Vincent Vale - That Universal Question That Haunts the Human Mind

Vincent Vale studied biology and marine science in his younger years. He's worked as a researcher and a chemist. And he's always dreamed of one day finding true adventure traveling the globe with no destination. As our Author of the Day, Vale tells us about his latest book, Mobius.

Please give us a short introduction to what Mobius is about.

Mobius is about that universal question that haunts the human mind. Why are we here and what is our purpose in the Universe. It's a Universe spanning and hopefully mind-bending Space Opera. I also wanted to tell this story in a single novel. I love to read stand-alone books that give you a sense of completion at the end. I wanted my reader to be totally satisfied and content at the story's conclusion.

What inspired you to write about a Dimensional Gateway that gets built on Earth?

The Dimensional Gateway is a means to an end. I have constructed a complex plot that will hopefully keep the reader guessing till the end. The Dimensional Gateway was a way to make the plot evermore fantastical. And hell, traveling through the Universe in the blink of an eye is a much faster way to progress a story. If my characters were traveling light-speed, the story would have spanned thousands of years.

Why did you pick 2969 as the setting for your story?

The far-future allowed me to utilize technology that has yet to be created. My grandiose plot could not have unfolded without such technology.

Tell us more about Theron Mobius. What makes him tick?

Theron is a tortured soul, haunted by his past. The beginning of the story starts with Theron finding himself being experimented on in a sanitarium. There he discovers his first love and as quickly as he finds it, he loses it. Throughout his life, he is given a balance of success and tragedy. His scientific breakthroughs change the world, but his quest for love and happiness fail him.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

Tricking my wife to believe I'm a great cook.

Why space opera? What inspired you to write one?

Like Douglas Adams, the author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I decided to write about the meaning of life, the Universe, and everything. However, my novel takes a more serious approach to the subject and in the end, the answer isn't "42". I chose a Space Opera because it's a limitless platform to compose a story. Your possibilities are endless of what you can write about. With Mobius, I was able to construct a story that spanned the Universe and beyond.

Does writing about surreal worlds and enigmatic scenes present any particular problems?

When constructing such magnificent and far-out scenes and settings, I try to make sure everything is feasible and logical. Even though a scene may be totally out there and off-the-wall, I never want the reader to say, "that's impossible."

Which of your characters has been the most challenging to write for?

Absolutely the main character, Theron Mobius. I had to let the reader get into his mind and feel his emotions as he found himself in both breathtaking and tragic moments throughout his journey.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

All the time. The best remedy is to read and watch movies. There is so much great stuff out there for a writer to glean inspiration.

Do you consider yourself a disciplined writer? Do you have a schedule that you stick to, or is it more in the moment?

I can be disciplined about outlining a story to flesh out the characters and plot. When it comes to putting down the actual words and dialog, it's in the moment.

What are you working on right now?

I'm currently expanding my short story, The Vestigial Man, into a full-length novel. The short story can be downloaded on all eBook platforms.

Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?

They can follow and interact with me on Goodreads or email me directly at [email protected]. I appreciate any and all reviews and criticism. I love hearing what people think of my work.