Interview with J. Scott Savage

A long while back, I heard of a new author from Shadow Mountain Press named J. Scott Savage. Having followed along with him on his blog, I enjoyed the premise of his soon-to-be-released book called FARWORLD: WATER KEEP and was sent an advance copy to read.

If you are a fan of Erec Rex or The Thirteenth  Reality, you should honestly check out this new series — and especially, its awesome website at ReadFarworld.com. And to help speed your way along to the bookshops, I managed to nab a special interview with the author himself!

And not only that: five randomly selected people who comment will receive a FREE copy of FARWORLD: WATER KEEP! So without further ado, the author himself:

1. Hi Scott, thanks for coming on! First off, there is a tradition on my site for authors to describe themselves in ten words or less: the closer you get to exactly ten, the more points!

Can I use the points for a toaster once we finish? (note: ten words exactly)

Scott Savage used to cut school to read books. Irony?

2. Of all the 60+ odd jobs you have had, which one was your favorite (besides being an author)?

I really liked being a French chef. Mostly because I always ate well.

3. When did you realize that being an author was your dream job?

I think it was shortly after I had published my second regional novel. I didn’t make any money with those, and the distribution was tiny, but I really loved everything about writing and publishing fiction. I always hoped I would be able to write fulltime one day, and it has definitely been worth the wait.

4. How did the original inspiration for Farworld come to you?

Over a number of years. This was one of those stories that didn’t make it onto paper (or hard drive) until it had developed for a long time inside my head. Mostly because I didn’t think I could write fantasy. But I loved the idea of two heroes that seem like such unlikely heroes. There are a lot of books that start out with an outcast as a hero, but usually they find out they are really the greatest magician, or have amazing superpowers, or something like that. I wanted heroes that still have their weaknesses even after they discover their destinies.

5. Are there any characters that you feel were (intentionally or unintentionally) based off of someone you know?

Not completely. There were bits and pieces of people I know or have known, but I’m very cautious about making real people into characters unless it is a cameo. I don’t want to feel that I am limited in what the characters may grow into or do.

6. If you could have one creature from Farworld (Ishkabiddles, Summoners, etc) which would it be?

Definitely not a Summoner. That’s too much like trying to cage King Kong. Hard to imagine a “tame” Summoner. I think maybe a Mist Steed.

7. When you write your book, do you have a rigid process (outlining, plotting, etc) or do you write freely and let the story grow as you go along (or, a mixture of both)?

A little of both. I can’t write with a rigid outline. I don’t know if it limits my writing style, but it feels like it does, and sometimes that’s all that matters. But I have to know the beginning, the end, and at least a little of the middle before I can start. I want to know where the story is headed.

8. A lot of kids and teenagers want to be authors one day. What is the best piece of advice that you have for them?

I’d have to say, don’t try to write a masterpiece right out of the gate. Learn to write the same way that kids learn to draw. A little here, a little there. Give yourself the freedom to try new things, different voices, unusual characters. If you tell yourself you are writing something that has to be good enough to publish, it can really freeze up your creative juices.

9. Your first book signing was very recent. How did it feel at the event and signing your autograph to your first novel?

Signing books is weird and cool at the same time. It’s incredible that someone values your book enough to pay for it in the first place. Then to want you to sign it is just icing on the cake. But especially with kids, they look at you like some kind of rock star. You want to say, “I’m just the guy who takes out the trash, and tucks my kids into bed at night.” But it is fun to see their eyes light up.

10. What can we be expecting for the upcoming second book?

I’m a strong believer that the second book of a series makes or breaks the whole thing. Clearly if you are buying the second book, you liked the first book at least somewhat. If you loved the first book, you are hoping it wasn’t just a fluke. You want to see that the author can keep it going. If you only liked the first book, you are buying book two with the hopes that the story is going to improve now that we are past the introduction/world building stage. I want people who read book two, “Land Keep,” to be completely blown away by the power of the story.

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Enter for the giveaway by leaving a comment below!

(ADDED: This contest has ended.)