Interview with author, Ren Garcia

Today I feature author, Ren Garcia.  Ren is giving away a copy of his book to one lucky winner!  All you need to do is leave a comment for him to be eligible.  He will draw a name at random.  The winner will be posted here and contacted by e-mail.  Please comment by 8PM EST, Saturday, May 8th


Ren, welcome to Immortyl Revolution.  What age group is your work geared toward?

RG: High school age and above. I’d say my works have a mild “R” rating. As the series progresses, it does get a bit more adult in nature, however, the first two books are pretty safe.

Into which genre would you say your work falls and why?

RG: That’s a tough question. On the immediate surface, it’s a science fiction story as it takes place not on earth, but far away, literally thousands (if not millions) of years into the future. Additionally the characters themselves are not quite human. They are engineered to be young and healthy throughout their lives (sort of like a vampire, but not so much). They live to be about two hundred years old on average and the medical arts are somewhat forgotten, as they don’t get sick. They fly around in spaceships and occasionally encounter aliens. On the other hand, it’s a Fantasy book, with monsters, arcane knowledge and teachings, wondrous objects and heroic quests. Still, take away the spaceships and the monsters, and you have a basic romance. One could easily replace the star-faring vessels with rigging and sails and adventure upon the high seas and not lose too much. The characters, though fantastic in their abilities, are still easy to relate to and understandable in their plight. Love, even millions of years into the future, hasn’t changed much. So, what sort of genre is this? I’d say it’s a Romantic Science-Fiction/Fantasy.

Fantasy and science fiction create a new world for the reader. Tell us about the world you’ve built.

RG: It’s a rather odd sort of world—a veritable mixed bag. Depending on where you are, you might encounter romantic estates well-suited to 17th century France. Travel down the lane a bit and you might be standing before a towering gothic castle full of wonder and mystery. Continuing on, your journey ends in a smoky city of modern skyscrapers where vendors sell 4-D tattoos and install replacement Bio-Plants right there on the street. The gentry, awash in the Gifts of the Mind, prefer to shun technology to a large degree, and perform mentally what the commoners perform via devices and contraptions.

The commoners drink and play games like brandtball and skywall, and, oddly enough, bowling. The Blue Lords openly detest bowling—thinking it a low and vulgar activity. However, most great estates have a hidden and lavish bowling alley hidden somewhere on their grounds and a Lady’s bowling average is an important mark of status.

It is a world of feudality, where men wield the power, yet where women ultimately rule. The most important sect in the League is the Sisterhood of Light. It is understood, though not spoken, that they rule the League and protect the people from the scourge of the Xaphan Black Hats. A gentleman’s most important mark of status is his “Programmability’, or, how many times has he been invited to impregnate a Sister. Lords with high Programmability may do anything they choose in the League, while others of lesser Programmability, regardless of stature or wealth, are shunned.


Who is your favorite character in your books and why?

RG: Lt. Kilos, Captain Davage’s first officer. She’s the consummate sidekick. (And, it’s pronounced Ki-Los; “ki” as in “kite”, then “los”. Kilos) She’s the person who stands beside the hero and helps define him. Though she’s a hot-head, she’s often the voice of reason. Though she’s a drinker, she’s often the most sober and though she’s a commoner, her heart often inspires the Gentry. As the series progresses, the main characters change, but there’s always Kilos standing at their side.



What other writers would you say have influenced your work and why? What are some of your favorite books in the genre?

RG: Michael Moorcock is one of my great influences. Through his work, such as the various incarnations of the Eternal Champion (Elric, Hawkmoon, Prince Corum, etc…) I learned to be bold, to be uninhibited and never apologize. Some who have enjoyed the book have commented that the characters either wear heavy, elaborate clothing, or they wear nothing at all. I suppose that’s true, as there are lots and lots of naked people running around—again, that’s Moorcock’s influence.


What is your writing process like? Do you do a lot of background research? Do you plot every detail or do you prefer the characters to move the story in new directions, or a combination of both? Do you belong to a critique group and do you find this helpful?

RG: I usually have a thought as I begin writing and it almost always gets scrapped before I finish. I discover the plot as I go along—and the flavor of the work often changes from vanilla to strawberry.


Do you have any advice for young or beginning writers?

RG: Create an idea and stick with it. Let it simmer, always in the back of your thoughts. Don’t be in a rush to put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard as it were). A good idea never leaves you. The words might change, but the thought itself grows, like a snowball rolling down a hillside. I saw Lt. Kilos in my head for years before I ever wrote a word about her.


Who is your publisher and where are your books available? Are there e-books and hard copies available?

RG: IUniverse. My book is available via Amazon, Barnes&Noble, or any on-line outlet. It also comes in e-book format. Also MFK comics is converting the first book, Sygillis of Metatron to graphic novel format.




What is your website and/or blog where readers can learn more? Can they friend you on Facebook or other sites?

RG: The League of Elder is a big place. I’ve published my glossary, along with news and art at www.theleagueofelder.com Also, I have a steadily growing fanpage on Facebook called: The League of Elder by Ren Garcia


Are there any upcoming signings or appearances you’d like to mention?

RG: I’m waiting until the publication of book 2: The Hazards of the Old Ones, then I plan to “hit the trail” as they say. Nothing firm as of yet. I’m also going to be hitting the comicon scene once the Graphic Novel is released. I can’t wait.

Ren, thanks for joining me today. 



Readers, be sure to visit www.deniseverricowriter.webs.com to explore the world of Immortyl Revolution.