Joseph Rhea

The story behind the story of Rogue Wave (Part 1)

2026-02-15T09:45:02.337-08:00

Part One:

After taking several years off from writing following the death in 2019 of my younger brother, Dave, I began writing again in 2024. I started work on the long-awaited prequel to my five-book "Novum" series. The story is called "Rogue Wave", and it tells the events that led Jake Stone to acquire his girlfriend’s cargo vessel, then called, "Messenger", after her tragic death.

This backstory was referenced several times in the original series, but due to a head injury, Jake was left with very few memories of what actually happened. This story finally reveals the truth.

However, instead of writing it as a book, I decided to write a screenplay. I’ve always loved the screenplay format, and I needed something to kickstart me out of the creative rut I was in following Dave’s passing.

Since the story was already fully outlined, it didn’t take long to complete the 120-page screenplay. With dialogue editing from my sister Lori—an amazingly talented person and former actress—I created something I was truly proud of.

By that point, however, we both agreed the story was far too short to serve as a complete backstory to my series. Plus, by this time I had sort of fallen in love with my new characters, the crew of the messenger and I didn't want their story to so quickly. So I decided to create a second version of the script, splitting it down the middle and expanding it into a two-part series.

One advantage of that decision was that it gave me a brand-new ending for the first script—one I now absolutely love. I also developed a fantastic first half of the second script that ties beautifully into the tragic way that story ultimately ends.

Realizing that a novice screenwriter like me has virtually no chance of selling a speculative screenplay, especially one designed to be a big budget film, I decided to adapt the first script into a novella. It took a few months to write and several more months of editing and feedback to shape it into a complete 140-page book.

That story, which I titled, "Rogue Wave: Novum Origins Book One", is now available worldwide on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most other major booksellers.

And this is where the problem begins.

I now have one finished book and a second book fully outlined and half written. But since they’re novellas, I knew that to create something readers would truly invest in, I really needed a trilogy. Three novellas together would equal roughly the size of a full-length novel.

The problem is, I only had two stories outlined, not three. And more importantly, I needed a middle book that ties the first and third books together.

I’ll continue this story with you next time.

2026 means a brand new website!

2026-01-19T04:05:36.166-08:00

I spent the last couple of months creating a brand new website. If you haven't checked it out yet, please do, and tell me what you think. https://josephrhea.com

Rogue Wave is Live!

2025-01-01T10:58:00.000-08:00

A year of work writing a combined screenplay and novella in my (very rare) spare time, and both are now finally completed:

Rogue Wave (book) is now live worldwide: $6.99 paperback or $2.99 ebook. For the screenplay, see links on my website.Beneath an alien ocean lies humanity's last hope!

Personal milestones achieved!

2024-08-03T08:45:00.001-07:00

As of yesterday, I have completed a 114-page feature screenplay as well as a 25,000-word novella, both called Rogue Wave. I also wrote a 2-page film pitch for the script which I'm quite happy with. This was my goal for the year, as an attempt to restart my writing after a 5-year hiatus following my brother Dave's passing in 2019. I think I'm back and I know he would be Happy. 👍

Script-to-Book update for 6/17/2024

2024-06-17T15:44:00.001-07:00

Today I finished writing my "lean" draft, which is the direct "prose translation" of my "Rogue Wave" feature screenplay. Next I will start writing the true novella by filling in scene descriptions, adding character thoughts when appropriate, and beefing up the sparse script dialogue when needed. Very glad I finally stopped dragging my heels and started adapting this.

Rogue Wave screenplay is finished!

2024-06-11T19:23:00.001-07:00

"Rogue Wave", my latest original feature screenplay is finally finalized, officially copyrighted, and uploaded to Coverfly.

So with my Rogue Wave screenplay finished, what's next for me? Why, of course it will be the Rogue Wave book. I just spent the past two days converting my present-tence script into past-tense prose, word for word, and it's already longer than half of the novellas in my Novum series. Rewriting the story fully as a book will potentially double the word count, so I guess I know what I'll be doing in my spare time in the months ahead.

Writing alone? Not so much.

2024-01-20T08:59:00.000-08:00

Long ago I switched from writing screenplays to writing novels because I believed that I needed "absolute full control" of my creations. Now, as I ease back into the Screenwriting world, I'm reminded that unless you're literally a genius, or figuratively an idiot, everything you create will be a group effort. Beta readers, editors, and friends will all influence and sometimes drastically alter your final product. And that will make it better. Accept that. Embrace that.

Thoughts on writing a "high concept & big budget" feature film script for a MUCH smaller budget

2024-01-12T17:48:00.000-08:00

I have now written 2 feature scripts that, due to their setting and genre (far-future underwater science fiction (imagine "Dune" but replace sand with water)), would normally require a huge (100+ million) budget. However, knowing that would kill any chances of my stories making the big (or even small) screen, I specifically wrote my scripts to drastically reduce the CGI budget in a very organic way.

