Spotlight On AdC's Mr. April J. J. Eckhardt
Spotlight On J. J. Eckhardt
J. J. Eckhardt was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the setting for his Psychic Storm stories, and now lives in New Jersey. J. J. has a background in Direct Mail Marketing and a Degree in Art and Advertising Production. He’s been a fan of Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror since his early high school years and has attended Sci-Fi conventions in Philadelphia and Northern New Jersey. He started writing over fifteen years ago after a strengths analysis suggested it would develop one of his skills. Thus, a new writer was born.
He started slowly with a journal-style short story and discovered he liked writing fiction. J. J. further developed the story into a novella-length piece, still in journal style—it was time to try dialogue. His first full-length novel with dialogue was The Journey Toward Tomorrow – The Beginning. He found writing dialogue wasn’t something to be feared.
To date, he’s released six novels and a short story collection inspired by his dreams and nightmares.
If you’d like to know more about J. J.’s journey becoming an author, check out his blog. jjeckhardt.com/?page_id=25
Do you have a new book or series?
I am working on a novella that will further tie the Surviving Zeptulgar Novel to the Journey series.
Where did the idea for this story come from?
I realized as I was writing the second Journey novel (my fourth book) that Surviving Zeptulgar (my third book) should be part of that universe, so I referenced some of its events and civilizations in the second Journey novel.
Who’s your favorite character in your new book or series? Why?
I haven’t yet decided. I have a couple of characters who will be pivotal to the story, one of whom may turn out to be the hero.
Are there specific people or events that helped shape the story?
In this particular book, no. However, the original Zeptulgar story was inspired by a news article I recalled from about ten years earlier.
Do you get inspiration from personal experience or just plain imagination?
My novels are pure imagination, but my short stories have all been inspired by my dreams, some of which I recall from childhood.
Have you ever driven down a road or gone on vacation and thought, wow, this would make an awesome story?
Once, but that’s on the back burner.
Do you need silence or background noise when writing?
I prefer silence or, on occasion, some light classical music.
How do you stay motivated?
It can be difficult, but I like writing. It’s an enjoyable hobby.
Do you take time off once a book is sent to the editor, or do you move on to the next story?
I always have something in the works. I have two other stories with just some notes and an intro paragraph or two. I have worked on two stories at the same time.
It’s time to sit back and relax. What’s your go-to?
I play pickleball and enjoy going to wineries with my wife and family. I also like trains and have a model layout in my basement.
Will you be attending any book signings or conventions?
I hope to be accepted to the Montco Book Festival (June 13th Skippack PA).
I plan to attend the Collingswood Book Festival in the fall (October 3rd, Collingswood, NJ), the Central Jersey Book Festival (November 14th, Woodbridge, NJ), and a few local street festivals.
Please give us the following contact information:
Personal web page – jjeckhardt.com
Facebook- Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077965960148
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