Supernatural Q&A: John J. Zelenski (The Journal of Ezekiel Walker)
Author John J. Zelenski’s motto—which he shares with a central character in his stories—is “Not everything in this world can be explained.” Following a series of strange events that occurred after his family moved to their new home in the late 1970s, John grew up to be an award-winning author of supernatural thrillers.
His latest novel is The Journal of Ezekiel Walker (Peasantry Press), the follow-up to his novel Walker’s Vale: In the fall of 1945, just after the close of World War II, Ezekiel Walker has returned home on a furlough from his Civilian Public Service Unit. As Ezekiel tries to adjust to life back on the family farm, strange and unexplained events soon unfold, and Ezekiel begins to experience frightening visions, and bizarre sightings. When a stranger suddenly arrives with a promise to rebuild the struggling town of Walker’s Vale, Pennsylvania, a portal to the supernatural is opened and the lives of everyone in Walker’s Vale will never be the same.
In this exclusive interview with Monster Complex, John tells us about the real-life experiences that inspired the novel, what draws him to write supernatural fiction, and why he’s bored with jump scares.
Q1. What inspired the story in The Journal of Ezekiel Walker?
The Journal of Ezekiel Walker was inspired by my first book, Walker’s Vale. I felt that Walker’s Vale needed a history and a backdrop to explain the present day evil that engulfs the small, Pennsylvania town. The Journal of Ezekiel Walker takes place just at the close of World War II and reveals the weaknesses and brokenness of humanity born of a fallen world given to greed and fear.
Q2. What real life incidents (research or experiences) or personal interests made it into this book/series?
My own supernatural experiences as a child paved the way and provided the interest to write in a genre which believes that not all that can be seen is what actually exists. I’ve always had an interest and desire to explore the mystery of...is there more than meets the natural eye. What lies just beyond the plain sight of horizon we call death? Angels, demons, God, Satan...just suppose all of this is real and happening all around us, yet we cannot materialize it. And if so, what does that mean for us individually?
Q3. What draws you to write about this stuff?
My own experiences continually pull me into the exploration of what is beyond this temporal veil we are so often blinded by. I believe God chose to hide the supernatural elements of this world to challenge the assumption that mere humanity is the finality of existence. I believe there is much more than we comprehend with our limited experiences and wavering senses.
Q4. What do you consider the essential or watershed works (books, movies, whatever) featuring your type of fiction?
I’ve always held in the highest regards, This Present Darkness, by Frank Peretti and the many books, by Ted Dekker. In films, The Exorcist and more recently, The Conjuring series have driven home to me at least, that there is another world fighting for our souls and somehow we are caught in the middle. Faith-based horror is just finding its legs so to speak in my opinion. I've often thought, what if our “other” eyes were opened and we could plainly see the things we fear, the elements we cherish, and the portal to that dimension.
Q5. What horror cliche(s) bother you the most?
I don’t know if there are any cliches that really bother me. I do find some “jump scares” overdone and overused at times. Horror in general can be a cliche as people sometimes try to use a formula that has been done before, and that is okay, but there are times when new ground must be covered in order to cross new boundaries.
Q6. What are the best ways for readers to connect with you online and learn more about you?
People can connect with me via Facebook, Twitter, by name, and of course by my website, JohnJZelenski.com.
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