Farworld Blog Tour and a giveaway

I get to be a part of the blog tour for a new book called Farworld: WaterKeep by J. Scott Savage that is coming out in September. He sent me an Advance Readers Copy (ARC) of the book to read and review and is giving me one more to give away to someone who reads this review and leaves a comment. I'm having fits getting a picture of the cover to post, so here is the link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Farworld-Book-Water-Keep-World/dp/159038962X

Farworld is planned as a 5 book series and Water Keep is the first book. It's a young adult science fiction type, so if you like Fablehaven, Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl, and such, you would probably enjoy it. The ultimate test of a book like this is whether it can suck me into the imaginary world enough that I neglect my housework to finish it. Farworld did. The kids enjoyed a day of playing in the backyard instead of regular chores and homeschool and we ended up having grilled hot dogs for dinner, so they thought it was a great day! I ended wishing Book 2 was ready because the 400 + pages weren't enough for the day. :)

The basic plot of the book follows two teenagers who live in different worlds, Marcus on Earth, Kyja in Farworld a world completely full of magic. Both are misfits in their own worlds, Marcus because he is a handicapped orphan and Kyja because she can't do magic and is immune to the magic of others in her world. When Marcus magically ends up in Farworld, he and Kyja learn of a secret that could destroy both their worlds unless they can get the different elements (water, fire, earth, and air) to cooperate and open a passage between the two worlds. Book 1 Water Keep is their journey and adventures and they try to persuade the Water Elementals to help them.

As part of the blog tour, I also got to interview the author and creator of Farworld. I had some help from some homeschooled kids in thinking up my questions, and it was fun to "visit" with a real author.

Here's the interview:

When did you decide you wanted to be an author and how did you start?

Like a lot of things in my life, it crept up on me. I’ve always loved to tell stories, but I honestly don’t think I decided I had what it took to be an author until after I published my first book. Weird huh?

Where do you get your ideas for a book?

ShopKo. Another four years and I can get the senior discount. So I can probably afford to write two books a year. I wish I knew. I’d go there all the time. I think ideas are kind of like belly button lint. They just appear out of nowhere. And you shouldn’t try eating either of them. Okay, that was just plain gross.

What are your favorite books?

I love to read just about everything. Last night I finished Neverworld, I think it was called? Amazing story. Neil Gaiman is incredible.

Do you have another job or do you just write?

Unfortunately I also have a day job. But I’m hoping to go to fulltime writing in the next year or so.

How long did it take to write Water Keep?

Hang on. Let me try. “Water Keep?” About two seconds, but I’m a hunt and peck guy. Less than three months for the first draft. But more than twice that in edits.

What is the hardest part about writing a novel/being an author?

No hard parts. Compared to the rest of life, being an author is awesome.

What is the best part?

Everything. Having people read and enjoy your stories is just so dang cool. I love it.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to become an author someday?

Always floss, and don’t put open pens in your pocket. Also, read a ton and write for fun. Don’t worry about how good your writing is at first, just enjoy the process.

Do you have to learn math if you want to be a writer?

Nope. But learn it anyway. In case you need to be an accountant or something while you work on getting published.

What advice would you give to parents who want their children to enjoy and become proficient at writing?

Give them little challenges and praise their success. Many kids get overwhelmed by the concept of coming up with a whole story. But if you tell them to write about a contest between a magic dwarf and a pink dragon, they can totally get off on that.

If you had a time machine, what time would you travel to and why?

I’d travel ten years ahead. Just so I could say, “I told you so,” for the next decade.

If you were a candy bar, what kind would you be?

Hershey with almonds. Because I am a little nuts.

What is the most beautiful/inspiring thing you've ever seen?

My wife. (That should win me brownie points at home!)

What is the most random question you've been asked on this blog tour and how did you respond?

I was asked, “What sounds grates your teeth the most?” I answered, “’Help me, Dad. I’m drowning.’ Especially when I am trying to take a nap.” It was just a joke kids. Don’t come after me with a pitchfork.

Don't forget to leave me a comment with a way to contact you if you win the book!!! If you have kids old enough, probably 9 or 10 and up, they can leave a comment and be in the drawing too!