Farworld Blog Tour with author J. Scott Savage

J. Scott Savage, author of Farworld: Water Keep took some time to virtually visit me at the Nebraska State Fair to answer some of my questions. I got an advanced reader copy of this book to read over the summer and I must say, I enjoyed it. I don't consider myself all that into fantasy books (odd considering I love LOTR, Harry Potter, etc...) but I felt myself being drawn to the characters and the interesting story. I won't spill the beans here but I will say that if you enjoy fantasy books and/or have kids in the 9-12 range, they will love it.

Now, on with the interview:


I'm here (virtually) enjoying a corn dog and a lemonade at the Nebraska State Fair talking with author J. Scott Savage about his newest book Water Keep, Farworld Book 1.

What is your favorite fair food?

Well I really like funnel cakes, and I also like fresh squeezed lemonade. But NOT together.

Are there certain foods that you like to eat while you write? I promise this interview won't be all about food. Sometimes I just can't help myself when there are signs for fried twinkies and hot beef sundaes (don't ask) all around.

Sorry hot beef sundaes and fried twinkies make my stomach do strange (not good) things. I actually don’t eat at all when I write. I “earn” food breaks. But when I get caught up in a story, I would forget to breathe if it wasn’t automatic.

Now that all that food talk is out of the way, let's chat about the book. This is the first book in the Farworld series and we are introduced to some great characters. We've got a wizard that turns into a wolf, a boy with some physical disabilities that can do magic, a girl that lives in a magic world that can't do magic, dark creatures that turn into snakes, and animals that tell jokes. How do you come up with all this stuff?

Mostly I read through old books people have all forgotten about. No just kidding. The old books are all about people named Burtlesmith who live at Puddlesby on the Pond. Why didn’t Agatha Christie have some nice man-eating slugs or something? Mostly I just like to imagine a bit before I start writing. I want to come up with things that are not what the reader will be expecting. If I can surprise myself, hopefully I can surprise the readers too.

Sometimes I can't help myself and I pretend to cast a movie based on the books that I read. If this book were to become a movie, who would you want to play the main characters?

Could I get the whole Monty Python group to do it? With Napoleon Dynamite as Marcus? I’ll bet that would tick people off. And they thought Edward was miscast. No, let’s see. I’m really bad with actors. But I’d like Master Therapass to played by either Morgan Freeman or Harrison Ford. I’d like AnnaSophia Robb as Kyja, but with dark hair. I think Marcus would have to be an unknown. I like the look of Freddie Highmore but with Shia LaBeouf’s attitude.

Speaking of characters, I love the character of Jerrick. He's got a minor part in this book but I couldn't help but think he might show up again in the later volumes. Can I hold out hope that he'll return or am I way off base here?

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we see him again.

How do you like those marching bands? There is never a shortage of entertainment here at the Nebraska State Fair! Speaking of music, Stephanie Meyer always acknowledges the musical groups that got her through the writing of her books. Does music help your creative process or is there some other muse you have?

Music does inspire me, but usually when I’m thinking up the story. Not when I’m writing it. AC/DC is the theme band for the Dark Circle . Led Zeppelin may be the Farworld theme band. I really love movie sound tracks. Lord of the Rings, Far and Away, Star Wars, Rocky.

Here's a random question: There are 10 main classes in the Dewey Decimal System. If you could only read books from one of those classes for the rest of your life, which one would you choose and why?

800. Literature. I make up most of my facts anyway. So who needs the rest?

Thanks for taking the time to answer my silly questions here at the fair. I'm sure my readers have enjoyed getting to know you a little better and will remember to go and pick up their own copy of your book. Any final thoughts?

Thank you. Great questions. And a really great fair. Funny, I was expecting it only to be fair. (That’s a little fair humor.)

Fair humor, indeed.

If you'd like to get your own copy of the book...you can't. At least not yet. It is due out September 12th but you can preorder it here.

Farworld Blog Tour with author J. Scott Savage

http://craftyconservative.blogspot.com/2008/09/farworld-blog-tour-with-author-j-scott.html