Jump to content

CSR Discussion Day: Atlantis Shift by Carlos Hazday


Cia

965 views

On the first Monday of the month, I announced the CSR Feature was Carlos Hazday's series, Atlantis Shift. It features two stories, Tidal Power and Detskoye Porno, but check out my interview with Carlos to see his thoughts on writing in general, those two stories, or if there might be more to come! He always gets to ask authors questions and share the answers, so enjoy this chance I had to turn the tables on him!

 

When it comes to reading, do you have a preference for paper or eBook/online books or stories?

I’ve read on both but have realized I prefer printed over digital. Ten years ago, when I sold a large house and moved to an apartment, I gave away several hundred books. A few favorites I replaced with electronic versions and enjoyed reading on my tablet. Over time, I’ve recaptured the love for the physical presence of a book and the delight of turning pages and folding a corner to mark my place. It’s also a great sleep aid. Reading on a screen can interfere with dozing but falling off with my glasses on and the weight of a book on my chest is a thrill again. 

What do you like to do when you’re not writing or collecting questions & answers for Ask an Author?

Riding my motorcycle! I own a 2010 Harley-Davidson Road King. For anyone not familiar with scooters, that’s a BIG touring bike meant for more than speeding down the highway or bumming around the city. Over the past ten years, I’ve ridden in 41 of the 50 states and a small corner of Canada. In all kinds of weather. The feeling of freedom is infectious. If on a busy road, I’ll blast the sound system; if on a quiet one, I’ll let the engine roar and the whistling wind blowing through my hair be my soundtrack. And no, I rarely wear a helmet. It’s the rebel in me.

What’s one location you haven’t been to that you’d love to go to research for a story?

Brazil! Although I’m almost fluent in Portuguese, the South American giant is a place I’ve never visited. I can imagine a story straddling the beaches of Rio and the Amazon jungle. Exotic locales alone could be a great inspiration. The danger would be that when you throw in sultry weather and half-naked hot men, I may just forget about writing.

What do you think the most valuable advice or piece of education you’ve learned about writing is?

Patience. Something sorely missing from my personality, but what I advise new writers to develop. Too many good story ideas are wasted in the rush to publish. It takes months for a chapter of mine to see the light and, even then, I often find errors. Only a fool thinks they can offer a quality product by themselves.

I’ve been lucky to have a few talented individuals work with me. Particularly @Mann Ramblings. I’ve benefitted from his experience working with professional editors when publishing his books. I also know at times he’s consulted @Renee Stevensand @Cia when in doubt, so my gratitude to all three. Things he corrected at the beginning are no longer an issue. I’ve paid attention to what he fixes, internalized, and hopefully improved my writing.

What’s the first thing you do when you start to write a story? (Plotter, pantser, get in a particular place to write, have your coffee/tea/drink ready to go…?)

Look up hot men on the internet to model my characters after… Nah, not really. That comes later in the process. I’m a chronic planner. The spark may be a location, a character, or an event. I generally will jot down whatever it is, and then flesh it out into an outline/timeline. Once I have a beginning and an end, I sit at my desk and start working. Since most of my writing’s done in the early morning, a mug of coffee is always by my side.

Did you do any particular research for the fantastical aspects before you wrote Tidal Power and Detskoye Porno?

Not at all. I researched locations for both stories, power generation for the first one, and kiddie porn for the second. Dolphin anatomy was also in there. As far as the fantastical aspects, I relied a bit on previous readings. Anne Rice’s vampires, Rob Colton’s werewolves, and Cia’s were-creatures all floated around in my head. But I wanted something different, so I used those as a starting point to create my own myths.

What do you think the best parts of these stories are? (scenes, characters, particular aspects of the writing, etc…)

The concept. The emergence of shifter dolphins as a result of Atlantis sinking into the ocean. It‘s something different and opens up a world of opportunities for water-related stories. Being born in Cuba and raised in Puerto Rico and Miami, the ocean’s always played a huge part in my life. 

The Atlantis Shift series were written and posted a few years ago, and writing is an evolution. What changes do you think would improve the stories from your viewpoint as an author now?

Where to start? Tidal Power was an experiment in dialogue-driven storytelling. No narration and no speech tags. Somebody slap me if I try that again. The second story’s a bit better but not much. Both would benefit from additional descriptions of locations, characteristics, and action. Written when I was getting my feet wet in the authorship business, I thought I knew what I was doing. Fool! 

