Interview with M D Boncher
Author of
Tales From the Dream Nebula, Akiniwazisaga, and more
Please tell me a little about your current work in progress.
Currently I’m working on several projects. Two short stories for an anthology, two novels I hope to have ready for publication for 1q next year if not 4q this year and a card game I hope to have a prototype ready in time in June to pitch to a game designer.
The novels are both sci fi. One is the 4th book in my Tales From the Dream Nebula serial, and the other is a stand alone (probably) novel titled “Mech Family Robinson” which is a mashup of “Swiss Family Robinson” meets “Battletech” and “Appleseed”.
Where did you get the idea for this book or series?
Tales from the Dream Nebula was inspired by Flash Gordon. I was watching it one day and was really sad that there’d be another movie quite like that. I wanted another Ming the Merciless and so I decided to write my own version. But a funny thing happened on my way to writing it. Several ideas collided together over building my own evil space emperor who I named Xiao the Eternal. And the ideas created a really unique villain and backstory that I can’t wait to share more as time goes on in the series.
Mech Family Robinson was a joke title I said to my wife while we were driving someplace and we both went “Hey! That sounds really cool!” Then it was off to the races to figure out how to do it. It’s evolved a bit but remains true to the original concepts. I wanted to see a wholesome family story like those that used to exist. Not some broken, divorcing, constantly fighting “Simpson-esque” sort of thing. A family to aspire to be. Part of that came from watching how some friends of ours are about their children and how they’re raising them so I had some interesting examples and ideas to consider when writing my characters. It’s very loose, but you know how writers draw from everywhere.
Do you write in more than one genre?
Absolutely. Primarily Sci-Fi and Fantasy, but I’m a Blendtec blender for when it comes to genre. I have a few military style stories, post apocalyptic, classic boy’s adventure, some pulp ideas I’ve yet to write and horror. Often these things all seep into one another. Inspiration for me is like loading up your plate at thanksgiving with many different ideas. They tend to touch and mix as you pile it to overflowing. This ain’t no partitioned tray.
I try to remember that genre is a handle on a basket of concepts and promises I’m making to the reader. If it’s a sci fi story, then generally you have X amount of expectations about what that is. But since I mashup genres, it gets difficult. Makes it a little harder come marketing time, but leads to a richer, more unique story.
Tell me about something that you believe makes your writing unique or worthy of attention.
The biggest, probably most arrogant thing I can say is that nobody can tell a story the way I can. Then again, I can’t tell a story like anyone else. It was something I had to realize when confronting the idea of “writing to market”. I’m going to bring my own idea on how to satisfy any open call or writing prompt.
When writing a story, I try to remember that in the opening lines/paragraph/chapter I’m making promises to the reader about a story that by the end of our time, I best answer those to the satisfaction of the reader and myself. That, I think, grants me some authenticity and my reader’s appreciation. No matter what message may be tucked under the covers, the key question is going to be “Are you not entertained?” to steal a line from Maximus Meridius Decimus.
When you pick up a story I wrote, keep that in mind. I want you entertained. If you learned something more or found a theme. That’s a bonus.
Is there anything about your personal history or personality that manifests strongly in your writing?
I can’t say for sure. Every author infuses their stories with their own beliefs, values and experiences. I don’t deliberately write self inserts. It’s often a great way to betray the reader. With my dark epic fantasy, it’s the closest I come to “preaching” anything of my values, because it is rooted so hard into Christianity by it’s very nature. My faith means a lot to me and I want to be truthful about those subjects. On the other side, we’ve had so much message fiction out there where we get smacked over the head with a writer’s agenda we reject it. Spit the hook as I like to say. That’s why whenever I’ve talked with new Christian authors for example, I preach loudly “Story before sermon”! The concept is good for any fervently held belief that is underpinning a work of fiction. Recently I got into watching Yellowstone. Every episode that we slow down to deal with a list of grievances from the natives I darn near fast forward. Even when I agree with them on points. I felt the same way reading “Atlas Shrugged”, which I think is Ayn Rand’s second best book and most hated. The whole “John Galt Speaks” section I’m skimming because it becomes an infomercial for objectivism. Again, I agree with many things said but it’s BORING and it kills the story narrative. I stop skimming when we get back to the story action almost 75 pages later.
