Third bookclub selection
Task Force: Gaea: Finding Balance by David Berger
14 July 2012

Faydra Deon: It’s 3p EST by my clock, so let’s get started.15:00

Faydra Deon: Today’s chat is with David Berger, who is the author of the book, Task Force: Gaea.15:00

Faydra Deon: Here’s a summary…15:01

Faydra Deon: During the age of Olympos, when a vengeful goddess shatters the Sacred Scales, both immortals and humans alike suffer. Apollo, the god of truth, goes from a glorious existence as The Shining One to a victim of Zeus’ wrath, and his journey makes him question his godhood, his role in the cosmos, and his views on humanity. Prophecy and the Fates direct his course, and he must make difficult, yet vital, choices. Millennia pass, and Dan, Aleta, Brandon, and Sarah—four reluctant modern-day heroes gifted by ancient civilizations born of the gods—bound by prophecy, have to choose whether or not to save their world when it could mean they never existed. They must master their new powers while battling against incomprehensible forces from the Underworld and repairing the Sacred Scales, destroyed long ago. With the equilibrium between Order and Chaos unhinged, and the Olympian gods struggling to exist, these four must ally themselves with the United Nations to protect an endangered world, becoming the only group who can fight against metaphysical threats to the Earth, forging Task Force: Gaea. Can mortals succeed where gods cannot go?15:01

Faydra Deon: Welcome, David! Thanks for being here today to talk about your book. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself, please.15:02

David Berger: Sure! Thank you, Faydra, for having me today. I’m currently a high school English teacher from Land O’ Lakes, FL (not far from Tampa), and I’ve been writing for almost 30 years, mostly short fiction and poetry. But, my first fantasy novel, Task Force: Gaea, was published in February of this year.15:04

Faydra Deon: Both my parents retired from teaching high school. How long have you taught high school?15:06

Faydra Deon: Welcome, SirReadsAlot!15:07

David Berger: Well, this is my 20th year of teaching with 95% of it at the high school level.15:07

Faydra Deon: Wow. 20 years. I taught for two years on the middle school level before I joined the Army. I loved, loved, loved teaching. What else have you teached besides English?15:08

David Berger: Well, in that 20 year period, I’ve taught reading classes, and when I was a 5th grade teacher, I did teach some American History. My preference is for high school, though.15:09

David Berger: I teach AP English Literature and IB English now, both 12th grade classes and college level work.15:10

Faydra Deon: Right. I took AP/IB English when I was in high school. It was hard, but I enjoyed it.15:11

Faydra Deon: How did publishing Task Force: Gaea change things for you, or did it change anything for you?15:11

Faydra Deon: SirReadsALot, please feel free to jump in with questions or comments anytime.15:12

David Berger: Well, publishing the novel did a few things: (1) it made me realize how hard it is to prepare a novel for publishing (2) it also put my work in the hands of others, so now people would be free to critique me, and (3) it pushed me to continue writing.15:13

Faydra Deon: Tell us a little about your writing process, if you don’t mind. What was your process from word-one to getting your book live in front of the readers? How long did it take you to bring TFG to fruition?15:15

David Berger: 27 years. I started the novel as a short story in high school, a class assignment, and it was more Star Trek-meets-Greek myth. “The Olympus Corps.” was an outer space adventure with a small group of heroes who encountered the gods and creatures on various planets. Over the years, though, I tweaked and edited the story to be where it is now. Overall, I think I spent 12 years actively writing; the rest of the time, I was trying to work on my career.15:17

SirReadsALot joined the chat15:17

David Berger: Hello, SirReadsALot, please feel free to jump in!15:18

SirReadsALot: Do you have any plans to continue the outer space aspect that it started as?15:19

Faydra Deon: That is so cool!15:19

David Berger: Thanks. It took me a little while to find my writing voice, I think. When real life gets in the way, it’s hard to focus on the creative stuff.15:20

Faydra Deon: I’ll give you a moment to answer SirReadsALot’s question before I ask my next one.15:21