Do you have any ideas, plots, plans, or thoughts you want to share with readers about the Atlantis shift series to come?

Yes, I do. My idea was to follow the dolphins through different adventures where they would team up with other fantastical creatures. So far, werewolves, vampires, and dragons have been featured. I have blurbs involving witches, Santeria gods, and elves amongst possible characters. Each story would deal with a real-world situation where the dolphins team-up or face-off with the other beings. A new series installment is on my list of 2019 projects.

Please share any other inside tidbits about your current works, your stories those who enjoyed these stories might like, or special sneak peeks of works to come for readers here!

I’ve concentrated on the CJ series in the recent past. Currently, book ten is in the works. The story about a wealthy, Hispanic, gay teen with political aspirations will conclude with his graduation from college. It’ll begin posting in January. The list of future projects includes a children’s story or two, further adventures for the Key West biker in American Steel, fleshing out flash pieces of Colt and Tony in Chelsea, and potential CJ spinoffs.

The pantheon of character in that series is rich, and I’d like to explore a few of them in more detail. Either flashbacks or future events. I do have quite a bit written on one dealing with Chipper, the musician in the group. And there’s always the possibility of further CJ stories following his work in the State Department and his rise to prominence in the US. But I need a break first. :) 

  • Like 7
  • Love 6

19 Comments


Recommended Comments

I'm awake, caffeinated, and ready to tackle any comments or questions any of you may have. Come on, try me. Make my day. :yes:

  • Like 2
  • Love 3
Link to comment
  • Site Moderator
4 minutes ago, Carlos Hazday said:

Make my day. 

 

A "new" Hollywood movie.  Dirty Carlos coming to theaters near you.

  • Like 3
  • Haha 2
Link to comment

  That was a great interview with Cia. 

 

You answered maybe the only question I had about the why and how of the different species. It is a very unique concept, and a very entertaining world. Only you can figure a Dolphin/Dragon coupling. I mean, Neo and Draak was a tease you need to get back to stat!

 

I look forward to you further developing this mythological series. My favorite, and what I can’t wait to see more of is the Dragons.  

 

You already know I’m a fan of your work, so, carry on.. Good stuff. 

  • Like 4
  • Love 1
Link to comment
34 minutes ago, drpaladin said:

 

A "new" Hollywood movie.  Dirty Carlos coming to theaters near you.

Clint's famous words may have been in the back of my mind... :P

 

  • Like 2
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
  • Site Moderator

I'm glad this was posted. I remember reading the latter story, but not the earlier one.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
22 minutes ago, Defiance19 said:

Neo and Draak was a tease you need to get back to stat!

 

I look forward to you further developing this mythological series. My favorite, and what I can’t wait to see more of is the Dragons.

 

I've been helping @WolfM clean Running With the Pack, and the result is my interest in the fantasy realm has been rekindled. As soon as I kill off finish the current CJ book, I'll revisit the Dolphins. However, first at bat is a little story you can read to your students before nap time. LOL

  • Like 5
Link to comment
2 minutes ago, drpaladin said:

I'm glad this was posted. I remember reading the latter story, but not the earlier one.

 

Thanks, Doc. When Cia brought this up a couple of months ago I was surprised. These are not what I would consider well-written tales. Reading them again before answering questions was surprising. The plot, characters, and locations are good, and I hope to do them justice with the next installment.

  • Like 4
  • Love 1
Link to comment

Where to start? Tidal Power was an experiment in dialogue-driven storytelling. No narration and no speech tags. Somebody slap me if I try that again. The second story’s a bit better but not much. Both would benefit from additional descriptions of locations, characteristics, and action. Written when I was getting my feet wet in the authorship business, I thought I knew what I was doing. Fool! 

 

I have to say i found these difficult to read.  But, i wouldn't go back and change them. They are part of your history. However, i can see you going forward with new tales which will benefit from your experience.

 

I liked what you said about time/patience.  i say the same thing... put it down for awhile.. weeks... then go back and see it with fresh eyes.  Oh, write more in the meantime ... but do wait.  I am doing the same right now with a new story ... yes i'm dying to post it but it needs to wait a bit.

  • Like 2
  • Love 1
Link to comment
12 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

 

I liked what you said about time/patience.  i say the same thing... put it down for awhile.. weeks... then go back and see it with fresh eyes.  Oh, write more in the meantime ... but do wait.  I am doing the same right now with a new story ... yes i'm dying to post it but it needs to wait a bit.