So entertainment first and foremost and keep any agenda or sermon you have under the covers. Show don’t tell.
What else would be helpful for readers to know about you?
I’ve got a lot of irons in the fire. Writing, artwork, music and even game design. It often feels like I’m getting nowhere fast, but then I turn around and see that all these things creep forward at their own pace. Me and the darling bride, are also improving our social media setup so it’s centralizing for all our benefit.
Excluding your own work, what underrated author or book would you recommend that more people read? Why?
S. Kirk Pierzchala. Her writing style is like William Gibson and Tom Clancy had a baby. Her Cascadia series is phenomenal. You get sucked in easily and she’s easy to read. It’s not often that you run into an indie author that has both a distinctive voice but a good grasp of storytelling. She understands the pace and speed of entertainment. Either she works really hard at it, or it’s instinctual, I can’t tell which.
Which of your books do you most highly recommend? Why?
Depends on what you’re looking for. If you want some lighter fare, my Tales From the Dream Nebula series is that. It gives off a Guardians of the Galaxy meets Firefly/Serenity vibe. No superheroes, but you are in an ultratech environment, so lots of fantastical things happen.
On the other hand if you want something darker,
and more introspective, you’d want to look at my Akiniwazisaga. It deals with
much heavier things of personal worth, rejection, resilience, faith, trust,
betrayal and righteousness. The original ideas that spawned it’s creation was
to address a few thought experiments brought about by a D&D character I
created over a decade before I started writing. I wanted to know if:
A- Could you have literal Christianity in a fantasy setting with all the
magical fun of D&D?
B- What would a culture look like if they discovered steampower but not
gunpowder? (Blame Civilization 1 for this.)
C- What if the vikings had discovered the great lakes and colonized the area?
D- Was there a way to use spiritual warfare, deliverance ministry and exorcism
as a foundation for a magic “system”. I should note I hate the phrase “magic
system” because I believe any magic that can be quantified, studied, made
repeatable and safe is not magic. It’s technology by any other name in lines
with the precepts of Clarketech.
Which break, event, decision, or fortuitous circumstance has helped you or your writing career the most?
Learning that the word “Networking” is adult-speak for “Making friends” and going to writer’s conferences. The first conference I ever went to was Realm Makers in 2018. It had the ironic twist of meeting my (now) wife there. But I looked at how much going was going to cost me and realized that I could not waste that money. I had to ignore my introversion and throw myself out there every chance I get. I learned quickly that the classes are for learning craft, but networking is done after hours in hotel lobbies, hotel room parties, banquet tables and quiet corners. It’s also not all about pitching your stories. It’s about you listening. Waiting to be invited to share by others and most importantly being ready to capitalize on the opportunity. It wasn’t till I went to Fantasci that my writing career started to really grow. The friends and associations you make at these events are invaluable.
The catch is figuring out if the event is going to help advance your career or is just there to take money from you. There are several, and I won’t name names that are more predatory than they are helpful. I will say any event “selling” you a system is a red flag.
What question do you wish you would get asked more often?
I’ve read all your books and love what you’re doing. How can I help?”
I say this semi-tongue-in-cheek because being an indie, I have to do everything myself (okay I do have my darling bride to make a bunch of the business stuff happen because no… no I’m not built for business. I’m a creative.) I’ve always needed more help with promotion and social media and even having a person I can trust to give feed back. Indies don’t have editors to provide them with a circle of checks and balances to help hold them accountable, stay on target and then help scream to the world “The next book is out!” and celebrate that fact with them.
The good news for fans of indie authors is that you are living in a time where access to the people who create your entertainment. Your access has never been better. So if any author touches your heart, and they’re a new author, you best reach out and let them know you want to get involved.
Do you have a catch-phrase or quote that you like? What is it? And why do you choose it?
I like to sign off by saying “vaya con Dios”. Go with God. It’s a nice way to send someone on their way.
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Thanks to M.D. for sharing.
I"m pleased to share this anthology cover and link - which includes my Whip and Truth story "Moonlight Fandango." (I believe M.D.'s wife also has a story in this one).
"One
of our fan favorites, the wisecracking buddy team with the enchanted
bandanas who constantly get into trouble, are back and in a tighter spot
than ever."
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