Beginning my author platform I turned to the social media app that I felt most comfortable with. That was Facebook. Knowing that the algorithm will start morphing to my interests and postings, one of the first suggestions I got was Fen Rivera. I liked his page but didn’t talk to him since I was building my own thing. Fast forward and here we are, emailing him and getting to know him a bit. I keep saying that we writers in Puerto Rico need to stick together, and hopefully after this pandemic is done we can all get together and collaborate. With no more explanation, let’s get to know Fen Rivera a little bit.
Q- Let’s get to know you a bit. Where did you studied? Where did you grow up?
A- My full name is Fernando Rivera Rodríguez, but since I was a little kid, they call me Fen. I was born, raised, and studied my primary grades in different public schools in my Hometown Naranjito, Puerto Rico. Then, by 2011, I went to Barranquitas, my neighborhood town, to continue my studies at Interamericana University, in 2016, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Radiology with a specialty in the modalities of CT & MRI.
Q- I read a bit about you. You went from music, medicine into the literary world. Tell us a bit about that journey.
A – I come from a family with a strong musical tradition. Since I was a little kid, I have been in contact with musical instruments. When I started middle School in Mercedes Rosado in Naranjito, I was honored to be part of the musical band of the school. Being a percussionist in the band, I had many opportunities to play different scenarios. With my wish of continuing promoting our music, in 2010 the group Batucada Septima Bemol was created, with which for 5 consecutive years we brought good music to every corner of Puerto Rico.
About medicine, I can tell that I have always liked technology and everything about innovation. In my search of ways on how to balance both, I found Radiology. From the first time I saw the power of those MRI machines to detect the most minimum detail of the human body, I decided to dive in.
My doorway to the literary world came together with my university studies. When I started my first courses, I started to realize that there is something missing. My university readings were endless to me. In search of a way to cope with my duties, I decided to create a study pattern in which I should get used to reading several pages in one day. To achieve that, I looked for books that I liked, fantasy, to feel comfortable with the reading.
That’s how it happened, looking for ways to get used to university readings, I found literature. Who would have thought that later, I would have 4 books published?
Q- With four books under your belt. Tell us a bit about the struggles getting them published.
I confess that at the beginning it was very difficult. I kept my first book in a binder for almost four years with no idea of what to do with it. And then, one random day, at a conference, I met Amneris Melendez, my current editor. She taught me how could I publish everything independently and all the factors that must be considered in order to finish writing and publishing.
But there is something more difficult than publishing and is to make the decision to publish. Let me explain. It is complicated to turn your ideas into a book, but it is harder to put your book in the hands of others to be read.
The moment you push the “publish button”, you are exposed to everyone to see what’s around your head and to be criticized. I believe that this is the most difficult part. You have to be completely sure that you are prepared to receive what is coming after that “click”.
Q- On your about page you talk about being immortalized in literature. Why not music? How do you feel you can actually become immortalized? Is it just in Puerto Rico the endgame or are we talking globally?
In my mind, the secret of immortality is in the arts. Only the arts transcend beyond times and generations. Whether it is music or literature, art is art. It is super exciting thinking that in 100 years from now when I’m gone, anyone can open one of my books and find myself through the pages.
Of course, we all dream of being recognized or known in other countries that we don’t even know, but I have to say that my real goal is to transcend time. I want to make it possible that my books have a much longer life than mine.
Q- Do you have a writing strategy? Do you have any out-of-the-normal things you need to do in order to get in the writing mood?
I don’t have any specific or strict strategy. The only thing I need to know before starting writing is the end. I only need to know how the story will end or what I want the reader will find at the end, then the story will flow.
Q- Tell us a bit about Torbellinos de Alas and its companion book.
Torbellino de Alas is my first project. That idea that I had in my mind since I was a kid, about an angel that protects Puerto Rico in secret. An angel that was in charge to have everything under control, until a threat as strong as him, came to the scene.
Torbellino is like my first son. Is a book that is about a hero, that for me is perfect. The hero that shows you the “hero” side and the “human” side. The same way I talk about ten heroes, I talk about the perfect villain. The villain that as much as you hate him, you can get to empathize with him.
Torbellino de Alas is a trilogy that now counts with the first two publications:
Torbellino de Alas Madera, the introduction of Sebastian. A being half angel and half human that while he was watching his town, he found his first big villain; a witch that was looking for revenge on the people that didn’t let her die.
Torbellino de Alas Hilos, this publication continues the story of Sebastian after his encounter with the witch. In this sequel, even when we will see a new villain, we focus more on the other life that our angel has. You can see how a man who posses wings, has the life and problems that we all have.
