Rob Rimes, "Barbarians of the Storm" Author AMA, Part I
I take your questions and give them answers!
I’ve been compiling questions since the start of the new year. I was shooting for 50 before starting the AMA. I’ve now exceeded that, so I am going to break the AMA session up into three parts with 25(ish) questions each, depending on where the final question count ends up.
For now, here’s the first twenty-five questions:
How many books for the series are you planning to do?
There is no set amount in my head. I know that for the first “phase” that the numbered BotS “saga” books will probably end with #5. However, I have plans beyond that and I am also writing books between the saga books, which has been seen with the release of Eyes in All Shadows, the first anthology of probably several. My next book is also going to be the first side quest solo character book.
Will you be creating another universe for a separate series?
As of now, no. I have several ideas for stories separate from the characters on Terra. However, there is a larger plan for them to all exist in the same universe. Also, with the way I’ve structured my universe, anything is possible and could potentially crossover.
Do you plan on only doing sci-fi books or some fictional series based on reality?
I consider the Barbarians of the Storm books to be sci-fi already, as well as fantasy, adventure, horror, and just about every other genre, honestly. Reality based? Maybe. But I’m not thinking about that, at the moment.
Does the Fenrik/Dan saga have a set end, or will it be ongoing (like Drizzt from Forgotten Realms)?
Let’s just say, I know where each character’s story ends (or continues on in a very different way). However, with side quest books and short story anthologies, there could be a lot of adventures.
Has Fenrik/Dan’s relationship/banter been inspired by anything specific?
I think the banter and humor comes from all the buddy action movies I loved growing up. However, I found myself thinking about the first Lethal Weapon movie, a lot. Very different characters than Riggs & Murtaugh, but they are thrown together and there is immediate tension but ultimately, they become best friends (family, honestly) and grow together in a unique, meaningful way. They’re “ride or die” bros despite their rocky start.
Will Elizabeth's journey be told in a solo book, will we see it in the Barbarians of the Storm series, or perhaps even see Dan and Fenrik travel back in time and experience it?
I have thought about an Elizabeth book. However, I think that the story, for now, will be filled-in by Steve (her scientist companion from Earth). I want to keep some of it mysterious and legend (some of which is very much true, some of it maybe not). Granted, I’m sure that a book (or more) will be done in time. It’s not the most important thing at the moment, however. Although, I do have a really cool short story idea that I may use her for, which will delve into how she evolved from a regular Florida girl to a legit legend in a barbarous world.
Will we learn much more about the war that occurred in the past to make their world the way it is?
There is no single war or event that shaped the world into what it is. A lot of the stuff about the world’s origin and “shaping” is covered in the newest book, Swords Against Bastards.
Where did your idea of mixing fantasy with a sprinkling of modern technology come from? I see it as 80% Conan, 20% Mad Max.
I actually talk about my influences at great length in the Substack article The Genesis of the “Barbarians of the Storm” Book Series - The Full Version. The short version: the initial idea came from being really high and binging a bunch of Italian rip-offs of Conan and Mad Max and then wondering how cool it would’ve been if a filmmaker would’ve blended the two concepts. By the time I wrote Dan the Destructor, the concept had grown way beyond just that, though.
Is Dan ever going to get laid or is he holding out for Elizabeth?
Despite waking up with hot bath maidens and being a weak li’l bitch at the start of Dan the Destructor, and still thinking it was all a dream, he is strictly a one woman man. In fact, Elizabeth is his motivation to push forward. He also feels responsible for her situation.
Which character in your books would you fuck first?
Erzulyn, for sure. Although, I would love for Vasilia to punish me, and Kildr would probably scare the crap out of me in a hot way. Merith would be cool, but I’ll never live up to Frank. Valkyana would probably be better for me and provide a lot of financial security and perks (bath maidens and gold). Although, out of them all, Cynthania is probably the most chill and stable… and I need to get back to her soon.
You’ve talked about always being creative, what else have you done?
I’ve written stories as long as I can remember, as well as illustrating. I did comics when I was young and designed some basic ass video games when I was a kid. I’ve also done music in a variety of genres. Now, my real world job has me working primarily as a digital artist and designer. I’m the senior creative director for a company that has grown exponentially since I started there in 2002.
Does anything you dream about ever end up in your books?
I think so, but more visually than narratively, as my dreams rarely make sense.
For an atheist, why are there so many biblical things in your books?
Because I was raised a Christian and always found the mythology around it to be fascinating. Also, what is more evil than real devils and demons?
Is there a lot of bad language in your books?
Probably no more than a PG-13 movie in the ‘80s, the peak of pop culture.
Are your books for kids?
No. However, they’re fine for teens, in my opinion. That depends on the parent, though. Like I said, it’s on par with ‘80s PG-13 content. Although, I am working on something that will be more acceptable for younger audiences. I’m keeping that card close to my chest, though. No announcement until it’s near release.
Is Substack worth the hassle?
