Before the new year, we asked you to pose questions to Betrayal at Falador author, T.S Church. Hes found time to reply and his responses can be found in the Forums.

 

 

 

Find out how the story will continue, how TS Church worked out the distances in the novel, and even uncover a few tips for aspiring writers. Answers to these and other intriguing questions can be found in the forum thread.

 

 

 

To read the answers, please visit the Jagex Store Feedback forum in the official Forums. The quickfind code for this thread is 73-74-975-58210180.

 

 

 

So here's the Q and A

 

 

 

[hide=Q and A]1. How long did it take to write the whole novel? When did you start?

 

(Virus 32, Uber Frost, Mrskull01, Justcute4u, Roy Hoops, Evil Yanks, Sumner94, Thelioness O, Markstevetom, I def nub I, Bonthesaler)

 

 

 

The first draft of the book took me six months to write. I set myself a simple goal: 1,000 words per day, commencing in early January 2007. That often meant putting off social engagements, getting up many hours before work, and frequently continuing into the small hours. Once the first draft was complete, I cut it down (initially it was 190,000 words but I reduced it to 140,000 in only a few short weeks!).

 

 

 

 

 

2. Will there be sequel to the Betrayal at Falador, or will there be a RuneScape Book Series by you?

 

(Sailorscoutx, Rune Play 100, Camoninja12, The Hearach, 2monkeyboyz, Hamsterking5, Chillyzz2, Evil Yanks, Bigb4199, Orcpat, GK2011, Dame Dude 56, Krash108, Marceno2, Darkmagic76, Kakapoipoop, Satan Devil4, Migy Matty, Cheatochurch, Boridelf, Matt5327, Matthew Swor, Coin197, Bobvpl, King Man543, Querty30111)

 

 

 

There is a planned sequel(s)! In fact, once I have finished answering your questions then I am going straight back to it. Can I give away any spoilers? If you have read Betrayal at Falador then you will have a good idea of where it will start. But it will be darker than the first, answering questions regarding the true origin of one of the heroes and involving a trip across a certain river

 

 

 

 

 

3. Do you play RuneScape and whats your favourite skill? How long have you played for and whats your level?

 

(Mrskull01, Tahuv, Pujolsrox11, Luke Sky276, Nguy4, Bart123111, Kite Drachen, Goldgeneral7, DarkmageB8, Mirlen86)

 

 

 

I have and still do play RuneScape. I first started playing in December 2006, the month before the concept of the book came to me. Many people have asked for my RuneScape ID, but Im afraid I am going to have to disappoint you all with this request: I am keeping that one a secret. However, my level is higher than 70 but lower than 80. I dont have a favourite skill as such, as I try to train all of them to a similar level.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Was it difficult to fit in with the existing RuneScape backstory? What made you make the changes from game to story?

 

(Gr33n Day34, Wahoo Nation, Stinkowing, Dr Valkyre, Alex520jedi, Marceno2, Daemon Dredd, Sinner Kenji, Rs Daddyoh)

 

 

 

It was obviously important that the book was as faithful to the RuneScape game as possible, although a few changes had to be made in the translation to give the story a realistic feel. To further complicate matters, RuneScape is frequently updated, and this can have severe implications for a novel. To counter such changes, the novel was deliberately set five years before the present day, thereby removing any inconsistencies that might arise from future updates. The main differences from novel to game came about as a means of adding realism to the novel, especially where distances were concerned, and this, in turn, led to the introduction of horses to allow the heroes to travel from one location to another.

 

 

 

 

 

5. How did you become an author? What inspired you to write a book? Have you written any other books?

 

(2monkeyboyz, Khagerak, Goldy176, Ericxiao2, Pujolsrox11, Sira890, Caeniix25, Smaug Hunter, Chris Dude70, 121592, Coder Tyler, Sinister638, Demon Paria)

 

 

 

It was at university, in the time between lectures and exams, that I really started writing with a professional approach. I have written several books, although they are currently maturing on my laptop and tucked in musty folders on undusted shelves: I may very well go back to them in the future. The key inspiration for writing the RuneScape novel was to take an existing world and add my own interpretation, ultimately to develop a novel that would be well received by both fans and non-players alike.