One of the things I liked about the TV series Firefly, was that 90% of the story took place inside the ship Serenity, and that was intentional for cost savings. However, it also forced the stories to be about the people inside and not on big sci-fi things outside the ship. I also based my stories on months spent at sea in my day job (oceanographer), where you tend to create external families and friendships to get you through the long days and nights. Both of my screenplays center on that type of "family" bonding and that allows you to focus on people and not get too carried away with plot. The plot is important and dramatic and life changing, but the center of the story is always how that plot affects the characters.

I do wish I could find a way to realistically estimate the budget. As a comparison, I use far less external "undersea" CGI shots than the recent 2020 film "Underwater" with Kristen Stewart, and it cost between 50-80 million. So I would estimate maybe 50 million, maybe even less since I spend far more time inside than out.

Join this conversation on Stage32

https://www.stage32.com/lounge/screenwriting/Thoughts-on-writing-a-high-concept-and-big-budget-feature-film-script-for-a-MUCH-smaller-budget

First draft of Rogue Wave screenplay finished.

2023-12-21T04:43:00.001-08:00

I am so busy writing these days that I completely forgot to mention that I finished the first draft of my feature screenplay, "Rogue Wave" 3 weeks ago. As of today I am halfway through a scene by scene hard edit after painfully cutting 9 pages to get it down to the magical "110 pages" basically required for spec scripts these days. Enjoying the process with no belief that it will ever be made into a film, because when I'm finished with it, I will start writing the novel version of the story. One way or another this story will be told.

Today I began a new project - finally!

2023-03-19T08:58:00.001-07:00

Today, March 19th 2023, I began my first new writing project in about 5 years. I am finally writing the long-planned "prequel" story to my Novum saga. However, instead of writing it as a book, I'm writing a feature screenplay. In just one hour, I already have 6 pages completed, so I think this is going to go pretty fast. Hoping to get another 10 pages done today, maybe even more. I love this world I've created and I'm happy to be back inside it.

More later...

NOVUM CHRONICLES is now available in hardcover!

2021-10-08T14:52:00.003-07:00

The enemy has found our long-hidden refuge under the sea, the last colony of mankind. Will this be our final battle?

As the last descendants of Earth struggle to survive beneath the surface of an alien ocean, one man's discovery will lead him on a journey of redemption, while he fights to save what's left of his world.

Jacob Stone is a young man haunted by his past. When he reluctantly accepts a job to help pay for a transport submarine he inherited but doesn't want, he inadvertently awakens an ancient and terrible power. Its arrival triggers a chain of events that could destroy what's left of the human race or be the key to its future. But, is it a future he's willing to fight for, let alone die for?

Available worldwide in Paperback, Kindle ebook, free on KindleUnlimited, and now available for the first time in HARDCOVER!

Check out all editions at: JosephRhea.com/novum

NOVUM CHRONICLES (The Complete Novum Saga) is live worldwide!

2020-09-10T05:39:00.014-07:00

The enemy has found our long-hidden refuge under the sea, the last colony of mankind. Will this be our final battle?

Available worldwide in 600-page Paperback, Kindle ebook, or free on KindleUnlimited.

JosephRhea.com/novum

New edition of NOVUM coming

2020-07-08T03:56:00.005-07:00

Currently doing a deep dive into re-editing my NOVUM saga, turning 5 novellas written over 5 years, into a single, cohesive, novel. A single novel was my original goal but I broke it into 5 smaller parts to help motivate me. Now I'm making it the way it was intended. Lots of work but I'm enjoying revisiting this world.

The Apocalypse is here!!

2017-07-21T07:11:00.003-07:00

I'm talkimg about Novum: Apocalypse of course.

The final book in my 5-book Novum series, #NovumApocalypse is now online at Amazon in both Kindle and Paperback editions.

Go to JosephRhea.com/novum5 for global links.

Novum: Apocalypse is finished!

2017-06-29T05:27:00.003-07:00

I am marking this day, 6/29/2017, as the day I finished the final book of my #Novum #scifi #series. 5 books in 5 years. Done!

The Apocalypse is coming! (meaning the book is almost finished)

2017-06-02T07:26:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I managed to write over 5,000 words of the fifth and final book in my scifi series, "Novum: Apocalypse," Another 5,000 words or so and the series will be finished. Of course, what's left to write is only the most important and explosive chapters in the entire series, where every question is answered and every mystery solved, so, no pressure or anything! ;) Stay tuned.

