Interview with sci-fi author Mathew L. Brengman

Sci-fi author Mathew L. Brengman (pronounced Bringmen) chats with me today about his new novel, The Mayhem Virus.

cover for the mayhem virus

Bio:
Born in California, Mathew L. Brengman earned a BA in English and a minor in Radio, Television, and Film from the California State University of Fullerton. Mathew’s journey has been rich with diverse artistic endeavors. In Los Angeles, he honed his film-making skills, writing, directing, acting in, producing, and editing both short and feature-length films. Some of his work includes films like Rules of the Trade and To Sleep and Dream, as well as short stories such as The Perfection of Time and Passing By. His theatrical talents have graced stages in Southern California and Europe, showcasing his dynamic range as a performer. Currently, he works to enhance AI, underscoring his passion for exploring cutting-edge technologies. His assortment of experiences enriches his storytelling, imbuing his novels with a unique blend of cinematic flair and deep narrative insight. Whether by picture or page, Mathew continues to enrapture audiences.

Welcome, Mathew. Please tell us about your new release.
Following the events of a futuristic world where ethics and morality are victims of technological and scientific advancement, The Mayhem Virus challenges the agency and sovereignty of the people who augmented and enhanced their bodies with robotics. Those who refused to accept such augmentations are viewed as lower class citizens and treated in that way.

What inspired you to write this story?
Originally, the short story that this novel was based on came from a desire to write a story where I broke every spelling, grammatical, and storytelling (which appears in the final chapters of the novel) rule I could think of in a way where the story didn’t make sense without the broken rules. Later, someone asked me to explain (without the use of biblical scripture) to explain what dangers existed in enhancing the human body with electronic augmentation. Thus, the theme and structure of my book were born.

What exciting project are you working on next?
Currently, I am working on the novel’s sequel, tentatively titled “The Organic Revolution”. In this story, a man who believes that human augmentation is an abomination uses his abilities to give rise to an organic renascence And Johnny Vinz is once again tasked with stopping this individual before he destroys the fabric of society.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve been telling stories since before I knew my ABC’s. I was born with a burning desire to express the world of my imagination. As a result, I’ve written books, produced films, and participated in theatrical performances.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
While I don’t work on my prose full-time, I work on reviewing and rewriting AI responses to better enhance its interactions with users. My preference is to write novels as a full-time occupation, and this novel is my first step to making that a reality.

headshot photo of author Interview with sci-fi author Mathew L. Brengman

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I’ve been told that my writing is complex. That I put a great deal of care into each and every sentence that I write. Nothing is thrown away as everything has meaning. It’s also been noted that I leave a lot for the reader to internalize. There are hidden messages that are never fully explain that readers can interpret and consider for themselves. This can make it difficult for some readers to follow along (especially in this novel which deals with multiple realities and hallucinations).

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Even as a child, I had a deep seeded desire to be a storyteller. This was initially in writing prose, but I eventually spread my passion out to writing theatrical and film scripts. As long as I was in the literary arts, I was happy.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
All the technology that I pose in my novel exists today. The purpose of this particular work is to ignite contemplation while delivering an interesting story line that will draw readers into the fictional world that I created.

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