Leonard D. Hilley II
Most people love great thrillers—whether in book form or via a great television series. What do the all of the following television series—24, Prison Break, True Blood, Vampire Diaries—have in common that made them successful hits? They build up tension by using cut scenes that leave you hanging between character interactions and at the end of each show. Once the show has you drawn in, you have no choice but to tune in the following week to see what happened next. I attempt to use the same mechanisms when I write.
When I had finished Predators of Darkness: Aftermath, I did not foresee a book series at all. I thought all that had occurred had tied up all the loose ends, but the characters proved me wrong a few months later. I could hear the interactions between them and new problems and enemies emerged. I had to let them bring the next novels to life.
I often explain to people that I write differently than most authors do. I actually see the scenes unfold in my mind as if I am watching a movie. The dialogue comes in a way that makes me feel like I’m in the room with the characters. Some of the best feedback I get from readers is that they could “visualize” the novels as they read. Using multiple POV and cut scenes helps increase the tension and suspense.
But for this to work effectively, readers must be able to relate or empathize with the characters (good or bad) to some extent. Placing characters into a dark dangerous world like Predators of Darkness: Aftermath means nothing if readers don’t connect to the players. My muse has a way of bringing them to life and often it’s hard for me to comprehend how these ideas and dilemmas filter down into my brain and onto the page.
Since I don’t use an outline when I write, what happens in the scenes is often as big a surprise to me as those who read the novels. I like the freshness of not knowing what is about to happen next and letting the characters struggle to figure out what they must do to survive. And it is my hope that my books are suspenseful enough that you find yourself turning page after page after page.
Here’s the premise:
“The desolate streets of downtown Pittsburgh in 2073 are a reminder of the missile attack that forever changed the lives of the surviving scientists and students hidden inside the fallout shelter of Helmsby's Genetic Research Center. Believing themselves to be the only survivors, they station inside the center until food supplies near depletion. Thinking the fallout has lessened, they emerge three years later to discover strange creatures patrolling the streets in search of human flesh and blood. The creatures possess the ability to shift their genomes and alter their appearances by realigning their genetic sequences. Daniel Hutchinson, their leader, teams with Lucas Ridale and together they set out to scavenge the area for food and supplies with the hope to find other survivors. But Daniel's most recent journey uncovers mysteries more frightening than the shifters. He discovers the tip of Pittsburgh has been fenced off from the rest of the area. Low-flying helicopters observe the streets, making him ponder the question: Were the shifters released as simply part of a military experiment with humans being their prey?”
Currently, through Kindle Direct at Amazon, you can download a reading sample of Predators of Darkness: Aftermath or purchase it for $2.99.
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