Thursday, July 18, 2013
Joel Savage, author of Overseas Chronicle-The Rome and Amsterdam Experience, and he's here today with Virtualbookworm Publishing to talk about the book and writing in general.
About the book:
The Roman Catholic priests continuously abused the young boys they had provided accommodation and in Amsterdam, the liberal laws on drugs have destroyed a lot of people that there are walking dead on the streets.
In Amsterdam, the police successfully have impounded hundreds of kilos of drugs which are brought into the country through the airport Schipol, yet marijuana and other harmful drugs find their way into the coffee shops for customers. Where do those drugs come from? Who is controlling it? The government, the army, the police, or the Queen?
Interview with Joel Savage
In Amsterdam, the police successfully have impounded hundreds of kilos of drugs which are brought into the country through the airport Schipol, yet marijuana and other harmful drugs find their way into the coffee shops for customers. Where do those drugs come from? Who is controlling it? The government, the army, the police, or the Queen?
Interview with Joel Savage
Joel, how long have you been writing, and how did you start?
I have been writing since I was a teenager. I grew up in an environment where I witnessed the experiences of those dying in desperation, and it deepened my understanding and knowledge to start writing books inspired by true events.
What do you like best about writing?
Writing has been my passion. It may be a hereditary thing since my father was a journalist and writer.
What’s your least favorite thing?
I don’t have any least favorite thing but I feel restless when a particular book I’m working on is left uncompleted.
Do you have another job outside of writing?
Yes, when I am not behind my desk, I work as a cleaner or sometimes as a forklift driver to support my family.
How did you create the plot for this book?
I was aware of the subject I wanted to write about and since it falls in the genre of non-fiction, I made the book very interesting to read, letting the reader feel that he or she is witnessing firsthand.
Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants, or let your characters tell you what to write?
Having the story in mind, I just plan the outline and the story continues as the book is inspired by true events.
Did you have any say in your cover art?
I love being creative and adventurous. I, therefore, design the cover illustration of every book I have written.
What books have you read more than once or want to read again?
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peal
What’s your favorite line from a book?
There was advice to a certain lady to refrain from thinking in order to prevent wrinkles from forming on her forehead.
Tell us a book you’re an evangelist for.
The Devil that Danced on the Water by Aminatta Forna.
What do you do to market your book?
I write little feature articles on my blog relating to my books before they are published.
Joel, tell us about your favorite scene in the book.
When I was invited by the police in Amsterdam for my documents, I went without any idea that I was going to be arrested and thrown behind bars. The police told me “We knew that woman more than you; she takes money from foreigners under the pretext of helping them.” I couldn’t say anything.
What song would you pick to go with your book?
I don’t have any song which suits my case but I remember that time the African-American musician, R Kelly’s lyrics, “I believe I can fly” supported me spiritually through faith to survive.
Who are your favorite authors?
Norman Vincent Peale, Aminatta Forna, Jeffery Archer , and Ryszard Kapuscinski.
What are your favorite books as a child, as a teenager, and as an adult?
Books inspired by true events.
Which author would you most like to invite to dinner, and what would you fix him?
Harrison Ford. I will first ask him what he likes best.
Do you have a routine for writing? Do you work better at night, in the afternoon, or in the morning?
I write when time is available. It can be morning, evening and even at midnight.
Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
At home at night.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do when it happens?
At the moment, I haven’t experienced any writer’s block because I’m still working on other scripts.
What’s one of your favorite quotes?
I have been writing since I was a teenager. I grew up in an environment where I witnessed the experiences of those dying in desperation, and it deepened my understanding and knowledge to start writing books inspired by true events.
What do you like best about writing?
Writing has been my passion. It may be a hereditary thing since my father was a journalist and writer.
What’s your least favorite thing?
I don’t have any least favorite thing but I feel restless when a particular book I’m working on is left uncompleted.
Do you have another job outside of writing?
Yes, when I am not behind my desk, I work as a cleaner or sometimes as a forklift driver to support my family.
How did you create the plot for this book?
I was aware of the subject I wanted to write about and since it falls in the genre of non-fiction, I made the book very interesting to read, letting the reader feel that he or she is witnessing firsthand.
Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants, or let your characters tell you what to write?
Having the story in mind, I just plan the outline and the story continues as the book is inspired by true events.
Did you have any say in your cover art?
I love being creative and adventurous. I, therefore, design the cover illustration of every book I have written.
What books have you read more than once or want to read again?
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peal
What’s your favorite line from a book?
There was advice to a certain lady to refrain from thinking in order to prevent wrinkles from forming on her forehead.
Tell us a book you’re an evangelist for.
The Devil that Danced on the Water by Aminatta Forna.
What do you do to market your book?
I write little feature articles on my blog relating to my books before they are published.
Joel, tell us about your favorite scene in the book.
When I was invited by the police in Amsterdam for my documents, I went without any idea that I was going to be arrested and thrown behind bars. The police told me “We knew that woman more than you; she takes money from foreigners under the pretext of helping them.” I couldn’t say anything.
What song would you pick to go with your book?
I don’t have any song which suits my case but I remember that time the African-American musician, R Kelly’s lyrics, “I believe I can fly” supported me spiritually through faith to survive.
Who are your favorite authors?
Norman Vincent Peale, Aminatta Forna, Jeffery Archer , and Ryszard Kapuscinski.
What are your favorite books as a child, as a teenager, and as an adult?
Books inspired by true events.
Which author would you most like to invite to dinner, and what would you fix him?
Harrison Ford. I will first ask him what he likes best.
Do you have a routine for writing? Do you work better at night, in the afternoon, or in the morning?
I write when time is available. It can be morning, evening and even at midnight.
Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
At home at night.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do when it happens?
At the moment, I haven’t experienced any writer’s block because I’m still working on other scripts.
What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“Whatever happens to me benefits me, because it educates me morally and spiritually.”
What three books have you read recently and would recommend?
Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, by Jeffrey Archer; My Laugh Comes Last, by James Hadley Chase; and Cry My Beloved Country, by Alan Paton.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Watch a favorite program on the television.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Australia
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
What three books have you read recently and would recommend?
Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, by Jeffrey Archer; My Laugh Comes Last, by James Hadley Chase; and Cry My Beloved Country, by Alan Paton.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Watch a favorite program on the television.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Australia
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
United States of America
What are you working on now?
My new script The Passion of Reggae and African Music.
What are you working on now?
My new script The Passion of Reggae and African Music.