It is a humanistic component to dwell on future predictions. We thrive in the mystery of the unknown and what the days ahead will bring our way. Some dream of paradise-a fairy-tale-like world-while others worry about the destruction that is fast approaching our world.

With his amazing imagination, Matthew (genk01), grants us a glimpse into an apocalyptic world through his dystopian thriller, 2136.

The book is amazing and the same goes for the author. So here is the interview with genk01. Let's have a tour of his rocking mind.

Warm regards! We're very excited to know more about you. So first of all, tell us how you stumbled upon Wattpad and when.

I first discovered the world of Wattpad from a friend. I was looking for ways to promote my stories, build my audience, and gain valuable feedback from readers. He told me to try out Wattpad. I created an account August 18, 2015, and started writing 2136. I read many guides on Wattpad from authors who had done well and built a following, so I consumed as many of those as I could, joined the clubs, asked a BUNCH of questions, and continued to feverishly write and post chapters each week. And, it's safe to say that all of the hard work paid off. In about a year, 2136 reached #2 in Science Fiction, accrued nearly 582,000 reads, and has a growing following of more than 38,000. I'm not done yet. This is only the beginning towards reaching my ultimate goals of becoming a #1 NYT bestseller with millions of reads. I want the whole world to experience my stories and bring them a temporary escape from a reality they may not enjoy.

I've been very blessed to have had the opportunity to be invited to be an Ambassador and did that for about 8 months. During that time, 2136 was also added to the Featured List. You never know who you're going to meet on here. Wattpad has been one of the best choices I ever made.

You have a very interesting imagination. Is this what encouraged you to write? What compels you to pick up a pen and scribble down your thoughts?

I've always had a lean towards reading and writing since a young age. I believe it's been the imagination I've possessed that has encouraged me to write. I can't explain the urge to write or to tell a story. I love imagining new worlds or scenarios as if I were in a movie. I love losing myself in these fictional worlds. Writing them down or being able to captivate a reader and have them join you for the ride is euphoric. There's nothing like it!

What's your favorite piece of writing that you've written? What feelings does it bring you whenever you look back on it? Do you feel proud of your journey?

I've written some articles, poetry, and short stories that I enjoyed. If you asked me today, my best work so far is my 2136 trilogy because of how well it's doing with readers. But, like anyone who continues to learn, grow, and mature in their craft, when you look back at the work you've created in the past, it never looks as good as it did to you when it was current. Sometimes this brings a feeling of shame or insecurity when you're wondering what people will think of your writing or take you seriously, but to me, you want your old stuff to be worse than your current. This shows that you're growing and getting better! As long as you strive to always do your best and to seek counsel and wisdom from those around you, and never stop learning, your craft (whatever that may be) will ALWAYS thrive.

As an author, what part do you find easiest about writing and what challenges you?

It's always the easiest to think of stories in my head. I daydream all the time about ideas and stories. I just watch them sprout to life as if I were watching a film on the big screen. Starting isn't that difficult, for the most part. I would say the most challenging part of writing any story is getting out of your own way. It's very easy to get sidetracked, discouraged, demotivated, and busy with life. Many people start to write a book or want to write one, but few ever finish. Lately, my biggest struggle to maintain my creative flow and write as often as I would like is exhaustion. Working full-time, finishing my Master of Science in Technical Communication degree, raising our first son, and other side assignments take their toll. But, if you love something enough, it's all worth the sacrifice. You must make time for what's important to you.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being an author?

The advantage is that I have an excuse to live in my imagination and learn from others. The disadvantage is living within the imagination. ;) haha. But honestly, the most difficult part of writing is being able to find the right way to paint what you're wanting to write or what's in your head. And then on top of that, getting it down on paper or screen fast enough. There have been numerous times when I had a great story or idea in my head but by the time I started writing or got to the one part, it had slid a little, or it wasn't as good. So, for me, the most challenging part of being an author is getting it all down fast enough and then reaching the millions of readers all across the globe. Because the truth is, us writers don't do this for ourselves, we do it because we "have to", because our minds won't let us rest until we've written the story so that others can enjoy it. There is no better thrill and joy than to see readers reading your story, commenting, voting, sharing, and falling in love with it.