 

 

 

 

 

6. Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

 

(Emanick1, Piefreak10, Cloud Ex8, Dr Valkyre, Neverknow1, Thelioness O, Lebraun7, Tichondrous6)

 

 

 

This first thing I have to say is for you to read, and, when you do so, always have a dictionary to hand in order to improve your vocabulary. Read as much as you can, but certainly read the classics. Then make rules and profiles for your book and your characters: Star Wars has done this in perhaps the most innovative way I can think in recent years with its use of The Force. This technique can explain away any coincidence or unlikely event in any of its stories. Rules and character profiles also help keep consistency spot on. The other thing I would say would be to set yourself writing tasks: when I was at university I used to set myself the goal of writing a story per week, with one chapter each day and only one day for preparation. To aid in setting the scene quickly, I would sometimes randomly pick a genre, a time period, and also style of writing with which to experiment. It proved to be a useful exercise as often I would write about things of which I knew very little or had very little interest in. It also led to a number of unfinished pieces, yet always it was a learning process which forced me to think and write in areas and with techniques I might not have usually used. If I were to repeat the exercise, however, I would curtail the time from a week to just a couple of days.

 

 

 

 

 

7. How did you come up with the characters? Are any of them based on real people?

 

(Thorblade4, King Nythan)

 

 

 

The characters were borne out of RuneScapes skills and back story. No single character was based on any one individual, although all of the main characters display traits that I think all people possess. To reflect the game in a suitable manner, I picked characters that would best represent core skills, such as combat and Magic, and then frequently dropped in secondary skills as and when the storyline allowed (such as Fishing, Firemaking, and Smithing). The upbringing of the characters also played a part in their skill sets and attributes, and such cultural differences make the novel more realistic.

 

 

 

 

 

8. Why was it set in Falador and how did you pick the items used in the book? (e.g. adamant rather than rune)?

 

(Zoomer1128, Daemon Dredd, Mr. Hibbert 1, Tycoon12327)

 

 

 

This is a good question and it raises an important point of just what it is the novels are setting out to do. The books are meant to introduce players to the world of RuneScape. Betrayal at Falador documents the first major adventures of the heroes in a predominantly free-to-play area (and is thus more accessible for non-members). In subsequent works, the characters will grow and develop their skills further, just as a player would have to do. It would have killed any mystery to arm Kara with the best weapons in her first appearance. Just as a new player starting to play RuneScape, Kara and her friends still have a lot to discover.

 

 

 

 

 

9. Who are your favourite authors?

 

(Nguy4, Xanthist1)

 

 

 

Amongst my favourite authors, I would have to include JRR Tolkien, for it was The Hobbit, read to me by my eldest brother when I was four, that caught my imagination and got me interested in reading. Since then, Charles [bleep]ens and Jane Austen would have to be near the top of my list. The formers Pickwick Papers is a masterpiece of comedy, and I stick firmly to my personal theory that much British comedy and literature today stems directly from Mr. Pickwicks adventures. And as for Jane Austen, she has a very wicked sense of humour. Finally, I would have to include Patrick OBrian for his Aubrey-Maturin series: his use of language and detail brings the Napoleonic War alive.

 

 

 

 

 

10. Why did you write a book on RuneScape?

 

(Freedo30, Cash548, Deathzilla7, Stormhawk 7, Roi O Bannon)

 

 

 

After playing the game for a relatively short time, I became convinced that a novel, written as an introduction to the world of RuneScape, would add immense value to the fans experience and enjoyment of the game as well as introduce new players. Certainly, from the feedback received, many would agree that the first two objectives have been achieved.

 

 

 

 

 

11. Was it fun for you to write?

 

(Jakerock109, Crazcraz11)

 

 

 

Absolutely if it wasnt I would not have done it! There were days when I would wake up and the first thing I would think of was the next scene to write. It was exciting, and it was also quite intense. When a major scene was unfolding then I would often find myself at my desk far beyond any decent hour, feeling as if Id run a mile: to see everything come together in the final moments was especially exciting.

 

 

 

 

 

12. What do you say to people ranting about the book?

 

(Red Baren112, Demon Paria)

 

 

 

I would be very surprised if the book had met with universal acclaim no book ever has and no book ever shall. That said, some people who have criticized the novel have done so on the belief that RuneScape should remain solely a game (and frequently havent read the book). I disagree. Adding a novel to the RuneScape portfolio adds more for fans to experience, and will hopefully get more people interested in reading.

