With All Hallows' Eve only less than two weeks away, there's still plenty of time to read a good spooky novel.
Author John J. Zelenski has taken time out of his busy schedule to do a Q&A about his his newest novel, the supernatural thriller The Jounral of Ezekiel Walker.
When did you become interested in storytelling?
I became interested in telling stories at an early age. As a child, I would love to have stories read to me, and I would use my imagination to create my own mental version of the book. I think that love to create my own scenes and descriptions of the characters naturally carried over to the creation of my own stories to share with others.
What was your first book/story published?
I was quite young, and it was a self-published title called, “Money for Sale.” It was a guide meant to direct people to the investment strategy of investing in baseball cards and sports memorabilia. I think I sold possibly three or four copies, but it was a lot of fun and the research was very interesting.
What inspired you to write The Journal of Ezekiel Walker?
The Journal of Ezekiel Walker is actually the prequel to Walker’s Vale, now in pre-production for a film adaptation. The Journal of Ezekiel Walker gives a background and history to the small and eerie town of Walker’s Vale, Pennsylvania. It also provides some insight into the one of the main characters, Ezekiel Walker, a most understood man.
What character in The Journal of Ezekiel Walker is the most/least like you, and in what ways?
I think that award would go to Ezekiel Walker himself in the “similar” category. He is like me in that he is loyal and will do whatever it takes to defend his friends and families from enemies. The least similar character, hopefully, is Simon Tremblestone, the main antagonist. He is insincere, corrupt, greedy, and manipulative to the furthest reaches of the moral spectrum. You might say he is the devil himself!
What is your favorite part in The Journal of Ezekiel Walker?
I think the battle scenes between the angels and demons came out really good. I had a lot of creative freedom in describing their appearances and detailing the invisible war that was revealed to the young Ezekiel Walker.
What was the hardest part to write?
Probably the hardest part was the scene where a major character died. Having just lost my father, I now realize firsthand the emotional toll and stress that accompanies the loss, even months after the ordeal.
What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?
I’d love to own my own comic/card/collectible shop. I could be a kid all over again and actually make a living helping others relive their own childhood memories.
Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention to them, or let them influence your writing?
I definitely do read and pay attention to the reviews. That being said, I know they are just opinions, which we all have and are relative, so I don’t let them affect me negatively. I do think there are some things to be learned from other points of view of course, and I will willingly accept them. Fortunately, most of the reviews I have received thus far have been extremely positive, so I feel very blessed to that end.
What well-known writers do you admire most?
I love to read Frank Peretti, Ted Dekker, and Flannery O’Connor. My favorite piece of classical literature is Emily Bronte’s, Wuthering Heights.
Do you have any other books/stories in the works?
Yes, I am presently working on a supernatural story tentatively titled, The Third Chamber. It deals with what could lie beyond the boundaries of life once we close our eyes for the final time. I am also planning a third and final installment to the Walker’s Vale series that should close out the story. Of course, in the writing world, we can never say never.
About the Author:
John J. Zelenski is an award-winning author who has appeared on television, radio, and has been featured in numerous print articles as well as receiving high-profile reviews from the popular community.
Having been inspired, in part, to write his first novel Walker's Vale, by his own paranormal experiences as a child, John has developed a keen understanding of the supernatural.
His second novel and prequel to Walker's Vale - The Journal of Ezekiel Walker - continues with the saga of Walker's Vale, with a future third installment presently in the works.
Walker's Vale, the film will be released through Allegentsia Productions with filming scheduled to begin sometime in 2015.
John, along with his wife and two children, love to watch the seasons change in beautiful Northeast Pennsylvania.
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