In the universe of Bela Leitura, where iconic literary figures gain new lives and occupations, writer Vinícius Lima Costa takes us on a journey with Archimedes, a peculiar librarian. In “Conspiração Literária”, Archimedes finds himself recruited to unravel mysteries and face the enigmatic “Saboteur”, while interacting with names like Shakespeare and Conan Doyle. Despite the challenges, he finds comfort in the music of the Beatles and other bands, which permeate the narrative like an immersive soundtrack.
How did the idea of creating the “Conspiração Literária” series come about and transporting iconic literary figures to a parallel reality?
My initial aspirations were much, much more modest. I was at a point in my life where I felt the need to reinvent myself. I began to obsessively read detective novels, as I considered myself somewhat “without the content” to create something, and I found in Maurice Leblanc and his “Thief in a Coat” a fascinating character, an anti-hero. It was a phase in life when he questioned values and objectives.
On the other hand, I found such a character excessively offensive to my convictions and I realized that I should also read about a hero from more conventional literature, that is, Arthur Conan Doyle’s books about Sherlock Holmes. In addition to not feeling content, I was uncomfortable not knowing what names I could give to the characters in a story I might write. I was fascinated by the fact that someone could be a fan of the person they oppose, which is the case of Arsene Lupine in relation to Sherlock Holmes. After reading about detective novels, I moved on to other genres, but still without a defined objective.
It took two years of a lot of reading until I naturally felt a small text in the middle of a story emerge in which the characters were real-life authors. The name problem was resolved and a story with content began to be constructed. After a while reading and writing about Western literature, I saw that I could do the same with Eastern literature and then I realized that I could also transport facts from my life into history in a symbolic way. In the end, I noticed that the story was too long for a single book, hence the need to turn it into a series.
In “Conspiração Literária”, the protagonist Archimedes is recruited to face the mysterious “Saboteur”. What can you tell us about the challenges he faces throughout the story?
My work is simultaneously cliché (a hero’s journey), but at the same time unprecedented (with a deeply human, ordinary protagonist, it could be someone you know), with issues to be resolved, fears, internal conflicts to face, frustrations, self-demands . On his journey he has to solve the problem for which he is recruited, but also seek answers and, above all, overcome losses.
The use of music as an important element in the protagonist’s life, especially the references to the Beatles, Scorpions and Elton John, is fascinating. How did you decide to incorporate this musical passion into the narrative?
It was natural, not a thought out decision. Music is something that has always been part of my life and I “move” with it.
In addition to entertaining, “Conspiração Literária” also brings elements of good humor, mystery and adventure. How did you balance these different aspects when creating the plot?
It was also natural. I am naturally a good-natured person and when I have content within me, I can transmit it spontaneity.
You mention the presence of ” easter eggs ” in the story, revealing real-life curiosities, such as the disagreement between Arthur Conan Doyle and Maurice Leblanc. How do these additional details enrich the reading experience?
I wanted to make the reader feel like they were “reading” a comedic TV series. Series about neighbors who don’t tolerate each other make good jokes. There are several references to comic series, funny drawings and scenes from very iconic films in my work, which I used as documenting their existence and influence on my life. This enriches the reading just as seasoning enriches food. In fact, what is humor if not the spice of life?
The “vintage” 19th century setting combined with modern technological elements creates a unique atmosphere in the narrative. What were your inspirations when building this narrative universe?
I like the ancient-modern duality. I like to imagine how people in the past would react to the modern world. In my book I give these people the chance to experience contemporary things. Lord Byron surfing and dancing the twist while Mary Shelley, Emily Brontë and Virginia Woolf live in a motorcycle fraternity is something that arouses interest and humor. A similar thing happened in Hanna Barbera cartoons such as “The Flintstones ” and “The Muzzarellas ”.
You’ve shared that your personal experience, including living with your two autistic children, has influenced your writing. How is this experience reflected in the journey of the protagonist Archimedes?
With the realization that to get somewhere, perform a task, achieve a goal, you don’t necessarily have to follow other people’s ways and methodologies. Adaptation and the creation of alternative forms, paths and methodologies are possible.
In addition to being a writer, you are a municipal prosecutor and have a degree in Law. How do you reconcile these two areas of activity and how does Law influence your writing?
Conciliation is like the existence of, in a single character, very distinct activities that complement each other. One more “ordinary” and the other more epic. Something like being a newspaper reporter and simultaneously a superhero, a school teacher and a superhero (my favorite) or a judge and a vigilante motorcyclist.
What was the process of debuting in the literary universe like with “Conspiração Literária” and what are your plans for the next volumes in the series?
A learning experience and a continuous question: “Where will this take me?” My plans are goals that are already being fulfilled. The second volume of the trilogy will soon be published and the third still finds itself in a dialogue between my most comical self and my most critical self. We will soon reach a consensus.
Finally, how does your passion for anime, tokusatsu and cosplay influence your writing and your creative vision when building characters and plots?
The characters I dress up portray something of my interior, something of the way I see myself and I convey a bit of that to certain characters. Anime music inspires me for epic and dramatic moments in my narrative. What people often call creativity in my work is actually more of a translation into symbolic language of something I have experienced or admire.
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