Wednesday, November 13, 2019

#98 Inside the Emotion of Fiction: "The God Killers" by John F. Allen



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****John F Allen’s THE GOD-KILLERS is #98 in the never-ending series called INSIDE THE EMOTION OF FICTION where the Chris Rice Cooper Blog (CRC) focuses on one specific excerpt from a fiction genre and how that fiction writer wrote that specific excerpt.  All INSIDE THE EMOTION OF FICTION links are at the end of this piece. 

Has this been published? And it is totally fine if the answer is no.   If yes, what publisher and what publication date? Yes, the novel was published through Seventh Star Press back in 2015.








What is the date you began writing this piece of fiction and the date when you completely finished the piece of fiction? I began work on The God Killers back in 2011 and finished in early 2014.

Where did you do most of your writing for this fiction work?  And please describe in detail.  I worked on the novel mostly at my home office. I’ve since moved and do not have any photos of that workspace.

What were your writing habits while writing this work- did you drink something as you wrote, listen to music, write in pen and paper, directly on laptop; specific time of day? I always had a bottle of water, diet soda, coffee or tea handy. I usually listen to music when I write as well. The genre of music depends on the genre of the writing and/or the scene being written. I use a laptop or desktop, depending on whether I need to be mobile or not. I usually write in the evenings during the week and any time I choose on the weekends.

Please include just one excerpt and include page numbers as reference.  This one excerpt can be as short or as long as you prefer. Cordelia Boudreaux, Devoted Mother and Grandmother (1928 – 2006).
"So you made it."
I turned to see Aurora standing behind me. I could feel the intensity of her stare, despite the dark shades she wore. I had avoided the crowd of people in attendance and watched from afar. When it looked as though everyone had left, I made my way to the mausoleum.
"Of course I'm here, why wouldn't I be?"
The silence stretched out for what felt like minutes.
"You know damned well why I didn't expect you to show. Where were you when she asked you to visit, or when Kennedy was born?"
"Aurora you know why I left. I needed space and time to myself. I wrote you, I kept in touch."
"Bullshit," she said. "Your selfish ass just up and left and you think that some dumbass letters and a phone call on grandmere''s birthdays was enough? This woman helped raise you, raise us and you just turned your back on her."
I clenched my fists and briefly looked away from her. I felt the anger rising, and I wasn't sure how much more of this I could take.
"Where the hell do you get off trying to tell me about my relationship with Grandma? She knew I loved her, and she never once doubted it. As far as me being around for the birth of your daughter, where were you when I was growing up? You went off to college, got married and didn't look back. Your degree, huge diamond ring, new husband and baby sure as hell impressed Mama, but not me. Look how that turned out, now you're a divorced single mother with three kids. Even though I'm sure you don't really care, I needed a sister. Someone who I could confide in, share things with and to try be my friend. Instead I have a critic who finds fault in everything that I say and do and I don't want or need that in my life."
Aurora looked stunned. I could see the tension in her body as she stood facing me. Her jaw tightened as she took a step towards me. I just knew we were about to get into it.
"Enough, the both of you! Ari and Angeline did not raise you young ladies to behave like this. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves, acting like two alley cats in heat at your own grandmere's funeral."
We both turned to see our mother's best friend Emma Jean Tunstill standing there. Mama and Emma were childhood friends, thick as thieves. Although she was barely five feet tall, she wasn't someone to be trifled with. She had a commanding presence, and for as long as I could remember the mere sound of her voice had been enough to bring forth the fear of God in me.
"Life is too short for you two sisters to act so foolishly. No matter what differences you have going on, you need to remember that tomorrow is not promised. Miss Cordelia ain't even cold in the ground and here you two are acting like some little selfish, spoiled children.""
We both looked at Emma Jean and then again at each other before I walked away. It was the last time I spoke to Aurora.

Why is this excerpt so emotional for you to write?  And can you describe your own emotional experience of writing this specific scene/excerpt? This particular excerpt was emotionally challenging due to the fact that it dealt with siblings. I had a largely estranged relationship with my late brother up until the last two years of his life when we reconnected. (Left) The experience of writing this scene was bittersweet, in that it of course drew on my own personal experiences and journey I set the characters on will eventually guide them to their greater destinies.

Were there any deletions from this excerpt that you can share with us? No, I pretty much kept it as it was. Besides, since I draft on my laptop I merely edited as I went along.

Other works you have published? I have 2 novellas in a series titled: Codename: Knight Ranger and Codename: Knight Ranger – The God Particle Conspiracy. The main protagonist of the novellas was a spin-off from The God Killers. I also have a short story collection titled, The Best Is Yet To Come, which features tales of various genres, a short film novelization titled, Submerge: Echo 51 and a 7 issue comic book mini-series titled War Crimes, through All-Knightz

Anything you would like to add? I have a great respect for the craft of writing and it’s a very big part of my life and who I am as a person. I’ve put together my writing goals for 2020 and I plan to have another 3-4 books out in that year.

     John F. Allen is an American writer born in Indianapolis, IN. He is a founding member of the Speculative Fiction Guild and a member the Indiana Writers Center. He began writing stories as early as the second grade and has pursued various forms of writing throughout his career. John studied Liberal Arts at IUPUI with a focus in Creative Writing and Literature, 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 was published in 2013 by Seventh Star Press, and he has had several novellas, short stories and articles published since. He is also an avid reader, accomplished visual artist, comic book, movie and jazz music aficionado.


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