 

 

 

 

 

13. How did you work out the distances for the book?

 

(Golden Palm, Girly594, Lord Takoda)

 

 

 

This is an interesting point that has generated a lot of discussion amongst readers. There is no single rule that I applied to formulate the distances. It was more a case of working out the distances based on the atmosphere of the game and the novel: for example, the Kinshra (Black Knights) had to be at least a few days away from Falador in order for the book to be realistic you cant have two enemies living only a minutes walk away from one another. As a true-life, historical precedent, Britain in the time of the Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy, or perhaps the city-states of early Rome and the Etruscans are useful guides: enemy nations and tribes exist very close to one another but still with enough distance to provide space enough for an honest adventurer to earn a not-so-honest living.

 

 

 

 

 

14. Do dreams inspire you?

 

(Antarktika)

 

 

 

I find I dream most when I am busy. After a day spent in plotting out a story, with many ideas rejected, modified, and sometimes manhandled into existing storylines, my mind is usually abuzz with the jigsaw of disparate elements that often work themselves out overnight, and sometimes the solution to an apparent deadlock or plot contradiction can come in the form of a dream. I do always keep a pen and pad of paper by my bedside for scribbling down hasty notes whenever an idea occurs however.

 

 

 

 

 

15. Do you think the book is a success?

 

(Sam Parki, Lady Ninane, Ganon95)

 

 

 

Very much so. The feedback from readers has been fantastic and, ultimately, that is the only measure of success that is important to an author, as it gives you the confidence to move forward and commit yourself to other work and develop your skill further.[/hide]

 

 

 

So I never really read this book, but I did want to know the about author. :

First reply FTW, I found this helpful, as I wanted to know a lot of the stuff he was doing, such as if there's a sequel.

i love reading about anything to do with runescape i hope there is more to come!

lol hes only lvl 70 something what a noob

 

:roll:

 

jk, sounds like he put a lotta work into the book

I've read only half of the book so far and I think it's great, I can greatly recommend it to anyone :D (and I read a lot so that's pretty good :))

This could be good for anyone who writes, such as myself \ .

 

 

 

 

 

(Although I write in Hebrew...).

3. Do you play RuneScape and whats your favourite skill? How long have you played for and whats your level?

 

(Mrskull01, Tahuv, Pujolsrox11, Luke Sky276, Nguy4, Bart123111, Kite Drachen, Goldgeneral7, DarkmageB8, Mirlen86)

 

 

 

I have and still do play RuneScape. I first started playing in December 2006, the month before the concept of the book came to me. Many people have asked for my RuneScape ID, but Im afraid I am going to have to disappoint you all with this request: I am keeping that one a secret. However, my level is higher than 70 but lower than 80. I dont have a favourite skill as such, as I try to train all of them to a similar level.

 

 

 

T.S Church is a noob? O_o

Boooring.

lol hes only lvl 70 something what a noob

 

:roll:

 

jk, sounds like he put a lotta work into the book

 

 

 

 

T.S Church is a noob? O_o

 

 

 

 

Feeling the need to call a casual player who hasn't yet reached high combat levels a noob says more about you than it says about him. What's the matter? Are you feeling insecure because he's a moderately successful writer and plays runescape in his spare time?

lol hes only lvl 70 something what a noob

 

:roll:

 

jk, sounds like he put a lotta work into the book

 

 

 

 

T.S Church is a noob? O_o

 

 

 

 

Feeling the need to call a casual player who hasn't yet reached high combat levels a noob says more about you than it says about him. What's the matter? Are you feeling insecure because he's a moderately successful writer and plays runescape in his spare time?

 

 

 

Feeling the need to be oblivious to playful jesting says more about you than it says about me. What's the matter? Are you feeling insecure at your ability to comprehend the difference between noob in its literal meaning - to be a new player - and that of an insult(of which it was not)?

 

 

 

Any noob could tell both gongusan and myself were joking around. Unless you're one of those noobs that's insecure about being a noob and is convinced the term noob is offensive. Are you?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EDIT: Just noticed your signature ""Noob" is an insult. "Noob" is overused. Be polite. Try to say "noob" less than once a day.

 

Thank you.".

