How does a creative professional build a portfolio of 18 books? My guest today, Navi' Robins, is a Chicago-born author and graphic designer who does just that. His creative perspective was shaped by a childhood spent living across five continents. In our conversation, Navi' shares the inspiration behind his new Black Lotus trilogy, a futuristic world where men have been eradicated, and how real-world political events sparked the idea. We dig into his process as a "freestyle writer", his secrets to dynamic world-building, and the fearless habit he relies on to push the boundaries of his imagination.
00:00 - Introduction to Navi' Robins
01:47 - Releasing the Black Lotus Trilogy
03:08 - The Inspiration: From Trump's Escalator to Roe v. Wade
04:41 - Inside the Black Lotus: A World Without Men
07:56 - Early Influences: Reading Stephen King in Secret
10:31 - Writing the First Book: Combining 10 Stories into One
15:32 - The Approach to World-Building
19:00 - What Frightens People the Most?
20:38 - The Habit of Being Fearless
22:17 - Daily Routines: Afrobeat and Freestyle Writing
26:39 - Overcoming Writer's Block
28:00 - Finding an Artistic Voice
Follow Navi' on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navirobins/
Navi's Website: https://www.navirobins.net/
Website: http://www.martineseverin.com
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This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa.
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