What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?
'God Complex' is my first novel. It's about a schizophrenic and a psychopath searching for a missing child who will lead one of them to God.
If you gave some of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?
About this interview? Well, Colson-a psychotic who thinks he is the Son of God-would probably go on and on about how gifted he is. He's self-indulgent, to say the least, but he's not without compassion once you get to know him a little. He just has a very dangerous, very scary way of showing it. As for Darren, he's got his problems and could probably benefit from speaking, in depth, to a psychiatrist, but he's far more quiet. He's not the sort to talk openly about himself. Get him angry enough, though, and you'll see another side of him that's even more deranged than Colson.
Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
Currently, I am working on a new novel unrelated to God Complex-at least, for now. By saying that, I mean that the new book will share some similar themes about self-discovery but will be its own story. The characters in God Complex are all trying to figure themselves out, trying to learn who they really are and what they are capable of, and some of them discover surprising things about themselves. It's the same with the new novel, though the story is different, darker. Also by saying that, I'm eluding to the possibility that, one day, characters from each book-as well as later books-might cross over. I do have ideas for the continuation of God Complex, a continuation of the characters, but I haven't committed to creating a series. I designed God Complex to work as a stand-alone story. There are ways to continue, but readers don't need to worry about loose ends so much. The book has an ending.
What or who inspired you to write? And how long have you been writing?
My mother inspired me to be a writer at a pretty young age. We sat down together one evening and worked on a murder mystery tale together. I wrote all kinds of stories after that. There have been many inspirations since. I was seven, I think, when my mom and I wrote that story and I never stopped writing, be it short stories, comics, or screenplays. I had made previous attempts throughout my twenties to write a novel, but it was a struggle to find the right story. The funny-annoying thing is that God Complex came from two separate ideas that I had when I was a teenager. I was 28 when I figured out what I needed to do with those ideas.
Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?
Yes, absolutely! Anyone who would be kind enough to review my work can email me at derangedserenity.tkh [at] gmail.com or message me on Goodreads, Shelfari, Facebook, or Twitter.
How did you come up with the title and cover design?
The title came naturally. It just fit the story. I knew it would be called God Complex before I wrote the first paragraph. Phil Harris at All Things That Matter Press helped me with the cover design. I had a few ideas that he turned down, which was maybe for the best. I turned down the first two designs he showed me, and then we agreed on the desert highway design. It fits the book so well.
Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life?
Yeah, sure. I think it's hard NOT to take traits and mannerisms from people you know. There isn't one specific person as one specific character, however. I take a little here and a little there and spread it about. I attended a cult meeting once when I was a teenager. It was a weird feeling. There was a certain intimidation about the people there. They talked about their beliefs, what they considered right and wrong, and then they threatened violence to anyone who disagreed. I was too naive, then, to know what they were-I was told by the person who invited me that it was a church group. As I got older, it was clear what they had been and what they were trying to do. They were recruiting. I can't say that my own experience influenced the cult in God Complex, but it definitely inspired it.
What books have most influenced your writing most and why?
I've read many different authors writing in many different genres, I couldn't pinpoint one or two. I'm sure they've all contributed, though I don't know that I write like any of them.
Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?
I'd like to meet Clive Barker. He's such an amazing writer and storyteller. His stories pull you in and never let go. Never. Not even when the story is finished. It stays with you. And he's such an interesting guy to listen to in interviews, no matter the subject. You can tell he's just really enthusiastic about what he's talking about and what he's writing about.
Do you prefer ebooks, paperbacks or hardcover?
I'll always have a fondness for paperback. Hardcover, I find, is too bulky. It's harder to relax with a heavy hardcover on your lap. I've read a few ebooks since being published but I find it hard to get into. Maybe if I had an iPad it would be better. I also listened to my first audio book. It's very strange listening to someone read a book to you, especially in character. I haven't had that experience since Elementary School.
Are you a self published (Indie) Author?
No, I was published by All Things That Matter Press, a small house out of Maine. There's hardly a difference, though, or so I'm lead to believe.
Have you ever read a book more than once?
