Today's Darklight On is with Eflthalia Pegios. Welcome, Efthalia!
How did you come to write speculative fiction? What attracted you to the genre?
I adore myths and speculative fiction is fused in myth so it seemed like the best genre for me. My previous attempts were all in crime, regency laced with mystery and kids books. I loved writing these but the connection and comfort wasn’t there.
I accidently fell into the paranormal genre whilst in my second year of my writing degree. I was browsing different books and wanted something different something more, something to escape with so I picked up Charlaine Harris and Erica Hayes’s “Shadowfae” on the spur of a moment thing and was hooked. So I kept going and found Kerri Arthur (whose work I love) et al and was so thirsty that I couldn’t stop and haven’t really.
Tell us about Phantasma?
Born a daughter of a God, Carissa Alkippis can influence people’s thoughts and will them to do her bidding but her powers have been muted to protect her because with them she is a potent threat to all unearthly creatures.
Xen Lyson is the head of the Phi Athoanotoi, a group of immortals that protect humans from the Kakodiamones. Demons, who will risk everything for the optimum prize - the annihilation of the Phi for a smorgasbord of humans.
Thrown face to face with Xen during a skirmish with the Kakodiamones, Carissa becomes more than an interest for Xen but a pawn of essence for a demi god who is out for vengeance and godly power.
With her life drastically altered only one man can help keep her safe and get closer to the truth – Xen. But the passion that fuels and burns them both will either save them or obliterate them.
Yes it’s laced in myth and here’s the book trailer:
Yes it’s laced in myth and here’s the book trailer:
Are you a plotter? Panster? Or somewhere in-between?
Panster for Phantasma but I’m desperately trying to plot more. There are certain benefits and advantages to plotting and I’m realizing them as work on other projects. Having said that I do love the element of surprise and being a panster allows for that so I guess I’m in-between. Admittedly it’s what ever works. *grin*
Do you have a favourite of your characters?
I’m rather fond of them all but I tend to fall more in love with the cheeky ones. Like Adam and Tithon who seem to get themselves in hot water with the girls. You can’t help but love them. Cheeky and oh so naughty boys are so much fun to write.
What are you currently working on?
Chosen at Delphi – because it keeps butting in and wants to be written.
And also book 2, 4, 5, and 7 in the Phi Athanatoi Series.
What is your favourite part of the process of writing?
I love he flow of endless words when immersed deeply into your world and the characters instance to keep talking to you. Losing yourself in that process is just sheer magic.
What can we expect from Efthalia Pegios in the future?
More books and hopefully ones that are enjoyable to the reader. I don’t think I could ask for more than to have my readers like my stories.
What are you currently reading?
Nerd Alert: I’m doing some study at the moment so I’m reading the Iliad…my head really hurts. *grin* But I’m sneaking a page or two of J.R. Wards, ”Lover at Last” in. *grin*
I know it doesn’t sound like a good combination but I like to think of it as eating something savory and sweet at the same time.
Do you have advice for emerging writers?
Don’t give up. Keep writing and immerse yourself in organizations like Romance Writers of Australia, where you can meet like-minded people and friends. Writing is a lonely occupation and you need all the support you can get.
~~~
Thanks, Efthalia.
You can find Efthalia at:
Website: http://www.efthaliapegios.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/efthalia.pegios
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EfthaliaP
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/efthalia/
Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us today, it was a treat. I love your favorite part of the "process" as it is my favorite part of reading and I so agree with savory and sweet, they belong together ;=D
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Denise Z. I think that process needs spell check. Lol. So true sweet and savoury a bit like yin and yang. :)
ReplyDeleteHey, Effie, really enjoyed your interview! And I love that you use your Greek heritage as such a strong part of your writing. I tried to read the Iliad a few years ago - got bogged down at the start although I've heard it picks up!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna thanks for coming on over. It made sense for me to use my heritage in my writing, there's definitely a comfort factor there, at least for now. :)
DeleteYes the Iliad is like that, I think we either open its pages and say "oh yeah" or "oh no." Lol. For me when I read it, it's in a voiceover voice lol. I don't know why but that's how it's been from the beginning.
Thanks for coming by....Opa! (Breaks plates and gets ready to dance on table)
Oooh Effie! I do like the sound of Phantasma! Did someone mention Greek? I'm in! There's nothing quite like Greek myths to weave a fantasy world and provide the ultimate escape :) Great post! Can't wait to catch up with you in August xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Jaunita, glad you like the sound of it. Lol.. lot's of Greek boys in this one ;) And we all need to escape why not than with a few Greek gods.
DeleteSadly I won't be doing Perth this year :( will be going to Atlanta instead :) so sad but happy. Utopia would be to go to both.
Thanks for popping in. xxx
I hope Carissa can command her full power at the end of the book. That will be awesome to command peple, including Xen, to do her bidding... Good to read about your new work. I've been to Delphi and love it very much. It's a magic place.
ReplyDeleteHey Enid, thanks for dropping by.
DeleteLet's just say Carissa will develop some interesting powers within the first three books.
Delphi...is magical and it's nice to work on something new. I love it when we hatch a new plot for a book.
Smiles.
Lovely to learn a bit more about you and your writing, Efthalia. Oh and those Greek boys you speak of? Pfft! Show-ponies!
ReplyDeleteHey Willsin, we need these show ponies that are really a metaphor for tall, dark, dangerous and sexy as hell. :D
DeleteSmiles.
Hi Effie,
ReplyDeleteLovely to read more of what you're doing. I loved Xen when I first read about him ages ago and look forward to the publication of your work.
Homer rocks! Best wishes with your series. Susanne
Hi Susanne, thanks for swinging by. Yes Xen...he's a bit off the rails at the moment....I can't tell you too much but it has something to do with Carissia in the second book. I don't know if you'd like him in his current state of constant brooding. He's starting to annoy me too. :)
DeleteHomer nailed it so well.
OPA! Where's that drink?
Lol. Maybe that was one drink too many. *Carissa*
DeleteFumble fingers I am. :)
Thanks for sharing, Effie. I loved hearing about your writer's journey so far :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by Cheryse. Glad to have shared a little of my madness.
DeleteSmiles.
Effie, I'm so behind in my blog commenting. I'm really looking forward to seeing this hit the shelves.
ReplyDelete