Blog Hop, The Dream Machine

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP:  THE DREAM MACHINE, by JOSHUA HICKS

What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way for readers to discover authors new to them.  I hope you'll find new-to-you authors whose works you enjoy.  On this stop on the blog hop, you'll find information about myself and one of my books and links to other authors you can explore!

My gratitude to Donna Thacker for inviting me to participate in this event.  You can click the following link to learn more about her work.  http://www.weavingwordswriter.blogspot.com/

In this blog hop, I and my fellow authors, in their respective blogs, have answered ten questions about our book or work-in--progress (giving you a sneak peek).  We've also included some behind-the-scenes information about how and why we write what we write--the characters, inspirations, plotting and other choices we make. I hope you enjoy it!

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions. Here is my Next Big Thing!

1: What is the working title of your book?

*  The Dream Machine

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

*  The book came from my observations about modern mind control.  We take it for granted that everyone wants to control our minds.  We know we're being manipulated on a daily basis, yet we seem content to have our minds controlled as long as the controllers keep us entertained.

3. What genre does your book come under?

*  Science Fiction, with elements of conspiracy theories to back up the plot.  The story takes place at the end of this century, after technology has failed us, and the Dream Machine is there to fill the void left by the broken promises of the past.

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

*  That's hard to say... the books are always so much better, aren't they?  I guess if I HAD to choose... I would get Edward Norton to play the difficult role of the main character, the inventor of the Dream Machine.  He would have to be believable both as a scientist and an action hero, but his true skill would be making the world of The Dream Machine a believable one.

*  I would get Leonard Nimoy to go against his typecast, by putting him in the role of the greedy businessman who funds the Dream Machine to gain ownership.  He has the perfect, likable smile for the part.  You wouldn't know whether to love him or hate him, and that's perfect for this character.

*  Julian Moore would be great in the part of the main character's love interest and leading role.  The female for this role would have to be appealing in her feminine charm, but should also be able to keep up with the main character when it comes to action scenes.

* And finally, I think Kevin Spacey would be good in the role of the main character's personal nemeses, who just happens to be his lab assistant.  He would have to be convincing as a scientist, have a dark side, and can't be afraid to explore the more taboo possibilities of the Dream Machine.

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

*The inventor of the Dream Machine must stop the misuse of his machine before the world leaders enslave the human race by using their own dreams against them.

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

*My book is going to be self-published.  I'm a firm believer in self-publishing.  I think it's a wonderful opportunity for writer AND readers.  It gives writers the ability to write the stories they care about, and as a result, gives readers a bigger and better selection of stories aimed at their interests.

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

*  I started writing The Dream Machine last October, and I'm currently editing (as of March).  It's one of the hardest things I've ever, but I'm looking forward to completing my first novel.  It's been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

*  I'm not sure about books, but if you combined the movies The Matrix with What Dreams May Come you might have a pretty good idea of the concept.

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

 *  I was inspired to write this book one night while I was watching TV.  It was late, and I was getting sleepy.  I was looking down at the Nintendo Wii remote that I was using to select movies on Netflix with, and just thinking about how strange it all was.  There I was, pointing a small box at a bigger box, content to stare at one small portion of my environment for hours at a time.  It had to be a type (or THE type) of mind control.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

*  Most people don't think of their environment as having layers of mind control, but that's because we've all grown up thinking of TV, radio, billboards, internet, etc., as normal... But ask your grandparents or great grandparents what they thought about TVs when they were first introduced.  Some of them thought people were in the TV box, performing for them... "I always wondered how all those people got in there," my grandmother said to me, as she remembered seeing a TV for the first time as a child.  "It took me a while to realize that it was all just fake, and not really there."  Personally, I remember my granny (my grandmother's mother), and how she would talk about the characters on soap operas as if they were real people from her life.  She would worry about them, and talk about their scandals as if they were family members.

Some of you might be laughing, or even relating my stories to your own.  Or, maybe you think I'm making something from nothing.  Either way, you're probably thinking in terms of THE PAST, and how the older generation was.  Our generation is so much more enlightened, right?  We know how TVs work, and that they're just a form of entertainment.  But later on tonight, which direction will you be staring?  And do you think your ancestors would understand why you and your family watch these fake stories, care about royal figures who have nothing to do with you, or why you have to be told what to buy in the segments in between?  Of course not, because our reality is completely insane, and if someone from 100 years ago was placed into YOUR reality they would probably have a panic attack and die.  That's how much manipulation is going on during your average day.  We don't notice, because we've become accustomed to it.

11: Why are you so much better-looking in person than in your photo?

* Good question... But I guess I would have to say it's because I'm not actually a book cover graphic.

THE DREAM MACHINE is expected to be published by the end of April, but hopefully earlier.  Keep an eye on this blog for more information about The Dream Machine, the process of writing, and more works of fiction from Joshua Hicks... coming very soon.

Who’s next on the NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP?

It seems like my pool of potential candidates was pretty dry by the time this invitation was sent to me, so instead of redirecting you to a list of new blog hoppers I'm posting some people of interest.  I really hope you take a look at them.  I've enjoyed their work, and hope you do as well.  I've already done previous blog reviews of each of these authors, and the links below will redirect you to the reviews.  From there you can find multiple links of interest for each writer.


Donna Thacker

Angel Sharum

Kelly Herdrich

Saoirse O'Mara