Blog Tour & Giveaway: Scar of the Downers by Scott Keen

ScarDownersScar of the Downers by Scott Keen
Publication date: February 27th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

bannerfans_14913062

Branded on the slaves in the Northern Reaches beyond Ungstah, the scar marks each one as a Downer. It is who they are. There is no escaping this world. Still, strange things are stirring.

Two foreigners ride through the Northern Reaches on a secret mission. An unknown cloaked figure wanders the streets of the dark city of Ungstah. What they want no one can be sure, but it all centers around a Downer named Crik.

Crik, too scared to seek freedom, spends his days working in his master’s store, avoiding the spirit-eating Ash Kings, and scavenging food for himself and his best friend, Jak. Until he steals from the wrong person. When Jak is sold to satisfy the debt, Crik burns down his master’s house and is sentenced to death.

To survive, Crik and his friends must leave behind their life of slavery to do what no other Downer has ever done before – escape from the city of Ungstah.

add-to-goodreads-button

bannerfans_14541364(6)

AMAZON
B&N

AuthorInterview

DO YOU HAVE ANY TRICKS TO GET IN THE MOOD TO WRITE?

Many times when I sit down to write, it is hard for me to just jump in to my story, especially if I have experienced a stressful or rough day. So what I like to do to escape from the day’s events and prepare for the world I’m about to enter is to either watch trailers of movies (usually that are in the same genre that I am writing) or watch emotionally evocative scenes from some of my favorite movies. Sometimes I will even just read, and that will bring my mind to a place I need it to be.

WHERE DO YOU GET INSPIRATION FOR CHARACTERS OR PLOT LINES?

I usually don’t find inspiration from a specific source. Most of my inspiration has come from images I have imagined or seen, ideas I want to write about, or things I’ve experienced. The thing I noticed about inspiration is this: you don’t have to find it, you just have to recognize it. This, at least, is true for me.

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU STARTED WRITING?

I started writing in high school, but it was typically poems or songs for the band I was in. I didn’t really start writing stories until I went to college and started learning the craft. So in that sense, I was sort of a late bloomer.

IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANY FAMOUS AUTHOR?

I would love to work with Tolkien and watch how he brought his stories together. I love to read or watch about other authors and learn their process of writing. Victor Hugo is another person I would love to spend time with, especially as he wrote Les Miserables.

IF YOU COULD SPEND A DAY WITH ANY FICTIONAL CHARACTER?

This is a difficult question. At this moment, I wouldn’t mind spending a day with Saruman from The Lord of the Rings. For one, it would be pretty interesting to see the daily functions of a wizard, especially one that is creating an army of orcs. It would be interesting to learn that process.

FAVORITE BAND/MUSICIAN?

It is so difficult to only pick one. But I really like Lisa Gerrard. I could listen to her voice all the time. It is so evocative. It can really take you away.

FAVORITE CITY I’VE VISITED?

To be honest, I haven’t traveled to many places. But I think I would have to say that I liked Washington D.C., and all the monuments, memorials, and museums.

CITY THAT I’D LIKE TO VISIT?

I would love to visit London, Paris, or Venice.

FAVORITE FOOD?

Grilled steak

ONE CITY TO BE LOST IN?

Since I haven’t visited too many cities, I will go out on a limb and say Venice. A city built on a lagoon is just an awesome idea.

bannerfans_14541364(4)

Scott

Scott grew up in Black River, NY, the youngest of three children. While in law school, he realized he didn’t want to be a lawyer. So he did the practical thing – he became a writer. Now, many years later with an MFA in script and screenwriting, he is married with four daughters, two of whom he homeschools.
bannerfans_14554480
Enter to win a signed copy of Scar of the Downers!

About author(s)

Nikki

I'm a midwest girl in my early 30s with a love of costume jewelry, lattes, and farmers markets. The written word is it for me. I love to craft my own stories, as well as devour those that others have written. Outside of writing and reading, I love film, music, baseball, trying new restaurants, traveling, craft beer, and spending time with my friends and family.