*
EJ Wesley, author of the Moonsong series of ebooks, Blood Fugue and the newly released Witch’s Nocturne.
MP: Welcome, EJ. It’s great to hang out with you today. Care for a drink?
EJW: Thanks for having me! Let’s see, something dry and red if you have it. :-)
MP: A lovely choice. Craze bring it quick.
So we hear the term “speculative fiction” thrown around a lot, and we both write it, but it’s a rather slippery sucker to define. It’s said the genre encompasses the more fantastical fiction such as sci-fi, fantasy, horror, weird fiction [where I hope to go more in the future], supernatural, superhero, utopian and dystopian, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic, and alternate history. I suppose now that the world didn’t end last month, we’re living speculative fiction in a post-apocalyptic world.
EJW: I love that idea! (Living speculatively…) Honestly, my personal definition or concept of speculative fiction simply means ‘hard to define’, and I’d be honored if that’s how people described me personally (and sincerely think my best friends would label me JUST that way). I have lots of interests and am always looking to experience and try new things. Perhaps that’s what has led me to write that way?
MP: Hard to define seems like a great definition. Your experiences probably have led you. Have you tried anything new lately?
EJW: New things, hmm … I recently tried chocolate covered blueberries–which were phenomenal. But I guess you can really dowse anything in chocolate and achieve something edible, can’t you? I’ve been slowly (S-L-O-W-L-Y) teaching myself how to use Corel and Photoshop to finish my hand drawings. Just like physical art, I’m finding there’s a technique to using the various digital brushes to achieve the desired look, so it is taking some practice. I’m also doing some research in order to try my hand at writing a series of techno-thrillers. Wish me luck! :-)
MP: Yes, chocolate is very good for that. Recently I found a chocolate bar with potato chips in it. Wow, is that good.
That’s beyond my capability. I wish I was a better artist than I am. Best of luck with it all.
So what makes your books hard to define?
EJ: Chips and chocolate? Hmmm, I’ve tried the bacon and chocolate bars, and they weren’t half-bad. (That salty/sweet combination is fantastic.) I bet the chip ones have a similar effect, so I’ll give them a try if I ever have the chance.
The Moonsongs stories are definitely hybrids of my imagination. Stephen King was a major influence on my reading growing up, so it’s hard for me to write anything that involves supernatural elements without dipping into the horror side of things. That being said, I’m also a fan of Charlaine Harris and the Sookie Stackhouse novels, as well as the Jim Butcher Dresden Files books. Those lean more toward the paranormal–and strange–than scary, and have also influenced these stories.
Then I try to mix in some humor, some nerdy, video game stuff, and lots of Texas charm. And that doesn’t take into account the break-neck pacing I’m kind of forced to apply (due to the short nature of the stories, there’s no time to dally). The combination makes the end product unique, I feel, but also hard to categorize.
Are the Moonsongs books horror? Paranormal-suspesne? Action-fantasy? I’m truly not sure, and it probably varies with each story in the series. lol
MP: The bacon and chocolate ones are pretty good, but the potato chip is even better, lots better. Especially if you like that hit of salt with your sweet. I could talk about chocolate all day…
That is an interesting mix and I’m a big fan of strange and weird. Your books are right up my alley. I’ve had a similar problem with my new series. What is it?
Do you have a favorite King novel? I especially like the Dark Tower series.
EJ: That’s kind of like asking me to pick a favorite child. I have to say The Stand, because it’s not only my favorite King novel, but one of my top 5 favorite books of all time (if not THE favorite). It’s just brilliant, and really defines my writing ambitions when it comes to character development. You should care about every character in a story–good, bad, or otherwise. King is a master of that, and The Stand might be the pinnacle of his writing in that regard. There were like a million (okay, not that many, but bunches) characters in The Stand, and I loved or hated every one.
Dark Tower!!! They’re making a movie AND TV show I’ve heard … *flips out with fanboy glee*
Ahem, where was I? Oh yes, favorite Dark Tower book. Tricky, because my favorite scene is with that horrid, demonic train in the third one (Blaine the Mono, I believe). Nothing creepier than bloodthirsty artificial intelligence. But I think my favorite book is Song of Susannah. It was so complex, as was Susannah’s character. Plus it explained so much about the overall story. And there was a cliffhanger ending!
MP: Fanboy geeks are always welcome here. And, ooo! We’re like clones separated at birth now. Blaine the Train is my favorite scene, too. King does paint some good atmosphere and I’m always a sucker for atmosphere.
EJW: I could use a clone most weeks! Do you like peanut butter? (Need to know before we can OFFICIALLY be the same. :) Thank you so much for having me, Mary. I had a blast!
MP: Hmm, I do like peanut butter… Come back for a visit any time, EJ.
*
Witch’s Nocturne
After receiving an ancient tribal journal from her grandfather, Jenny is sent on a mission of discovery in an attempt to unravel clues to her family’s monster hunting past. The journey becomes more than academic when she is asked to confront a coven of dangerous witches who plan to cast an insidious spell on the plains of West Texas.
