Belart Wright will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn host.
Average
Joe and the Extraordinaires
by Belart Wright
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Action Adventure, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INTERVIEW:
1. What or
who inspired you to start writing?
I’ve always had a really good
imagination, but it took the encouragement of my older brother and my high
school creative writing teacher to make me really take my talents seriously.
2. What elements are necessary components for this genre?
I’m not too sure. I was never really someone who paid attention
to genres. I only cared about the book’s
blurb, its cover, and the story within.
I’ve only recently given some thought into the various genres and am
still learning about them.
3. How did you come up with your idea for your novel?
Average Joe and the Extraordinaires comes from an idea I had, a challenge really, to create a book about an average guy that takes on impossible odds. From there AJE became a book about a boy trying to save his town from an evil corporation, which then went in a whole different direction to become what it is today.
4. What
expertise did you bring to your writing?
My vast knowledge of videogames and other fictional worlds is actually very influential to my writing. Besides that, I don’t have any particularly good skills outside of writing *laughs*.
My vast knowledge of videogames and other fictional worlds is actually very influential to my writing. Besides that, I don’t have any particularly good skills outside of writing *laughs*.
5. What
would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?
Only that I would love to spend much more of my time writing more books.
Only that I would love to spend much more of my time writing more books.
6. As far
as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
Books, books, and more books! I have a prequel for Average Joe and the Extraordinaires called Liandra and the Dream Reader that’s set to release in 2016 and I’m working on the direct sequel to Average Joe, Average Joe and the Beauty, which should be out at the end of 2016. I’m also working on a new series of LitRPG novels set in the fictional VR dark fantasy game called Project DH. You can preview that series on my Wattpad page (https://www.wattpad.com/story/53230863-hell's-glitch-escape-from-adventure).
Books, books, and more books! I have a prequel for Average Joe and the Extraordinaires called Liandra and the Dream Reader that’s set to release in 2016 and I’m working on the direct sequel to Average Joe, Average Joe and the Beauty, which should be out at the end of 2016. I’m also working on a new series of LitRPG novels set in the fictional VR dark fantasy game called Project DH. You can preview that series on my Wattpad page (https://www.wattpad.com/story/53230863-hell's-glitch-escape-from-adventure).
7. If you
could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?
I’d rather stay as myself, but take Joe’s place in the story. I wanted readers to be able to leap into the story from Joe’s point of view in that manner. But maybe I’d be Byron, the lackey of Team Badd Azz. Those guys seem to have a lot of fun.
I’d rather stay as myself, but take Joe’s place in the story. I wanted readers to be able to leap into the story from Joe’s point of view in that manner. But maybe I’d be Byron, the lackey of Team Badd Azz. Those guys seem to have a lot of fun.
8. Can you
give us a sneak peek into this book?
Yes, you can find a seven chapter preview on my Wattpad page (https://www.wattpad.com/story/29306421-average-joe-and-the-extraordinaires).
Yes, you can find a seven chapter preview on my Wattpad page (https://www.wattpad.com/story/29306421-average-joe-and-the-extraordinaires).
9. Do you
belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
I’m not in a group like this.
I’m not in a group like this.
10. When
did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged
you to take this big step?
What really made me pay attention and dive into self-publishing were the multitude of blog posts dedicated to explaining the ins and outs of the process. My writing style is different to say the least so I wasn’t sure that I would be a good fit for a traditional publisher without my original vision being greatly compromised. Self-publishing seemed like a very awesome prospect especially the pure creative freedom that it could theoretically bring.
What really made me pay attention and dive into self-publishing were the multitude of blog posts dedicated to explaining the ins and outs of the process. My writing style is different to say the least so I wasn’t sure that I would be a good fit for a traditional publisher without my original vision being greatly compromised. Self-publishing seemed like a very awesome prospect especially the pure creative freedom that it could theoretically bring.
11. What is
the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
I don’t really see it as best and worse, but rather what works for me over what doesn’t work for me. I’ve read a lot of advice from top notch writers and bloggers alike informing new writers to simply keep writing and publishing, as many quality books as possible. That, for me at least, is the most straightforward and writer controlled part of the self-publishing process. It’s great advice because it gives you something to focus on, something that’s completely in your power to complete. The least useful advice I’ve gotten was an article that mentioned that new writers should skip getting a professional editor. I wag my finger at this. Self-publishers should hold themselves to the same standards as traditional publishers when it comes to insuring great quality for the readers.
I don’t really see it as best and worse, but rather what works for me over what doesn’t work for me. I’ve read a lot of advice from top notch writers and bloggers alike informing new writers to simply keep writing and publishing, as many quality books as possible. That, for me at least, is the most straightforward and writer controlled part of the self-publishing process. It’s great advice because it gives you something to focus on, something that’s completely in your power to complete. The least useful advice I’ve gotten was an article that mentioned that new writers should skip getting a professional editor. I wag my finger at this. Self-publishers should hold themselves to the same standards as traditional publishers when it comes to insuring great quality for the readers.
12. Do you
outline your books or just start writing?
I do a little of both, though for the last few years I’ve preferred a detailed outline to help ensure a smooth continuity. I usually have a really good sense of my story either way it goes. Writing without an outline does oftentimes “break the ice” really well when you’re overthinking something or unconfident about what you’re writing.
I do a little of both, though for the last few years I’ve preferred a detailed outline to help ensure a smooth continuity. I usually have a really good sense of my story either way it goes. Writing without an outline does oftentimes “break the ice” really well when you’re overthinking something or unconfident about what you’re writing.
13. How do
you maintain your creativity?