At first, I thought no. Then when I was about to quit for the second time but held on, a breakthrough happened. Now, I see Substack as necessary and vital for the growth of my work. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to do this AMA together. I like being closer to my readers or those wanting to learn something or find motivation in my experiences.
How have you written four books in a year?
Discipline. Point f’n blank. Make a routine, stick to it, and if you feel like you can’t, just push through it. Make an effort every single day. Also, my books aren’t long. With this series, I started writing what I wanted to read, short, quick, fast-paced pulp adventures. I have no interest in phone book fantasy. However, if you combine my four books together, I’m at roughly 800 pages. So, I’ve basically produced a fantasy phone book worth of story in a year.
You publish books so quickly, how good can they be?
I let the reviews and the fans of the series speak for them. There are enough reviews out there to see if they’re something you want to invest in. Plus, as I have stated countless times, they are pulp at their core, which are typically short, impactful, efficient, and produced rather quickly. From a creative standpoint, I make them at the pace I like, which keeps me engaged with the process. I also know that my style isn’t for everyone, but nothing is.
What do you see as the best way to stay focused when writing? Do you put on music, do something to get into the headspace beforehand? How do you get into that creative zone?
When I enter “the zone”, I’ve stuck to my routine, carved out the time I need, blast music, and just focus on getting the work done. On a perfect day, I wake up early as fuck, go to the diner and eat, drink a lot of coffee, smoke a cigar, play music that I’m feeling for whatever scene I need to write, and I just do it. When I recently had to burn through a lot of vacation time, I was in the zone for 8-10 hours per day with a quick lunch break in there. Fun fact: I wrote The Forging of Foolpuddle in a day.
Do you think your plotting, in general, is more deliberate or spontaneous?
Actually, both. I’d say it’s about 30/70 deliberate/spontaneous. I know where each story and the bigger picture is headed. However, I let the story steer itself, typically through conversations between characters. I actually talked about that in the Substack article How Conversations Shape My Stories.
Which minor characters are your favorite to write?
Most of them, actually. And they all have stories in my head already. But I know that is a shit answer, so my very favorite minor characters to explore are Raz’arok, The Seawolf, Ammordu, Kornfel & Tibrüt, Kildr, Captain Agos… basically, characters that have moved closer to the forefront by the end of Swords Against Bastards. Asmodeus will be fun to explore, considering the bigger plans I have for the character.
Would you prefer BotS to be a TV or Film series?
I think a TV series would serve the main “saga” stories better, even though they are in a quick, pulp style. However, film adaptations of the short stories in Eyes in All Shadows & Other Stories might serve those specific tales better. Or just an Eyes in All Shadows anthology film could be really cool… like a sword & sorcery Creepshow or Twilight Zone: The Movie.
What are your casting choices for your stories on TV versus the Silver Screen?
Strangely, I’ve put a lot of thought into this (regardless of live action film or television, as most actors crossover now) and I’ve debated this with friends who like my books. For Dan, I haven’t found the perfect choice. For everyone else, here’s the rough list:
Dan - don’t know yet
Fenrik - Joe Manganiello
Erzulyn - Ana de Armas
Frank Murdock - Henry Cavill (for the younger/prequel stories, age him up for the saga stories), I’ve also thought about Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Merith - Anna Diop
Killer (voice) - Joey Diaz
Xulgog - Bill Skarsgård
Shakon-Kazoth - Iggy Pop
Vasilia - Katheryn Winnick (if she’ll go brunette)
General Baël - Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson aka “The Mountain”
General Théorn - Kristofer Hivju
Captain Palus - Cameron Monaghan (who I would also consider for Xulgog)
Queen Valkyana - Anya Taylor-Joy
King Bruxor - David Dawson
Brahm Tieryr - Chris Hemsworth (but he’d have to go bald and beardless, ladies)
Ammordu (voice) - I wrote the character w/ Gilbert Gottfried in mind (R.I.P.)
Raz’arok - Michael James Shaw
The Seawolf - Matt Smith
Kildr the Coldclaw - Thea Sofie Loch Næss
Captain Agos - Winston Duke
Igarik/Eson-Dhuum - Dolph Lundgren
I know you're a cinephile. Who would you choose to produce, direct, and score a BotS film or TV production?
Produce and direct? I don’t know, but track record is damn important. There’s not a lot from the mainstream I’m in love with these days. I’d have to have some sort of control over it or no deal, anyway. As far as score/music, the soundtrack would have a lot of metal in it, but for the traditional score I’d probably be really damn fine with Ramin Djawadi just for his work on Game of Thrones alone.
Do you imagine that BotS takes place in a universe shared with other franchises, like Mad Max, Evil Dead, or even He-Man? If so, what would be your favourite crossover?
I don’t see it that way. However, I’m also not opposed to ever having a crossover like that. The way I’ve set up the universe would make it relatively easy to crossover with anything, honestly.
…and that’s it for now! I have a lot of other questions and plan to answer them in multiple posts over the next few days. If any of this has sparked further questions for me, hit me up in the chat here or DM me on Twitter.