Q- So far what is your biggest accomplishment you have in the writing industry?
Each one of the publications has been a big accomplishment. But the best accomplishment of all is when you find people on the street and they stop you to talk about that world that once was only on my mind.
That experience has happened more with the book Puerto Rico Año Cero. It’s been very enjoyable listening to how many people were in that tragedy of September 20, 2017, giving me their opinion of the book and telling me their own stories during the hurricane.
Q- Tell us a bit of Puerto Rico Año Cero and Catarsis.
Puerto Rico Año Cero – What can I say? Everyone knows what happened on September 20, 2017. When hurricane Maria hit PR, I was working on Torbellino de Alas Hilos, and like with everything at that moment, I was obligated to stop. During those days of darkness and chaos, I needed something to hold on to. In that process, Puerto Rico Año Cero was born, a book that tells the story, in the most authentic way, of what happened before, during, and after the occurrence of the most devastating hurricane in decades.
Catarsis – this was the story that made me get out of my comfort zone. Out of nowhere, one night I decided to tell a romantic story. A story where two lovers were attacked by the traps of time. Catarsis is a story where I look for making you look into yourself and help you avoid getting into the same situation that the main characters went into.
Q- Do you have any writing heroes? Tell us how he/she has impacted you?
Indeed, I have heroes. Currently, they are 3. Starting with Dan Brown, being the first that made me take pauses while reading to look for information about the places, arts, and other references in his story. J.K. Rowling, needless to say, that we all desire to create a community of readers as she did. And last, Fernando Trujillo. I will start by saying that he was who motivated me to start writing. Giving me the green light to use the characters of his books to create Fanfics that I used to test myself in writing.
Q- What is your favorite book? Why?
The answer to that question depends on when you ask, it can change at any moment. But today, the book that I am willing to recommend without hesitation is Dan Brown’s “Inferno”. For several reasons, it is my favorite book. First, because of that trip that it takes you with Robert Langdon, you can clearly picture on your mind each place that is described in the book. Second, the references of Dantes Inferno are perfect, and last, because of the villain. The villain of this book is the villain that I consider the perfect villain. He is smart and even when you hate him, and you know that he is wrong, you get to a point where you ask yourself, what would I do if I were in his position?
Q- What is your favorite character in literature? Why?
In the same line of thinking of the previous question, the answer may change depending on the time you ask. But today I can mention Robert Langdon, the main character of most of Dan Brown’s books. I love this character because he is a professor with who I would sit down to have a long conversation.
Q- Tell us a bit of the Podcast you appear.
Volando en Cantos, “exploding into pieces” (literal translation), is a casual conversation with my all-time friends. We simply watch a movie, documentaries, series, or anything related to the seventh art, and over a bottle or two of wine, we sit down and have a talk about our impressions. And that happens without any kind of script and neither any restriction, nothing at all. Is a casual conversation in front of 4 mics. We are now available on Spotify, Anchor, and Apple Podcast.
Q- How do you see literature evolving in Puerto Rico? Do you have any tips or suggestions on how can we help grow the writing community?
I like a lot of what is happening on the Island. In the last years, many new authors are emerging and the best of all is that the variety in the offers is increasing. At this moment, whatever the type of story you are looking for, there is an author writing about it. One thing that I am dreaming of happening is that all those writers can get together and support each other. I’m seeing a lot of potentials.
Q- What tips can you give to aspiring writers?
Put your heart into it. We all have wings; we should only trust them. If you are starting writing, put into the paper what you would like to read and be confident about it. I’m not lying, it is a little scary process, but when you achieve a publication and you feel that you are not alone in that trip, you will see that it was worth it.
Q- Anything you want to add up? Next projects? Presentations?
Just want to say; follow me on my social media. There, you all can see what we are up to. The next release of Torbellino de Alas is coming soon and there are other projects as well.
In addition, you can feel free to contact me. I like being in touch with you, be of help as much as I can and have a talk about what I’m reading right now and give you recommendations. You will also be able to see other aspects of my life besides my literary world.
“See you soon my puppets.”
If you want to know a bit more of Fen Rivera check him out on his social media accounts listed below. Also go ahead and pick up one of his four books and go through the Puppeteer’s Mind. We enjoyed your interview Fen Rivera, as always we wish you the best of luck. Thank you for accepting this interview.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FenRiveraAutor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenriveraautor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiveraFen
Website: https://www.fenrivera.com/
Email: fenriveraautor@gmail.com