In the vibrant realm of contemporary literature, few voices resonate as powerfully as that of Robert Rioux. Renowned for his captivating Idol Pursuits series, Rioux takes readers on a nuanced journey through the multifaceted world of K-pop, exploring themes of ambition, camaraderie, and the transformative power of music. With over two decades of experience in Hollywood, Rioux’s storytelling is deeply influenced by his diverse cultural encounters and his commitment to authenticity in character development.
In this insightful interview, we dive into the inspirations behind the Idol Pursuits series, the lessons drawn from a lifetime in the arts, and the new horizons awaiting him in future projects.
But first, who is Robert Rioux?
Upon graduating from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Robert Rioux spent two decades working in the Hollywood entertainment industry, rubbing shoulders with struggling dreamers and top-level achievers. A year spent circumnavigating the globe ignited an intense admiration of the world’s varied cultures. He is now married and living in Cascadia.
Robert Rioux’s Books
- What first inspired you to write the Idol Pursuits series, and why focus on a girl group in the K-pop world?
Having been surrounded by music and musicians, it’s long been my ambition to write a band story. Never, though, could I settle on the right formula until K-pop came along. I was most intrigued by the dichotomy between raw individualism and the need to operate as a tightly-knit group. How does one pursue career goals while simultaneously harmonizing with others? Where does one strike the balance? These are questions that resonate far beyond the world of music.
I feel that girl groups, in particular, are underappreciated and underrepresented in our society, so I thought I’d do my part to help change that. I’ve also long been a fan of female vocalists of all stripes, and this story allowed me to indulge in that particular cup of tea.
- How did your two decades in Hollywood shape your storytelling and character development?
Los Angeles is an amazing city for exposure to world cinema. On any given day, you can view a plethora of options from literally all parts of the globe and often speak directly with the creators themselves. This taught me to appreciate the many different ways a story can be told depending on the culture of the teller. I also learned the importance of exploring different perspectives when covering well-trodden territory.
- The series spans several books—did you outline the full arc from the beginning, or did it evolve as you wrote?
When I started, I had the vaguest idea of where I would end up. I only knew that the main protagonist’s story arc was going to take longer to resolve than one novel. The first edition of the series was released in part before I found the conclusion I wanted to run with. So satisfying was this new ending that I decided to rework the entire series with that arrival point in mind. I don’t regret for a second the extra work the second edition took. The reading journey has become much more rewarding as a result.
- Which character in the Idol Pursuits series do you feel closest to, and why?
From external appearances, people who know me say I resemble student filmmaker Steve the most. He’s involved with the group throughout the story and serves as an outside observer that many people can relate to. Even though my external appearance could not possibly resemble Heather Moon any less in real life, when it comes to dealing with inner struggles, let’s just say I understand where she’s coming from.
- Your world travels clearly influence your work—how has cultural exploration shaped your writing?
I once had the good fortune of taking a year-long sabbatical to pursue a lifelong goal of circumnavigating the globe. To do so on a shoestring budget — where you are ejected from the security of a tourist bubble and forced to deal with the realities of the world firsthand — was life-changing. Undertaking such an adventure emphasized the many deep similarities we all share as humans and how a smidge of understanding can overcome so many differences. These revelations have infused every aspect of my writing ever since.
- What do you think sets Idol Pursuits apart from other fiction that explores fame and the entertainment world?
For one thing, even though Heather is the protagonist, the true main character is the group as a whole. The narrative starts at the band’s formation and ends after its breakup. Along the way, each of the seven members grows as young adults and contributes something of intrinsic value to their ultimate fate. Despite their differences, they learn to trust each other in pursuit of a common goal. If there is one overarching antagonist, it’s the entertainment industry in general, with all its many pitfalls.
I also tried to stay away from the usual band cliches that people have seen a million times. In my personal experience, no musician has succeeded without a great deal of hard work and commitment along the way. Readers looking for scandalous tabloid material will most likely be disappointed. On the other hand, if you’ve always wondered what life can be like for those pursuing creative endeavours, this book is for you. Such a life path is not for the fainthearted.
- Do you have a specific routine or environment that helps you get into the writing zone?
I set for myself a relatively easy writing goal of 500 words a day. Though I often exceed this goal, this minimal commitment ensures that I won’t let writing slide for too long. While I reserve mornings for more analytical pursuits, my best work usually comes in the late evening when I’m tired. It is during these hours when my creative juices flow most readily.
- What role does music play in your writing process—do you listen to playlists or draw inspiration from specific genres?
Music played a huge role in the creation of this series. I was inspired at every turn by some piece of music or another. Words can only go so far when describing the vivid images and sounds associated with K-pop. For those curious, however, I prepared playlists of music and videos that readers can access when they feel the urge to learn a bit more about whatever the characters are constantly discussing. YouTube links are featured in every book to facilitate this exploration.
When choosing music for this project, I had multiple goals in mind. For those unfamiliar with K-pop, I wanted to show the breadth and depth of the genre. K-pop is much more varied than most people think, especially if you’ve only ever been exposed to the few groups that have specifically targeted the U.S. market. For everyone else, I wanted to touch upon music from many different genres and styles because I’m a firm believer in the notion that if it sounds good, it is good.
Ultimately, though, the music I selected had to make sense within the context of the story and the perspectives of the characters.
- What advice would you give to aspiring writers looking to blend fiction with elements from real-world industries like music or film?
Write what you know, and if you don’t, find out. Too often, I’ve read some sensationalized piece of entertainment-related tabloid trash that might make for good Enquirer headlines, but fails utterly at capturing the feeling you might have if, say, a creative work you’ve poured your entire effort, treasure, talent, and dreams into fails to become successful. These are experiences that creative people face constantly, yet are rarely depicted honestly in fiction.
- Can readers expect more from the Idol Pursuits world, or are you exploring new directions in your future projects?
I’ve said all I need to say about K-pop. As much as I loved spending days with these characters in their world, it’s time to move on. I have other literary fish to fry.
Moving forward, I plan to stick mostly to speculative fiction. My magnum opus is a grand epic in the decopunk aesthetic. I’m also working on a stand-alone revisionist steampunk revenge western. On the back burner is a memoir of my varied travel adventures.
Thank you Robert Rioux for graciously taking the time to answer our interview questions. Your insights into the Idol Pursuits series and your experiences in the world of storytelling and music have truly enriched our understanding of your work. We appreciate your candidness and the passion you bring to your craft. Wishing you all the best in your future projects!
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