Let's all give a warm welcome to Robin Burks, author of Zeus, Inc.!
"Robin Burks is a person of multiple talents. Not only does she own a web development studio, Bad Karma Studios, but she also has a small online music promotions company, Sunrise Promotions. Writing, though, is her passion. She is currently a feature writer for DVICE.com and RantGaming.com, as well as writing for her own site FanGirlConfessions.com. Robin has just published her first novel: Zeus, Inc.
An internet addict, she can often be found on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. She also loves to read (obviously), act, sing, play video games and travel.Robin currently lives in Missouri with her four cats. She also occasionally speaks French and loves Doctor Who." -Robin-Burks.com
50 years ago, Zeus, Inc., and its CEO, the mysterious Joseph Brentwood, saved the world from a major energy crisis by discovering a new unlimited energy resource. Now, in 2069, Mr. Brentwood has gone missing and private eye Alex Grosjean has been hired to find him by his daughter (and Alex’s best friend), Aleisha.
Black-outs begin to occur all over the world and somehow Alex believes it’s tied to Mr. Brentwood’s disappearance. Her search leads her through her own murky past and into the fantastical depths of Hell itself, where she discovers that Mr. Brentwood is not who or what he seems to be.
With the help of an otherworldly man named Pip, Alex must save both Mr. Brentwood and the world. But will she be able to face her own guilty past in order to do it? -Robin-Burkes.com
I expressed in my review how much fun, mysterious and action packed this book is. I've also talked about how much I love Alex Grosjean's tough independent spunky attitude! Why don't we find out more about Robin and how the book came to be?
Who or what are your inspirations for becoming a writer?
I have always loved to write, but until recently, I never really considered myself a writer. Once I started blogging, I applied for a few actual writing jobs and when I got them and started getting paid, I realized how much I loved to write. But it wasn't until James Moran told me that "If you're a writer, you're a writer," that I began to take myself seriously. The next thing I knew, a friend had talked me into signing up for NaNoWriMo last year and I wrote my first novel. And fortunately, I was happy enough with it that I decided to publish it.
What brought up your interest in Greek Mythology?
I took a course in Greek Mythology when I was in college and have been fascinated by it ever since. It's amazing how much some of the stories are similar to modern day religions, as well. It makes you think that somewhere in those stories, there are some truths about our history. And the more I research the topic, the more engrossed I become.
How would you summarize your book in three sentences?
50 years ago, Joseph Brentwood saved the world from an energy crisis and founded Zeus, Inc. But now, in the year 2069, Mr. Brentwood has gone missing. Private eye Alex Grosjean is hired to find him but finds herself face to face with a problem of mythological proportions.
What has ever gotten you out of a bad case of writer's block?
I haven't had a bad case of writer's block, yet, but I find that when I'm stuck, the best thing I can do is to walk away for awhile. I've been working on a science fiction trilogy and it's been a tough piece for me to write. I'm taking a break from that story to work on the sequel to Zeus, Inc. I am hoping that break will re-inspire me and take me back to the other things that I'm writing.
What books have influenced you the most in life?
My absolute favorite book is Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. I re-read it a few years ago and the story continues to resonate with me. Considering all the science fiction, fantasy and horror I usually read, it still surprises me that Dickens is still my all-time favorite writer.
What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading "The Heretic" by Joseph Nasssisse. I purchased the previous StoryBundle (StoryBundle.com) which was all science fiction and every book I've read from that so far has been amazing.
Are you working on any current projects?
I just finished outlining the second novel in The Alex Grosjean Adventures. I'll be writing it for this year's NaNoWriMo. It's tentatively titled "The Curse of Hekate."
Can you share a little of it with us?
So far, all I have is a general synopsis of the story, which is subject to change once I start actually writing it. But so far, the summary is this: Alex Grosjean is back! The Curse of Hekate picks up where Zeus, Inc. left off. A tall, dark and pointy-toothed stranger has showed up at Alex's door and begs her for help. Alex must not only find the entity responsible for this man's fate, but also protect the world from a plague. Meanwhile, a child-eating demon is also on the loose. Can Alex stop both or is the world doomed?
Who designed your book cover?
I have a background in web/graphic design so I did my own cover.
Have any current events ever affected your book?
Absolutely! The previously-mentioned science fiction trilogy I was working on is heavily inspired by politics, as well as deals with themes like discrimination. Zeus, Inc., too takes some inspiration from current events, especially with the rising cost of oil and how we, as a planet, one day may run out of our limited resources.
Are there any messages that you want your readers to grasp?
The only theme that I really feel that my work represents is strength. I like strong female characters in the books that I read, so I try to write them in my own personal work, as well. I think it's important that women feel empowered.
Did you learn anything from writing this book?
I learned that I could write a novel. I wasn't entirely sure I was capable of it, but somehow I managed it. Getting that first draft written has to be the best feeling in the world. And it was just what I needed to keep me pursuing a career as a writer.
------------------------------------------------------------
Such the multi-tasker! A prime example of an empowered woman herself, if I may say so! This is also a great NaNoWriMo success story as she learns to write about what she loves and how it has helped her become a better writer. Way to go! I'm quite looking forward to the sequel and I know you all would be too! So don't hesitate to go read Zeus, Inc. and prepare yourself for a world of futuristic fantasy of "mythological proportions"!
Want to know more? Just visit her at her website: http://www.robin-burks.com and don't hesitate to say Hi!
No comments:
Post a Comment