Author Interview — P.D. Alleva

Last week, I posted my book review of The Rose by P.D. Alleva, and now I have an exclusive interview with him. I hope you enjoy.

Where do your story ideas come from? Dreams? Real life? What-if questions?

Story ideas come from a mixed bag of dreams, real life, and what ifs. Typically the idea begins with a scene and an emotion, then that seed germinates and forms into a full-blown plot line that develops characters, scenarios, themes, and outcomes.

Did you plan out the whole series in advance or decide to make a second volume after book one?

So, The Rose is actually a prequel to another trilogy I was writing a few years ago called The Indigo Trials. At the time, I wanted to write a short story that introduced the superpower used in The Indigo Trials—the rose is a meditation practiced by alchemists with the purpose to ward off energy vampires; however, alchemy is also the practice of changing chemistry within inanimate objects. I decided to combine the meditation and the alchemical practice to create the superpower that is The Rose—and when I began writing the short story the plot and characters kept developing, turning the once short story into a full-length novel.

I have the series for both The Indigo Trials and The Rose planned out in the black hole that is my brain as well as another series that is tied to Indigo and Rose called Winter, a sci-fi time travel series. So, it’s all in my head, although I write by the seat of my pants and have no idea where the characters are going or what’s going to happen next. All that I do know are main plot points that I want to feature in each installment, and how the story will conclude, but how they get there is something I discover during the writing process.

How many volumes will the rose be?

There will be three volumes in what started out as a short story, then a stand-alone, then to two volumes and now, after writing Vol 2, it’ll take one more volume to complete the story. So, three volumes total for The Rose. The Indigo Trials will be a trilogy, and Winter will be… Well, I have large plans for Winter. I’ll keep it at that.

Do you have a favorite character from The Rose Vol. 1?

100% without a doubt my favorite character in The Rose is Sanos, the main alien vampire. I grew up cheering for the bad guy in books and movies, and I adore a great villain, so Sanos wins the battle for favorite supremacy.

What comes first for you: plot or characters?

Plot is always first. The story, the themes, emotions, and especially how the book or series is going to end always come first. I usually know the ending before the beginning, and then the characters show up to drive those points home.

Did any book/movie/song inspire The Rose series?

More than a few. Here’s a list of influences for The Rose:

• Star Wars
• The Matrix
• They Live
• The Dark Knight
• Ancient Aliens
  
• The X-Files
• Dune
• Mad Max
• Flash Gordon

How did you keep all the plot twists organized to flow together so nicely for The Rose Vol. 1?

I’ve got an uncanny knack to keep everything in my brain as I’m writing, and I love editing for many reasons, but the biggest reason to love editing is for those plot twists to remain organized and coherent for the reader.

What is your favorite part about being a published author?

Connection to other human beings through creativity and the written word and the ability to release the demons within without all the drama and chaos that comes with acting out those demons. Writing is a safe haven.

What are some of your favorite books?

Frankenstein, Dune, The Time Machine, I am Legend, The Shining, The Old Man and the Sea, A Tell-Tale Heart, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, War of the Worlds, Time and Again, Interview with the Vampire, The Damnation Game, The Haunting of Hill House, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and I’m probably forgetting a ton of them at the moment, but that’s the very short list.

What are some of your hobbies outside of writing/reading?

Quantum physics, Ancient Aliens, Ancient Wisdom, conspiracies, spiritualism, science of mind, and I’m also a hypnotist specializing in trauma and addiction, so hypnosis.

What is your favorite piece of writing advice?

From Stephen King, “Read, read, read. Write, write, write.”

Where can readers learn more about your books?

Best place to find me is on my website, pdalleva.com, and signing up for my newsletter. I’m on Amazon of course, as well as Facebook and Instagram. I started a Facebook reader group and book club a few months ago where we read books throughout the year and not all of them are mine either. I’ve been reading since I was knee high to a grasshopper and thought having a book club would help with sharing my passion for reading, books, and the written word.

Here’s the list of social media links:

• Amazon
• Bookbub
• Facebook Page
• Facebook Reader Group and Book Club
• Goodreads
• Instagram
• Newsletter
• Twitter
• Website

Thank you, P.D. Alleva, for taking the time to do this interview. You can check out my review of his book, The Rose, here.