Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with QM Schaffer
Book Title: Gods of Sound
Released: 05/2/21
Genre: YA Fantasy
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Gods of Sound”?
Schaffer: I’ve always had a disdain for bullies and bureaucrats having been both bullied and harassed. The idea originated nine years ago when my son was in fifth grade. My wife tried to sign him up for a Middle School variety show because he was a very talented guitarist. But she was a day late in doing so and the woman in charge would make no exceptions; she was completely inflexible and bureaucratic. It bothered me. That incident triggered thoughts of a boy facing overwhelming obstacles in his life which became the basis for the book.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Schaffer: While my lead protagonist has a fairly normal name, I had great fun coming up with the nicknames of the many others that enter his life, such as Senza, Z3, Flipper, Pluto, Brick, Viper, Fireball, Quake, Shock and more. Each nickname had a rationale behind it.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Schaffer: I’ve been writing my whole life but when I lost my long-time job two years ago, I was able to devote full-time to it. For most of my career, I oversaw publicity at HBO for such shows as Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, The Wire, Sex and the City, Westworld, Girls, Euphoria, Big Little Lies and many more where I witnessed first-hand master storytelling at its best from such people as George RR Martin, David Chase and David Simon. I've always had a wealth of ideas for different stories floating around in my head and just need the time to move them onto the printed page in a solid story.
If "Gods of Sound” were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Schaffer: My lead character, who is only 10, would be best played by a total unknown. I have a Joan Jett character and feel the actress Tristin Mays could capture her perfectly. I’d certainly rely on a casting director to find those new faces that would work best as many of my characters are in their teens. As for a director, I’d love someone who has worked on fantasy or sci fi films but also spends time fully developing characters. Ron Howard would work well.
What inspired you to incorporate themes around bullying in your story?
Schaffer: I was a scrawny kid and experienced bullying in elementary, middle school and high school. You feel helpless and alone. You can’t understand why you're being targeted and why no one will help you. You’re aware that if you tell on a bully, your life will go from atrocious to utterly miserable. So you find ways to survive. Thank goodness I didn’t have to deal with cyber bullying,. My hope is that GODS OF SOUND is uplifting for those victims of bullying.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Schaffer: I rarely if ever encounter writer’s block. Sometimes I place one of my characters in a really difficult situation and have to find a way to get them out of it. It may take a lot of thinking as well as trial and error before it all works out.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Schaffer: Writing should be a passion, something you want to do whether or not you get published. For me, it’s a form of therapy as I love creating a world and escaping into it with my characters. Write in a genre you’re comfortable with. For me it’s YA novels. For a writer friend of mine it’s mysteries. Write about things that have meaning to you. Once the process has begun, you’ll wake up each day excited to see your story progress. And you’ll discover a certain excitement that comes from not knowing exactly how your story unfolds because it never follows the roadmap you initially set out with.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Schaffer: Growing up I was a huge fan of John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway and John Updike. Since then, I’ve gravitated towards YA and fantasy novels. I love the masterful and imaginative storytelling of JK Rowling, JRR Tolkein and George RR Martin who I have the great fortune of knowing when I helped promote Game of Thrones. Another author very dear to me is Herman Raucher, best known for ’Summer of ’42,’ who took me under his wing as a teenager and spent hours of his time teaching me the craft.
What are you working on next?
Schaffer: I’m mapping out a sequel to GODS OF SOUND as there are a number of answered questions I want to explore. I’ve also worked on an animated TV series called Eat Dirt which has all the silliness and fun of SpongeBob. And I have an idea for what could be a powerful YA novel that has many of the elements of A Fault in the Stars in terms of humor, emotion, disease and love.
Learn More About the Author and Gods of Sound here:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/QMSchafferAuthor
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/GODS-SOUND-PERILOUS-CAMERON-FOSTER/dp/0578833204
GoodReads: https://GoodReads.com/book/show/56931097
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