Hi, everyone! Today we have the privilege of chatting to Lex, author of the Eloah Trilogy. Let's first find out who Lex is:
Musically, Lex was often “on the road” with various band formations and music styles for almost forty years. His greatest success was lead singer/front man of a semi-professional country rock band in Germany. The band, Honky Tonk Heroes, was active from the mid-80’s to the beginning of the twenty-first century. In 1996, the band signed a recording contract with MCP Records in Austria and recorded two albums (one original songs penned by Lex, and the other a cover album of top country songs of the time). The original album won “Best Album” as well as “Best Band” from the European Country Music Awards in 1997. He currently performs solo “street music” as time and weather permit, as a tool in his book promotion toolbox.
Hi, Lex, and welcome!
Every
writer feels the pull of a story and yet the why and when is different for all.
What was your proverbial light-bulb moment? In other words, what sat you
down to start writing for the first time?
I
can’t recall a particular “moment” but I clearly remember my English Lit
teacher telling me, (paraphrasing) “If your career plans do not include
creative writing, you’ve made the wrong choice.” As with most of us, “life”
happened and a series of events conspired to send me to the Army at the ripe
old age of seventeen. I was a fan of Easy Rider magazine (a monthly rag that
featured short stories about the Biker life-style). I’d never been a biker, but
I loved the stories, and one day decided to write one. In those days, you typed
on a typewriter and mailed your product to an agent or publisher. Long story
short, Easy Rider bought my story for a whopping $50 but never published it.
Thinking back, receiving that check was such a kick that I never stopped
writing; although it would be many years later before I actually wrote
something for publication.
Tell
us a bit about your process. Do you have a schedule? Do you plan or are you a
seat-of-my-pants writer?
I’ve
read about writer’s who are very strict in their writing regimes. They set
themselves start and stop times or a certain number of words per day, etc. I can’t
do that. I’m simply not organized or disciplined enough. I write when the urge
or inspiration hits me. That could happen any time of day, or as is often the
case, night... usually around 3 a.m. Not that I’ve dreamed what I want to write—I’ll
simply wake up with a scene in the WIP or the start of a new project, and get
up to write it down before I forget it. On those occasions, simply scribbling a
note and going back to sleep doesn’t work, because I could never figure out the
hieroglyphics the next morning.
I
have no real plan, no outline. I’ll have a general idea what I want to write
about, but the first draft is simply a flow of ideas and potential characters
without a specific target or primary story line. Things tend to sort themselves
and take the shape of a real story as I go. That’s not to say that I don’t
research. I’d been playing around with an idea for a book several years before
I started writing the Eloah Trilogy and I was reading, traveling, re-examining
personal experiences that might or might not fit into the book, and gathering
reference material a good ten years before I actually sat down to write the
book… or, books as they eventually became. Bottom line and a shorter answer...
I’m a seat-of-the-pants writer.
Oh, yes, sounds much like my process! When inspiration strikes, then I go to it :)
Now
that the world has changed due to a pandemic, how has your writing changed?
Considerably!
Suddenly, I had so much more time to write and I took full advantage. But,
rather than work on my WIP for Evolved Publishing “Boomer” that was and remains
long past due for completion; I was inspired to explore a completely new
genre—erotic horror! I read a few books to see how others were handling the
genre and then, sat down and started writing. The first story I wrote for Easy
Rider became the foundation for the first novella in the erotic horror genre. I wrote two complete novellas, edited, and
published in less than eight weeks! While doing that, I also started teaching
myself to write a screenplay. I’m almost finished with a so-called Spec Script for Eloah: No Heaven, the
first book in the Eloah trilogy. Who knows where that might go... or not!
Regardless, writing scripts and learning a new facet of writing is a lot of
fun.
On a more personal front, which four words would you use to describe yourself?
I think I’m ambitious (my wife calls it “driven”).
I am often scatter-brained, my thoughts constantly
shifting from one topic or activity to another.
When not performing music,
I am introverted, and as I
constantly seek new things to do that some call “pushing the envelope,” I am adventurous.
Which four words would you use to describe your work?
