Worldbuilding, Warriors, and Wry Humor: Richard Sparks on 'New Rock New Roll' and the Fantasy Beyond

Geek Freaks Interviews

In this episode of Geek Freaks Interviews, Frank sits down with Richard Sparks, writer of the epic fantasy series New Rock New Roll, New Rock New Realm, and the upcoming New Rock New Rules. Richard, a seasoned screenwriter turned novelist, shares how his background in gaming and storytelling led him to build a world where RPG avatars become real. From crafting immersive friendships to battling ogres with orcs, Richard discusses the challenges of writing layered adventures and how great story structure is the foundation of it all. We also explore his creative process, his Tolkien influence, and the exciting potential for a film or series adaptation.

Timestamps and Topics:

00:00 Introduction to Richard Sparks and the New Rock series
00:18 How gaming inspired the novels
00:56 Writing the first book in two months
01:40 The main characters and their transformation into avatars
02:45 Orcs, magic, and humorous worldbuilding
03:28 Expanding the world beyond the original story
04:06 Upcoming third book and Halloween launch
05:11 How the characters evolve beyond their real-life players
06:00 Building fantasy stories using game mechanics and puzzles
07:12 Mysteries and reader immersion
08:19 Puzzles, prophecies, and foreshadowing in book three
09:48 Reader and character discovery unfolding together
10:33 Early love for Tolkien and fantasy inspiration
12:01 Tolkien’s writing habits and influence on Sparks
13:28 The film rights and hopes for adaptation
15:26 Lessons from decades of screenwriting
17:20 From showing to telling—shifting from script to novel
19:32 Layering clues for long-term story payoffs
21:04 Letting characters dictate their journey
22:24 Scaling stories from epic to personal
24:00 Narrative structure and balancing multiple storylines
26:16 Lessons from directing and acting workshops
30:00 Overcoming rejection and growing as a storyteller
33:00 Adventures in publishing, writing, and surviving the industry
36:15 Pranks, ogres, and organic character moments
39:00 Planning ahead while leaving room for surprises
40:30 The illusionist's trick—crafting a worthy ending
41:02 Final thoughts and where to get the books

Key Takeaways:

• New Rock New Roll began as a fantasy inspired by online gaming but evolved into a layered, character-driven series with real emotional depth.

• Richard emphasizes the importance of story structure, learned from his decades as a screenwriter and director.

• Humor, mystery, and friendship are core pillars of the New Rock world.

• Writing ahead, knowing your ending, and embracing rewrites are essential to strong fantasy storytelling.

• Film and TV adaptations are in early development, with industry interest in building a new fantasy franchise from Sparks’ world.

• Tolkien’s influence runs deep, and Sparks shares personal connections and insights into the master’s creative legacy.

Quotes:

“You’ve got to learn how to get out of your own way as a writer.”
“The readers deserve to be put on an armchair ride and given a good adventure.”
“All the best stories are the same but different.”
“The times when you’re not writing are the ones that hurt.”
“You’re the illusionist. The whole time, you’ve got them looking one way while you’re building something else.”

Links and Resources:
📘 Visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com for all the latest episodes, articles, and news
📚 Check out Richard Sparks’ books at RichardSparks.com
🎉 Learn more about the upcoming launch at the World Fantasy Convention

Follow Us:
Facebook: facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast
Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast
Threads: @geekfreakspodcast
Patreon: patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast
Twitter: twitter.com/geekfreakspod

Apple Podcast Tags:
fantasy fiction, RPG novels, geek culture, author interview, Tolkien inspiration, writing advice, book series, screenwriting, story structure, podcast interview, fantasy author, creative writing, Geek Freaks