I have re-read a couple. It's difficult for me, though, because I'm a slow reader, and there are so many new books out there to read.
Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?
Fight Club and No Country For Old Men come to mind. Not that I didn't enjoy those books, I just preferred the visual interpretations. Artistically, I thought both out did the books they were based on. But then, without the books, where would the movies be?
What book are you currently reading and in what format (electronic/paperback/
I am actually re-reading the paperback editions of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, gearing up for the release of the next book in the series.
What book do you know that you will never read?
Hmm, probably anything written by a politician.
Do you have a book trailer?
In development.
What are your thoughts on book trailers?
I never knew books had trailers until recently. At first, I thought it was a great idea. Yeah, why not? Show some scenes from the book. That's cool. But after seeing the trailers, I was slightly disappointed, as most of them are pretty boring, filled with text over still images ripped from the internet. I get that most novelists aren't filmmakers and don't have access to film equipment, crew, etc., so I can't fault anyone for that, but I personally don't take much interest in most of the trailers I've seen. Doesn't mean the book isn't good, but the trailers do little to show that it is, in most cases. There are exceptions. My own book trailer is in the works with the talented students at the Art Institute of Vancouver's Digital Film and Video Program. I'm excited to see what they come up with. If it turns out to be a lot of text explaining plot points from the book over still images ripped from the Net, then I'll eat my words.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Not really. I don't feel like it's my place to tell someone the best way to do something. All I can do is write how I write, and all any writer can do is write how they write. As far as publishing and marketing, I'm still new to the whole process and have a lot to learn, myself.
Do you write under a pen name?
*Laughs* No, no, but I considered it early on. I have a character in mind for a later book, whom I thought to make into a real person, of sorts. In other words, I was going to write a book as Trevor Hallam and then write a follow up book under the name of the main character from the first book. When I was attempting my first novel six or seven years ago, I considered using the pen name, T. Kyle Van Hallam. I don't have the answers why. I guess I thought it sounded cool.
Patti says: very cool:)
Where can your readers follow you?
My facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/
My Goodreads author page:
http://www.goodreads.com/
Patti says: I'm on goodreads too - look me up :)
Twitter:
Other:
http://www.derangedserenity.
Amazon:
https://www.createspace.com/
Is your book in Print, ebook or both?
Both.
About "God Complex" the bookDarren Thayne stopped expecting greatness for himself long ago. Out of prison, trying to make amends for a crime he doesn’t fully remember, Darren is faced with his own mortality following the death of his estranged brother, Stephen, the circumstances of which leave more questions than answers. Darren falls into a feverish existence where he is tormented by his Other, a horrid apparition that desires the one thing Darren has given up on: his life.
To further complicate things, Darren is tasked with discovering the whereabouts of a missing child and, as a means to finding his place in the world and helping a distraught mother reclaim her only daughter, Darren agrees to do what he can to find the girl. His search takes him down a dark path, into the sick underworld of child slavery, and into the company of Colson, a madman with delusions of divinity, who Darren suspects had some involvement in his brother’s death. Colson takes Darren on a bleak journey through a desert of nightmares, making him confront the demon that resides within and bringing him closer to a reality that feels more like a dream.
Through self-discovery, the mystery of the child’s disappearance becomes clearer, and those involved must see to it that Darren succeeds only in fulfilling the promise laid out by Luthor, a self-proclaimed prophet whose faithful congregation has hidden the child, believing that Darren has been chosen by God to lead them to the resurrected Christ, and only in his deepest despair will he succeed.
Caught between his desire to save a life and find meaning in his own, Darren learns that, sometimes, the only person you can trust is the one holding the gun.
About the Author
Trevor Hallam is a writer and aspiring filmmaker. He lives, primarily, in Alberta, Canada, but is currently enrolled at the Art Institute of Vancouver. “God-complex” is his first novel.Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me Trevor and allowing us a glimpse into your writing word.
I hope you share this interview with your friends so we can all get to know you a little better. Patti
Thank you for the opportunity! You are very welcome Trevor. I wish you much success!
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Patti Roberts - Author
Paradox - The Angels Are Here
Great interview Trevor!! :)
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