An
Interview with John Claude Bemis
A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to read The Prince Who Fell From the Sky. I love fantasy books and this was right up my alley. Upon reading it I immediately gave my copy to a student to read and get their opinion. He loved it too. We both were extraordinarily fond of the main character, Casseomae, a bear with the kindest heart you will find. I'm thrilled to introduce you all to the author, John Claude Bemis, who has stopped by Read, Write, Reflect to share some of his writing process with us along with the inspiration for this book. I can't wait to share his answers with my students today.
What
books have influenced you as a writer?
John Claude Bemis: As a reader,
I’m drawn to adventures about heart-felt heroes set in worlds where I can delve
deep into thought-provoking cultures. As
a writer, I strive for that elegant balance of fantastical characters, plots,
and settings. The Harry Potter series, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve, and The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman all
have had huge influences on how I think about stories and story elements. I return to them often and learn more every
time I do.
What
was your favorite children’s book when you were a child?
John Claude Bemis: That
would depend on which week you asked me.
There have been so many favorites!
(Visit John’s website for a list of his favorite novels.) But the book I have read the most times in my
life is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein. I love that story!
When
did writing become part of your life? How has it evolved?
John Claude Bemis: I grew
up in a very rural place and relied on my imagination for my
entertainment. I’ve always been the type
of person who likes creating—whether it was music, art, or writing. I’ve been making up stories since before I
could write! Some of those stories just
lived in my head— stories and characters and situations that I could escape to
in my imagination whenever I wanted.
Others were stories I actually wrote down. The biggest evolution is how I now spend
months and years writing a single story, where I used to leave stories
half-finished before moving on to the next exciting idea. You have to stick to a goal to be a
successful writer.
What is
your writing routine? Do you write in the same place? Do you need quiet or do
you listen to music as you write?
John Claude Bemis: I write
out at a rustic cabin on a friend’s farm in North Carolina. It has no heat or air and (most importantly)
no internet access. It’s a magical
place! I don’t listen to music, and it’s
mostly quiet…except for when the chickens come clucking around my cabin
door. In a pinch, I’ve written in fast
food restaurants, hotels, coffee shops, and in the hallways at conferences, but
I prefer a relaxing setting where I can concentrate. It’s important to have a place to work where
you feel creative and can keep away from distractions.
What
first popped in your mind to create the seed that became The Prince Who Fell
From the Sky?
John Claude Bemis: The
first impetus of the idea for the story came one day when I was walking around
an old abandoned NASCAR racetrack near my house. It’s all overgrown with trees now and has an
eerie post-apocalyptic feel. I’m a fan
of world mythology, and in particular, I love the Native American and African
creation myths where there are no people yet and archetypal talking animals
rule the earth. I had the idea: what if
I told a story with these sorts of mythical animals, not at the beginning of
the world, but long after a mass extinction that’s removed humanity from the
earth? It seemed lots of fun to play
around with the sorts of legends the animals would have about us and the sort
of new world order the animals would create.
Is this
the first in a series?
John Claude Bemis: I
originally intended The Prince Who Fell
from the Sky to be a stand-alone novel.
The story of Casseomae and her human cub felt complete when I reached
the end. However recently, I’ve had some
new ideas bubbling up that make me wonder if I’ll return to these characters
and their world one day.
What
character did you connect with from The Prince Who Fell From the Sky?
John Claude Bemis: I just
loved the main character, the bear Casseomae.
She’s so powerful and compassionate.
I admire her deeply! One of the
guiding ideas for the story was: if I was ever lost in a dangerous wilderness,
I’d want her protecting me! I should add
that the fast-talking rat Dumpster was a tremendously fun character to write.
What
suggestions do you have for world building?
John Claude Bemis: The
most important rule of world building is consistency. You can have outlandish aspects to a fantasy
world that readers will suspend disbelief for, but readers will quit believing
in your world as soon as you break your own rules. It takes a lot of time exploring your world
in your imagination to bring it to life.
When I create a world—whether it’s the complex animal society in The Prince Who Fell from the Sky or the
mythical, steampunk America of my Clockwork Dark trilogy—I set my stories in
worlds that deeply appeal to me, places I’d love to visit, settings that
fascinate me to my core.
What do
you hope your readers get from your books?
John Claude Bemis: I suppose
I hope my readers take away that courage and heart can get you through life’s
most difficult situations. The heroes of
my stories aren’t always the smartest, strongest (except for Conker in The Nine Pound Hammer), or most
talented. But they do have tremendous
heart and are willing to go to extremes for those they love. It doesn’t get much more important than that
for me.
Bio:
John Claude Bemis is the author of The Clockwork Dark, a fantasy adventure trilogy that takes place in a mythical America. The first book, The Nine Pound Hammer (Random House), was described as “a steampunk collision of heroes, mermaids, pirates, and good old-fashioned Americana” by Booklist and was a New York Public Library Best Children’s Book 2009 for Reading and Sharing. The trilogy continues with The Wolf Tree and The White City and has been described as “original and fresh” and “a unique way of creating fantasy.” His new book The Prince Who Fell from the Sky was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month for May 2012. John lives in Hillsborough, North Carolina with his wife and daughter. www.johnclaudebemis.com
Giveaway Rules
1. The giveaway will run from May 21, 2012 to midnight on May 23, 2012
2. This contest is open to people living in the continental United States.
3. You must be at least 13 to enter.
4. If you can, please pay it forward. Thanks!Copy provided by Random House
