Book Tour Q&A: Penchant for Darkness by J. Elizaga
Today we're taking part in the book tour organized by Escapist Book Tours for Penchant for Darkness by J. Elizaga! Continue reading for the book blurb and a Q&A with the author.
About the book
A wormhole to hell is one man’s path to destiny.
After seven years struggling to conceive, Miles and his wife, Richelle, escape to an island getaway to try one last time. But instead of enjoying paradise, Miles is swept up in an ancient battle between formless demons and beings from another world. When Miles fights a malevolent entity attacking Richelle, secrets are revealed, ones that cross the universe between Earth and planet Kalumegn.
Three mysterious beings discover Miles’s dormant extraterrestrial abilities. Calling him an Anomaly, they prepare his body and mind for war, for his destiny is about to be fulfilled. To protect his wife and the child they may have, Miles joins the aliens on Clos Friga, a hell planet of chaos holding their common enemy. Lucifer is more dangerous than the fallen angel of legend, and his sinister fascination with Richelle threatens all Miles holds dear. One man must fight an otherworldly battle…or the war for Earth itself may be lost.
On to the interview...!
Thank you so much for joining us for this Q&A! We’ll start off with one of our standard podcast opening questions–what are you currently reading or what’s up next on your TBR? What made you pick up this book?
I’m currently reading Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Astrophysics for People in a Hurry :-) I’m using this as research for my next story, and as it’s well-written, it’s a pleasurable read as well.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to start writing?
I work in computer training, have an engineering degree and my first language is not English. I don’t fit the profile of a creative writer. But I used to write and paint in high school. That went away in favor of college and career. I attended the Algonkian Writers Conference, maybe 10 years ago, and the experience rekindled my writer’s itch. I was among MFAs, established writers, and new writers, and the group made me, a complete newbie, feel welcome. I also took James Patterson’s Masterclass when it first debuted online. And I was inspired to write after learning that John Grisham was a lawyer for 20 years before becoming an author. I believe, despite detours in life, one ends up where they are destined to be happy.
How do you spend your free time when you’re not reading or writing? Do you have any hobbies or interests that you can talk to us about?
I am an advocate of adopting retired racing greyhounds. I love finding shopping deals online. I will indulge myself in ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, when I find a good deal on flowers.
How much do you plan when you write? What’s your writing process like?
Most of my writing occurs during the weekend, as I work full time. It's not a good practice. I should write daily. I do a lot of plotting and outlining. That occurs daily, I jot down notes during lunchtime about what will happen next in my story, or what should change, or how a new character trait might affect other chapters down the road.
Is this your first book? If so, what lessons have you learned from writing it? If not, what lessons did you learn from writing earlier books that you brought into this one?
Yes, P4D is my first printed work. What I’ve learned from the experience is to find feedback. I greatly appreciate the production assistant whom I didn’t know, but asked one crucial question that led me to improve my story. And I learn more creative writing techniques from my book editor during the editing process. I’ve taken classes online to help me with the foundational creative writing skills.
What do you think characterizes your writing style?
I think I lean towards short sentences and simple words to support fast-paced sequences in the story.
How much of yourself do you write into your stories?
Most of my main characters have engineering backgrounds or lean towards the physical sciences. I write what I know, and I don’t struggle as much when researching and grasping scientific topics.
What comes first to you when you’re writing, the world, the characters, or the storyline?
The characters. In fact, in P4D, the original MC was the wife. I started writing a simple possession horror story but that evolved after receiving feedback about my synopsis.
Can you give us an elevator pitch for your book?
A man struggling with infertility discovers his extraterrestrial abilities and reluctantly accepts his destiny to fight with aliens to save his family, and Earth.
How different is the final version of this book from the first draft?
50% different
In your opinion, what kind of reader would like this book?
Science fiction and horror fans
Is there anything you can tell us about any current projects you’re working on?
I’m curious about the migration to Mars. And I think my main character will be a farmer of some sort. :-)
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer a few questions for us! Do you have any parting thoughts or comments you’d like to leave for our readers?
Thank you for including me in this book tour! Penchant for Darkness came about after attending a Hollywood pitch contest online and being asked for a synopsis. While the production assistant ultimately rejected the synopsis, he asked one question. What’s the mythology of your villain? That feedback led me to revise my story and think outside the norm. I hope to receive more feedback for I value and appreciate my reader’s thoughts.
And finally, where can you be found on the internet if our readers want to hear more from you?
I am most active on Twitter (@jelizaga1) and my website (https://www.jelizaga.com).
Where to buy the book:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Penchant-Darkness-J-Elizaga-ebook/dp/B08F7B5V4B
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/penchant-for-darkness-j-elizaga/1137495732