The
Sandbox
by J.W. Patrick
Genre: YA Sci-fi
Release Date: October 2018
Summary:
What would you do? After a mysterious impact in the dry Oklahoma landscape, three teenagers discover a world where they can do anything they want. Anything at all: Play. Explore. Fly. Destroy. But as a ripple of consequences impact on reality, Sonny, Isla and Dan realise this is far from a game. Do they now have the power to change the real world? Because if they do, they know exactly what they want to do first. Dirt-poor Sonny Monroe blames the oil company that fracked his family ranch for his problems. Dan Hawk, a Native American from the Chickatawa tribe, has never forgotten who stole his native Homelands. Idealistic Isla Duncan, a Scottish Paralympian junior on a charity handcycle tour, would just like to make the world a better place. As the three teens attract global enemies and the killings begin, grave doubts divide them: Do they control this new-found power? Or is it controlling them? If so, what on Earth does The Sandbox want?
by J.W. Patrick
Genre: YA Sci-fi
Release Date: October 2018
Summary:
What would you do? After a mysterious impact in the dry Oklahoma landscape, three teenagers discover a world where they can do anything they want. Anything at all: Play. Explore. Fly. Destroy. But as a ripple of consequences impact on reality, Sonny, Isla and Dan realise this is far from a game. Do they now have the power to change the real world? Because if they do, they know exactly what they want to do first. Dirt-poor Sonny Monroe blames the oil company that fracked his family ranch for his problems. Dan Hawk, a Native American from the Chickatawa tribe, has never forgotten who stole his native Homelands. Idealistic Isla Duncan, a Scottish Paralympian junior on a charity handcycle tour, would just like to make the world a better place. As the three teens attract global enemies and the killings begin, grave doubts divide them: Do they control this new-found power? Or is it controlling them? If so, what on Earth does The Sandbox want?
Interview
with Author J.W. Patrick
As
a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
My
favourite animal is a Highland Cow – noble, stately, elegant, stubborn. Of
these, stubborn is all I can claim to be. So my spirit animal is in all
honestly probably a rat! Curious, explorative, shrewd, always hungry, leaves a
mess, constantly finds itself in places it ought not to be but extremely loyal.
How
many hours a day do you put into your writing?
Varies
wildly. I write for commercial projects and some factual TV but I also have a
part-time job as a chef. So on those days which are physically tiring, I just
use my notebook and write longhand with a fountain pen in bed or in front of
TV. Although I always say I do my best work in the shower or bath! Then, when I
have time to sit down in front of the computer I just blast out as much as I
can make sense of, from all my scribbles and notes.
Do
you read your book reviews? If yes, do they affect what you write in the
future?
Yes.
To a certain extent. I’m stubborn and will continue down my chosen path no
matter what. But if a common criticism emerges then obviously I'd be stupid not
to listen.
Do
you leave hidden messages in your books that only a few people will find?
Of
course. There's always a scattering of references and in-jokes to my favourite
TV shows...
Can
you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Sandbox?
The
three main characters are Isla, Sonny and Dan – all 17.
Sonny
and Dan are lifelong buddies from a small town in Oklahoma. They are an ‘odd
couple’: Sonny is a dirt-poor, world-weary impulsive young man whose best
friend is brooding, intense, thoughtful and considered. Dan is a Native
American with a tiger mom who has very high expectations. Neither of their
families approve of their friendship.
Without Dan, Sonny would most likely be in prison. Sonny’s family farm
has been bankrupted by nearby fracking operations and somebody, somewhere is
going to pay.
Isla
is a Scottish Paralympian Junior taking part in a charity fundraising hand
cycle tour of America. She is disabled from a childhood car crash that killed
her mother. Determined, principled, passionate, and fiery, Isla is drawn to all
lost causes and just wants the world to be a fairer place. When Sonny and Dan,
riding their beloved dirt-bikes, rescue Isla from a marauding Twister, their
lives are changed forever.
The
three of them discover The Sandbox, a mysterious entity with seemingly
impossible power and they set about righting some wrongs. No matter what the
consequences may be...
Can
you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have planned for the
future?
Not
planning anything except finishing books 2 &3 of The Sandbox. Hopefully
this year (2019)
Do
you allow yourself a certain number of hours to write or do you write as long
as the words come?
In
my head I plan minimum hours and word counts but in real life this usually
means zero pages completed one day, then writing to 2am on another.
Do
you have a certain number of words or pages you write per day?
I
wish!
What
inspires you to write?
My
children are voracious readers and it’s lovely to have them enjoy my stories.
Although The Sandbox is a little old for them just yet. Also watching and
reading about current affairs on the News. The young characters in the Sandbox
become increasingly politicised as they discover who their true enemies are.
Would you rather
Read
fiction or non-fiction?
I
read both equally so that’s a difficult question. I get just as much a thrill
as starting a new Peter Hamilton novel as I do a reading yet another history of
Ancient Rome or biography. If forced to choose: probably non-fiction!
Read
series or stand-alone?
Series
for sure! Huge lengthy tomes and loads of ‘em is heaven for me. Dan Simmons or
Peter F.Hamilton especially. I stand in awe at their imagination. Their vast
plots. And their work rate!
Read
Science fiction or horror?
Science
Fiction without a doubt. I’m addicted to sci-fi novels and TV. Iain M. Banks is
my favourite sci fi writer. Never really enjoyed reading horror since I got
scared reading at night as a kid but I do like horror films, especially
suspenseful horror and humorous horror.
Unfunny slash and gore always seem a bit suspect to me.
Read
Stephen King or Dean Koontz
I’ve
never read Dean Koontz but have loved every (non-horror!) Stephen King I've
ever picked up such as the Dark Tower and 11/22/63.
I’m sure I'll try one of his classic
horrors eventually.
Read
the book or watch the movie?
I
always read the book first. However, I
very rarely enjoy movies of books I loved. Too much gets dropped I think,
especially story elements I could never have dropped! Character ages are always wrong too and they
are always much prettier than they ought to be. Maybe I should watch the film
first...
Btw,
The Expanse TV series is
a brilliant adaptation of a book series. (Dare I say it, the script might even
be better!) I just wish I could give that production team a list of all my
favourite sci-fi books plus a billion dollars and tell them just to let me know
when they’ve finished!
Read
an ebook or paperback?
Always
a paperback. Don’t own a kindle. I read in the bath. Also, I Iove my
bookshelves too much – I would have floor to ceiling bookshelves on every wall
in every room of my house if I could. My wife not keen on that idea though...
Be
trapped alone for one month in a library with no computer or a room with a
computer and Wi-Fi only?
For
one month? A library for sure. For ever though? I’d miss the news too much
maybe. We can’t isolate ourselves for ever.
But a month sure would be nice.
Do
a cross-country book store tour or blog tour online?
I
love road trips... see new places, meet new people. What’s not to love?
About the Author
JW Patrick lives in Scotland and has written voice-over scripts for television in the UK and USA.
My novels include The Invincibles, The Sandbox
I most recently completed a non-fiction book called Why have Adventures? for parents of young teens exploring the benefits of outdoor education.
JW Patrick lives in Scotland and has written voice-over scripts for television in the UK and USA.
My novels include The Invincibles, The Sandbox
I most recently completed a non-fiction book called Why have Adventures? for parents of young teens exploring the benefits of outdoor education.
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