Land of Sauces

Scrawling those first few words, I now realize there were a few key details I used to spin Half-Price Heroes Book 1. I knew the story involved a comedic king named Reggie and a group of dysfunctional heroes. I also knew the story would take place in a land of Food Gods—called Jimmyville. This name resulted from a blending of a popular brand of sausages and the country name Jimmy.

At first, I’d intended for the people of this land and their king to be grotesque and counterproductive. Instead, Jimmyville became a loveable world. It became a juxtaposition of modern American issues and archaic medieval technology. As a result, the people of Jimmyville use a mail-based social media platform called Jest. They also revere a Holy Food Corp. In its questionable benevolence, “The Corp” promotes the worship of the Food Gods.

To my surprise, I Jimmyville had potential as a setting. It could connect people to fantasy—using concepts they already understood in modern society. Money in Jimmyville isn’t gold or coins, it’s Jimmynickels. Vegetables are illegal. Yet, the populace questions where flour for pies or grain for livestock come from.

The people of Jimmyville are ignorant, but also lovable. I like to imagine they are practical. They search for the easiest way to get paid and also get a little enjoyment from life. Isn’t that a puzzle a lot of modern day Americans are struggling to solve? I too relate to that eagerness to cut through nonsense and earn an extra five minutes for fun with friends.

I’ve been constructing a map of Jimmyville, as well as maps of its neighboring countries. I’ll add that being a full-time teacher means writing into the night, so that process is taking longer than I’d like.

As I delve deeper and deeper into world lore, I’m intrigued with secrets and surprises this world can hold. I hope my readers are as well. As soon as I can, I’ll post more about the Capital City of Meaty Delight. I plan to outline the different areas of the city involved in the first book.