Verisimilitude is paramount to my writing
efforts. A sense of reality must be present throughout the story from the
premise, to the characters, scene setting, and the action in each scene. For
example, if one of my characters gets shot in the upper arm with a .45 calibre
pistol, he is NOT going to get up off the floor and continue the fight... or
anything else.
Mixed
genre - I
try to appeal to a variety of readers, so I find ways to include several genre
and sub-genre into every story.
Thrillers - All my stories,
regardless of length are written in a fast-paced, page turning format.
Well
researched
– I write stories on “hot” topics and present alternatives to the history,
philosophy, or current affairs generally accepted by a majority of the
populace. I think I spent ten years reading, visiting key locations, watching
news and documentary films before actually sitting down to write the Eloah
trilogy.
Often personal fame and prominence for your work go together, but frequently authors prefer remaining in the background while hoping their work will assume the limelight. Is this true for you, or don’t you mind a bit of fame?
I’ve
been a semi-professional musician (lead singer/frontman) for most of the past 30
years. Off stage, I’m mostly introverted; but, on stage, in the spotlight, I’m
a completely different person. I love the stage; it’s like a drug for me. I
haven’t reached that level in writing, and I imagine the situation would be
much different, but I think I’d love the limelight.
Give us an overview of your books to date, and know that we love to read excerpts. Share with us your favourite bits of writing.
The Eloah
Trilogy includes the novels No Heaven, No Hell, and No Religion. There is also
a short story prelude to the trilogy – The Druids that provides a quick
introduction and background to four characters that appear later in the
trilogy.
The overarching storyline provides an alternative history to the Biblical story of Jesus. In the trilogy, the Biblical Jesus was, in fact, Eloah—a human from an advanced society and a parallel universe to our reality. He has returned, not as the Bible predicts, but to stop humanity from destroying itself and the planet, and to correct the inaccuracies of the Biblical story.
They returned their attention to the non-dangerous man as he strode up to the priest who held the plate with the Eucharistic Hosts. He rested a hand on the priest’s arm and said, “Father, why are you doing this ritual?”
Good question, bad timing, Jack thought.
The
priest opened and closed his mouth several times but didn’t speak. After an
exasperated sigh, he responded. “My son, I will be glad to speak with you about
the Eucharist and any of the Holy Sacraments after Mass. Please—”
“But
this ceremony is a lie,” the man continued. “It is based on an event that did
not happen. This ritual is a fictitious rendition of the so-called Last Supper
and what I might have said and done.”
Jack
glanced at Beth. “Is this a practical joke? Walk up to the priests and pretend
he’s Jesus? Is that why the camera crew’s here?”
She
shook her head and whispered, “No. For the love of... just listen to what he
has to say, and not just with your ears.”
He
wanted to think of a witty comeback, but before he could, the mystery man
announced himself to everyone in the cathedral.
“My
name is Eloah. Two thousand years ago, your ancestors knew me as Yeshua, son of
Joseph, or perhaps, as you now remember me, Jesus, the Son of God. I will not
use the name Jesus again, for his days have passed and those of Eloah have
begun.”
The
tourists and the faithful alike all stared at the self-proclaimed Jesus,
mesmerized.
For
the second time today, Jack had a sense of tunnel vision. The would-be messiah
had captured his attention almost as sharply as Beth had, but not for the same
reason. Jack felt every hair on his body prickle. If he’d been outside, he
would have run for cover, sure that lightning was about to strike.
Eloah
continued, “Fear not, for I have not come to herald the end of days as
prophesied in your Bible. I have returned to save this world from a nuclear
holocaust that will occur in a war between the three major religions. I bear an
inadvertent contribution to this pending disaster via the Christian faith... a
religious belief established in my name but based on a misinterpretation of my
words and intent and a resurrection miracle that did not occur. The Christian
religion originated from men in power seeking to control humanity through fear,
the fear of death and the hope of an unnecessary salvation.”
Perhaps
a practical joke, but no one laughed. Eloah’s words had somehow carried through
the entire cathedral, but no one else made a sound.
“My purpose will become clearer in the coming days. In the interim, I have a message for the Catholic Pope.”
The pope’s anger came more from the shock of the murder scene and the death of his childhood friend than by his inability to complete the Last Rites. His voice, soft and low, but full of menace, sent chills down the spines of the guards. His anger was palpable, and would have wilted lesser men, but the guards maintained their stoic posture between their pontiff and the horror just outside his door.