Is there any funny memory of yours you would like to share with us? We'll keep it between us and the millions of people on Wattpad, promise.

There was one time, for April's Fool Day, that my mother really got my sister and I. I think I was about 16 at the time, and she told all of us siblings that the new Starbucks that was opening up across the street from our High School was having a grand opening day contest. Whoever came in with the best, most bizarre outfit, and yelled "We love Starbucks!" would win. I forget the rewards, but I think it was being on camera, a picture on the wall, and free stuff. Needless to say, I jumped on it!

I threw out all the stops. I put scuba diving flippers, a snorkel, face paint, body armor, a blanket as a super hero cape, wrapped a bandana around my head with a helmet, goggles, I think I was wearing weird understair, and long socks hiked up my legs and a number of other peculiar ingredients. When we pulled up, I jumped out of the sliding door of the van. My sister ran off in the parking lot towards the Starbucks with me yelling for her to wait. I couldn't run because of the flippers, so I waddled all the way up with my goggles and snorkel on, among my other garments. When I got to the door and slid inside, everyone stopped and stared. This was my moment. The chance to make history and solidify myself as a champion and win the prize. I yelled, "I love Starbucks!"

Through the laughter, including my sister's at this point, I learned that Starbucks did have a grand opening that day, but not a contest. As it turns out, that day was April 1st. It's too bad my mom hadn't videotaped the whole thing. We would have definitely won Funniest Home Videos.

Except your own, is there a book that you just couldn't put down?

Unfortunately, as you grow older your memory begins to fade. :( But, I remember reading 5-10 books every week while in High School and college. When I got into the Navy translating Arabic, I didn't read as much, which was a travesty. And now that I'm busy with work, my masters degree, side jobs, writing multiple novels or stories, the marketing with it, and a new child, life finds a way of cluttering up pretty darn quick. haha. I need to get back to reading more like I used to. There were many R.A. Salvatore and Terry Brooks novels I spent a lot of my time reading. Of course, I loved Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. They were my starters. I also read a lot of Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, and Tom Clancy. I'm missing a bunch of great authors, but needless to say, there are a ton of great books out there and each one will lock you in your seat. My hope is that my own stories will do the same for you.

Why did you decide to join The Cryptic team?

I like interacting with readers. It's probably the best part of Wattpad that I enjoy. There's nothing more satisfying than to see readers who are reading and voting on your stories and leaving comments or having conversations with each other. I joined the team as a means to spread the word of the great stories on Wattpad, help new writers reach a larger audience, and have a means to give back to the community with my time and experiences. And of course, I'm always up for meeting new people and gaining more amazing readers to share my work with.

Who's your favorite author and/or idol?

I don't have a favorite author. I might have been able to give you one when I was growing up and first started devouring thousands of books, but now, it's all a blend. It's more of how am I feeling at the moment. Do I feel like reading a thriller? Then I'll probably pick up a Vince Flynn, Tom Clancy, David Baldacci, Brad Thor, Lee Child, or James Patterson book. If I'm in for fantasy, then Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind, and R.A. Salvatore are always my go to picks. But, there are a bunch of great books of authors I never knew that I'll read. I'll see a cover that catches my eye or a title, then I'll investigate further. If I like what I see, then I'll read it.

Besides writing, what do you do in your free time? Do you have any hidden talents that you've kept from the world?

I spend most of my free time with my wife and our son, Hudson. If we are walking or watching something together, I may be working on a new project in the garage or together. I love to golf. I taught myself how to play and became good enough in 2 1/2 years to get a golf scholarship by the time I got out of the Navy. I don't get to play as often as I used to, but I love it. Oh! and I love food and cooking. If you have food involved, that's a sure way of getting me to come over.