Joey Pinkney joined the chat15:22

David Berger: SirReadsALot, you know, I’ve given some thought to that. When I had written that first story, the Star Trek ideas were more dominant than most other sci-fi ideas. After the trilogy I’m planning, I might shift gears a bit and refocus the characters to something outer space oriented. That’s the first time someone has asked me that!15:22

David Berger: Hello Joey! Jump right in.15:22

Faydra Deon: Welcome, Joey Pinkney! Please feel free to jump in at any point.15:22

David Berger: I think the trick would be finding a way to get the team into outer space without it being too silly or overdone.15:23

Joey Pinkney: Hello, everyone. Thank you for having me.15:23

Joey Pinkney: Hey, David, it’s good to see your book getting the spotlight over here.15:24

Faydra Deon: That’s true, David. I think people are ready for an outer space concept, though. What do you think?15:24

David Berger: Thanks, Joey. I appreciate the opportunity to talk about it and get to answer questions.15:24

Faydra Deon: So, David, what if I said that TFG is chick lit. What would be your thoughts on that?15:25

David Berger: Faydra, since I write using Greek mythology as my focus, there are certainly ways to do it and keep the mythological content. I’ll just have to see where the last book inthe trilogy takes me to see what path would be best.15:25

SirReadsALot: I would imagine making outer space seem realistic without being campy would be a challenge15:26

David Berger: Chick lit, eh? Awesome. I’m curious as to why you would classify it as that, but I’m open for it to reach whatever audience it can.15:26

Faydra Deon: Ah! That’s interesting. You talk about “where the last book” takes you. I like that idea that it’s not predestined.15:26

Joey Pinkney: Did you already talk about the book’s cover. If not, I’d like to know who made the cover and why did you decide to go with a, for lack of a better term, cartoon-like book cover as opposed to one with real people?15:26

David Berger: My writing moves me forward; it’s not the other way around.15:26

Faydra Deon: Hey, okkatie. Welcome! Jump in at any time with questions or comments!15:27

David Berger: SirReadsALot, therein lies the challenge, I suppose. But, I’m up for the challenge!15:27

Faydra Deon: I think you can pull the space thing off, David, if the first book is any indication of your true writing genius, and it is genius, by the by.15:27

Faydra Deon: I say it’s chick lit, because you start the book out with themes of women empowerment, and I really like that.15:28

David Berger: Joey, about ten years ago, I asked Michael Hamlett, an artist I found on an artists website, to do some sketches for me as inspiration (and they worked wonders). When I was ready to publish, I wanted things to come full circle so I asked if he wanted to do the cover. His style had changed, but I love the outcome. Having real people on the cover also means more money to find models, etc. I really wanted to pay an homage to the original artist, too.15:29

okkatie joined the chat15:29

David Berger: Faydra, female empowerment is important to me. I’ve always been a bit of a feminist, and I’ve been a fan of comics and Wonder Woman since I was about ten. Empowering others is important to me (part of why I’m a teacher).15:29

Joey Pinkney: That’s very interesting from an economical standpoint as well as a lifecycle standpoint for this book.15:30

David Berger: Hello, okkatie! Jump right in.15:30

David Berger: Plus, Joey, I think I could see this story as an animated movie, so the more comic-like art appeals to that demographic, too.15:30

Joey Pinkney: I meant economic.15:30

Joey Pinkney: That makes a lot of sense.15:31

Faydra Deon: That makes so much sense; the being a teacher aspect. Education does empower.15:31

Joey Pinkney: Where did the word Gaea come from?15:32

David Berger: Well, Gaea is the Greek mother Earth. I wanted to use gods in Greek myth who were less out there in the mainstream. The idea that Gaea is the mother of all goes back to the female empowerment a little.15:33

Faydra Deon: Yes, David! I could definitely see this as an animated movie. Do you have thoughts about turning TFG into an audiobook?15:33

David Berger: Actually, yes, I do, Faydra. I’d have to find the right person to do it, especially since I use Greek names and places, so the person would have to know how to pronounce things well. I thought about it doing it myself, but that would take a while to do, and I want to focus on the second book. By the way, thanks for the “genius” comment. I’m curious as to what makes you say that.15:35

SirReadsALot: You talk about teaching so much….how has teaching influenced your writing?15:36