Reaching more people

2017-05-03T13:43:00.002-07:00

Made a decision to bail on exclusivity in favor of reaching more people! All my books are now available from Amazon, iTunes, B&N, and more. Learn more at JosephRhea.com/books

Novum: Revelation is here

2016-07-01T03:55:00.004-07:00

Novum: Revelation is now available worldwide in both paperback and Kindle editions:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GKSLF7C #dystopian #scifi

Release date for Novum: Revelation

2016-06-24T04:19:00.003-07:00

Release date for Novum: Revelation (Book 4 in the 5-book series) was moved up to ~~July 15~~, JULY 1ST which is just 5 DAYS from now. You can pre-order it from the link below if you want and it will be delivered to your Kindle automatically. I'm making some final tweaks to the paperback cover today, so that should be available soon for those who still read "real" books. The cover looks great on both versions, thanks to my cover designer (and brother) Dave Rhea.

https://www.amazon.com/Novum-Revelation-Book-Joseph-Rhea-ebook/dp/B01GKSLF7C

Boom!

2016-05-25T15:59:00.001-07:00

BOOM! The first draft of Novum: Revelation (book 4 in my #scifi series) was finished last week, and the first and second-pass edits were completed this weekend. Now it's in the hands of beta readers. After that, off to the paid editors for a final proofread. Since the book cover is already finished, it should be ready for Amazon within a few weeks. Stay tuned...

List of SWFA-qualifying markets to submit your scifi/fantasy short stories:

2016-05-09T12:35:00.000-07:00

Below is a list of publishers currently accepting unsolicited submissions for scifi/fantasy short fiction (flash fiction, short stories, novellas, etc.) All appear to pay industry-standard rates and are accepted by the SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America) as of today, May 9, 2016 (link). The list was compiled by me and is listed alphabetically. I have no affiliation with any of these publishers, and since each has its own requirements (often requiring you to submit to them only) please read submission guidelines for each before proceeding. Good luck writers, and let me know if this helps any of you!

AE:
   http://aescifi.ca/index.php/submissions
Analog Science Fiction and Fact:
   https://www.analogsf.com/information/submissions.shtml
Apex:
   http://www.apex-magazine.com/submission-guidelines/
Asimov’s Science Fiction:
   http://www.asimovs.com/contact-us/writers-guidelines/
Beneath Ceaseless Skies:
   http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/submissions/
Clarkesworld Magazine:
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/submissions/
Daily Science Fiction:
http://dailysciencefiction.com/submit/story/guidelines
Escape Pod:
    http://escapepod.org/guidelines/
Fantastic Stories of the Imagination:
http://www.fantasticstoriesoftheimagination.com/submission-guidelines/
Flash Fiction Online:
http://flashfictiononline.com/main/submission-guidelines/
The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction:
https://www.sfsite.com/fsf/glines.htm
Orson Scott Card’s InterGalactic Medicine Show:
http://www.intergalacticmedicineshow.com/cgi-bin/mag.cgi?do=content&article=submissions
Strange Horizons:
http://www.strangehorizons.com/guidelines/fiction.php

Book 4 status + website tweaks

2016-03-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

This was a tough month for writing (work travel plus I'm back to working out) but I'm up to 16,000 words on Novum: Revelation as of tonight (book 4 of 5 in the Novum series). Also, since Google will be ranking mobile-friendly sites higher starting in May (test your site here: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/mobile-friendly ) I tweaked my author website a bit. Now, going to JosephRhea.com on a phone or tablet should now take you to a "mobile-friendly" one-page version of my author site (see comparison below). Try it and let me know if it doesn't work for you: http://JosephRhea.com

Novum: Revelation at 10,000 words

2016-02-12T17:57:00.001-08:00

Just hit 10,000 words for the 4th book in my Novum series, and the action is just getting started. Looks like this will be a longer book than the last three, which is good news for my readers. Even better news is that I'm going to have 4 evenings per week to write for the next 2 weeks, due to my kids' sport schedules, which is double what I have now. If it doesn't burn me out, I should be able to get really far in my story this month. More later...

Update on Novum: Revelation

2015-12-23T09:49:00.000-08:00

Novum: Revelation (4th book in my 5-book series) is really taking shape now that I've finalized a detailed outline for rest of the series. Still having difficulty finding/making time to write (job, family, sleep, etc), but if I want to finish both of the last two books this year, I need to push myself a bit. Not so much that I turn this fun hobby into a "job" but even I am getting frustrated with how slowly the books are coming out. Plus I want the whole world to see the finished product. Okay, back to writing now... (sneak peek here)

Novum: Rubicon is live all over the planet

2015-10-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

Novum: Rubicon, the third book in my Novum series, is now live all over the planet. Go to JosephRhea.com/Novum3 to find US and international links to the paperback and Kindle eBook versions.