Soup: The Future is Past and Present by Travis Haugen

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Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

That is an interesting question, because I had no genre in mind when I started to write. I just wrote what came. But then, this project is like any other in that the original inspiration for the One Song project, came from the writing of one lonely blues tune on lonely night in late 2001.

What research is required?

SOUP is set in the near future of 2021. The gadgetry and the futuristic power source prevalent in SOUP is based on my interests in scientific readings and my overall nerdy instincts from when I was a child. I don’t believe we will be where the story is in 2021, but I believe we will get there, maybe sooner than we think. Simply because we have to.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

I think if anything it would be how to become more compassionate and understanding. I was once asked if Scott Yonge (the hero of our saga) was me. I would have to say, no, but he is who I want to be. Except for the dying part, of course.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I suppose the fact that I don’t write when I am sitting at a computer, or with pen and paper in hand. The inspiration for my writing comes from doing different things, especially riding my bike. The story, or a song floats around in my head as I go about my business. When I get home, I put it down on paper, so to speak, (via computer). I do not use an outline. Often, something will come to me way ahead in the story. I don’t always know what it is, but I will put it down, because I know I will catch up to it sooner or later.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

Pantser for sure, because I fly by the seat of mine!

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

Candy! She is integral to the whole One Song project, and an integral part of me. In fact, without her, there would be no One Song project and there would be no SOUP. (And as Uncle Trav’s eyes are not that great, I, Candy, am doing the typing lol)

Anything new coming up from you? What?

Yes. The next book to be released is the second in the series, called Hedley. The prose and the music (recorded and mastered) is written and ready to go. We simply need to edit it and apply it to the new format (more on that another time). We are also working on the fourth book in the series. We have co- written many of the songs, and are deep into the story, so yes, we are busy little beavers.

Do you have a question for our readers?

I would be very interested to hear from your readers on their thoughts of our interactive project. The idea of the music playing a vital role in the story itself is a new one and we would love to hear people’s opinions on the format.

Scott Yonge exploded onto the national consciousness at the 2001 Garrett Awards and quickly rose to legendary status on the wings of his music and his whirlwind romance with independent film actress Michelle Zoe. What should have been a perfect life was interrupted by an ultra-right wing militant group called the American Freedom Force and its leader, Colonel Randall, who forces Scott to choose between his life and that of his son. After his heroic sacrifice, his family is left to pick up the pieces and forge ahead to a future in the vacuum he left behind.

Now, in 2021, his son Hedley inherits music for himself, becoming a star in his own right as technology gives new life to the medium. Scott's daughter, affectionately known as Soup, throws herself into unravelling the mysteries of her family's history. Michelle commits herself to keeping them all together and trying to make sense of life without the one she loves. Through it all, the AFF looms in the shadows, threatening to resurrect the pain they have just begun to overcome.

Read an Excerpt:

The dream wakes him, the same one. Hedley’s whispered words “Bye birdies, bye” still ring in his ears as he achieves consciousness. Sound of a different source soon intrudes: that of music playing through the PA system. It’s late, he realizes, and jumps to his feet. He can feel more than hear the rustle of people filing into the arena, bringing with them a sense of tension that will build until show time, then burst like a stick dam before a raging river with the first note. It’s 7:10 PM; an hour and twenty to go. A shrill knock comes to the door, followed by Del’s voice.

“You in there, dude?”

“Si,” Scott replies. All the years of the road, sharing the stage, and the music are audible in Del’s simple words. They don’t have to speak to talk; they’re on the same wavelength.

The show, the focus is the show. Whatever lies with tomorrow lives with tomorrow; they live for tonight. “I need a shower, I stink. I’ll be along soon.”

“Cool, dude, don’t forget your pants.”

He hears cowboy booted footsteps receding on the concrete floor.

A new, unidentifiable tension floats to the surface as Scott showers, rising from the dark side. It has an ominous feel about it, winding like a creeping vine around Scott’s confidence, bringing with it a sense of fear, and worse, a sense of defeat. The wariness settles on him again, draining his energy and his will. He shivers uncontrollably as coldness sets in, and he wonders if he can go on. Then it occurs to him as he cranks the hot water that this is all part of it. The plan all along was to isolate him, weaken him bit by bit, reducing him to a shell of what he is. By show time, they would see Scott as the colonel wants them to see him, a weak and ineffective fool incapable of sustaining a mission of any substance. “You will not break me,” Scott whispers. He leans his head against the cool tiles of the shower stall. “I will not give you that.”

About the Author:

Travis was born and raised in the prairies of Saskatchewan, lived in Calgary for over 25 years and presently lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Travis Haugen has spent forty years of his life touring on the road as a musician and has spent hundreds of hours in recording studios. Travis spends much of his time writing songs, writing stories, playing music and spending valuable time with his family and close group of friends.

http://www.travishaugen.com
https://www.facebook.com/travishaugenauthor
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqaM4LNQNrpOckyStlBj7yA
Where Soup Is Sold:

https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000048943105/Travis-Haugen-Soup
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1525529293/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539905477&sr=8-1&keywords=soup+travis+haugen
https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/soup-15
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soup-travis-haugen/1129764065?ean=2940161773833
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/soup/id1439628462?mt=11
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9781525529306&c=books
https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/soup-the-future-is-past/9781525529290-item.html?ikwid=soup+by+travis+h&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=3

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