Faydra Deon: I like the ebb and flow of Apollo from god to human to god to human. His interactions with humankind are realistic and endearing. I wanted to ask why you chose Apollo, of all the gods, to be the one to commit a crime that required him to pay penance?15:37

David Berger: I do think my teaching has helped me pay more attention to the little things in my writing, and since I am teaching English, it forces me to be much more scrupulous or at least more aware of what I need to do to catch people’s interest.15:38

SirReadsALot: With the success of authors like Rick Riordan, did you feel intimidated at all putting out a story with Greek Myth aspects?15:38

Faydra Deon: These are excellent questions, SirReadsALot. I appreciate your input. You, too, Joey! You guys are making my job easier. 15:40

David Berger: I’ve been fascinated with Apollo since I started reading mythology largely because of him being the god of truth and reason, but also the god of light, music, and healing. Although he isn’t always the nicest god in the myths, his characteristics strike me as the most potential for a peaceful, zen-like god (if a Greek god can be Zen).15:40

David Berger: SirReadsALot, of course I feel intimidated. Haha. Riordan has written some amazing stories using Greek myth, but I think my focus is more about changing the mythology a little here and there so as to create a more modern take on the stories. The penance of Apollo that Faydra mentioned, for example, never happened in Greek myth, so readers will have to accept a different take on him, one perhaps they wouldn’t have considered.15:42

David Berger: And, Riordan can use Egyptian and Roman myths all he wants. I’m sticking to Greek.15:42

Joey Pinkney: In writing this book over 27 years and going through the editing process, what characters did you have to leave out of this book that stuck in your mind?15:43

Faydra Deon: That’s another thing I found to be “genius” about the book; putting Apollo in situations as a mortal that he couldn’t do anything about. Whereas if he had his godly powers he could have fixed this or that with a snap. Allowing him to feel pain, hunger, grief and still have knowledge of who he was when he was a God was brilliant.15:43

SirReadsALot: With all the talk about ancient Greek Myth, does any (or your own) contemporary religion play any part in your writing?15:44

Faydra Deon: David, is your seat getting hot yet. Haha.15:45

SirReadsALot: Faydra, I like that too…..Apollo without his ability to use Godly powers….takes the Deus Ex Machina out of the equation.15:45

David Berger: There were seven original characters, Joey, that I had planned on using, and each one had a different cultural background, too. I think the idea of equality among people, including sexuality and culture, was a major focus for me then. As far as names? It’s been a while since I’ve looked at the original manuscript, but there were two more women and one more man.15:45

Faydra Deon: Exactly! David talks about the “deus ex machina” in TFG.15:46

Faydra Deon: Your book cover speaks volumes to “equality among people” as does the content of the book.15:46

Faydra Deon: What was your favorite part to write of the novel, David?15:47

David Berger: SirReadsALot, religion of my own doesn’t play a part in my writing, and I don’t really focus on other faiths in the novel. It’s not that people couldn’t be Muslim, Jewish, Christian, etc., but the first story had little to do with worldly religions and more to do with the effect of the Greek pantheon on the world as a whole. Religion could play a larger role in the sequel or the third work, though; anything’s possible.15:47

David Berger: My favorite part to write… hmm. I enjoyed writing Apollo’s “hero’s journey” quite a bit, since I hadn’t seen that in other novels before, but I also loved the modern storyline of the four mortals, too. For different reasons, I have “favorite” parts. 15:49

SirReadsALot: How do you balance writing, teaching, friends, family, etc.?15:50

Faydra Deon: David, I did see a spiritual melodic line throughout the story.15:50

Faydra Deon: Yes, good question, SirReadsALot. How do you balance it all, David?15:51

Faydra Deon: Also, who was your biggest supporter in your authoring endeavors?15:51

David Berger: It’s easy to balance family (they all live in NY – haha). But, I make time for each component as best as I can. Teaching has its own schedule, one I have to follow no matter what. Plus, I focus on my students most of the time even when I am not in the classroom. Teaching’s my passion. But, I write or try to write a few hours a night. At least one hour. Friends I see on weekends.15:52

