Ask the Author: Romina Russell
Answered Questions (120)
Romina Russell
I'm writing the first in a new YA Fantasy series, and it's very personal to me b/c it's inspired by my own beginnings/childhood, and yet completely different b/c part of it takes place beyond this realm... <3
Romina Russell
No more books in the series, however there is a special EPILOGUE coming out in the paperback edition of THIRTEEN RISING on Aug. 28th!! I can't wait to share this final chapter with you guys!
Romina Russell
I've always been fascinated by outer Space, and I think if I'd been a better science student I would've totally wanted to become an astronaut, so I knew I had to create my own galaxy to explore... <3
Romina Russell
Thank you! I am, in fact, working on something new... it's YA Fantasy (not Sci Fi), and I'm hoping to have more details for you guys later in the summer!
Romina Russell
No plans yet, but I would LOVE for it to happen!
Romina Russell
Thank you!! An epilogue may exist somewhere and might be released at some point, but I must consult my Ephemeris for more specifics... ;) xoxoxo
Romina Russell
Hi neighbor!! Thank you so much! I gave the Houses individual strengths so that they would be strongest united. Like our fellow Virgo Twain says in WS, "Alone, we're not perfect, but together, we can be."
I chose Rho to be from House Cancer because I realized the kind of heroine this universe would need to unite wasn't someone powerful physically or intellectually, but someone who could inspire hope in a better tomorrow. Rho can't wield a weapon or build gadgets, but she can speak from the heart and stay true to herself--and that alone can be a superpower.
I thought this kind of leader--one with a heart large enough to accommodate every world--would likely be found in a House of natural nurturers, like Cancer.
xoxoxo Romina of House Virgo
I chose Rho to be from House Cancer because I realized the kind of heroine this universe would need to unite wasn't someone powerful physically or intellectually, but someone who could inspire hope in a better tomorrow. Rho can't wield a weapon or build gadgets, but she can speak from the heart and stay true to herself--and that alone can be a superpower.
I thought this kind of leader--one with a heart large enough to accommodate every world--would likely be found in a House of natural nurturers, like Cancer.
xoxoxo Romina of House Virgo
Romina Russell
Hahaha, that's a stellar idea!! It would be so fun to play ZODIAC games, but at the moment I don't know of any in development. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!! xoxoxo Romina of House Virgo
Romina Russell
I hope so, but I don't know yet! Up to the publisher...
Romina Russell
Thanks so much! <3 It definitely helps to have a literary agent b/c many publishers won't look at un-agented submissions--however, there are so many paths to publication available these days that you no longer need to go the traditional route to be successful, which is great! After all, nothing is truly one-size-fits-all.
As far as worldbuilding, I tend to follow this general formula: #1: Build the Setting, #2: Grow the Characters from that Setting’s soil, #3: Outline the Plot by forcing the Characters to make choices.
The first thing I did with ZODIAC was create a “galaxy guidebook” with background on each of the twelve planetary systems—their topography, the physical and personality traits of their people, the government, culture, religion, technology, transportation, and so on. I like to begin my books with setting because of something Alan Watts once said: we're not born into this world, we're born from it. In other words, the world exists before the character is born.
After I have my world(s) figured out, I try to design characters who are true representations of their unique environments/upbringings and not my own. Once I know my main cast well, I start outlining the story, and I try to let the dance between the protagonist and the antagonist chart the trajectory of the plot. Each character's greatest strength and weakness will determine their decisions and reactions, and that choreography becomes the backbone of my novels.
Hope this is helpful, and good fortune with your writing!!! Also, Merry Christmas!
xoxoxo
Romina of House Virgo
As far as worldbuilding, I tend to follow this general formula: #1: Build the Setting, #2: Grow the Characters from that Setting’s soil, #3: Outline the Plot by forcing the Characters to make choices.
The first thing I did with ZODIAC was create a “galaxy guidebook” with background on each of the twelve planetary systems—their topography, the physical and personality traits of their people, the government, culture, religion, technology, transportation, and so on. I like to begin my books with setting because of something Alan Watts once said: we're not born into this world, we're born from it. In other words, the world exists before the character is born.
