Amazon Exclusive: A Q&A with Jeyn Roberts
Q: Much of today’s dystopian literature takes place long after civilization has ended, but in Dark Inside, your characters deal with the event as it happens—and its immediate aftermath. What drew you to writing about this specific time versus further down the road?
Roberts: I’ve always found how events begin to be just as exciting as what comes afterwards. I’ve always been a fan of end-of-the-world movies and novels—but the events that lead up to the destruction are often more terrifying than what comes afterwards. I really wanted to do something that focuses on both aspects.
Q: What was it like writing from multiple POVs, and is there one character in particular that you relate to?
Roberts: I really enjoy writing from multiple POVs. When I started this story, it seemed too large to focus on just one character. I wanted to spread it out and show different POVs from different locations. There are a lot of writers I enjoy who have done this.
I can honestly say that I was able to relate to every single character in one way or another. If I compared myself to one, it would probably be Aries. I’d like to believe I’d be the type of person who becomes a reluctant leader and worries about everyone else instead of myself.
Q: The idea of some people turning “evil†while others are spared is an interesting one! How did you come up with it?
Roberts: When I was a teenager I used to have dreams about being in a world that had been taken over by evil. Often in my dreams we were hiding somewhere and just trying to survive. When I finally decided to write about it, the whole idea just came into my head. I like the idea of not knowing who you can trust. I find that more terrifying than the typical zombie story where you can spot the monster a mile away.
Q: All of the characters are obviously very determined—to survive, find others like them, etc—but when you were writing their stories did you ever find yourself thinking that each personified a specific personality trait?
Roberts: I love Aries’s reluctant leadership and Michael’s fear of constantly doing the wrong thing, Mason’s moodiness and fear of getting close to anyone and Clementine’s ability to kick Bagger butt. I’d like to believe there is a bit of myself in each of them, even if it’s not necessarily a good trait.
Q: It isn’t until the end of the book that the characters’ experiences fully intersect with one another, which begs the question: Is there a sequel planned and can you give us a hint about what’s next?
Roberts: Yes! The sequel will be coming out in the fall of 2012. It continues on a few months after the first book. The group is together and well hidden but they’re still dealing with problems. Now the Baggers are starting to rebuild society. They’re rounding up the remaining survivors and putting them in camps. They’re weeding out those who are not worthy of this new world.
There are also new characters and even some blossoming romance. And a few secrets will be revealed.