Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Samuel Yaw Jian Fong
Book Title: Unicorn Farmhand
Released: 01/11/20
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Unicorn Farmhand”?
Fong: "Unicorn Farmhand" was based on a high school assignment about fantasy creatures in around 2015. The current story has several inspirations. The unicorn himself was inspired by cliches about unicorns and horse stories, from "rainbows and unicorns" to some horse stories popular among girls. The Chinese-like setting was based on my life growing up in Seremban and the Hong Kong dramas I used to watch as a kid: I thought that it would be fun to make the human characters Asian like myself.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process, or your book?
Fong: I like to play with tropes and mythology, and I love the sight of blondes and pink hair. I just write the events of my stories as they come along, although I take time to think of some good words to make them less repetitive. As for books, I just write my stories as they appear in my mind, rather than completely direct all my efforts on one story for weeks -- although I might consider for a change.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Fong: Dok Saau's name was based on "duk gok saau" (獨角獸), the Cantonese word for "unicorn". The names of his human owners, like the farmers turned jousting champions Chang Gao and his son Chang Shong, were also based on Cantonese. Many of the names are from my made-up languages: for example, "Mjariloz", "Irjoturjaz", and "Ruobineloz" were from Josolchir, and :"Gworofando" was from the Heronoi language (based on Linear B and Latin). "Oskar" is an odd one out because it's a real name and I named him after Oskar Greaser, a character from SVTFOE.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Fong: I listen to music, look at fanart, and waste time on lore.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Fong: Just write whatever that shows up in your mind, and follow your characters. Make sure that everything is consistent, for your characters' sake! And keep on writing, so one day you will make a friend or two smile.
If "Unicorn Farmhand" were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Fong: I would like Michael Teh to be Chang Gao, the farmer and past jousting champ who is Dok Saau's adoptive father. His son Chang Shong, a courageous jock who outshines his dad as a jouster, can be Lewis Tan. Shong's girlfriend, the adventurous Ang Yeung, can be Chelsea Zhang. His jock friends, Mjariloz and the awkward blonde Gworofando, can be Lehi Falapapalangi and Alexander Ludwig. As for Dok Saau, the star of the show, he should be voiced by any British voice actor.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Fong: My fave genre is sci-fi, my fave book is the Silmarillion, and my fave author is Tolkien, who inspired me to write more.
What are you working on next?
Fong: Several WIPs are being juggled, hahaha! Too bad I can get too busy with other projects to successfully focus on them, especially that I'm stuck at home due to the lockdown...
Azdortil - Several aliens, including the title character, escape a prison and hide in an abandoned castle. They fight their way out, knowing that it is occupied by supersoldiers and their army of murderous robots, so they can find a spaceport and return home.
Star of Erzesas - Runaways from a fallen kingdom join forces with some alien exiles to find the latter's king. While trying to find a new home for the runaways, they help the nearby settlements defend themselves against armies of fallen angels.
Gworofando - In his younger days, Gworofando was the target of bullies. With the help of his friends Mjariloz and Wiresa, and his family, he learns to overcome his fears and win a better reputation through jousting and making new friends. A midquel for Unicorn Farmhand.
Chang Shong and Friends - Chang Shong and his friends practice for a dance competition. Other parts of the story focus on the surrounding characters of Unicorn Farmhand.
Dondaton - The band Dondaton is given several tests, and in the process they improve their part of the Galaxy. Can their career survive the manipulation of their corporate superiors and make the Galaxy a better place?
Soknawari - The young girl Soknawari grows up in the urban planet of Nandegakko with her living doll Prisoika. But as the years pass, she must learn to fend for herself as the dangers of the Galaxy come crashing upon her homeworld.
Learn More About the Author and Unicorn Farmhand Here:
Email - jfyaw1996@gmail.com
Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/LoshadSpaceport
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2vmZ54JY8UQrb-gUW6vOUA
Facebook - https://m.facebook.com/you.jianfeng
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