to be the last in the series. However many books you choose to write we will be here to happily read them and see where things go from there.

Q: At any point moving forward in the series, will readers be reunited with familiar characters from the previous books in the series?

Author Brooks: Interesting that you should ask that. I am toying with the idea of somehow bringing back earlier characters.

Really?! That would be fantastic! Guess we’ll see what shakes out once you’ve had the time you need to work on it and make a decision!

Q: Will Neander Thouron ever make an appearance in one of the future books in the series?

Author Brooks: I have no plans of doing so at this point in time.

Well, that’s not a definitive “no” at this point, so we’ll see what happens. LOL! You never know until it does or doesn’t happen.

Q: What was your favorite thing about writing Aftermath?

Author Brooks: Writing a story with suspense and intrigue without all of the action prevalent in the previous books.

Haha! Okay, being able to focus more on the drama and the tension between the characters without having to work in an action scene probably was pretty refreshing.

Q: What can readers expect from the series moving forward?

Author Brooks: To be surprised and entertained like I hope to be when/if I write the next one.

We’ll definitely be that for sure. Hopefully there will be a next one since Aftermath ended the way that it did, but that will be entirely up to you. Regardless, readers who haven’t read the series yet especially have plenty to devour in the meantime.

Q:Is there any books that you are currently working on for readers who want to follow your works to look forward to? If so, would you mind sharing a little bit about it?

Author Brooks: I’ve taken a break from writing for the moment to concentrate on other things (like my job and family), but I am considering writing a new flash fiction book from my Conversations with Pop series. The books are non-science fiction, and are humorous short stories of a thousand words or less of conversations a father has with his son and grandson about everyday things.

Ah! You’ve decided to take a break and focus on other things for awhile? Perfectly understandable! Everyone needs a break from time to time, so we absolutely respect that.

Having something to potentially look forward to with some flash fiction is definitely exciting nonetheless! Especially for readers who enjoy short stories!

Q: Author Brooks, what book would you recommend readers pick up after reading Aftermath? Is there any book that you’ve read recently that you think that readers should pick up?

Author Brooks: I recently read Montaro Caine by Sidney Poitier. (I was surprised to discover Sidney Poitier wrote a science fiction novel.)

It’s an interesting science fiction story about a man seeking to solve the turmoil in his personal life while trying to solve a mystery surrounding a coin made of materials found nowhere on Earth that appears in the hand of a newborn at birth.

Learned something new today! We didn’t know that he had written a science fiction novel ourselves! Will definitely check that out! As should you fellow readers if you haven’t already! Sounds like an interesting story!

Q: Is there anything that you’d like to share with our readers before you go author Brooks?

Author Brooks: Just one thing. For anyone who has read my books, a brief review or a star rating would help. As an indie writer, getting feedback is always helpful. Thank you.

Absolutely agree with you, author Brooks. We see indie authors make this request often, so we hope that our readers will definitely do that for you and other indie authors out there.

Remember, fellow readers, reviews and even star ratings are crucial to authors and helps to motivate them in their writing journeys. So let’s keep being that motivation!

Author Michael D. Brooks, we appreciate you taking the time to share with us here at Scribbles and our readers about your book, Aftermath: Buried Secrets, Hidden Truths, Missing Chapters. We look forward to reading more of your work in the future! Thank you so much for your time today!

We enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to read and review Aftermath: Buried Secrets, Hidden Truths, Missing Chapters, and you can check out the review here.

About the Author:

Michael D. Brooks is a late bloomer baby boomer Indie Writer. He is a dreamer, fan of science fiction, enjoys humor, and is a kid at heart. He earned an MA in Writing Studies and has written numerous articles, Short Stories, Drabbles, and Flash Fiction.

The Destined series, an intricately woven tale of adventure, love, friendship, sacrifice, and survival, is his springboard into science fiction, and a dream fulfilled.

He is also the author of a humorous series of flash fiction books featuring conversations with a crusty but lovable character called Pop who imparts snippets of wisdom to his son and grandson with hilarious results.