The Tetris Effect
By Colin Carvalho Burgess
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Book Description
Gods, gaming and a reincarnating goldfish ... Lars Nilsson's life is about to level up.
A hacked-off gamer, an ageing spiritual scientist, a psychotropic-addled anaesthetist, and a reclusive RPG developer undertake an unusual quest.
An online gamer's escapist routine is mysteriously disrupted and his journey of self-discovery begins. He's sent spiralling towards a destiny where shadow animals patrol the street corners, gryphons command the purple skies, and an other-wordly force is determined to prevent him from discovering the true origins of his identity.
When a spiritual science experiment tears open a passage to the underworld, a deal is made with a mischievous supernatural being. The ancient immortal guardians of the afterlife have been displaced and the land of the dead is rotting in their absence. The clock is ticking to take back control of the afterlife, but a future tech company have a powerful ally and intentions for the land of the dead.
HOGWASH INTERVIEW
COLIN CARVALHO BURGESS
THE TETRIS EFFECT
What inspired you to write The Tetris Effect?
I’m always inspired while travelling. Locations and events seep into my storytelling until they eventually take on a life of their own. I was doing a fair bit of travelling in Asia while writing the first draft. I remember being in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Khmer New Year and it was utter chaos. There was a vehicle accident; a car driving at high speed down the main street alongside the Mekong estuary with a moped jammed under the front wheels, sparks literally flying. I didn’t see what happened to the rider. That particular event was in the first draft and inspired Lars Nilsson’s journey. Many other features were inspired by this incredible place – the ghostly, rusted-up ship in the river, the twisted golden shrine, the firing range armoury that Dr Vegas visits for his power-ups, the shadow animals. I’ve seen them. They’re real. OK, maybe not the shadow animals.
I found tales of Eastern mythology incredibly inspiring; the legends of Tengu, Kitsune and the Eight Immortals. I was intrigued by the idea of these ancient immortal beings with no concept of time just getting worn down, and eventually being tempted to stray from their ancient duties in order to sample a little sweet mortality.
There’s also a liberal loot crate of gamer and movie references in Tetris, some direct, others more subtle. I hope the reader enjoys how they’re used. Zack and Wiki would be my favourite.
Alongside travel and gaming, there’s the idea of going places online but never actually going anywhere; being stuck in a little cupboard room at the top of the stairs while maintaining an internationally famous reputation. I’m interested in how we hide behind these identities, and how maintaining a life online can be strangely fulfilling.
Do you have a favorite character?
It has to be Berry Butler. I wanted to write a strong, independent, female character with her own story. She’s clever, super quirky. She’s over complicated. She’s a pop culture leech. She’s totally addicted to sugar. She knows what she likes, but she’s also flawed. I’d like to hang with her, but I don’t think it would be very easy to get to know her. I can tell you that we’re going to learn a LOT more about Berry in books 2 & 3. I hope the reader enjoys trying to understand how she ticks. Also, shout out to Dr Vegas. He rocks.
In what ways do any of the characters represent you?
I’m not any of the characters in particular, but I think that’s when the story came together; when I could hear each of the characters as individuals, and they broke away to head down their own particular paths. The journey has just begun for many of these characters. They’re an interesting bunch, and they’re in charge of their own destinies now. I’m just the narrator along for the ride.
What surprises did you come across when writing the book?
As a debut writer, the biggest surprise was how many words ended up on the cutting room floor in order to keep the story in check and focussed on its end game. I probably wrote two books in order to get to the finish line. I guess I was surprised at the methodology of writing, and about how writing words isn’t necessarily writing the story. There are some exciting adventures that just had to be cut because they didn’t fit the plot development. I’m re-reading these at the moment for book 2, and the lead characters were once quite different people. My writing style has grown as the book got to know what it was.
If your book was made into a Netflix series or film, who would you like to play the lead characters?
How’s this for a stellar line-up? I’d watch for sure. How about you?
Lars Nilsson – “The office worker, energy drink slurper, married man who should really know better.” Played by James McAvoy.
Berry Butler – “When she wasn’t dreaming, she lived in a small bedsit and existed for her video games and perfect isolation.” Played by Tessa Thompson.
Dr Vegas – “The chain smoking, hair growing, free thinking know-it-all of the afterlife.” Played by Jon Hamm.
Dr Tadashi Finjoto – “He leaned in with caution, as if trying not to provoke a startled snake to strike. ‘I have what you want,’ he whispered into darkness.” Played by Hiroyuki Sanada.
Professor Malcolm Van Peterson – “Once, Aldous wanted to borrow my bicycle for an LSD trip, but I had ingested a rather significant dose of the Peyote cactus so I refused.” Played by Max Von Sydow.
The Tetris Effect (The Tetris Trilogy #1) by Colin Carvalho Burgess is out now in ebook and paperback. www.otherworldbooks.com
About the Author
The Tetris Effect is Colin’s debut novel and is the first part of The Tetris Trilogy. When he isn’t writing, he can mostly be found playing open world computer games or binge watching cult television drama. He currently lives in London with his wife, and two pesky cats.
Links:
The author is giving away 5 ebook copies of The Tetris Effect & 1 x "Cash Stash" featuring: 1 x paperback copy of the book, an ebook copy, and an exclusive Tetris Effect extra large mug {6 WINNERS TOTAL}!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Direct link to giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/70954c79168/?
