1. Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
Heya! My name is Gabriel, which is a pseudonym but also part of my real-life name. I am German, male, 22 years old and have been creating stories in my head ever since I could think. Difference is: I’ve only started actually writing them down at the delicate age of 20. Since then, I’ve been writing every day for two years, with no intention to stop! Writing gives me life and Neon Red is the fruit of my efforts. 🙂
2. When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?
I think it was specifically last January. I looked at my little 11-page manuscript and got excited while calculating. “Oh man, if I put x amount of time into every day, I could get 40 pages by the end of January, and then maybe even 100 by April, and if I keep going…” et cetera. I loved the idea of actually holding something physical in my hand that once only existed in my thoughts. It’s what fueled me ever since, and the thrill never stops. Now, I don’t want a single book, I want a full series! It’s quite addictive!
3. From where did you have the idea of two Realms – human and demon in “Neon Red”?
I like subverting tropes. Portal Fantasy isn’t super rare, but it usually follows the tropes of ‘main character falls into parallel world, obtains magic, assembles band of people and saves the world’. The raw idea isn’t bad, but I like to twist it a little – in this parallel world, next to nothing comforting exists. There is nothing to be saved, only a savage environment to be explored and survived. Demons are the embodiment of danger – but also moral choices, since not all of them are necessarily evil. And seeing the story start with the main character returning just sounded too cool to not be tried! A feral boy in a modern city bumbling about, on the lookout for his family. I love this idea.
4. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Running! It’s essentially mental detox, and it also keeps my body in shape. Other than that, gaming. Always have been a huge gamer, especially for Action-RPGs. My editor sometimes compares Neon Red (functionally) to a game more than a book, which I quite like and can see why he thinks so. Especially Flow (the hard magic system of Neon Red) is something I could absolutely see in an RPG that uses custom characters.
5. How do you come up with names of your book characters?
Hahaha, my names are despised by my editor. He uses rather normal names for his writing, but I like to use normal names with some meaning behind them and twist them a little bit. Albert becomes Alberc, Sonya becomes Zonya. Slight tweaks that make the characters feel at home in this slightly tweaked version of Earth.
6. What is your favorite Quote?
‘The 20th of March also marked the day that Dion finally came to appreciate the sticky rice of Juniper’s food court. At long last, he understood Shimon’s love for it, filling his stomach to the brim with endless seconds. Hunger was the best flavor after all, he realized.’
It’s an inconspicuous and seemingly non-important quote, but it’s a big development for Dion in the context of the book. It also finally frees him of the pit of depression he fell into. It’s simple, but in my eyes quite beautiful.
7. What are you working on next? Are you planning to release another book soon?
Neon Red II!
Yup, totally planning to complete this book series! Six books are planned, and Part 2 will follow soon! I’m stoked to release it one day and I’m genuinely enjoying the writing I’m doing daily for it. I feel like I’ve improved a lot since Part 1, and working with already established characters and scenarios is so much fun. I can finally go all-out!
Expect it Early 2021! After that, I will likely take a break from Neon Red and do smaller projects.
8. What do you hope your readers take away from your books?
Determination. Perseverance. Hope that their efforts will not be in vain, even if it may seem so. No step we take is ever for naught, for they build our character regardless. Feel the pain and transform it into strength to move forward stronger than before. That is Neon Red I’s message.
9. Are you a sci-fi fan since childhood?
Can I tell you something? I never really cared for Sci-Fi, haha. Actually, I was quite surprised when reviewers described Neon Red as Sci-Fi. It’s a genre I never really touched (for no reason in particular). But I absolutely want to get into it soon, I believe it will broaden my horizons in a positive way!
10. Lastly, do you want to give any advice to readers and aspiring writers?
‘Just write.’
Hahaha, no, everyone has heard that one before. It’s valid advice, but it’s hard to manifest for oneself. My personal favorite advice was to just move forward. Write something every day. One word is sufficient. It’s a step. Inch forward every day toward your dream. You’ll improve and get better every day, believe me. It’ll get easier, far easier, and you’ll be surprised at how much you can grow by just inching. Keep going. You’ll get there, just keep going, step by step.
Author Name: Gabriel
NEON RED I: Shimon of the Stars
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