In a universe of alternate realities, intriguing mysteries and science fiction concepts, Renata Dembogurski‘s “Virkadaz” offers a captivating reading experience for young adults passionate about deadly adventures. On Zuwi’s 14th birthday, he is abruptly transported into an unknown world, plunging into a multiverse filled with villains and surreal happenings.
In this exciting setting, Zuwi and his friends will face mind-boggling chases through city-sized libraries, colorless locations and sinister dens. The author brings this world to life against the backdrop of quantum physics and theories related to cracks in time and alternate universes, adding an intriguing layer of science to the narrative.
“Virkadaz” is a work that immerses readers in a story that oscillates between first and third person. At times, readers feel part of the plot, as if they were one of the main characters, capable of influencing events. In others, they unravel riddles along with the protagonists, keeping one step ahead of the plot.
Renata Dembogurski adopts colloquial language and creates neologisms to make reading accessible and engaging, especially for those looking for light and fun literature. With “Virkadaz”, the author proposes to instigate the habit of reading, offering dynamic entertainment for young people eager to explore the fascinating multiverse.
Renata Dembogurski, publicist with a postgraduate degree in Business Administration and Marketing, has a diversified career that includes writing, marketing and screenwriting, working with major brands in Brazil. In her literary career, she has published several works, demonstrating her versatility as an author and her dedication to cross-platform content creation. “Virkadaz” is yet another outstanding contribution to his literary portfolio, alongside other equally notable titles.
The book “Virkadaz” seems to approach the theme of the multiverse in an innovative way. Can you tell us more about how you explore this idea in the work?
Virkadaz is a multiverse book that brings the feeling: can this really exist? It uses real theoretical bases (quantum mechanics) to justify what happens to the characters. And as much as the fantasy works, it conveys the idea that it is feasible to exist. Unlike other multiverse books, Virkadaz has a stripped-down narrative that is close to the reader, which further increases the feeling that what the characters experience may be possible.
The book’s protagonist, Zuwi, is sucked into an unknown world full of surreal adventures and events. As the narrative alternates between first and third person, what is the effect of this writing style on the reader’s experience?
This form of narration brings agile deliveries and a lot of dynamism to the plot. Zuwi sometimes inserts the readers into the story – as if they too were one of the main characters and could change the facts. At other times, people feel that they are one step ahead of the protagonists, as they have more information about the riddles.
One of the interesting features of the book is the use of concepts from quantum physics and theories of cracks in time and alternate universes as a background. How do you incorporate these scientific elements into the plot in an engaging way?
Contrary to what one might imagine when talking about these concepts, I present everything in colloquial language to approach those who prefer light and fun literature. The dynamic and intriguing plot leads the reader to “learn” about how the multiverse of Virkadaz works without him realizing it. Gradually, like Zuwi, the public understands the concepts and how the things that happen in the book can very well happen in our world. After all, multiverse theories permeate our routine, it is very feasible. So why not believe?
The colloquial language and neologisms used in the book are highlighted. How do these elements contribute to bringing the reading public closer together, especially young people, and making reading lighter and more fun?
It’s too much to hear young people who have already read Virkadaz saying “I’m going to plix here” when they want to leave a place, or “I think he plixed” when they can’t find something. This neologism effect is amusing. In Virkadaz there is a new verb: Plixar (I plix, you plix, he plix…) which comes from plix – the dimensions within Virkadaz (which is the universe expanded into multiverse). Other derived words also appear such as Virkadologista, semi-plixar, plix-shortcut etc. Evolar appears as a transitive verb and not as a reflexive one. The discoveries of these meanings are part of the journey of the protagonist and also of the reader. This enchants and brings the audience into this reality. That way, everyone ends up being part of Zuwi’s gang.
You are a multifaceted professional, working in areas such as advertising, marketing, copywriting and screenwriting. How do these experiences influence her writing style and the content she creates?
I thank my past self for making these choices. If I had done literature or journalism, my writing would be too contaminated by the rules of these types of texts and my creativity would not have been improved. Writing advertising and scripts requires versatility in terms of themes and also in terms of writing. After all, it is necessary to follow the behavior and language of the public, it is necessary to have versatility. This is precisely my main quality as a writer. At the same time, I have to be careful not to distort my writing voice with corporate styles.
The objective of “Virkadaz” is to spread the habit of reading among young people through pleasant themes and dynamic entertainment. How do you manage to balance the complexity of the multiverse with an accessible and engaging narrative?
To make this possible, I had to put myself in the young people’s point of view. Speak like they speak and at their speed, without too much fluff and without too many details at once. Afterwards, I used a technique of telling the “rules” of this multiverse little by little and through the discoveries of the characters themselves. It’s not tiring, it’s exciting and thought-provoking. In addition, I added playful and fantasy elements. Thus, diving into the multiverse of Virkadaz is an adventure that, in the end, leaves you wanting more. And that’s exactly what we need: young people who are hungry to read more.
In addition to “Virkadaz”, you have several other works published. Could you tell us a little more about these other literary creations and what themes or genres do you explore?
I love writing for young people. It’s a pleasure to let myself be carried away by creativity and work on fun plots. Especially since, most of the time, I write for the corporate with a focus on products and services. And as a ghostwriter it comes from everything: from romance, technical, academic to self-help. It’s not really me, it’s work. So when I have time to write my books and short stories I go into fantasy, sci-fi and speculative. Time travel, multiverses and magic have always fascinated me, so you will always find something of that in my creations. I find it very stimulating to bring these elements into our reality and treat them as if it were possible.
You were born in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, and have a diverse career, from writing to marketing. How these backgrounds and experiences are reflected in your stories and the way you communicate with your audience?
In the craziest way. I had a fun, eclectic childhood with very authentic experiences. In high school, in the same classroom, I had an Argentinian woman, a Korean woman, several Chinese, as many Paraguayans and Arabs. Each with its own culture, language and religion. Fox is that. If lunch boxes were very unusual, imagine what else happened! Added to that, I lived in a place in the middle of the city. So every day there was something different. It was common to have stories to tell in the midst of routine. There was always the unusual. And later, as an adult, I traveled Brazil and the world, I lived in São Paulo and Curitiba, which added even more. Of course, this past permeates what I write. Thanks to that, I have a wide range of topics and different points of view.
The launch of the book “Virkadaz” is an opportunity for readers to explore a fantastic world full of adrenaline and mysteries. How do you hope readers will connect with this work and what kind of impact does it hope to have on readers’ lives?
My biggest mission is to make people truly enjoy reading. Taking pleasure in finishing a book and missing new stories. As Virkadaz is very light, fast and has a plot with many deliveries, it is an excellent opportunity to start this trail. For parents concerned about including reading in their children’s literature, this is the book for you. It has in the plot the theme of fashion – MULTIVERSO -, Marvel and Aranhaverso are on the rise; it has engaging characters; it is an uncomplicated read with short chapters; brings a contemporary language. These are precisely the connection points between the reader and the work.
With your range of talents and skills, including your work as a ghostwriter and director of advertising copy, how do you apply this versatility to your literary writing and your other creative endeavors?
In fact, this ability was a problem early in my literary career. I find it very easy to change my writing, change the tone of voice, use terms and targeted words… as this is important when you are a spokesperson for a brand or ghostwriter. I made many experiments until I identified the pure writing of my person. And maturity has shown me that my audience really likes Renata’s way of writing: light, humorous, with a vocabulary a little wider than colloquial, with intelligent lines and crazy themes. I don’t have a writer’s block. I just lack time to write down all the ideas I have already created.
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