FACE OUT Friday: interview with author Max Turner
1. What were you like as a child, where you an avid reader? Was there one particular book that you loved growing up?
I was a curious child – and had an older brother, Jake, who specialized in getting himself (and me) into trouble. Fortunately, he was also an avid reader, and like my parents, read to my younger brother, Charlie, and me, until we were old enough to read on our own. Our favourite book was The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien although we also liked Watership Down by Richard Adams, the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander, Papillon by Henri Charriere and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.
2. You have been a high school science teacher for seven years, teaching science and writing seem polar opposites, what drew you into writing?
I was drawn into writing by my mother, Julia Bell, who is an illustrator. (She specializes in book covers for Canadian teen novels). She and I worked together on children’s story in 1995. Things didn’t work out, but I fell in love with writing. I’m a bit of an addict now.
3. How did the story for Night Runner come about?
Night Runner came about because of a comment a teammate made when our University Football team went to England back in 1992. I used to play in the defensive secondary and I was wickedly fast. I was also the slowest tourist in the history of travel. It took me 6 hours to walk through the Tower or London. No one could figure out how I could run a 40 metre dash in less than four and a half seconds, but couldn’t outpace a snail when I was walking around a museum. I realized then, that the only time I moved quickly was when I was mowing the lawn. (I didn’t like the fumes from a lawn mower). Later, I imagined a young boy recognizing this about his father. Over months and years, I asked myself questions about this kid and why he thought about his father so much. By the time I sat down to write Night Runner (in 2006), I’d figured out that the boy’s father was dead and had been killed by an ancient vampire lord. (Originally, I’d had Zack’s father killed by organized criminals, probably because I was living in Montreal at the time while the biker wars raged in the streets and in the media. I passed over this idea quickly in favour of something a little more fun).
4. The sequel to Night Runner will be available in September 2010, has it been titled? Can you give us any clues/hints about the sequel? Is that date for the US and Canada? How many books do you plan to write in the series?
The sequel to Night Runner is called The End of Days. It should be available in the US (through St. Martin’s Griffin Press) and in Canada (through HarperCollins Canada) in September (2010). It is based loosely on the revelations of St. John the divine. Look for many of the old characters, (Zack and co.) and a new villain. Just as Night Runner was really about forgiveness and choices, End of Days focuses on the some deeper themes, most notably the importance of perspective and the need to reserve judgment. This is definitely the second part of three (but whether I get to write the third, will of course, depend on the success of the second story – so please spread the word. Go Zack!).
5. What is currently in your STACK?
I am currently reading a book by John Irving called Last Night in Twisted River. I like to have a fiction and non-fiction on the go at the same time – so I’m also reading a book on Hinduism by Robert Zaehner. After that, I’m moving on to Joseph Boyden, either Through Black Spruce or Three Day Road, whatever I can get my hands on.
STACKGirls Interesting Author Tidbits:
*salty or sweet – sweet tooth
*cook at home, take-out or dinner out – dinner out
*do you say pop, soda or coke – pop
*thesaurus or dictionary – thesaurus
*country, hip-hop, rock or classical – rock
*Star Wars, Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings – Star Wars
*fiction or non-fiction – both
*texting, emailing or talking on the phone – emailing
*truth or dare – truth
*werewolf or vampire - werewolf
I heard he wrote the book with male reluctant readers in mind. I say kudos to him and keep writing for those boys!!
You are right, he did. I seem to have a reluctant reader and love it that guys like him and Dav Pilkey do what they do.
Awsome book, Night Runner, did my book report on it..turns out Max lived across the street from my Mom Laurie.
Too Awsome what a great book
@ Ashley – That is so cool that you did your report on Night Runner! It’s a great book! How funny that your mom lived across from him! WOW!