“I’ll see
you all bounced out of the guard. I’ll have you excommunicated! You’ll burn in
hell! How dare you interrupt the viaticum?”
he’d fumed.
It was bad
enough he’d discovered the murders less than a minute after they’d occurred. If
only he’d remembered what he’d wanted to tell Cardinal Johnson earlier. He’d
have opened the door sooner. At the least, he’d have been there for his friend.
The speed and silence of the assault that resulted in three deaths—two of them
highly trained Swiss guards, indicated more than one assailant. Perhaps he’d
have been able to help fend off the attacker or attackers. As it was, he’d gone
out of his office hoping to catch his secretary of state before he’d gotten too
far down the hallway and discovered a blood bath.
The pope
raged. “Why aren’t you out there hunting down the murderers? Where is your
captain? I want him and Colonel Busch here, now! Do you understand me?”
“Perhaps I
can be of service.” The soft voice came from behind the pope.
Two of the
guards charged forward, lances pointed at the man and raven-haired woman who
appeared behind the pope’s back. The third guard grabbed the pope before he
could turn around, and after pushing him into a corner, moved in front,
shielding him from the new and sudden danger. The mysterious man raised his
hands, palms forward freezing the onrushing guards in place.
Incited with a new
burst of anger, the pope shoved the guard
aside and took several steps forward. “Who are you?” he demanded. “Are you the
murderer of three men?”
“I am Eloah,
he that your ancestors once called Jesus. I am not a murderer.” He indicated
the petite woman next to him. “This is Kate Barrow. Many years ago her name was
Mary Magdalene.”
Seeming to
ignore the introductions, the pope spun around to the guard he’d moments
earlier pushed aside. “Get out. Take your fellow guards with you and send your
captain here.” He turned again and pointed at the two frozen guards. “Would you
kindly release those two?”
Eloah smiled
and the two guards “awoke,” confused. The third guard called to them, but they
remained reluctant. Finally, the pope spoke in a quiet voice. “Take your leave
and inform the captain I am waiting for him. There is no danger here. This man
is not the killer.”
In the Oval Office, President Kelly Gibson was working late on her speech for tomorrow’s emergency joint session of Congress. Abel and Vice President James Brahman huddled at the coffee table going over notes and editing earlier draft copies of the speech that Abel would provide to the press following the session. Kelly jerked her head up when a voice in her head intruded on her thoughts.
“Madam President, my name is Mishra. I am a friend of
Eloah. I didn’t want to alarm you by appearing without warning in your office.
If I may, however—”
Kelly
spoke aloud, “Yes, please do.” Abel and James started at Kelly’s voice and then
followed her gaze towards the French windows that led into the Rose Garden. A
tall, broad-shouldered man with shoulder length dark hair arrived from thin air
in front of those doors. The stranger smiled and raised his hands, palms
forward. “No need for alarm. I am Mishra, and I’ve come at the behest of
Eloah.”
Kelly
was on her feet, walking forward with her right hand out. “Welcome, Mishra. Any
friend of Eloah’s is a friend of ours. Isn’t that right, gentlemen?” She
directed the last over her shoulder and grinned when they both jumped to their
feet and followed her to the French doors.
Mishra
shook everyone’s hands. “I’m sorry, but my visit is not social. Rather, it is
of some necessity and urgent.”
Kelly
raised her eyebrows. “Oh?”
“Yes.
I have to come to warn you. We have discovered a credible warning of an
assassination attempt on both you and,” he said as he nodded at James, “the
vice president.”
Kelly
didn’t hesitate. “Abel, get Agent Witherow in here!”
Mishra
held up a hand. “Please. If I may?”
“Abel?”
Kelly called him back. Abel, had already taken several steps towards the door,
but stopped at her call and returned to stand next to the president.
“Okay,
Mishra, please continue.” Before Mishra could however, one of three phones on
the president’s desk rang. The private number was available to only a handful
of people.
Abel
picked up the receiver on the third ring and without preamble, said, “Yes?”
“Abel?
I’m told that the president and vice president are there working on the speech
for tomorrow. Is that right?”