 

 

 

Looks like you are overly sensitive about it. I guess online gaming isn't for you. May I suggest playing console games that aren't online? Online gaming is not for those that find the word "noob" offensive. :

T.S Church is a noob? O_o

So are you.

T.S Church is a noob? O_o

So are you.

 

 

 

 

 

World 130. Duel Arena. :

EDIT: Just noticed your signature ""Noob" is an insult. "Noob" is overused. Be polite. Try to say "noob" less than once a day.

 

Thank you.".

 

 

 

Looks like you are overly sensitive about it. I guess online gaming isn't for you. May I suggest playing console games that aren't online? Online gaming is not for those that find the word "noob" offensive. :

 

Actually I'm very thick-skinned.

 

 

 

I'm just trying to improve the general niceness of rs players by having this signature. Probably it doesn't help at all...

 

 

 

Now it may be that you and that other guy were just joking when you called this writer a noob*, but in-game, "noob" is almost invariably used as an insult. A word is an insult if it is intended to offend or hurt, and in-game, I see that "noob" is most often used that way. The same goes for "nerd" and many other words, it's not the words themselves, but the intent with which they are used.

 

 

 

* There was no context whatsoever to your statements, thus invalidating your claim that it was obvious that you were joking. You could have easily said

 

- He's probably a great goblinslayer by now.

 

- Ducks and chickens flee in terror when they see this writer coming!

 

This would have conveyed the same meaning without leaving the impression that you're just an immature RPG'er who instinctively calls everyone with less levels than himself a noob and everyone with more levels than himself a no-lifer.

A word is an insult if it is intended to offend or hurt.

 

 

 

Case closed.

 

 

 

It was obviously a joke, get a sense of humour.

Boooring.

 

 

 

Have u actually read it?

 

If so it's not actually that boring, but i have only read extracts of the book at a time,

 

 

 

Miss

Almost every thread on tip in general involves people arguing about what other people said, completely off topic and so pointless. Then people spend 5 minutes writing a response making sure its 100% perfect to help reduce the fact that the other person will come back commenting on how bad your punctuation is.

 

 

 

STFU arguing and ignore stupid posts, could really do with some actual moderators on tip it that just delete, posts that waste time. Your wasting you time arguing over a word you both think you are right, and guess what you both are right. There is 2 sides to every story so stick to your opinions but keep em to yourself unless its actually related to the topic.

 

 

 

This whole thing could of been avoided by just ignoring that post about the writer being called a noob and then some other person actually finding it offensive enough to post a comment arguing against it.

 

 

 

bored at work ftl

Huh. Interesting article. I think writing books about a game is kinda taking it too far though.

Almost every thread on tip in general involves people arguing about what other people said, completely off topic and so pointless. Then people spend 5 minutes writing a response making sure its 100% perfect to help reduce the fact that the other person will come back commenting on how bad your punctuation is.

 

 

 

STFU arguing and ignore stupid posts, could really do with some actual moderators on tip it that just delete, posts that waste time. Your wasting you time arguing over a word you both think you are right, and guess what you both are right. There is 2 sides to every story so stick to your opinions but keep em to yourself unless its actually related to the topic.

 

 

 

This whole thing could of been avoided by just ignoring that post about the writer being called a noob and then some other person actually finding it offensive enough to post a comment arguing against it.

 

 

 

bored at work ftl

 

 

 

no u

Almost every thread on tip in general involves people arguing about what other people said, completely off topic and so pointless. Then people spend 5 minutes writing a response making sure its 100% perfect to help reduce the fact that the other person will come back commenting on how bad your punctuation is.

 

 

 

STFU arguing and ignore stupid posts, could really do with some actual moderators on tip it that just delete, posts that waste time. Your wasting you time arguing over a word you both think you are right, and guess what you both are right. There is 2 sides to every story so stick to your opinions but keep em to yourself unless its actually related to the topic.

 

 

 

This whole thing could of been avoided by just ignoring that post about the writer being called a noob and then some other person actually finding it offensive enough to post a comment arguing against it.

 

 

 

bored at work ftl

 

 

 

no u

 

 

 

no u@@@ :roll:

Interesting interview. I wonder what the next book will be called...

ppl in this thread need to lrn2take a joke it was pretty obvious that me and that other guy were joking.

My question got posted :shock: but...... my new name is is dame dude 56 :wall:

hehe there i am on the last question =D