Q&A with J.W. Zarek, author of THE DEVIL PULLS THE STRINGS

 

THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING HERE. FOR STARTERS, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR WRITING AND WHAT INSPIRES YOU.

 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW BOOK

The Devil Pulls the Strings, described as The Librarians meet The Magicians is a 76,000-word epic fantasy adventure with series potential, set in modern-day Wentzville, MO, New York City, and 1813 Genoa, Italy, weaves bromance, Slavic mythology, secret societies, Paganini’s music and time travel.

 

 

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE TITLE FOR THIS BOOK?

I knew my book’s title was hidden in the antagonist’s story. Sinti is a crazed immortal who wants to use Paganini’s music to summon the Devil.

My original title Living to Die and third title The Archivists: The Curse of The Blue Rose didn’t create greater impact or show anything specific about the story.

In the end, I drew a circle around Paganini’s name in the center of a piece of paper, wrote around his name the different ways a violinist uses their instrument, and all these facts I knew about Paganini, the Devil, and the antagonist, and then I starred, and starred and starred. And starred some more. Then, the title leaped off the page.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK?

I grew up listening to the oldest Baba Yaga stories, Slavic myths, and epic tales and fantasy adventures. I wrote this book to honor the hero’s journey infused with Slavic mythology and show the world the many faces of Baba Yaga. Because she is so much more than how modern movies, books and video games depict her. Because Baba Yaga is a supernatural force, a trio of sisters, a mentor, a helper, an antagonist, and so much more.

 

WHAT DRIVES YOUR CHARACTERS IN YOUR STORY?

Boone’s driven to do the right thing, keep his promise to his friend he almost killed in a joust, stop his debilitating panic attacks in dark and tight spaces. And stop the wendigo that stalks him since he was six years old. Sapphire Anjou wants to earn her father’s elusive love, he’s unable to give because he blames Sapphire for the car accident that took her mother and brother’s lives when she was six years old. 

 

IF YOUR BOOK WERE TO BE MADE INTO A MOVIE, WHO WOULD BE YOUR CAST?

Boone Daniels (22) (Protagonist)
Boone can be played by any of the following actors: Joe Keery of Stranger Things; Tyler Posey of Teen Wolf; Noah Centineo To All The Boys; K. J. Apa in The Last Summer; or Wolfgagng Novogratz in The Last Summer.

Sapphire Anjou (Love Interest)
Sapphire can be played by any of the following actresses: Sophie Marceau when she appeared in Braveheart; Zendaya in The Greatest Showman; Léa Seydoux from James Bond No Time to Die; Chloë Grace Moretz in live action Tom & Jerry; Mackenzie Foy in Black Beauty; and Bella Thorne Midnight Sun (2018) and Chick Fight (2020).

WHAT CRITERIA DID YOU USE WHEN SELECTING THE COVER FOR YOUR BOOK?

The cover had to have two contrasting colors: teal and orange. It had to include one or more characters from the story. The font had to be appropriate for epic fantasy adventures, and it had to stand out on a shelf of bestselling books.

WAS THERE A MESSAGE IN YOUR BOOK THAT YOU WERE TRYING TO CONVEY?

The power of hope, belief and faith can see you through the darkest of circumstances.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE AS A WRITER?
Time constraints. I work long hours as a full-time adjudicator and write whenever I can. This means, I have to wake up an hour early, stay up late, and take advantage of hour long train commutes to and from work.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW WRITERS?

Read the top twenty-five books in the genres you’re most drawn to, and ask yourself and others what type of stories you would like to read or see in the genre you haven’t seen before, or want to see more of.

Now, armed with this knowledge, write one or more of these stories in your own voice.

Research and learn how to write an outline, logline, blurb, beat sheet, synopsis, treatment, story grid, and Margie Lawson’s EDIT System. Also check out Derek Murphy, Mark Dawson and Joann Penn’s free and paid content to help improve and speed up your writer’s journey.  

DO YOU HAVE A BLOG OR WEBSITE READERS CAN VISIT FOR UPDATES, EVENTS AND SPECIAL OFFERS?

My website and blog are found at jwzarek.com.    

You can also find me at my Facebook group Home of Misfits, Writers and Other Creative Folks:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3690363904375992