Q&A with Samuel Warren Joseph

 

 

 

Samuel Warren Joseph is the author, with Phil Proctor, of The Magic Maze Trilogy, a new middle grade series. He is also a playwright, a screenwriter, and an educator.  

 

Q: What inspired you to write The Magic Maze Trilogy, and how did you create your characters Tyler and Tess?

 

A: I originally conceived of the Magic Maze as a website that was to include stories and games that were also educational, which I think could still happen.

 

I started writing the beginning of the book and I wanted the story to focus on a brother and sister who also liked to bicker but were very bonded. (I am very close to my sister who is less than two years younger than I am. We have always been there for each other, but would occasionally argue.)

 

I wrote the first chapter before Phil and I partnered on the project. As we developed the story, the characters became more and more fleshed out.

 

Q: How did the two of you collaborate on the project? What was your writing process like?

 

A: I really got to know Phil when he co-starred in a stage play I wrote that was produced in Los Angeles. Phil is famous in comedy circles as a member of Firesign Theater (look them up.) He is also the voice of many cartoon characters like “Howard” on Rugrats. During the production of the play, I asked Phil if he’d like to collaborate and he agreed.

 

We first outlined the book describing what would happen in each chapter with a focus on how the twins would master that part of the Maze. We have some sort of puzzle or educational angle to each chapter. We then divided up the chapters and wrote them alone. Later, we literally sat in front of the computer editing the chapters together.

Q: Did you know from the start that you’d be writing a trilogy?

 

A: Originally, this was written as one book. I sent it to a wonderful woman, Ann Rhines, who was my 4th grade teacher, and she loved them. She suggested that it was a bit long and that we create a trilogy so that students would get a sense of accomplishment after reading each one of the books.

 

She was also on the local school board and got a reading teacher to use it for her class. We spoke to the students via Zoom and they loved the books. This is something Phil and I would be willing to do for other educators who use the books in their classes.

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the books?

 

A: We would love to see kids realize how important working together with loved ones and friends is to survive in this world. In addition, we hope that they are engaged and entertained by the quirky crazy characters in the books – and also the clever and smart ways Tyler and Tess solve each part of the Maze.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I am in the midst of writing a new stage play. Phil has a number of acting and voice-over bookings coming up and has a weekly radio interview show on KPFK-FM in Los Angeles (also available online). Phil and I are also discussing what we want to write together next.

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

A: I am a college English professor and once taught public school in South Central Los Angeles. I have written everything from stage plays to two produced feature films to animation episodes like Duck Tales, Batman, Dennis the Menace, etc.

 

Phil and I also wrote God Help Us! It is a political comedy that starred the late Ed Asner and was performed in over 30 cities.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. This Q&A was conducted in partnership with Samuel Warren Joseph and Phil Proctor. As part of this virtual book tour, one lucky winner will receive a classroom set of The Magic Maze Trilogy in paperback!