Your novel, 2136, is set for publication in the next year, which is a great milestone for an author. Tell us about your journey with 2136 from a draft to a well-known book. How you got publishers and your initial reaction when you held your book in your hands.

2136 is my first attempt at writing post-apocalyptic and dystopian stories. I've always been a fan of these types of movies but never thought about writing one of them. But, several years ago I randomly had the idea of the book. I feverishly daydreamed and planned out what the story would be, how it would look, and where it would go. It wasn't until about 3 or 4 years later that I decided to start writing it. My goal was to write the 2136 trilogy in a new and exciting way. I had done a bunch of research on what attracts readers and writing style. As I was writing 2136, I took James Patterson's MasterClass and learned that several of the things he taught and does in his books I was already doing for 2136. I also added a few other tricks he said to instill within your writing to really bring it to life. 2136 is written from a female's POV in 1st person. I've never written from a woman's point of view or in 1st person. Well, at least not for an entire book or trilogy. I've had characters for short stories or parts in other novels, but this is the first time a whole book was written this way. I did this because I wanted to push my boundaries and go to the next level in my writing skill, I wanted a challenge. And I also knew that the majority of readers were women. By writing a story from a female's perspective, in 1st person so that the reader can feel as though they are the character and a part of it, and keeping each chapter exciting, pushing the story forward, and leaving them off with cliffhangers, it all would make a fabulous journey that no reader would want to miss. And the best news is I'm still learning.

In terms of attracting publishers, I'm all ears with that! haha. The several that expressed interest in my novel were from a pre-order book launch for 2136 on Publishizer. If I accrued a minimum of 250 pre-orders by a certain date, then they would pitch my novel to over 40 publishers. That's where many of the interested publishers came from. The others were from me researching the industry and finding publishers, editors, and agents that specialize in my genre and who were looking for manuscripts. I have not solidified a contract with one of them yet, but I hope to do so in the next few months. As for holding my novel in my hands...it'll be amazing!

So, is there any new project you are working on?

Yes. So many! haha. I'm writing the last chapters for 2136's sequel, Amber Skies. And then I'll finish book 3, Risen. In addition, I'm working on finishing my book about heaven, which is a story about forgiveness, overcoming life's battles and struggles, and empowering yourself to be the best version of you and beat your past, or hurts. I also am outlining a few new stories that I'll announce in the near future. But there's one I'm really excited about that I think everyone will love. But you'll just have to wait to see what that will be! ;)

The most awaited question of every young reader, do you have any childish habits? Are you proud of them or embarrassed? Do you like chocolates and/or cartoons?

I think the word you're looking for is "strange". haha. And let me tell you, I have more than enough in that goodie bag to go around! I've always had weird habits growing up. Luckily, some of them are gone and were seasonal. I do get this rush of energy and spazz out that I call, "The Rush." It's where you feel this overwhelming pressure and energy in your neck, hands, arms, and body and you have to release it. Kind of like what many of this year's Wattys2016 winners did. haha. I know I would have been spazzing all over the office at work, in the car, the grocery store, getting gas, you name it. I'd be all over the place.

I do like chocolate and cartoons, although I haven't watched many cartoons since I was a child, and there can never be enough chocolate, especially if you have Twix, KitKats, and Butterfingers lying around!

It was a pleasure talking to you. We hope you progress by leaps and bounds and continue to entertain us through your amazing books.

BLURB:

We watched their bodies burn like scattered smoke stacks basking in red clay, their chalky breath swallowing up the sky in a blanket of darkness. We held our breath as we passed the first pile and were consumed with the stench. Sweat stung our eyes with gritty fingers as we navigated the old dumping grounds. This was where the infected were left to smolder in the sun.

We trekked through hell every morning in search of food and water. And every day the bodies continued to rise. Like towering monoliths of flesh and bone, they climbed towards the fire pressing down on us.

A world lost in chaos is a world full of darkness. Only descendants of gods and angels can breathe the air we breathe and walk the road we tread. Are you such a god?

Cover:

https://www.wattpad.com/story/50377407-2136-a-post-apocalyptic-novel