Inside the Mind - Peter Routis

There are many factors which inspired me to write. First, it was the influence of Tolstoy when I was around 12 years old. Then it was the numerous books I read from such masters as Virginia Wolf, Kazantzakis, Dostoyevsky, classical literature and philosophy and so many others. Of course my prime inspiration was Dr. David Suzuki.

My latest book, "When the Earth Died," ISBN: 979-8-9917268-1-8 published by Inkwell Books LLC. It won the International Impact Book Award in the “Contemporary Fiction; Literary Fiction” category in April 2025. "When the Earth Died" was inspired by the increasing devastation of the Earth and our atmosphere I witnessed during the last decade, or so. The catastrophic hurricanes, fires, glaciers melting, drought, and the depletion of the Earth's atmosphere. The book is set 25 years into the future (with flashbacks to the present). There is a great deal of discord between what the politicians are telling us and what we see happening. There is (or there will be in the future) famine, diseases, wars, devastating fires, oceans rising and totalitarian regimes. But there is a hint of hope that somehow we will prevail and our planet will not go to waste as it did three times before. “When the Earth Died” is a narrative that follows the life of Orson and Niles in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world (2049), where the world has been ravaged by fires, environmental collapse, societal breakdown, climate change and disease which have drastically altered life on Earth. The story delves into themes of survival, loss, hope, the human condition and the existence (or the absence) of God. It explores themes of environmental destruction and human responsibility. Orson, Niles, Ciara and her son Kolten, struggle to survive this harsh new reality. They build a shelter, grow food, and navigate the dangers posed by both nature and human threats. They reflect on their pasts and strive to find meaning and stability in their disrupted lives as they navigate through the ruins of their world, dealing with personal loss, survival, the search for loved ones and the bonds of family. Orson is a reflective character who contemplates the destruction of nature and their dismal human condition. Niles is driven by the hope of finding his sister, Aberdeen, who was separated from him during a catastrophic fire that destroyed their town and family. The narrative explores themes of grief, survival, the impact of human actions on nature, and the quest for meaning and connection in a devastated world.

The characters of the book "When the Earth Died" are creations of the different aspects of human understanding of the current situation, how they combat such changes, their beliefs, whether they are religious or secular and their hopes and aspirations; the resilience of each character to be able to survive in the midst of such catastrophe. Some hope, others despair while others reject their god and say that "god does not exist" because they have been abandoned by their "god".

I prefer to sit down early morning for four to five hours. I break for a few hours and then go back for a couple more hours. Usually six days a week.

I'm not sure. Although I have better control over my book, it's a lot of work managing my own marketing, which takes away from my creative moments.

The biggest challenge I've faced writing "When the Earth Died" was to be able to gain a complete understanding of what is happening on our planet and be truthful about it. In general, the challenges I face in my writing is my zeal to express my thoughts as priceslely as possible, mine my mind to its deepest labyrinths for my thoughts, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses and combat the "devils" which are chasing me.

No, I don't.

To be truthful with your feelings, your thoughts because you owe it to your readers.

I have employed social media a great deal. Also, book-signing sessions with various bookstores.

Yes, I'm working on a sequel to "When the Earth Died". That's all I'm going to say for now.

The book is available at my publisher: www.inkwellbooksllc.com https://inkwellbooksllc.com/product/when-the-earth-died/ Amazon.ca : when the earth died by Peter Routis Barnes and Noble "When the Earth Died" by Peter Routis Barnes & Noble® Ingram internationally and other outlets.