Interview about Devoured Universe

I’ve had some amazing questions sent to me over the course of the past two months.  Here’s a compilation of them in interview form.  Feel free to ask your own, and I’ll answer.  Thanks again for all of the love.

Q: What makes “Devoured Universe” differ from “Planet ATE”?

Rick: Planet ATE was a stepping stone into full blown sci-fi. While both involve space and aliens, ATE was about protecting humanity and Earth. Devoured takes it a step further and puts the existence of everything in the universe at risk.

Q: Your books are grounded in reality in a way that makes them believable. How did you maintain that feeling with Devoured Universe?

Rick: There was only so much I could do considering the vastness of the story, but I looked into a lot of NASA information and files on different things out in space. Some hypothetical theories served as the root for explanations of what was going on, so while it is a mostly science fiction tale, it can be perceived as believable.

Q: After reading your other novels, I found this to be a good stand alone, but it also wraps up a legacy (as mentioned in the book). What made you decide to write out a certain character?

Rick: Without going into too much detail I can say it was time, but I feel as though I’ve lost a great friend. My characters age in my stories, so I didn’t feel it necessary to continue on because that takes away from some of the grounded aspect you mentioned. But I knew this had to happen in a way that respected the character and what he/she stood for. It ends a long adventure, but leaves behind a legacy for my final trilogy.

Q: So does this mean the character could come back?

Rick: No and yes. I can say without a doubt that this character is in fact dead. There will be no resurrection or clone. The presence will still be felt however, as the new characters introduced will see this person as a historical figure and know the legacy left behind by their predecessor.

Q: Will the next book pick up right after this one?

Rick: No. I wanted to put a few hundred years’ gap between books. That way it can stand on its own as the others all have, but still be connected to the saga.

Q: Obviously this means you will be staying in the science fiction genre?

Rick: Like the other books it will be a stepping stone. If you read Devoured Universe, then you know what is hinted at as far as where it will all go. So even though it starts out in the future there will be a way to tie it into the past, and pave way for new stories.

Q: A reboot of your own novels?

Rick: Not really. More like an expansion.

Q: With your Eden’s Order Trilogy your main antagonist was Cain. For Pandora’s Chaos Trilogy you had the Network Entity. It seems that the world governments are your antagonist for this trilogy. Who or what is the threat for your next three?

Rick: I’m glad you saw politicians as the underlying evil in this (Beyond Human Trilogy). The next trilogy will be a little less obvious as we will be dealing with many different settings and periods on Earth. If I were to choose an antagonist per se, I guess I’d say humanity as a whole. It’s not that I think humans are all bad, but the main character in the next trilogy will be facing the bad sides of human nature. Even he himself will be struggling with his own morals.

Q: Is this character someone we already know or will he be new? And can you clarify the type of struggles he’ll face?

Rick: Let’s just say this will be less of a group adventure and more about this single person. You don’t know him yet, but he does have origins in the timeline of the current stories. So while he exists in this saga already, he really hasn’t been formally introduced.

Q: It sounds like you’ve had this planned out for a while. How many other works are on your slate?

Rick: Ha. I’ve countless ideas, but right now I’m currently brainstorming, writing, and outlining a few. While I’m prepping to step into the new trilogy, I’m writing the spinoff stories for this one. I’m also hard at work with my brother on finishing my second children’s book, and writing a third. Then there is also a murder mystery trilogy I’m working on with my wife. This doesn’t include the countless notes I keep adding to the other ideas I’ve got for future releases.

Q: You have a web series called “Think, Sip, Write.” In one episode you talk about eternal youth. If you could live forever would you continue to write or would you delve into other areas?

Rick: I would love to live forever; as long as I could fully function. Yes, I’d continue to write because right now I can’t see how I’d be able to publish all of the ideas I have. It’d be a waste not to. But like my everyday life I’d also continue to do other things. My music is always in the back of my mind, as well as my web series and sCrypt Publishing.

Q: Is there anything you want readers to know? Announcements or teases perhaps?

Rick: I’ve decided to try something new. I’m doing a #Scrypthalloween for the whole month of October. Details are being worked on, but I plan to have them up within the next few days. Basically everyone can get involved. On my end of it I’ll be posting a few quick read releases, as well as some giveaways and other fun things. It’ll be a lot of fun, and the more involved the merrier.

Q: Where can someone get a copy of your books?

Rick: As always, digital copies of my books are available on Amazon. Print copies are on Lulu.com. And you are always welcome to email me for an autographed copy.

September 21, 2016 | Categories: Media and Interviews, Uncategorized | Tags: authors, books, devoured universe, interview, interviews, Rick Pipito, scrypt publishing, writing | Leave a comment