Voight-Kampff Author Interview: David J. Normoyle
It is time for interview #2, as part of the scheduled blog schedule for WHAT TOMORROW MAY BRING, the YA Dystopian boxed set. Today we have the chance to "hear" from David J. Normoyle. (To learn more about David or read his interview on his own blog, click here.) Off we go!
David was born in Australia, but moved to Ireland at an early age. The early globe crossing must have gone to his head, as he has since backpacked through and lived in numerous countries. He grew up on a farm as the eldest of nine unruly siblings, but since his escape, he prefers city living. His electronic engineering degree is currently gathering dust while he tries new and strange pursuits such as novel writing.
* WHAT IS THE FIRST SCIENCE FICTION BOOK YOU REMEMBER READING?
Either the Foundation books by Issac Asimov, or Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Foundation is a really cool premise, where a giant inter galactic empire has formed and a mathematician is able to scientifically foresee its collapse, so he implements a plan to restrict the fallout. Ender’s Game is still one of my favorite books. Brilliant idea, perfectly executed.
* ANY MOVIE, ANY BOOK…WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ANTAGONIST?
I’m going to go with one of the oldest villains of all time. Loki, the Norse trickster god, who is currently being excellently brought to life by Tom Hiddleston in the Avengers universe. I wrote a book that combined Norse and Greek myths, called Myth Weaver, and he was my favorite character to write in that.
* WHEN YOU GO TO SEE A MOVIE, DO YOU TRY TO READ THE BOOK FIRST?
Yes, generally. Only if I have no interest in reading the book, will I’ll watch a movie based on a book without having read the book first. My list of movies -better-than-the-book is small but includes Schindler’s List, The Godfather and Silence of the Lambs. In the rest of the cases where I’ve read the book and watched the movie, the book is better.
* DO YOU BUY A BOOK BY THE COVER?
It’s certainly a factor. If I don’t have a recommendation and I’m browsing on Amazon, then it’s the cover that will make me click on it to check out the blurb. The cover indicates the book’s genre. Once I’ve clicked, then the blurb/sample/reviews will decide whether I actually buy.
* HOW IMPORTANT ARE NAMES TO YOU IN THIS BOOK. DID YOU CHOOSE THEM BASED ON SOUND OR MEANING?
Not terribly important, but at the same time the name has to be the right one. Sometimes the first name I choose, will be the correct one, other times I have to keep trying until I find one that I’m happy with.
* DID YOU CHOOSE TO SELF-PUBLISH OR GO THE TRADITIONAL ROUTE? WHY?
Selfpublishing is the best way to go right now, and that’s only going to become clearer as time goes by. With a novel, ninety percent of what the reader cares about in the product comes from the author. The other 10% can be contracted out. So what does the publishing company do that means that they take the majority of the profits? They used to be essential when they controlled the distribution, but now that ebooks are starting to dominate fiction sales, the landscape is rapidly changing. I feel that traditional publishing will have to radically change if they want to stay relevant.
Of course that doesn’t mean the selfpublishing route is easy. Anything but.
* JUST HOW FAR IN THE FUTURE IS YOUR TOMORROW?
Hundreds of thousands of years. Earth has been destroyed and the remnants of humanity have travelled across thousands of light years looking for inhabitable planets. Although, it’s actually in the far future, in a way, it’s also set in the past. That’s because this world has eschewed technology in the hope that they can avoid previous mistakes. So the technology level is medieval.
* QUOTE A CHARACTER, ANY CHARACTER.
“My killing hand is a bit tired.” Bowe shook his arm. “All that slashing and beheading—nothing like a bit of shopping to take your mind off the blood and gore. So, you have anything in Bellanger azure?”
* GIVE US THE WEATHER FORECAST FOR YOUR TOMORROW.
It’ll be hot in the morning, get hotter in the afternoon, then still be hot at night. Before long, it’ll be so hot that the only way to survive will be to seek refuge in underground caverns, cooled by the sea.
* WHO SHOULD NOT READ YOUR BOOK?
Those who would prefer a nice book without much death and violence. Those who would like a story and world that isn’t too complex.
* YOU CAST YOUR CHARACTERS FOR A MOVIE. WHO MAKES IT?
That’s an easy one. Josh Whedon. I love his storytelling ability. I’m a huge Firefly fan–each time I watch it I’m ever more amazed that such a great show could have been canceled after one season. In virtually everything Whedon has done, he weaves character and plot, action and humor into a superb story.
* WHO WOULD PLAY YOUR MAIN CHARACTER IN A MOVIE?
This is tougher. There are many great actors for older characters but not as many for teens. I would go with Asa Butterfield, who did a great job of showing Ender’s vulnerability in Ender’s Game.
* WHAT FIVE SONGS/ARTISTS WOULD FEATURE ON THE SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR TOMORROW?
Hurt, Johnny Cash
One, U2
The Whole of the Moon, Waterboys
Blister in the Sun, Violent Femmes
Rains of Castamere, The National
Don't forget to snag your copy of WHAT TOMORROW MAY BRING,
the YA Dystopian boxset, including David's novel The Narrowing Path
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