Witch’s Nocturne is the second of the Moonsongs Books, a series of New Adult, paranormal-horror-action novelettes–with a Texas twist–by author E.J. Wesley
Witch’s Nocturne is available now:
Amazon Smashwords
*
More About EJ
E.J. lives in South Texas. He likes his words and food spicy, and tries to give a little extra ‘kick’ to the stories he writes. He enjoys reading horror, sci-fi, YA, MG, New Adult–basically anything with words. In true Texas fashion, E.J. is very neighborly, and welcomes you to say ‘howdy’ at:
RSS
Email
LinkedIn
Twitter
Youtube
Facebook
GoodReads
Pinterest
WattPad
Techno-thriller sounds cool, EJ.
And maybe you could dip your books in chocolate?
Great interview, guys!
Good interview! Chocolate covered Stephen King for everyone!
I was paying attention until you guys started talking about chips in chocolate bars then I was like, wot? *wiping drool off the keyboard*
We got ‘em with the chocolate, MP! :-)
Thanks again for having me over. This was truly the most fun I’ve had with an interview.
Dark Tower movie?! Squee!
Great interview, EJ and Mary. :)
I’m going to indulge in some chocolate and Blood Fugue this weekend I think. :D
Chocolate covered potato chips, Alex
You must try, Cathy. They are fabulous. I keep one in my desk drawer always now. Always.
Yummy, Rusty
It was fun to chat with you, EJ. Come back any time.
I’m looking forward to that too, Laura
That sounds lovely, LG
Great interview. I’ve been meaning to check out the latest book.
Cool interview with EJW! I like techno thrillers. Good luck on that. I think of speculative fiction as literature that speculates on the future, and the world. How’s that for a broad definition?
Catherine Stine’s Idea City
Hi, E.J! Besides both of us being Texans, I see were also alike in that we each have a lot of interests. I don’t know about you, but I have trouble finding time to explore them all. You say you’re “hard to define.” I say I’m eclectic :)
Thanks to both of you for the good interview! I’ll be checking the book out. I half dread hearing that SK has another work coming to TV. For me, it doesn’t always translate well. I’m not saying I won’t watch it, because I will! Dark Tower? Can’t wait…
“Dad-a-chum? Dum-a-chum? Ded-a-chek? Did-a-chick?”
Check away, Miranda :)
It’s a very well-worded definition, Catherine.
Eclectic is fab, Carol.
I hope it’s good, Pat
I love the Moonsong books! E.J. is one of those writers that captures “Voice” perfectly. I’m so into Jenny’s head whenever I read some of his work. This interview just shows how well-rounded, original, and imaginative E.J. is as a person. And “The Stand” is a great book. *hugs to my E.J.
Another fine interview Mary. The space dock should be painted in chocolate now.
Awesome interview. I’m a huge Stephen King fan. I still harbor dreams of being the next generation female King. I found out recently he’s a pantser like me too. Could you imagine writing The Stand by pantsing it? Anyway, yes, E.J. is fantastic. Love the sound of your books.
Finding an almost twin is good luck. I found one blogging, too. :)
Fun interview! And I will definitely join the chocolate club!!
It was definitely fun to hang with EJ awhile, Michael
I like that idea, Maurice
I’m glad I’m not the only pantser, Christine. You can be better than SK
Awesome, Suze
Glad to have ya, Danette.
I often hear how science fiction or speculative fiction is hard to define, but I don’t really think it is. Speculative fiction incorporates scientific elements that don’t really exist yet. But that encompasses a lot of different elements. I find a reluctance in some authors to define themselves as scifi, even though they use time travel, cloning, robots, and spaceships, but still insist they don’t write scifi. It seems more about the author’s reluctance to pigeonhole themselves than about the genre itself.
Chips and Chocolate… ohh, my kind of guy:) Witch’s Nocturne sounds great.
Nice to meet you, EJ. Your books sound just my sort of thing – horror, fantasy, Southern charm are all good in my world! I’m going to check them out now.
Mary, as always, excellent interview. You ask such great questions – your interviews always feel more like a friendly conversation.
And regarding chocolate and salted thing, have either of you tried chocolate covered pretzels? They’re delicious! :D
You guys are talking my language. I am a huge fan of the Dark Tower series. I especially loved Blaine and his riddle solving.
Great to have EJ here at Spacedock! I love the Moonsongs series, and so agree with Michael about Jenny’s “voice.” I’m right there with her as soon as I start reading one of the books, and she’s an awesome companion. Fun interview!
I think the reluctance comes in when trying to connect with an audience that is your audience, but claims not to be sci-fi fans. I think that’s where it comes from, Nigel. That’s where my problem with my new series comes from. It’s sci-fi, but it’s aimed toward women, so I don’t want to label it as sci-fi
Great to see you, Tania :)
I conduct these as conversations, Clare, so that we are talking back and forth. Chocolate covered pretzels are excellent.
Blaine sticks with me all these years later, Brinda
I look forward to reading it, Julie
Did someone mention chocolates and a good book? I’m very much there for either one, but definitely can’t pass up both at the same time. Good luck to E.J on this one.
Now I want to try chocolate and chips. LOL!
Great interview! I like the definition of specfic being “hard to define.”
I want to try chocolate and blueberries.
I bookmarked the Amazon page. I enjoyed the first novella in the series.
I always love your Spackdock conversations. So much banter and getting to know an author – in this instance a short story author whose writing I’ve enjoyed.
Love the convo Mary and E.J.!!