“Yes,
Perry, something I can help you with?”
“I
have an important message they both need to hear. Mind if I come over for a few
minutes?”
“Would
you like to speak to the president over the phone?”
“No,
it’s—I really need to pass this information along personally.”
“Hang
on, Perry.” Abel held the handset against his chest to mute his voice and said,
“He says he has something important to discuss with you and James personally.”
He raised his eyebrows asking whether he should grant the requested visit.
Kelly
shook her head. “I think now isn’t a good time. Tell him—”
“Madam,
I believe this is an exceptionally fortunate time,” Mishra interjected. “Please
bear with me and invite him to come.”
Kelly
stared at Mishra. “I’ll bear with you after you tell me why Perry’s visit would
be fortunate right now?”
Mishra
answered with a telepathic message. “Perry
is our prime suspect in the assassination attempt.”
Though
shocked at this news, her widened eyes of surprise were all that gave her away.
Without knowing what she was doing, she thought, “Why don’t I have him arrested?”
“Because he has two co-conspirators, and we don’t know
who they are. Bringing them here is to our advantage.”
Kelly
paused and then shrugged her shoulders. She nodded her head at Abel.
“Okay,
Perry, how soon can you get here? Okay, we’ll be waiting.” Abel placed the
receiver back in its cradle. “He’ll be here in about fifteen minutes.” He
punched a button on the president’s intercom and instructed the receptionist to
announce Perry’s arrival.
The
three government officials turned their attention to the alien, Mishra. He
expected their need for further explanation. “There is an alien being in this
reality that has, for many years, controlled and guided some major events in
your history. He has held several names over the past couple of millennia,
and—”
“Excuse
me,” Abel interrupted. “You’re saying thousands of years?”
Mishra
nodded. “Yes, at least that long, but we’re not sure how long. He is not
Elohim, nor does he come from any reality where humans exist.”
“So,
he’s not human. Is that it?” Kelly asked.
“No,
he is not human, although he can take human form. He is powerful, and we know
he was present and orchestrated the assassination attempt of Eloah and his
group in Jerusalem. Eloah held a brief conversation with this being seconds
before the explosion.”
Kelly
placed her fingers over her mouth, muffling the “Oh, my God,” figure of speech
that slipped out.
Spot on! Explains the atmosphere of each book so well (yes, reader, I have read these and thoroughly enjoyed them!).
Tell us about your next book (we love to know what to look forward to!).
“Boomer” is set in the future and it’s the story of a one-hundred-forty year old man who has decided to die. He’d been a powerful player in world politics and banking—head of the International Monetary Fund and two-term President of the United States. He has a lot of dirt on his hands and conscience, and wants to come clean, as well as free the world from an unthinkable oppressive force. He contacted me, Lex Allen, to write his true-life story in a fictional / autobiographical format. In the process of telling his story, and unbeknownst to me, he must evade capture by the very people and organizations he once presided over.
Concomitant to this, an ex-Army sniper (and old military friend of mine) has joined a secret organization determined to take justice for the political wrongs committed against the peoples of the world and the planet. This organization is not playing games, they aren’t protesting—they are assassinating politicians and corporate CEO’s that fail to meet their demands, as well as hacking into and destroying their cyber systems of finance and control. And… overshadowing all of this, an alien force that has influenced human development on Earth for thousands of years is more concerned with finding and stopping Boomer than any of the human entities.
Eventually, the hunt for Boomer includes me and my family. My sniper friend comes to my aid and… true to my seat of the pants writing style... the rest is to be determined!
“Boomer”
has been “in the making” for a couple of years. Several obstacles... I call
them rat turds on the road of life… including some heart surgery, have
interfered. But mostly, as mentioned previously, I’ve been teaching myself to
write a screenplay and I’m near to completion of a “Spec Script” for Eloah: No
Heaven with plans to follow that with No Hell and No Religion. Maybe you’ll get
to see these as a TV mini-series someday! LOL
Fingers crossed! Now
for fun, let’s ask about the favourite things we all like to read about …
Favourite book: The Dark Tower series by Stephen King
Favourite movie: The Sixth Sense
Favourite TV series: Breaking Bad
Favourite colour: Blue
Favourite food: Linguine with shrimp, green onions,
garlic, tomatoes, and olive oil
Favourite drink: Beer in the summer, Red Wine in winter.
