Elle Lewis geeks out with Fantasy author and book blogger- Anca Antoci!

Why do you like SF/F?

I like SF/F because
it expands beyond the limits of reality and lets you imagine anything is
possible. I appreciate this freedom. 

What book got you hooked in the genre?

The first fantasy novel I read was ‘Dead until Dark’ by Charline Harris and I loved it so much that I binged read the whole series and started to research other books in the
same genre.

What is your favorite book to film adaptation and why?

I haven’t seen many
movies that do justice to the books, but Silence of the Lambs would make the
cut. Unlike most movies, Silence of the Lambs Kept quite close to the book.
What makes it fascinating and unnerving is the ‘quid pro quo’ Clarice has to
allow a sadistic serial killer to get inside her head for him to help her catch
another killer. The dichotomy is unsettling because it shows that a
psychopathic devious serial killer that is also helpful, giving wise advice to
the hero. He’s also protective of Clarice and when an inmate insults her,
Hannibal gets inside his head and makes him commit suicide.

If you could live in a fictional world, which would you choose and
why?

It’s probably a cliché answer but a Harry Potter world would be nice because I want to go to magic school! My second choice would be the Marvel universe but only if I get to be a superhero, everyone else seems to be collateral damage.

If you could wield and be proficient with a fictional weapon, which would you chose and why?
Or would you rather practice magic? And if so, what is your favorite set of
magic laws from a Fantasy book?

I’d love to be a
witch. Magic is great! 

What is your greatest pet peeve while reading a book?

My greatest pet
peeve is when others interrupt me while I’m reading. I get completely drawn
into a story and I don’t appreciate being abruptly pulled out of it.


Who is your favorite antagonist in a book or movie? Why?

Probably Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs. He’s a fascinating villain because despite being a psychopath serial killer, due to his superior intellect, sheer will and manipulative traits you end up rutting for him. If that doesn’t make you question your own morality, I don’t know what would!


What do you geek out over?

So many things! The first thing that comes to mind is book covers.


Do you like maps in Fantasy books? Why?

Not really! I know it’s an unpopular belief because most fantasy lovers swoon over such maps. I don’t have a great memory and I would have to check the map often to see what happens where. I would find that very distracting, I’d rather imagine it by myself. Who cares if I imagine it differently than the author intended?


How did you hear about Dark Touch?

I was browsing Netgalley and the cover and title drew my attention. I clicked to see more details and I found the blurb intriguing, so I requested it! I have no regrets.


Are you a fan of Horror? If yes, what type and what are some of your favorite books/authors/movies?

Yes! Although I haven’t read any horror books in a long time. As far as reading goes, I was a late bloomer. As a kid, I hated reading mostly because my parents forced me to read. So, I read the minimum required for school. My first year of college was when discovered that I enjoyed reading. A friend loaned me a book by John Saul. I don’t remember the title but told me how much she loved it and wanted to share it with me. I enjoyed it so much, that I ended up reading it in one sitting. It was a really thick book, so I was up until 4:00 am. My friend was happy I loved it and told me she had more.


What do you like about Urban Fantasy?

I like how much it resembles the real world but with a kick: magic, creatures whatever it takes to make it interesting.


Do you have a question for Elle Lewis?

What was your hardest scene to write so far? Why?

Lewis: The hardest scene for me to write so far is from book two, Genesis Rising. *Spoiler Alert* If you haven't read it yet, look away!

The Chapters Storm Front & Destroyer were incredibly difficult to write. The challenge was to write a fast-paced action scene, while also incorporating the changes going on in Sloan's body as a result of so much Dark Energy surging into her body. But what made it even more difficult is that Sloan didn't quite understand what was happening to her. As the author, I knew exactly what was happening- Genesis Energy became activated and her entire body changed on a cellular level. Sloan was essentially unmade and then remade. But she didn't know that. I had to describe it from the perspective what she felt. Of course, she was confused and afraid. But what would it feel like to have your cells ripped apart and then fused back together?

These two chapters took an extremely long time to write and went through many edits. Probably the most out of all three books.

The other chapters that were challenging but in a fun way, is also from Genesis Rising-Andromeda & Fate. This is the final showdown between Sloan and Darrow. Writing a final battle sequence in another Galaxy was incredibly fun. But… I wanted it to feel real and organic, not cheesy. And I wanted to make sure the reader felt satisfied in Darrow's end. He deserved payback from Sloan! Constructing these chapters also took many edits, until they had the feel that I wanted- gritty, epic & violent. I hope I succeeded!