In this exclusive interview, we delve into the creative world of Jurgen “JoJo” Appelo, the acclaimed author behind the captivating sci-fi novel Glitches of Gods. With a distinctive blend of humor, innovation, and personal insight, Jurgen enlightens us about the inspiration behind his work, the intricate process of character development, and the seamless fusion of sci-fi and fantasy in his storytelling. Join us as we uncover the fascinating journey of a prolific writer who deftly navigates the realms of technology, imagination, and personal growth.

But first, who is Jurgen “jojo” Appelo

Jurgen Appelo travels the world to share inspiring stories about people and organizations. Slightly anarchistic, autistic, and eccentric, he happily adopted the nickname “jojo” when it was given to him at the age of sixteen. He wrote several best-selling nonfiction books before trying a hand at science fiction. He is the donor-father of five amazing teenagers and lives with his husband in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Jurgen likes coffee, books, games, and people leaving him alone when he’s being creative.

Jurgen “jojo” Appelo’s Books:

1. What inspired the concept of AI glitches that are central to the plot of Glitches of Gods?

I’ve developed quite a reputation online for chronicling my terrible experiences with all kinds of tech and digital services. Think unresponsive websites, mobile apps on strike, connectivity issues everywhere I go, and that omnipresent mystical message, “Something went wrong.” It seemed only natural to weave my daily frustrations into my novel. As one of my followers put it, “Writing your book must have been a form of therapy.” Indeed, it’s best to just laugh and poke fun at how tech can drive us bonkers sometimes.

2. How did you develop the character of Julien, and what do you think makes him relatable to readers?

One of my readers wrote to me, “I think Julien is you.” He was both right and wrong. Sure, I’ve sprinkled bits of myself into Julien (like the cynicism, openness, and carelessness). But he’s also not me. I’m not pansexual, I don’t have a thing for espresso macchiatos, and unlike Julien, I make big decisions with ridiculous ease. He’s a character that’s half me and half the anti-me. That’s what made writing him so effortless. I knew exactly how I’d react in certain situations (like raising kids), and in others, I made him do the complete opposite (like dodging team responsibilities).

3. Can you explain the choice to blend sci-fi with fantasy elements in the story? What challenges did this pose?

I knew from the start that crossover novels (blending different genres) are tough to pull off. But I crafted a universe (Playspheres) with millions of worlds, encompassing sci-fi, fantasy, and much more. To illustrate this universe, I had to show readers that different worlds had wildly different themes. Knowing the challenge, I kept the fantasy thread to less than five percent of the story. I hoped that would make it digestible for readers who aren’t fans of blended genres. Only one character, Zha-Zhar, hails from a fantasy world. I worked hard to make her endearing so readers would accept her quirks.

4. In the book, Julien deals with loss and transformation. How do these elements drive the narrative and character development?

Writing about a likable jerk in dire need of an attitude adjustment seemed both fun and challenging. As readers, we understand why he’s a jerk, given his past traumas, and we might even sympathize with his behavior. As one reviewer said, “He’s a character we love to hate [or hate to love, I don’t recall].” We all have moments where we want to flip off the universe, but we must eventually overcome our misfortunes and strive to be better. Julien’s journey of self-forgiveness and growth is a central thread of the narrative. I liked giving myself the challenge of bringing Julien to where he needed to be.

5. Who are your literary influences, and how have they shaped your writing style?

There are many! I’m influenced by the humor of Douglas Adams and Martha Wells, the epic worldbuilding of Joe Abercrombie and Steven Erikson, the raw nudity and profanity of Richard K. Morgan and Jonathan French, and the delightful prose of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. (And I apologize for this male-dominated list. I also love Tamsyn Muir, Lois McMaster Bujold, JK Rowling, and many others.) With my debut novel, I think I’ve found my unique style—a crazy mashup of elements from these and many more fantastic writers. That’s how innovation works: repurposing elements and inspirations from various sources to create something novel that you can call your own. I don’t know any other author who has the same weird style that I have created for myself.

6. Could you share a bit about your writing routine? How do you manage your time between writing and other professional responsibilities?

Ha! I don’t have a routine. Being self-employed means I can write whenever I want, which usually ends up being evenings and weekends. (My day job involves public speaking, workshop facilitation, and entrepreneurship.) I’m very flexible with my time since I don’t depend much on others. As for the writing itself, I’m a plotter, not a pantser. I meticulously craft storylines, characters, locations, timelines, and so on, often managing this data in spreadsheets or other tools. This means months can pass without any writing, as I might be plotting, reviewing, polishing, or marketing. I don’t buy into “write 2,000 words per day” schemes or something similar. Building a story is like constructing a house: you spend a lot of time on the drawings, the foundation, the frame, and finally, the interior design. You’re not only laying bricks. When writing my novel, spewing out 153,000 words is the easiest part. I can do that in 75 days. It’s all the other work before and after that turned my debut novel into a four-year project with great ratings on Goodreads and Amazon (so far).

7. What has been the most challenging aspect of your writing career so far?

My friends admire me for my discipline. I don’t play computer games, rarely watch movies or TV series, and don’t visit museums, concerts, or sports games. The only leisure I allow myself is reading, but even that’s limited. I mostly focus on developing my writing career. However, I do miss those other activities now and then. I sometimes wish I had more time to binge a Netflix series or read a novel in one day like I used to. But I can’t. I have a day job, and I have another novel to write. The most challenging part is cutting myself off from the things other people enjoy.

8. How do you handle feedback and criticism of your work, especially when it comes from your readers?

My ability to handle feedback directly correlates with how skillfully it’s delivered. I can’t stand unnecessarily mean, offensive, or stupid comments about my work. In such cases, it’s best for me to avoid reading them to keep my sanity. However, I appreciate honest, reasoned, and friendly feedback. For instance, one of my proofreaders said she couldn’t recommend my novel because she found it too complex and confusing. Fair enough. I can’t please everyone, and I prefer writing fiction that demands some effort from the reader. I have no problems with people telling me, “This isn’t for me,” which is quite different from, “You can’t write,” or some other nonsensical comment.

9. What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are looking to break into the science fiction and fantasy genres?

Don’t expect immediate success. I wrote four nonfiction books before my first novel. I’m just starting my fiction career and have yet to “break into” the scene. But I’m okay with playing the long game. Some authors say it takes several books to become successful. As a fiction author, Glitches of Gods is just book one. I’m barely getting started.

10. Are there any new projects or series you are currently working on that you can share with us?

I will start working on Playspheres book two very soon. The working title is Wisdom at War, and that’s all I know at this point. I’m just as curious as anyone else to see what happens next in my universe. 😊

Thank you, Jurgen “jojo” Appelo, for sharing your intriguing journey as a writer and the creative process behind Glitches of Gods. Your insights into character development and genre blending have been truly inspiring. We look forward to delving into your future works!