David Berger: There’s always a give-and-take. Sometimes, one aspect just gets more attention out of necessity.15:53

David Berger: I don’t think I have one supporter more than any other. My family, my partner, and my friends have all had a huge part in supporting me.15:54

Faydra Deon: Did you find many “nay sayers” in your midst when you let it be known that you were going to write a full-length novel, or was it something you kept to yourself until it was done?15:56

David Berger: No nay-sayers before or during. More support than anything. Most people didn’t really know what to say except, “Oh, how exciting!” I’d mentioned my novel to my students for a long time, so I’ve always had it out there. It wasn’t until I published the novel that my colleagues really knew anything.15:58

Joey Pinkney: What have you learned from this book that will make the sequel a better book?15:59

Faydra Deon: Ah, got it! Students can be really supportive. My 8th graders thought I could do anything. Haha.15:59

David Berger: I had a poster of the cover in my classroom before the book was published. They were very excited about it.16:00

Faydra Deon: Now that’s some smart marketing there. Haha.16:00

David Berger: Joey, I’ve learned a bit about plotting a story. Some people found it harder to read because of the Greek myth references, some of which were a little obscure. I think I expected people to have more knowledge of Greek myth than they did.16:02

David Berger: The sequel will have references that are explained a little differently.16:02

Faydra Deon: I actually had to start the book a couple of times, because it does require you to put on your thinking cap and recall what you’ve learned about Greek mythology.16:03

David Berger: I also know that characters very well now, so the sequel will explore them much more.16:03

Faydra Deon: Once I did that, I was able to really get into the story and keep going. I do like how you explain certain words, just in case the reader isn’t familiar with them, but I also like how you don’t explain certain things to encourage people to do a bit of recall/research/relearni​ng.16:04

David Berger: Faydra, the sequel will be more developed so what you experienced doesn’t happen.16:04

Faydra Deon: I don’t think my having to restart was your fault.16:05

Faydra Deon: I’ve gotten so accustomed to reading what I call “snack” fiction that I wasn’t prepared for a meaty meal. I was glad of the challenge, actually.16:05

David Berger: Haha, thanks.16:05

David Berger: The sequel will take place not long after the first one ends, and it will be darker.16:06

Faydra Deon: It was the fact that I had to use my recall that really engrossed me in the book. I like remembering and learning. A quick read has it’s place, but I have several more synapses thanks to you, good sir. Haha.16:06

Faydra Deon: So before we close this out, what’s your advice to others wanting to become published authors?16:07

David Berger: Write what you love, and don’t let anyone discourage you. Your passion should be contagious.16:08

David Berger: Everything else follows.16:09

Faydra Deon: Sweet! I think that’s excellent advice.16:09

Faydra Deon: Share some links with us. Where can we find you on and off the web, if you don’t mind us knowing?16:10

David Berger: Well, you can find me on Facebook (facebook.com/david.berg​er), the novel has a FB page, too (facebook.com/taskforceg​aea), I have a blog about the novel and writing (taskforce-gaea.com). Plus, I am on Goodreads, Shelfari, Smashwords, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.16:11

David Berger: (I was out of the country for a few weeks, so the blog will be updated shortly).16:11

Faydra Deon: And you’re also on the Index! http://indaindex.com/david-berger/16:11

David Berger: Yes! Of course!16:12

Faydra Deon: OK, we’ll give you a pass, since you were out of the country, but don’t make us wait too long! Haha.16:12

Faydra Deon: Well, in closing…16:12

Faydra Deon: I want to thank David Berger for being with us today, and I want to thank SirReadsALot and Joey Pinkney for jumping in with great questions. It was also really good to see okkatie looking in on the chat.16:13

David Berger: Thank you for the opportunity, Faydra! And thank you, Joey and SirReadsALot for the questions.16:13

Faydra Deon: Everyone have a great rest of the weekend, and we’ll be doing this all again in about 30 days with a different author and different book, AND I hope David will come back and do this again when the sequel is available to Task Force: Gaea: Finding Balance!16:14

David Berger: I’d love to. Thank you!16:14

Faydra Deon: Great, David! It’s a date. Now go do some writing! Haha.16:14