Meet J. Alton Mast, Author of Daemon Theory
J. Alton Mast was born in Chambersburg Pennsylvania and is a theatre student in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, Mast’s hometown. Mast is also a souvenir photographer at an amusement park during its commercial season. Mast played Dr. Halbrech in Northampton Community College’s production of Scotland Road in 2011, and principal role in a local theatre company’s production of Godspell in 2013. Mast enjoys performing in local theatre, artistry, and playing lacrosse for a community team. Mast competes in the National Novel Writing Month competition yearly, and won in 2012 forDaemon Theory. Mast comes from a large military family, with two older brothers holding the rank of Staff Sargent in the United States Air Force, and Corporal in the Army. (Ink Smith Publishing)
BBB: What inspired you to become an author?
JAM: I've been writing since I was about 11. I started with poetry, short stories, and even fan fictions. None of them were any good, but I loved doing it nonetheless. When I was about 17 I thought 'Why am I writing about other people's stories?' It wasn't as though I didn't have any of my own ideas, so began writing books.
BBB: What inspired you to become an author?
JAM: I've been writing since I was about 11. I started with poetry, short stories, and even fan fictions. None of them were any good, but I loved doing it nonetheless. When I was about 17 I thought 'Why am I writing about other people's stories?' It wasn't as though I didn't have any of my own ideas, so began writing books.
BBB: How did you come with the idea for Daemon Theory?
JAM: Daemon Theory started out as a comic book actually. It was still going to be a post-apocalyptic romp through a world post-rapture, but it definitely had a more 'Tank Girl/Mad Max' feel to it. It was a dark comedy for sure. All of the heroes were very snarky and quirky, and the villains were extremely over the top. However, when I stepped back and looked at the original draft, it needed a major overhaul and tonal shift.
BBB: Tell us about your main character, Maye Holloway.
JAM: The story's protagonist is Maye Holloway, but the story largely centers around her pseudo-body guard, Alecko. So you could say they're both the main characters. Maye is very much a normal teenage girl (well as normal as you can be in the Daemon Theory Universe). She's a bit of a loner, overly-emotional, and tends to panic a lot when the situation doesn't call for it. Alecko, on the other hand, is a 500 year old Daemon trying to regain her humanity, but still can't seem to grasp the concept of right and wrong. But her dedication to keep Maye out of harm outweighs her Daemonic nature.
JAM: Daemon Theory started out as a comic book actually. It was still going to be a post-apocalyptic romp through a world post-rapture, but it definitely had a more 'Tank Girl/Mad Max' feel to it. It was a dark comedy for sure. All of the heroes were very snarky and quirky, and the villains were extremely over the top. However, when I stepped back and looked at the original draft, it needed a major overhaul and tonal shift.
BBB: Tell us about your main character, Maye Holloway.
JAM: The story's protagonist is Maye Holloway, but the story largely centers around her pseudo-body guard, Alecko. So you could say they're both the main characters. Maye is very much a normal teenage girl (well as normal as you can be in the Daemon Theory Universe). She's a bit of a loner, overly-emotional, and tends to panic a lot when the situation doesn't call for it. Alecko, on the other hand, is a 500 year old Daemon trying to regain her humanity, but still can't seem to grasp the concept of right and wrong. But her dedication to keep Maye out of harm outweighs her Daemonic nature.
BBB: Do you ever get writer's block?
JAM: Just about every time I sit down in front of my computer.
BBB: What are you currently working on?
JAM: Well I'm working on the sequel to Daemon Theory, but I also spend a significant amount of time on other projects. At the moment I'm working on a psychological horror novel called 'The Bone Garden'. It's about a modern American Aristocracy and all of the psychotic baggage that comes with forging royalty in the twenty-first century. And that's all I have to say about that!
BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
JAM: They can follow me on Twitter @JAltonMast and on tumblr. I usually post pretty regular updates on both sites.
JAM: Just about every time I sit down in front of my computer.
BBB: What are you currently working on?
JAM: Well I'm working on the sequel to Daemon Theory, but I also spend a significant amount of time on other projects. At the moment I'm working on a psychological horror novel called 'The Bone Garden'. It's about a modern American Aristocracy and all of the psychotic baggage that comes with forging royalty in the twenty-first century. And that's all I have to say about that!
BBB: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
JAM: They can follow me on Twitter @JAltonMast and on tumblr. I usually post pretty regular updates on both sites.
