Author Q&A J. J. Egosi

I was always the creative sort. At least I tried to be. Growing up, I’d always be seen playing an instrument, usually the drums. Or practicing some sort of art, typically macrame. But one outlets I only recently explored was story telling.

It began with a very bleak and surreal dream I had 4 years ago. A man lost his organs and had to scour the medieval world in search of them. All with the help of one friend. After reworking the themes a bit to make them more sensical and less disturbing, the idea for my first book was born. And I’ve been writing seriously ever since.

1.Tells us about your writing/ published book(s)

My upcoming novel, “Demonheart: Raging Elementals”, will be the first installment of the Demonheart series. It followed the adventures of Michael, a troubled man who struggles to find purpose in a world that often vilifies him. But when one curious encounter reveals to him his forgotten origins, he dedicates his life to understanding who he never knew he was. And find what he never knew he had. All with the help of various allies and enemies he meets along the way.

2.How do you choose your book’s title(s)?

Although Raging Elementals is my first book I’ll be publishing, I’ve written 20 unique manuscripts and counting. Typically spanning the genres of dark fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and romance. And so when I decide what to name them, I aim for something that really encapsulates the imagery the manuscript is trying to portray. If it’s a horror novel, something brooding. If fantasy, something on a grander scale. I also try to very the lengths. Some titles are quite long. Others only a word.

3.What advice would you give to someone wanting to write their first book?

I’d say you’re going to learn a lot along the way you don’t know now. The process won’t be easy, but if you believe in the story you’re trying to tell, you’ll persevere.

4.Do you do research for your books? If so, what kind of research?

I do. As for what I look into, it depends entirely on the manuscript. Some center around gothic victorian history. Others, greek or norse mythology. The ones I dig deepest for are the ones influenced by dark fairy tales. Often, I’ll try to emulate a character’s back story on the tragic happenings of these tales. All the while, twisting it even further in a way I see fit and in order to keep up with the narrative of the story.

5.How do you approach ‘world building’?

Readers will find out soon enough I take an atypical approach to word building. You’ll be lulled in, at first, into thinking the story will follow only a medieval setting, but as the Demonheart series progresses, a slew of new regions will introduce themselves. And I try to offer them their own flavor. Some taking mythical or historical influence. Some even use sci-fi elements like steampunk or cosmic horror.

6.Would you want your book made into a film?

Absolutely! I’d love all of my books to be made into films. Given the longevity of the series and the nature of actor/actress rotation in chime, I’d prefer animated adaptations over live adaptations.

You can find J.J. Egosi on Twitter.

Author Q&A J. J. Egosi