Sidebar: I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because a Grammar Nazi can never be too careful.
About the book:
The Roman Catholic priests continuously abused the young boys they had provided accommodation and in Amsterdam the liberal laws on drugs have destroyed a lot of people that there are walking dead on the streets.In Amsterdam, the police successfully have impounded hundreds of kilos of
drugs which are brought into the country through the airport Schipol, yet marijuana and other harmful drugs find their way into the coffee-shops for customers. Where do those drugs come from? Who is controlling it? The government, the army, the police, or the Queen?
Interview with Joel Savage
Joel, how long have you been writing, and how did you start?I have been writing since I was a teenager. I grew up in environment where I witnessed the experiences of those dying in desperation, and it deepened my understanding and knowledge to start writing books inspired by true events.
What do you like best about writing?
Writing has been my passion. It may be a hereditary thing since my father was a journalist and writer.
What’s your least favorite thing?
I don’t have any least favorite thing but I feel restless when a particular book I’m working on is left uncompleted.
Do you have another job outside of writing?
Yes, when I am not behind my desk, I work as a cleaner or sometimes as a forklift driver to support my family.
How did you create the plot for this book?
I was aware of the subject I wanted to write about and since it falls in the genre of non-fiction, I made the book very interesting to read, letting the reader feel that he or she is witnessing firsthand.
Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants, or let your characters tell you what to write?
Having the story in mind, I just plan the outline and the story continues as the book is inspired by true events.
Did you have any say in your cover art?
I love being creative and adventurous. I therefore design the cover illustration of every book I have written.
What books have you read more than once or want to read again?
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peal
What’s your favorite line from a book?
There was an advice to a certain lady to refrain from thinking in order to prevent wrinkles from forming on her forehead.
Tell us a book you’re an evangelist for.
The Devil that Danced on the Water by Aminatta Forna.
What do you do to market your book?
I write little feature articles on my blog relating to my books before they are published.
Joel, tell us about your favorite scene in the book.
When I was invited by the police in Amsterdam for my documents, I went without any idea that I was going to be arrested and thrown behind bars. The police told me “We knew that woman more than you; she takes money from foreigners under the pretext of helping them.” I couldn’t say anything.
What song would you pick to go with your book?
I don’t have any song which suits my case but I remember that time the African-American musician, R Kelly’s lyrics, “I believe I can fly” supported me spiritually through faith to survive.
Who are your favorite authors?
Norman Vincent Peale, Aminatta Forna, Jeffery Archer and Ryszard Kapucinski.
What are your favorite books as a child, as a teenager, and as an adult?
Books inspired by true events.
Which author would you most like to invite to dinner, and what would you fix him?
Harrison Ford. I will first ask him what he likes best.
Do you have a routine for writing? Do you work better at night, in the afternoon, or in the morning?
I write when time is available. It can be morning, evening and even at midnight.
Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
At home at night.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do when it happens?
At the moment I haven’t experienced any writer’s block because I’m still working on other scripts.
What’s one of your favorite quotes?
“Whatever happens to me benefits me, because it educates me morally and spiritually.”
What three books have you read recently and would recommend?
Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, by Jeffrey Archer; My Laugh Comes Last, by James Hadley Chase; and Cry My Beloved Country, by Alan Paton.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Watch a favorite program on the television.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?Australia
If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go?
United States of America
What are you working on now?
My new script The Passion of Reggae and African Music.
Joel Answers the Dirty Dozen:
1. Name one thing you couldn’t live without.The Holy Bible
2. If you could only keep one book,what would it be?
The Power of Positive Thinking
3. Your last meal would be...
Last meal wouldn’t taste well. I prefer to request the Bible.
4. Would you rather work in a library or a bookstore?
I prefer any of them because both are the best way to increase your knowledge and
interact with people.
5. You won the lottery.What’s the first thing you would buy?
A house.
6. Would you rather be stranded on a deserted island or the North Pole? Both aren’t a good experience if one finds himself in any of the two. I will
therefore pray for this never to occur.
7. You’re given the day off, and you can do anything but write. What would you do?
I will still use that precious time to write.
8. You’re driven to a private plane and told it will take you anywhere your want to go.
Where would it be?
A place I haven’t visited yet, United States of America.
9. You can be any fictional character for one day. Who would you be?
Sammy Davis Jr.
10. Where would your dream office be?
A place where business thrives with friendly people.
11. If you could do only one, would you rather read or write?
Write.
12. One of your main characters has to die. Which one would you kill off?
That’s a hard decision. I am happy I’m not working on anything like that at the
moment.
About the author:
Joel Savage was born in the central region of Ghana, Cape Coast, on January 19, 1957. He attended the Ebenezer Secondary School and Accra High School in Accra, Ghana. He later studied at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. Joel was a freelance writer for the Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times and the Weekly Spectator. He became a naturalized citizen of Sierra Leone in 1985 and of Belgium in 2008. He is an accredited, card-holding member of the Flemish Journalists’ Association and lives in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife and three children.Connect with Joel:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon
