J.C. Nusbaum's Blog
October 20, 2011
Interview Questions for Red Adept Reviews
Where did The Mystic Travelogues title come from?
I have always enjoyed stories about adventures on the road, as well as non-fiction travel writing. When I began writing this fantasy series, I knew each book would be a journey, and each volume would be a sort of travelogue. As far as the use of the word “mystic,” that holds a very specific significance that is explored in the story. Tug, the main character, comes to realize the subtle distinction between “magical” and “mystical”, and a big part of his journey is finding a place for mysticism in his life.
How long have you been writing?
When I was in preschool, a couple of years before I could write full sentences, I asked my teacher to write down a story I wanted to tell called “The Bird and the Frog Go for a Swim.” I dictated and she wrote down the story, and then I inserted drawings I had made and drew more pictures to accompany the story. I’ve been writing in much the same way my entire life; I sketch ideas for stories, and let the drawings that emerge shape the tale, and while I write I switch gears to draw pictorial vignettes that will augment the story. The Mystic Travelogues was created in precisely this way.
Where did you get the idea for The Mystic Travelogues?
I know a lot of authors don’t particularly like being asked where they get their ideas. I have even heard authors announce they won’t answer that before they begin taking questions at a speaking engagement. But for me, it is one of the easiest questions to answer. I get my ideas from the things those things I love and am drawn to. My teddy bear, Leopold, is a lifelong companion and sits on my desk, so it seemed only natural that I would stare into his eyes and imagine the story he had to tell. Likewise, I’m very interested in learning about things I can experience for myself that have a degree of mysticism, such as developing my intuition or working with my dreams. I think it is very easy to look at the things you naturally care about and imagine what wonderful stories might grow out of those interests and ideas.
I have always enjoyed stories about adventures on the road, as well as non-fiction travel writing. When I began writing this fantasy series, I knew each book would be a journey, and each volume would be a sort of travelogue. As far as the use of the word “mystic,” that holds a very specific significance that is explored in the story. Tug, the main character, comes to realize the subtle distinction between “magical” and “mystical”, and a big part of his journey is finding a place for mysticism in his life.
How long have you been writing?
When I was in preschool, a couple of years before I could write full sentences, I asked my teacher to write down a story I wanted to tell called “The Bird and the Frog Go for a Swim.” I dictated and she wrote down the story, and then I inserted drawings I had made and drew more pictures to accompany the story. I’ve been writing in much the same way my entire life; I sketch ideas for stories, and let the drawings that emerge shape the tale, and while I write I switch gears to draw pictorial vignettes that will augment the story. The Mystic Travelogues was created in precisely this way.
Where did you get the idea for The Mystic Travelogues?
I know a lot of authors don’t particularly like being asked where they get their ideas. I have even heard authors announce they won’t answer that before they begin taking questions at a speaking engagement. But for me, it is one of the easiest questions to answer. I get my ideas from the things those things I love and am drawn to. My teddy bear, Leopold, is a lifelong companion and sits on my desk, so it seemed only natural that I would stare into his eyes and imagine the story he had to tell. Likewise, I’m very interested in learning about things I can experience for myself that have a degree of mysticism, such as developing my intuition or working with my dreams. I think it is very easy to look at the things you naturally care about and imagine what wonderful stories might grow out of those interests and ideas.
