Reporter
Matthew.chin@guardian.co.tt
Another local author joins T&T’s impressive family of writers and literature junkies alike. At just 17 years old, Zen-Isaac Reymo published his first novel, Terran Myths: Inception, in March 2023. The Queen’s Royal College student from D’Abadie began writing the fictitious work at 13 years old, taking inspiration from Greek mythologies and Animal Farm by famous English author George Orwell, which focuses on themes of inequality and freedom.
“In terms of its message, it was definitely derived from Animal Farm. I was also fascinated by Greek mythologies and Percy Jackson. This was my motivation to start the book at 13 years old,” he said.
His debut novel centres on a small but powerful race called ‘Terrans’ who have no opposition with those around them, but internal strife threatens their dominance. The Terrans are similar to human beings and their planet is similar to ours.
Reymo’s sentence structure possesses poetic elements that take the form of allegorical storytelling which acts as the vehicle for confronting the darkness within.
“I find what separates me from other people, and would probably explain why I’m more of a loner, I guess the only meaning I can seem to find in my life is darkness; it’s the only thing that’s real. When I am bombarded by happiness it doesn’t feel natural; it feels fake ... I find when you tend to work in the darkness it makes you a bit more intelligent and aware,” he confessed.
However, before the victory of self-publishing his novel with the help of his father, his life changed when his mother died; he was only 14 years old. She passed away a year after she had helped him type the second chapter.
A near-death experience that he had when he was 16 years old also deeply affected his psyche, altering the way he saw his own life and the lives of others. Reflecting on these traumatic events, Reymo cherished them as the forces that made his writing “one hundred times better”.
Giving a sneak peek at his writing process, he said he “evolved as a writer over time”.
“I used to write out with a pencil and my mom used to type. But when she died I actually typed myself. I became a typist,” he said.
Besides writing, he enjoys nature photography and playing football occasionally with his friends. When he released his book it was his friends who had given him support through their honest criticisms.
“They wished me the best, but they’re not big readers. I actually forced some of my friends to read them. I begged them and begged them, and they finally decided to take a look at the book. They seem to really enjoy it, thankfully. My friends are very honest, they wouldn’t spoil any punches. If it’s good, it’s good. If it’s bad, it’s bad,” Reymo said confidently.
Taking a macroscopic view of our exciting and frightening world, the young novelist noted the treacherous manner that which adults conduct themselves in comparison to the innocence of childhood. Considering it as the fuel to the essence of his writing.
“The book is for everyone, especially the faint of heart because it is supposed to make people braver in how they experience their lives. It will absolutely terrify you, but hopefully, you’ll come out more than what you were when you came in. Right now, I’d simply say, my life’s work has been reduced to helping humans think,” he said.
Zen-Isaac Reymo describes himself as a loner, however, as long there is a pen or keyboard in his hands, one could say he is far from it. He does not know if he’ll become a full-time writer or take on another profession, but Reymo knows that he prefers to remain present, taking life one step at a time.
Terran Myths: Inception can be purchased on Amazon and at the Metropolitan Bookstore Suppliers Ltd. His second book, Terran Myths: Resurrection, is scheduled for release in July 2024, with a third not long after.
