BBB: Tell us 3 things not in your bio we don’t know about you that might make us leery of befriending you. LOL! JA: 1) I’m a certified comic book and action/horror/sci-fi film GEEK! 2) My favorite foods are chicken, fish, pizza and burgers w/fries. 3) As well as being an author, I’m a visual artist who primarily uses: graphite, acrylic paint and digital media forums.
BBB: What authors/artists inspire you?
JA: Here’s the short list:
Robert B. Parker
Terri McMillan
Walter Mosley
Toni Morrison
Eric Jerome Dickey
L.A. Banks
Stephen King
Laurell K. Hamilton
Tom Clancy
Boris Vallejo
George R.R. Martin
Faith Hunter (ER: I know Faith!)
Ben Bova
Louis L’Amour
BBB: Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?
JA: LOL! I don’t know if it’s strange, but I always write to music playing in the background. It keeps me from feeling utterly alone and sometimes provides a soundtrack to the characters I’m writing. I also often drink caffeinated beverages when I write also, such as: coffee, tea and soda.
BBB: What’s on your playlist?
JA: My playlist is very eclectic to say the least. There are far too many individual artists to name, but the following is a music genre list:
Pop/Light Rock
R&B
Old School Hip Hop
Disco
Jazz
Blues
BBB: Have you ever been in trouble with the law?
JA: No, because I’ve never been caught! (Sinister grin)
BBB: What actors from the PAST (not living now) would you choose to play some of your characters if The God Killers were made into a movie or a TV show?
JA: Dorothy Dandridge as Ivory Blaque, David Niven or Vincent Price as Bishop, Ron O’Neal as Antoine Valentine, Jim Hutton as Reginald Montgomery, Rock Hudson as Brody O’Keefe, Jim Kelly as Malik Tokugawa, Woody Strode as Col. Brett “Flip” Warner and Paul Newman as Johnny Philcher.
BBB: How do you keep track of your world building?
JA: I have created a database full of statistical data on virtually everything! I come from a comic book background. Some time ago, both DC & Marvel published a series of biographical volumes on the characters, places and events in their respective universes. I followed suit and did the same for my literary creations.
BBB: Please tell us more about The God Killers and the storyline that drives it.
JA: The God Killers follows the life of Ivory Blaque. She is Former professional art thief who is hired to retrieve a pair of antique pistols and gets much more than she bargained for when several attempts are made on her life. Her world is further complicated by the early prison release of her mentor and former lover, Johnny Philcher, who wants to continue their relationship both sexually and professionally, but Ivory is not interested. Johnny then steals artwork from her former clients and frames her for it, all in an effort to discredit her and rebuild his criminal enterprise. Ivory’s client turns out to be a shadowy government agent named Elijah Bishop, who reveals that the pistols are linked to her unique heritage and the special psychic gifts she possesses.
But when she comes to the attention of Antoine Valentine, Chicago’s vampire lord, her friend, Brody O’Keefe—the alpha of the local werewolf pack—assigns his enforcer, Malik Tokugawa, to watch over her and chaos ensues.
In order to regain her autonomy, clear her name, unlock the secrets of her past, and protect the lives of those closest to her, Ivory must play along with the forces trying to manipulate her. Ivory’s life is rapidly spiraling out of control and headed for an explosive conclusion which she just might not survive.
BBB: How many more books will there be in this world?
JA: So far, there are 6 novels scheduled. However, I have plotted out over two dozen at this time and it will depend upon the fans and the publisher, where it goes from there.
BBB: Did you do any kind of research to determine the details of your characters’ lives / lifestyles?
JA: Yes. I am intimately familiar with the city of Chicago—the novel’s primary setting. I delved even further into Chicago’s history and in New Orleans history—where Ivory Blaque is originally from. Of course there was also research into the various existing preternatural mythos, which I incorporated into the backstory and origins of many of my characters.
BBB: Are you a plotser or a pantser? or a Planster (a combo of both)
JA: I’m a Planster (combo of both). I don’t write a formal outline, merely a 3 – 5 paragraph summary and file it away in case I need to refer to it. I have the extensive word building database to refer to as well. I keep most of the story in my head and then simply start writing. I allow the story to take me where it wants/needs to go, as well as the characters. I think that doing this gives the story an authentic and organic feel.
BBB: What’s the most difficult part of writing? What do you love most?
JA: I’d say for me, the most difficult part of writing is having more ideas/stories to tell than time. I often have to sit months, years even, on story ideas that I’m truly excited about, due to time constraints.
What I love most about writing is that I can express myself and live vicariously through my characters. I also love the idea that I can possibly give my readers an avenue of escape and exploration through reading my work.
BBB: What do you do when you’re not writing?
JA: I draw and paint, spend time with my family & friends, work at a bookstore and most importantly, I sleep.
BBB: Any suggestions for aspiring writers out there?
JA: Follow your dreams and don’t let the world or anyone in it deter you from them. I’d also say that aspiring writer should heed the advice in the following quotes, which are two of my favorites.
“There’s way too much pain in this business (writing) for anyone who doesn’t have to write. I always tell beginning writers, ‘If you can quit, then quit. If you can’t quit, you’re a writer.’”
~ R.A. Salvatore
“If there’s a book you really want to read but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
~ Toni Morrison
BBB: What types of creatures can readers expect in your world?
JA: Vampires, werewolves, mummies, zombies, gods, demi-gods, cosmic entities, angels, demons and just about every mythological/folktale/preternatural/urban legend creature known to man. I started with the most familiar of creatures and work my way up to little known/obscure creatures for a unique twist to Ivory’s ongoing saga. I also explore creatures from other cultures beyond those most popular. There will also be super powered humans as well.
BBB: Do you ever come up with anything so wild that you scare yourself, which leaves you wondering where that came from?
JA: Yes, that happens quite often. I can’t reveal the exact nature of those creatures/storylines, but let’s just say that TBIYTC (The Best Is Yet To Come)!!!
BBB: What’s coming up for you in 2014?
JA: I am looking to have The Conclave: Book II in the Ivory Blaque series out by July 2014. I will also have a series of novelette/novella length stories featuring a character named Knight Ranger appear throughout the year, as well as a host of short stories to be featured in a wide range of anthologies. Those anthology stories will range in genres from horror, paranormal romance, sci-fi, steampunk, mystery, political/military thrillers and fantasy.
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About John F. Allen
Author Bio:
John F. Allen is an American writer born in Indianapolis, IN. He is a member of the Speculative Fiction Guild and the Indiana Writers Center. He began writing stories as early as the second grade and pursued all forms of writing at some point, throughout his career. John studied Liberal Arts at IUPUI with a focus in Creative Writing, received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force and is a current member of the American Legion. John’s debut novel, The God Killers published in 2013 by Seventh Star Press. John currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife, son and daughter.Connect with John| Website | Newsletter | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Books by John F. Allen| Reviews of John’s Books |
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