After I have my world(s) figured out, I try to design characters who are true representations of their unique environments/upbringings and not my own. Once I know my main cast well, I start outlining the story, and I try to let the dance between the protagonist and the antagonist chart the trajectory of the plot. Each character's greatest strength and weakness will determine their decisions and reactions, and that choreography becomes the backbone of my novels.
Hope this is helpful, and good fortune with your writing!!! Also, Merry Christmas!
xoxoxo
Romina of House Virgo
Romina Russell
Hahahaha, thank you!!! I'm working on something unrelated at the moment that's more fantasy than sci fi, but that doesn't mean it's the end of ZODIAC--after all, only the stars know what the future holds...
xoxoxoxo Romina of House Virgo
PS--MERRY CHRISTMAS!
xoxoxoxo Romina of House Virgo
PS--MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Romina Russell
Hi Zoe! It's actually been moved UP--all the books in the series have been December babies, but 13R was moved up to August, so it's a Virgo baby like me! <3 The book that releases in July is the BLACK MOON paperback. CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE 13R WITH YOU!!! xoxoxoxo
Romina Russell
Hi Gina,
Thank you so much! That's SO COOL that you won a book from a trivia question--CONGRATS!!! There will absolutely be giveaways for the last book, but the copies won't be in until late July/early August, so it won't happen before then. But please stay tuned! <3
xoxoxoxo
Romina of House Virgo
Thank you so much! That's SO COOL that you won a book from a trivia question--CONGRATS!!! There will absolutely be giveaways for the last book, but the copies won't be in until late July/early August, so it won't happen before then. But please stay tuned! <3
xoxoxoxo
Romina of House Virgo
Romina Russell
Hi Zoe! I won't be at that festival, but I will be touring through Cali in mid-late July, and I'll be sharing all the dates/stops on my social media channels (Insta, FB, Twitter) very soon!! <3 Hope to meet you! xoxoxo
Romina Russell
Hi Deonna!
Thank you so much--I feel pretty much the same way about 13R as you do! ;) I'm actually doing a lot of touring this summer, so I'm hoping I'll get inspired with a new idea during my travels. Will keep you guys posted! <3
xoxoxo
Romina
Thank you so much--I feel pretty much the same way about 13R as you do! ;) I'm actually doing a lot of touring this summer, so I'm hoping I'll get inspired with a new idea during my travels. Will keep you guys posted! <3
xoxoxo
Romina
Romina Russell
Hi Saryna,
Thank you so much! <3 Each time a publisher purchases the rights to translate a book into a new language, they have the choice of sticking with the same artwork as the original or creating something new. In the case of Z, the Spanish and Polish and Turkish pubs kept the original art, but the rest did their own thing! <3
xoxoxo
Romina
Thank you so much! <3 Each time a publisher purchases the rights to translate a book into a new language, they have the choice of sticking with the same artwork as the original or creating something new. In the case of Z, the Spanish and Polish and Turkish pubs kept the original art, but the rest did their own thing! <3
xoxoxo
Romina
Romina Russell
Hi!!!!!! Hahahaha, I'd looooooove to, but I probably better not, so the publisher doesn't get upset with me!!! 😜😜😜 So much love to you from the Zodiac!!!!! xoxoxoxoxo
Romina Russell
My favorite fictional couple of all time is Pip and Estella from one of my favorite books, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Their love is consuming and confusing and cruel and destructive and heart-breaking and timeless and unforgettable, and I absolutely love it!
Romina Russell
Hi Lodestar Beth! Thank you SO much!!!! Yes, 13R is the final installment in Rho's tale, and it comes out Aug 29, and I CAN'T WAIT to share it!!! xoxoxoxo Minister Romina
Romina Russell
HAHAHA, thank you so much, Alannah!!! And hey, Rho may have to pick one team, but who's to say you and I have to choose? I'll take both guys, please! ;) xoxoxoxo Minister Romina
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more