Angela B. Chrysler: Today, I begin my first of a few highly-respected guests. I wish to present you with Honored Guest Aaron Denius Garcia, author of the new post-apocalypse sci-fi, Gene. Sys. which is currently on sale this week (26 January 2015 through 1 February 2015) for only .99 cents. Aaron, thank you so much for agreeing to speak with me regarding your book, Gene. Sys. Please take a moment to tell us a little about your book.
Aaron Denius Garcia: “Gene. Sys.” is about 12 genetically engineered teens who were created to restart humanity after an apocalypse.
About 400 years in the future, during the middle of an ice age, humans have driven themselves to the brink of extinction. Famine, disease and wars have depleted the population. Meanwhile, in a heavily guarded compound in Egypt, a group of the smartest remaining scientists are working hard to find a solution. Their answer, restart humanity by engineering 12 human clones with enhanced genes. The first two of these Genetic Systems, Atom and Ev, are given the mission of leading the 10 other Genesys to E.D.E.N. after the scientists set off the apocalypse. This first book takes readers through the apocalypse.
ABC: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
ADG: This is actually a fun question to answer. The idea came to me about 10 years ago while listening to a Flaming Lips song titled, “One More Robot/Unit 3000-21”. I had misheard the lyrics, thinking it said “Unic 3021”. This took me down the rabbit hole of imagining the year 3021 and how there would be a bunch of unics running around. While this was in my head, a second song came on. Talking Heads’ “Nothing But Flowers”, a song about how he misses all the modern day advancements after it all gets taken away. Those two songs are what got me thinking about the future and what it would be like. From there, the story revealed itself to me one piece at a time.
ABC: Books of this nature always require some form of research at any given moment. What kind of research did you do for your book?
ADG: I probably did more research than I needed to. I read a lot of articles on the projections of where the world could go. I studied some geography, read up on cloning and learned the effects and Ice Age can have. The coolest piece of information I found was that an Ice Age can happen in as fast as a few months.
ABC: Which scene or chapter was the hardest for you to write?
ADG: The first chapter was the hardest because it took me 10 years to finally start it. Once I began the rest of the book flowed quite freely. A lot of that had to do with the fact that I outlined like crazy. My years writing for TV also helped in keeping me grounded and focused.
ABC: Do you have a favorite part of your book?
ADG: I really enjoyed coming up with and writing the training sequences. The challenge was not making them too similar to those found in ‘Divergent’ or ‘The Hunger Games’. Honestly I can’t wait to write more fight sequences in the following books.
ABC: Tell us a little bit more about yourself. What are your favorite pastimes?
ADG: I have always been big into fitness and sports. I love watching my Virginia Tech Hokies play and I try to stay active daily by hiking or going to the gym. Sound body, sound mind. I also really enjoy painting and karaoke.
ABC: Do you have a favorite movie?
ADG: My favorite movie of all time is the original “Muppet Movie”. Kermit has always been my spirit animal and the journey he takes in that movie has been eerily similar to my life. I actually have a quote from that movie tattooed on my arm.
ABC: What is your favorite book? Your favorite author?
ADG: You could ask me this question next month and I might give a completely different answer, but right now I would say “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams. The combination of philosophy and humor in that book has always resonated strongly with me.
ABC: Do you have any pets at home?
ADG: I used to have a Scottie/Chihuahua mix named Tar. Lost him in a break up, but I do get to see him from time to time. Those reunions are always a blast!
ABC: What foods are your favorites?
ADG: I probably eat at least one burger a week. I love burgers and thankfully Los Angeles is a burger city. So many great choices out here. Oh and I also love peas.
ABC: “Story” has always been the center of all human cultures. We need it. We seek it out. We invent it. What does “story” mean to you?
ADG: Story to me is life. It’s purpose. We as humans have an the opportunity and obligation to live the most truthful story ever told, unfortunately so few ever live truthfully. They don’t follow their dreams and live lives filled with regrets and “what ifs”. I make it my purpose to pursue the dreams and life that I want. It’s very hard, but at the end of the day, when people read the story of my life, they will say, “He was true to himself”.
ABC: Where can we find you and your book?
My book you can find on Amazon and Goodreads.
Amazon: bit.ly/GeneSys
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2…
You can find me here:
Twitter/Instagram: @aarondenius
Website: Aarondeniusgarcia.com