Favourite pet: Dog (We have a 9 years old street dog
from Greece that we rescued 8 years ago. Her name is Chloe – after the Greek
Goddess of Flowers)
Favourite place: Umag, Istria Peninsula, Croatia, - Andalusia,
Spain and Gruene, Texas.
Favourite place to write: My home office
Favourite season: Spring
Favourite pastime (other than writing!): Soccer fan (favorite teams
Borrusia Dortmund and Liverpool), music, reading, traveling.
Which moment do you regard as your most inspirational?
Many
things have inspired me over the years... meeting my wife, the births of my
children, the moon landing, the assassination of Kennedy, 9-11, the list is
endless—from historical global tragedies and accomplishments to simply sitting
on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
And
finally, if you could choose one person, living or dead, you would like to
meet, who would it be and what would you ask of that person?
Hands-down
that would be George Carlin. His philosophies, delivered with humor and truth
have always fascinated me. I’d ask him how the hell to get out of this horrible
world situation we’re in.
Now that I completely identify with! Over the years I've listened to George Carlin a lot, too :) Thanks so much for spending time with us!
More on Lex's Eloah Trilogy:
Could the arrival of Eloah, an Elohim teacher, prove the quantum physics “multiverse” theory? Can he stop a nuclear war that would destroy Earth and every parallel universe attached to the planet?
WINNER: Pinnacle Book Achievement Award - Best Thriller
WINNER:
Readers' Favorite Book Award - Silver Medal: Young Adult Fiction - Religious
Theme
A few Editorial Reviews:
“Bottom line: The writing is excellent, the
execution is excellent, the plotting is paced well and the characters are
believable and relatable. Kudos to the author for producing a work of fiction
that's, at once, intellectually stimulating and a lot of fun to read.” Reading Glass Reviews
"I
thoroughly enjoyed reading Lex Allen's thriller Eloah: No Heavben for its plot
and characters. I was hooked into the story early on with Eloah's dramatic
appearances in Germany and Washington, D.C. which provoke unsettling questions
about mind-matter-energy relationships. I loved the imagination and
inventiveness with which Allen weaves the concepts of quantum and multiverse
theories into the thriller. Allen reveals more about Eloah through the
characters of Jack, Elizabeth, and Kate, three different people with different
reactions and perspectives on religion. The suspense and action in the story
intensify as their lives become entangled with Eloah. All has created a strong
character in Jack, the skeptic who is not afraid to confront Eloah with questions.
The heated dialogues between different characters about religious beliefs and
scientific research of the paranormal add depth and tension to the story.
Eloah: No Heaven ends on a cliffhanger. I will absolutely be reading Eloah: No
Hell and Eloah: No Religion." - Saifunnissa Hassam for Reader's
Favorite
"His
knowledge of the Bible, first century events, quantum physics,and current
science is remarkable. The story is imaginative and interesting. He keeps
even the skeptical reader riveted to the outcome.He does a better job than Dan
Brown." Seeley James Reviews.
Eloah: No Hell - Exclusive to Amazon Worldwide and Kindle Unlimited
Are
the ancient druids and the neo-druids of today protectors of a treasure that
holds the secrets of the universe?
WINNER: Pinnacle Book Achievement Award - Best Thriller
WINNER: Readers' Favorite Book Award - Bronze Medal: Fiction - Religious
Theme
A Few Editorial Reviews:
"Lex Allen's
thriller Eloah: No Hell turned into afascinating and very enjoyable read. I
loved the way Allen threads the themesof religion, spirituality, good and evil
into the story through strongcharacters, intense and edgy settings and
dialogues. I loved the imaginativeand vivid way in which Elizabeth and Kate use
their psychic and telepathicabilities for time travel to the past, to the time
when Jesus was crucified,and Jack's life at that time. The meeting between Pope
John Paul III and Eloahis compelling, as the Pope struggles within himself,
questioning the truth ofEloah's knowledge of Jesus and the origins of the
Church. Allen shows vividlyand forcefully the depths of avarice and
corruptibility through two very evil,malevolent and manipulative characters,
greedy for power and wealth, and intenton killing Eloah. I am looking forward
to reading the conclusion in Eloah: NoReligion!" - Saifunnissa
Hassam for Reader's Favorite International Awards
"While the themes
and premise of the story are reminiscent of the Da Vinci Code series, Lex
Allen's work is faster paced and less mired in the minutiae of mystery
solving. It is not mystery but philosophy that takes center stage here." -
Zeecé Lugo
This installment in the
trilogy wraps up a lot of threads from the previous "No Heaven"
quickly and efficiently. And, while it describes a stupefyingly complex
conspiracy, it's written in such a way that it all makes perfect sense - so
much sense, in fact, that the reader wonders if, maybe, this could really
happen.
