Maw Books Blog

Today the Maw Books Blog is hosting J. Scott Savage in an author interview in honor of his upcoming release of Far World, Water Keep.  If you missed my book review of Far World, take a look and then come back here for some interview fun.

Maw Books:  Welcome Scott!  Okay, so I’ve been looking at all of your interviews and I’m afraid that I’m just not that funny.  I’m hoping that you’ll be able to pull all the weight here!

J. Scott Savage:  Funny is overrated anyway. Does the world really need more stand up comedians?

Maw Books:  Phew, now that I have that off of my shoulders, let’s continue.  Since we’ve already had a long drawn out conversation about  illustrations, what do you think about the illustrations for Far World, Water Keep?

J. Scott Savage:  I love the artwork. Brandon is an incredible artist. I have to admit that as an author they were not exactly what I was expecting. When they originally asked for ideas on what scenes I’d like to see illustrated, I focused on big actions scenes. The kinds of things I’d like to see in movies. But once they decided to use the two page illustrations as the introductions to each part, we realized that they were really more to set the tone of the next part.  For example, a wheelchair lying in the shadows of an old school is not the most exciting picture. But it’s sets the tone of “escape” perfectly. I really liked the map too.

Maw Books:  I look forward to seeing them in the finished product.  I have to tell you a secret.  It’s kinda embarrassing and I’m not sure for who.  But here goes. After I finished the book, I looked at the front cover and I wasn’t sure who everybody was.  Would you mind clarifying for my very dense head, who is who?

J. Scott Savage:  I think that’s probably because you are expecting the main characters to be on the cover. So you assume one of them must be Kyja or Marcus. But we decided early in the series that the first four covers would all feature the elementals from that book. So once you have a couple of books out in the series they’ll make more sense. So the cover features Dew (note the green hair and the small gold bead in her hand), Tide (the one with the crown and the fish circling his head), Mist (the sparkly one), and Cascade. I’ve had some people ask what the amulet is around his neck. That’s just something the artist added to give the picture a feeling of action. It helps show that Cascade is arising from the water. The thing about illustrations is that in the same way the author needs freedom to create, the artist needs freedom to interpret. It’s not about what I think something mike look like (although I love the characters in the cover); it’s what the artist saw when he read the book.

Maw Books:  Thanks for the clarification.  (I had the exact same thought when I finished Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer.  I didn’t have a clue what the cover meant.)  How long have you had the idea for Far World floating around in your head?  How did it emerge into a actual entity?

J. Scott Savage:  The pieces have been coming together for years. When my friend James Dashner was telling me about his contract with Shadow Mountain, the ideas suddenly gelled. The funny thing is that although I’d had the ideas for a long time, I really didn’t think I could write fantasy or YA. But the idea wouldn’t leave my head until I finally wrote it.

Maw Books:  I love James Dashner and I haven’t even read his book yet.  ;)  What was your favorite scene to write?

J. Scott Savage:  I get a kick out of creating new and different places. So I especially like the Weather Guardians and the cavern of the Unmakers.

Maw Books:  What’s on your nightstand right now?  How is it so far?  Well, that’s assuming that you have books on your nightstand.  We could get more personal here than necessary.

J. Scott Savage:  You mean you don’t want to know about the fuzzy bunny bank or the week old Del Taco cup? Let’s see, there is The Stand, Lord Fouls Bane, The Devils Labyrinth, and a nonfiction title called Out of the Dust.

Maw Books:  I haven’t read any of them.  Any special celebration in the works for when Far World will be released?  Am I invited?

J. Scott Savage:  Yes. And Yes! On the 13th of September from 12 to 3, I will be having a release party at the Spanish Fork library with free food, posters, drawings, and all that good stuff. You are definitely invited.

Maw Books:   I’ll put it on the calendar. It would be nice to finally meet you.  I’ve started to ask authors to share a favorite recipe with us.  I know you don’t want to feel left out!  Do you cook?  Do you have a family favorite?  Do share!

J. Scott Savage:  I love to cook. I’m not such a good cleaner-upper. But that’s another story.  One of my favorite recipes is for Strawberry Soup. I think I like it because it sounds so disgusting, but it is so good you are just kind of shocked when you try it. Think of a kind of thick, cold, strawberry smoothie. You can eat it with a spoon or drink it. We first discovered it at Disneyland at the Villain’s dinner. Also, it’s really easy to make.

SERVES 4 -6 (change servings and units)
Ingredients
2 lbs frozen strawberries
16 ounces heavy cream
2 ounces sour cream
3 ounces yogurt
1/2 lb fresh strawberries
Directions
Thaw the frozen berries in their juices.
Blend all of the ingredients (except the fresh berries) on low until smooth.  Chill, shake well before serving.
Add fresh strawberry halves as a garnish.

Maw Books:  Sound disgusting?  Sounds like you missed the recipe that Mary Ann Rodman shared for Tomato Aspic (think jello).  Actually, it sounds great!  Strawberries and cream?  How could that go wrong.  And since, I’m in the same area as you (Utah), do you have any hole-in-the-wall favorite restaurants that you really like?  I’m always on the lookout for yummy new places to eat. 

J. Scott Savage:  North of point of the mountain, I’m really fond of the Bohemian for great German food. South of the point, I like Osaka down on Center Street in Provo. It’s great Japanese food in a very nice quiet atmosphere? Now you have to tell me your favorite HITW restaurant.

Maw Books:  I’ve never been to a German restaurant.  I’ll have to try it out.  Osaka sounds really familiar.  We used  to live in Provo.  When we did, my absolutely favorite restaurant was Thai Ruby.  It’s right next to BYU, not only is the food fabulous, but the owners are fantastic.  They would always come out and talk to us.  We were very sad to leave Provo.  Of course, it’s not a HITW, but we love The Bombay House.  Also, every time we are in Provo we stop by this little Mexican place (I’ll edit in the name once I figure it out) for the best horchata ever made!  We used to do our laundry next door for years, and only discovered the horchata right before we moved.  Our biggest regret is that laundry would have been a lot more fun, if we had only known what we were missing.  If you haven’t tried it, go get it!

Where can we find out where you’ll be making appearances?  I’d love to be able to say hello.

J. Scott Savage:   I’ve got the release party on the 13th. Then I’ll be doing a ton of Utah  signings. I’m just getting those set up now.

Maw Books:  I’d love to hit one.  Thanks so much for being with us today!

Visit J. Scott Savage’s blog.

Don’t forget that Scott is giving away a signed ARC of Farworld for my readers.  Read my review for details on how to enter.