Interview with Robinson Castillo, Author of The Irispire Portal

What can you tell us about your new release, The Irispire Portal?

Well, this is my first foray into genre fiction, and it was a fun book for me to write. I have always been a fan of action/adventure and mixing that with urban fantasy, science fiction, and epic fantasy elements was both creatively stimulating and enjoyable for me. It’s a fast-paced book with heroic characters, reminiscent of pulp magazine adventures. If I were to equate it with traditional publishing houses, it would most resemble books from Baen Books, whose editorial vision is fun, fast-paced speculative fiction.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always been inspired by adventure movies like Indiana Jones. The Chronicles Trilogy by Margarer Weis and Tracy Hickman. And also F. Scott Fitzgerald and Robertson Davies.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

The Great Gatsby – F Scott Fitzgerald

What’s Bred in The Bone – Robertson Davies

Hunger Games Trilogy – Suzanne Collins

Storm Front – Jim Butcher

Persuaded – Lee Child

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

My first guest would be Scott Fitzgerald, and no question. I would just ask him to please write and finish Love of The Last Tycoon, because it was shaping up to be his best novel yet.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I love it, because it’s like playing pretend for adults. Those were always the best times I had as a kid, and writing gives me that well into adulthood. I can’t get enough of it.

What is a typical day like for you?

Well having two kids is definitely tough. But while I was writing this book. I would get up at 6am take care of the kids while my wife is at work during the day. During the kids nap times I would try to squeeze a twenty minute writing sprint (can usually get 500+ words in), then spend time with wife and kids after my wife gets home from work. We have about an hour together before I have to go to work from 3:30pm to 11:30pm. Rinse and repeat.

What scene in The Irispire Portal was your favorite to write?

I would have to say the midpoint reveal/action sequence at Club Rapture.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Not the artist alone, but every creative individual whatsoever owes all that is greatest in his life to fantasy. ~Carl Jung

Experience is wine, and art is the brandy we distil from it – Robertson Davies

Robinson Castillo is the author of the new book The Irispire Portal.

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