The action in this volume really picks up, as well. If there was one complaint
I could dig up regarding the "No Heaven" installment, it was that
there was a lot of explanation and set up. This book takes all of that and pays
off in grand fashion. The twists and turns, and the thrills, ratchet up at a
steady pace, pushing faster and faster all the way to the end that culminates
in a huge event that may mean the end, or may mean things are only just
beginning. No matter which, the ending of this volume was extremely satisfying.
Answering plenty of questions and posing quite a few more. Most of all, leaving
me feeling excited and eager to get my hands on the next volume.
If you're looking for well-developed characters, an intellectually stimulating
story-line and plenty of twists, turns and action, I highly recommend this book
and its predecessor. Kudos to the author! – Reading Glass Reviews
Eloah: No Religion - Exclusive to Amazon Worldwide and Kindle Unlimited
A
spectacular global holograph captures the world’s attention, as supernatural
beings engage in conclusive battle. The fate of Earth and all its parallel
universes lies in the balance.
WINNER: Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, Summer 2019 - Best Thriller
A few Editorial Reviews:
"Lex Allen's Thriller Eloah: No Religion has
become a haunting reading experience for me, I like the vivid and convincing
way Allen develops the intense battle between Eloah and the demon Alpha, and
Eloah is unwavering in his commitment to his peace keeping mission. Alpha is
relentless, vicious and murderous in its greed for power and control. I liked
the inclusion of passages of self-reflection and dialogues that Allen has
created for the pope and the US president. The pace is fast and thrilling, and
I like the sudden twists and turns as the struggle overlaps with Eloah's
worldwide transmission of a holographic account of historical events. I have
enjoyed Eloah: No Religion for its complex characters, great imagination, and
thought provoking subjects religion, spirituality, and science."~
Saifunnissa Hassam for Reader's Favorite Intl 'Awards
“The first book in the series (Eloah: No
Heaven) revealed that the most important person in the history of religion is
not from heaven, but from a parallel universe. The next volume (Eloah: No Hell)
showed us that hell is right here on earth and now - not after death - and now
comes the third book (Eloah: No Religion), which shows us how we should live
without 4,000 years of religious baggage, in a new way, a rebirth for a new
era, just as Eloah alias Jesus ushered in a new era 2000 years ago."~
Guy Teague (Abilene Reporter News)
“ELOAH: NO RELIGION by
Lex Allen is the most unusual and unique take on Jesus and religion that I have
ever read. Whether you are an atheist, agnostic, or born-again Christian, if
you are curious and have an open mind, you can’t help but be drawn into this
fascinating tale. Mr. Allen’s easy-to-read writing style flows like a dream and
is superb. The story is fast-paced and distinctive, and the characters are
varied and realistic. I highly recommend ELOAH: NO RELIGION to anyone who
enjoys a story that besides entertaining you—makes you think; and even
challenges your beliefs.” - Best Selling Author Carol Marrs Phipps
eBook Boxset direct from the Evolved Publishing at great savings! Here: https://evolvedpub.com/books/eloah-boxed-set/
2 comments:
Thanks so much for the invitation to interview, Elaina. I must admit that when I received the questions, I was pleasantly surprised as I'd not seen such depth of inquiry in previous online interviews. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and I am in your debt for the helpful promotion, and especially pleased to learn that you have read the books and enjoyed them. After all, that's the reason we write!
All the best to you and yours!
Carpe Diem, Lex
Thanks, Lex! All the best to you and yours, too! Keep smiling :)
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