Centre Stage: Through the Veil: The Ghostly Procession.
Hi there, and welcome back to the blog.
First of all, I'd like to thank you for coming by to read this week's article. This is the third instalment in the 'Centre Stage' series, where I interview independent authors about their upcoming releases. I hope you have been enjoying this series so far, as I feel it is important to try to give independent writers a lift whenever possible, and a monthly interview on my blog is the best I can do for everyone at the moment. If you like the following interview, I will provide links to purchase the book below so you can check it out for yourselves.
This month I have been lucky enough to get an interview with R.J. Logar, who is currently promoting his upcoming release Through the Veil: The Ghostly Procession, which comes out on May 4th, 2022.
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Q1. Tell us about yourself and your upcoming book?
I am a 41-year-old aerospace engineer who has always had a passion for literature. When I was 12 I read Stephen King's Pet Sematary and when I was 13 I read Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, and since then I haven't stopped enjoying the company of books.
My first novel, due out May 4th, 2022 is Through the Veil: The Ghostly Procession. It's a story about a young college student from New Jersey who lives with his aunt in Spain since losing his family at the age of ten in a tragic car accident. One night after a party with friends they have a paranormal encounter with a ghostly procession that they will soon link to a mysterious death. What Mike will discover as he investigates what happened and the dark secrets of his past that come to the surface will endanger everyone he loves.
In short it is a horror story about the struggles of a young college student adjusting to a life that has been hard for him, with the subtext of coming of age, friendship, first love and self-discovery.
Q2. How long on average did it take you to write this book?
Although I started outlining it in the summer of 2020, I didn't have a daily writing routine until May 2021, so you can say that, although in total it has taken me about two years, in five months I wrote more than 90% of it.
Q3. What surprised you the most about writing your book?
To see my own writing voice being born.
Writing short stories or poetry is not the same as writing a novel. When I started writing I thought I was going to write a scary novel in the purest Stephen King style and as my wife told me, I ended up writing a story much closer to Twilight. It certainly surprised me.
Q4. Was the main character inspired by a real person?
There's no direct inspiration from a real person, but you could say that I wouldn't have been surprised to have him as a fellow student when I was at college.
Q5. Which character in your upcoming book do you relate to the most?
Undoubtedly with the main character. I identify with his kindness and his rational way of facing problems, always trying to leave the door open to the truths in the universe that escape and will always escape all understanding.
Q6. How do you select the names of your characters?
First I like to build them, get to know them, give them shape, character, ideals, goals and movement. Once I get to that point they practically take it upon themselves to tell me what their name is.
There is also a little homage with the names of the main quartet to the Goonies movie, Mike, Larry, Andy and Stef.
Q7. How would you describe your ideal reader for this book?
New adults, or young at hearts willing to immerse themselves in the life of an 18-year-old kid and his gang of friends.
A reader who enjoys the horror novels of Stephen King and Dean Koontz among others, in which to create terror you first have to recreate a concrete reality of characters, a town, etc., which will then be gradually disrupted by the paranormal.
The book contains coarse language and scenes of smouldering romance, so it is intended for an adult audience.
Q8. What can readers expect from your book when they purchase it?
A story meant to be enjoyed from beginning to end. Focused on action and showing the story through the unfolding of events with simple language and very little room for soliloquy or unnecessary embellishments.
Many will think that the novel would be easily transportable to a Netflix series and indeed, it was thought so.
Q9. What inspired you to write this book?
It was a thought from my father who once told me that he wished an angel would come down to accompany people who have perished all alone, whether lost in the woods or on an island after a shipwreck, to let them know that they are not alone.
I can't say much more, but yes, that was the grain of sand on which the pearl of the novel has been growing.
Q10. What did you learn when writing the book?
That writing a book, difficult as it is, is far easier than editing and promoting it.
Q11. Who are your writing friends that inspire you and how do you keep each other motivated?
I try to stay active within the Twitter writing community, from where, for example, I contacted you, James.
My Twitter author friends are a great source of motivation for me, seeing them overcome their problems and publish new books makes me see that, if they have been able to, I can do it too.
Q12. What is your writing Kryptonite?
That the day has only 24 hours. It's a real drag, so either we pass a planetary amendment to make it a 40-hour day or I have to become financially independent in the future through writing alone so I can devote myself body and soul to this exciting purpose.
Q13. What are common traps for aspiring writers?
The rule "Show, don't tell" should be embroidered on every cushion, sheet and pillow of every aspiring writer. It's what I've pursued most during the editing of my book.
Finally, what is your favourite word and why?
Hope, for without it, everything else is meaningless.
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Through the Veil: The Ghostly Procession will be released on May 4th, 2022. I will include a link to check out the book below if you are interested in pre-ordering before the release date.
That's it for this week. I just want to leave by saying thank you for taking the time to read this article and a huge thanks to R.J. for a wonderful interview. I hope you all liked it, and I would recommend picking up a copy of Through the Veil: The Ghostly Procession if you are interested. I hope you enjoyed the third post in this series, and I hope to continue this series as usual on the first Friday of every month. If you would like to follow R.J. on social media, you can do so on Twitter @RJ_Logar.
Link to pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PFCD4ZD?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420
Until next time,
Warmest regards,
James.