Who said Jet Fuel Review doesn’t have any musical talent? Please give a warm welcome to another editor, Salvador Martinez. Martinez is an editor for both the fiction and poetry sections, and here is some more information about him:
Salvador Martinez is a junior at Lewis University majoring in Political Science and minoring in English Creative Writing. He transferred in Fall 2018 after completing his Associate’s Degree in Arts with a major in History from Joliet Junior College. In his free time, Sal enjoys reading fantasy, science fiction, classical works, and works of political theory. He also loves to listen to music on his phonograph, play one of his four guitars, and construct Gundam model kits.
Read Martinez’ Q & A Below:
-Who are you and what is your role in the Jet Fuel Review?
I am a Junior here at Lewis University and my major is Political Science with a minor in English Creative Writing. This is my first semester with Jet Fuel Review, so yeah, no pressure. I am an Assistant Editor for both poetry and fiction/nonfiction submissions.
-What book might we find on your nightstand right now?
Hmm, there’s actually four: A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin; Temeraire: In Service of the King by Naomi Novik; The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood; and Classics of Moral and Political Theory 5th Edition by Michael L. Morgan.
-If you had the chance to co-write with one author, who would you choose? Why?
This is a tough one.
I am going to have to go with J.R.R Tolkien. I feel like he still had a lot of ideas in mind to continue the world he created, the most interesting one, for me at least, being the Dagor Dagorath; Middle Earth’s Armageddon. This is where Sauron and his master, Morgoth, and all the evil things that came from the return for one final conflict. I’ve always wondered what it would look like to write a high fantasy where, regardless of action, the heroes’ world ends and a new one begins.
I always liked how Tolkien maintained that his work was not allegory but I can’t help and get the sense that it is, but still isn’t at the same time.
-Describe your perfect reading atmosphere.
These days its rather rare for me to even do this. However, I like music played depending on what mood I’m in, a mug of coffee within easy reach and something to write with like my laptop or desktop. Another would be, laying back on a chair with my legs crossed or elevated with the book or phone (if it’s a kindle edition) in my hands without a soul to interrupt.
-What might your personal library look like?
Books ranging from sci/fi fantasy to historical fiction, to classics, and even philosophical theories. Not much, though. You should see my sister’s collection; I borrow a lot from her.
-If you could “re-make” a poorly written movie that was based on a book, what movie would it be?
I would chose Eragon (2006), which was supposed to be the first of four films that adapted Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle. Though I would adapt it into series with only a maximum of four to five seasons since the book have a slow buildup.
–What piece of literature can you reread over and over again?
The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, along with watching the movies back to back. A complete journey. One of the few series where I teared up at the end, especially when the credits rolled at the end of the Jackson’s Return of the King and when Into the West played.
-Give us a quote from your favorite (or any) book/movie.
“If we were all going to be judged based on who we were in the past, then I don’t think you’d be able to understand who we are now.” – Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords
-If you were invited to have coffee with any fictional character, who would you most like to meet? Why?
Now that is something I never considered before. Hmm, I might have to get back to you on that one.
-Share your top five favorite pieces of writing (anything included, be it movies, books, etc.).
- J.R.R Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings (entire trilogy)
- Lacuna Coil’s Unleashed Memories
- Tool’s 10,000 Days
- Dante’s The Divine Comedy
- Gabriel García Márquez’s One-Hundred Years of Solitude
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