 

That's exactly what I preach to new authors. I have plenty of stories with one chapter and nothing after. Had I posted that one installment when completed, most of the tales would have ended up on the bin with the countless others abandoned by other authors. Short of death or incapacitation, I find abandoning a story unforgivable. Posting chapters before completing the story's only acceptable if I know how the rest will go and it's only a matter of fleshing out my outline and having someone correct my punctuation.

  • Like 2
  • Love 1
Link to comment
1 minute ago, Carlos Hazday said:

 

That's exactly what I preach to new authors. I have plenty of stories with one chapter and nothing after. Had I posted that one installment when completed, most of the tales would have ended up on the bin with the countless others abandoned by other authors. Short of death or incapacitation, I find abandoning a story unforgivable. Posting chapters before completing the story's only acceptable if I know how the rest will go and it's only a matter of fleshing out my outline and having someone correct my punctuation.

yeah those first chapters, right?   i'm like you, i keep them because sometimes they write themselves.  Had a couple of stories that have come from those odd, stray chapters. Both were rather successful and one is getting a second book.

 

But had i have posted them right away ... well i don't think the same thing would have happened.  i do not write and post work weekly.  too much pressure to write, too much pressure on the team of people who support me ... we all have lives and i think it's a bit much to expect people just to drop everything to read and edit this chapter because i need to post it now.

 

and it will never be as good, as when it's had time to breathe and grow.  It's taken me some time to learn this, but it's the right thing to do.

 

So, C, i've heard from you a couple of times that you want to take a break ... do you really ever see that happening? And what kind of break .. a trip to Brazil???

  • Like 2
  • Love 1
Link to comment
17 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

 

So, C, i've heard from you a couple of times that you want to take a break ... do you really ever see that happening? And what kind of break .. a trip to Brazil???

 

I need a break from CJ! As much as I love him and the rest of the crowd, he's taken over my life. Everything I do, see, or hear ends up being analyzed for its potential as something to be included in the story.  Hopefully, writing something different will quiet the voices for a bit.

 

My big trip this year was to Washington and New York City for my birthday. Research for the CJ series, of course. I got to meet a bunch of hunky rugby players in DC and in NYC I stayed with dear friends, saw Bruce Springsteen on Broadway, and spent most of a Sunday hanging out with   @Defiance19 Other travel has been on the motorcycle within Florida and I have one more scheduled next month to Key West. All of them end up providing details for stories.

 

Next year I'm shooting for Cuba. It's been over 50 years since I left my birthplace, and I'd like to see it once more before I'm too old to chase and catch some of those hunky men down there.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
1 minute ago, Carlos Hazday said:

Next year I'm shooting for Cuba. It's been over 50 years since I left my birthplace, and I'd like to see it once more before I'm too old to chase and catch some of those hunky men down there.

That sounds good.  Mmmm, as younger boy, i can tell you, you'll likely never be too old. And they will be chasing you!   But, yeah ...that sounds like a great idea. I hope you have a wonderful time when you go back.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • Site Moderator

Excellent questions and answers Cia and Carlos. :thumbup: 

 

It did take me a bit to get the hang of reading the story in the format presented, but once I did...well, the cheekiness, innuendo and the seemingly boundless double entendres made for a delightful read. They certainly are a lively bunch. ;)

 

Even though it’s not as speech driven, I can see similarities to American Steel in these MCs. They have very strong characters who easily make they’re presence known and felt not only by the reader but by their fellow page inhabitants. 

 

PS: I was thinking about your current ride recently, but I couldn’t remember what it was, and now I don’t need to wonder. :) 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment

Have you read any books or stories where dolphins were important characters ? (author examples in spoiler) If so, did they influence you?

Spoiler

I'm thinking David Brin, Anne McCaffrey, Douglas Adams.

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
10 minutes ago, Timothy M. said:

Have you read any books or stories where dolphins were important characters ? (author examples in spoiler) If so, did they influence you?

 

1

 

McCaffrey's Dolphins of Pern is a favorite I've read several times. Although not a direct influence, I'm certain her portrayal of the mammals as intelligent beings was in the back of my mind. I'll have to check the other out.

  • Like 3
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Our Privacy Policy can be found here: Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue..