Why a Space Opera

I have been asked why I made my novel The Planet of Darkness a Space Opera. Here is the answer: because a Space Opera is multidimensional. The Planet of Darkness is about a moment on the space timeline that has far-reaching effects. First, the impact of a dystopian world can not be fully understood unless one sees how it affects people from all segments of its society. And, second, the impact of various actors on the workings of politics are better understood when we see how different actors affect each other. My book covers the events taking place in the past, present, and future of several worlds, and to understand them best, the reader needs to experience these events along side many different characters.

As a professor, I have studied history, and one thing modern historians emphasize is the importance of seeing moments in history from the viewpoint of as many people who experienced it as possible. Take, for example, the events of World War 2. How would that war look if you only saw it from US President Franklin Roosevelt’s perspective? How about only Adolf Hitler’s perspective? How about only Joseph Stalin’s perspective? What about only the perspectives of military officer, Japanese soldier, US citizen’s, or holocaust victim? Any one of these perspectives on their own does not explain the situation as well as all of these viewpoints together.

The same can be said of any moment in history. When I studied Abraham Lincoln’s death, I knew it had an impact on many people, but until someone studies what these different people witnessed and experience, one cannot understand the whole picture. Martha Hodes proved this point when she wrote her book on her study of Abraham Lincoln’s death, Mourning Lincoln. She studied diaries, letters, sermons, and letters to gain insight on how Lincoln’s death affected various types of people throughout America.

Impactful events cannot be fully understood unless we see it through a multidimensional lens. That, dear readers, is why my science fiction trilogy is a Space Opera, a wide lens to take in a multidimensional perspective on a galaxy burdened by oppression, racked by turmoil, and desperate for a way to escape.

The World of BookTok

While I have been working on Book 2 of the Planet of Darkness series and getting started on the Super Secret Project, I have also been jumping into the world of BookTok. I was a little wary at first, but since I have joined, I have been meeting some amazing authors and booktokkers who have been very supportive. I like the idea of going live on TikTok and answering the questions of readers and authors. With a background of theater and acting, this sounds like it would be perfect. If any of you are on TikTok and would like to follow me, find me by searching for Tirzah_Darnell. The more followers I have, the more live events I can offer my followers.

Mocha Wave Publishing and I are still working on the Super Secret Project. I hope to send out some more clues on what the project is about very soon. I can tell you, the project does have a connection with the Planet of Darkness series, so reading Book 1 is a good way to prepare for it. Keep following on social media for more updates.

I am moving forward with Book 2 of the Planet of Darkness. I am already over 300 pages into it. I am very happy with how the parts with 2-45, the Shadow-Shield, 7,500, and the Queen of the Night are coming together. The book features many of the characters from the first book. If you have read the first book, I would like to know who some of your favorite characters are. If it works out, I may include more chapters with my readers’ favorite characters.

I have also created some new bookmarks and stickers that should be arriving soon. I will take pictures and share images of them on social media when they arrive. I plan on having these with me when I attend the book reading in September 2024. If you are in the Beeville, Texas area, watch for updates on that event.

Shhh…Secret Project

There is a new project in the works and there is something special about this one . . . it is top secret. I am working with Mocha Wave Publishing on this one and I am positive you will be really excited when you learn more about it. While I am still working on the sequel to the Planet of Darkness, this other project may take up a lot of my time at the moment. I am not giving out too many details yet, so be sure you are following my social media to find out more as the project progresses. You will really want to be in the loop on this one.

I am still making progress on the sequel to the Planet of Darkness. It will be called The Planet of Darkness: Book 2: Into the Wilderness and will deal with a supernatural force that is taking over the Planet of Darkness. As I mentioned before, there are some new characters in this book. At this point, I have it well organized and the first draft nearly halfway written. I will try to keep up with the progress on the novel when I can outside of my teaching and working on the Secret Project.

Which are your favorite characters? One thing I love about the Space Opera genre is the variety of characters. In fact, one of my favorite parts of writing is making up new characters. I believe that every reader will find at least one of the characters in the Planet of Darkness they can identify with. One of my favorite characters is 50-83. I can really relate to the challenges he faces. There are also a number of new characters in Book 2 I am a enjoying writing about. The bounty hunter twins are very cool and super fun and the Queen of the Night is mysterious and unusual.

Keep checking back for more updates on Book 2 and . . . the Secret Project . . .

Book 2 to Introduce New Characters and the Power Within

At the moment . . . busy busy busy. I have been setting up more social media accounts and, of course, working on the sequel to The Planet of Darkness: Book 1: City of the Dark Tyrant. This next book will be titled The Planet of Darkness: Book 2: Into the Wilderness and will introduce a new element into the planet, the Power Within. We saw some hints to it in the first book. Watch for these hints when you read the first book in the trilogy. 1-13 and his skeleton-ghosts, the unusual events in the underground tunnels, and the questions raised by 1-13’s mentor Thoravin. These are just a few of the situations paving the way for the Power Within to take center stage.

Book 2 will also focus more on the planets of Grubia and Zeento. We will learn more about the Shadow-Shield’s background, his connection with Grubia, and how he started working with Infinity. While we had a hint of Zeento in Book 1, it will play a much larger role in Book 2. Here we will meet the lizard-like leaders of the planet and a couple of twin sister bounty hunters out to hunt down one of the characters we met in Book 1. I am really pleased with the way these characters are coming together and I know my readers will be too.

Another character that we will be reading more about in Book 2 is one of my favorites: 50-83. In Book 1 he was an apprentice to Persuader 6-96. In Book 2, he will be taking on a new role and learning more about what happened to his friend. He will also be connecting with a new Persuader who has an interesting past.

So, as I am scrambling to finish writing Book 2, I encourage you to follow me to keep up with my progress. There will be exciting opportunities in the near future as well. I plan on forming beta reading and ARC groups for Book 2, entering into social-media lives with other authors, and doing some giveaways. I will be posting more blogs too. So, stay tuned. There is always something exciting happening on this side of the galaxy.