It’s easy for me, I have an active imagination. What’s hard is maintaining the necessary energy levels to use that imagination after working shifts at my two day jobs. For that, I take “cat naps” and drink caffeinated beverages.
It’s easy for me, I have an active imagination. What’s hard is maintaining the necessary energy levels to use that imagination after working shifts at my two day jobs. For that, I take “cat naps” and drink caffeinated beverages.
14. Who is
your favorite character in the book. Can you tell us why?
This one is tough for me because I literally loved them all, even the bad guys. I’ll say the surprisingly true answer here though. It’s Joe, the main average, not so special protagonist of the story. While the plot of the book mostly centers around Liandra’s quest and Joe is simply pulled along for the ride, it’s very courageous for someone so normal to take part in the dangers presented in the book just to help someone else. Joe does a lot of little things that really show that there are a multitude of ways that someone can be extraordinary. And he wants to be extraordinary, I can identify with that!
This one is tough for me because I literally loved them all, even the bad guys. I’ll say the surprisingly true answer here though. It’s Joe, the main average, not so special protagonist of the story. While the plot of the book mostly centers around Liandra’s quest and Joe is simply pulled along for the ride, it’s very courageous for someone so normal to take part in the dangers presented in the book just to help someone else. Joe does a lot of little things that really show that there are a multitude of ways that someone can be extraordinary. And he wants to be extraordinary, I can identify with that!
15. Are
your plotting bunnies angels or demons?
Probably more like a plotting squirrel, always looking for a nut. But I have all sorts of plotting squirrels. For this particular tale they’re a little more gentle than usual, but they may change for the sequels. You never know with those plotting squirrels.
Probably more like a plotting squirrel, always looking for a nut. But I have all sorts of plotting squirrels. For this particular tale they’re a little more gentle than usual, but they may change for the sequels. You never know with those plotting squirrels.
16.
Anything else you might want to add?
Thanks for your interest in my writing! I hope to provide you all with gripping
content for many years to come!
BLURB:
On a dark and balmy Floridian night, a strange
and mysterious dark haired woman stalks the shadows of the local college
football stadium, on the prowl for secrets buried deep beneath the Earth. These
secrets, she knows, may change everything including this small town.
While knocking back illegal drinks with his friends at the hallowed Orangetown Pickers' college football stadium, average kid Joe Black finds himself desperately trying to save the life of a beautiful dark haired woman after a deadly explosion violently interrupts his fun and games. While trying to fathom why he would even do something so reckless he soon finds himself entangled in a dangerous game of terrorist plots, mistaken identities, hard boiled detectives, the criminal underworld, and of all things magic as he tries to escape with his life and make sense of it all.
Joe faces many challenges from all new enemies, assassins, and even his own friends. Can Joe navigate all this danger, escape with his life, and handle his biggest challenge to date, finding something about himself that is truly extraordinary? Find out within the pages of Average Joe and the Extraordinaires.
While knocking back illegal drinks with his friends at the hallowed Orangetown Pickers' college football stadium, average kid Joe Black finds himself desperately trying to save the life of a beautiful dark haired woman after a deadly explosion violently interrupts his fun and games. While trying to fathom why he would even do something so reckless he soon finds himself entangled in a dangerous game of terrorist plots, mistaken identities, hard boiled detectives, the criminal underworld, and of all things magic as he tries to escape with his life and make sense of it all.
Joe faces many challenges from all new enemies, assassins, and even his own friends. Can Joe navigate all this danger, escape with his life, and handle his biggest challenge to date, finding something about himself that is truly extraordinary? Find out within the pages of Average Joe and the Extraordinaires.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
The brunette woman barely heard her, only figuring out what
she said by reading her lips. She
continued to watch her body language closely. The blonde looked frantic as she
surveyed the situation below her. The group of people were being escorted into
the elevator. The blonde suddenly stood up as the kid with the silver aura, a
dark-skinned little girl with almost no hair, was almost at the elevator
doors. She looked ready to leap down and
attempt a rescue, but the fool had no idea how outmatched she was, or perhaps
she just didn’t care.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Link:
Belart
Wright was born and raised in Detroit Michigan with a short but adventurous
stint in St. Ignace during his childhood. Always poor, Belart had to learn to
use his imagination to fuel the fun he had. Whether it was drawing cool and
dangerous looking heroes to creating fully fledged storylines with his action
figures to writing stories about kids similar to himself with fantastic
abilities and destinies, Belart was always an expert in delving into other
worlds that were not his own.
Always
naturally talented at writing, it took the advice of his brother, and a little
creative boost from his high school creative writing teacher to get him to
realize that writing was something he could do really well and pursue as a
career. To this day he revels in building worlds and characters from the ground
up such as the worlds of Hell Warriors, Story of K, Cyborgs and Deadmen, and
Pannam which are all working titles.
In
his spare time Belart tries to update his two blogs whenever he can, but mostly
just ends up writing or editing. As a huge gamer he plays a lot of games online
and off with his favorites at the time being Borderlands 2, Phantasy Star
Online, X-Men Legends, and Dark Souls. He just wishes he had more time to
whittle his impossibly long gaming list down which goes all the way back to PS1
and Sega Genesis classics. He and his buddies at FlubberKnuckle Studios are
also working on several new game IPs. He is also patiently waiting for the next
installment of the superb Legacy of Kain series.
Author Website:
Personal:
http://www.belartscorner.blogspot.com
Story Blog: http://www.belartsstories.blogspot.com
Google+:
https://plus.google.com/+BelartWright/posts
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11327592.Belart_Wright
Twitter:
Wattpad:
Buy Books:
http://www.amazon.com/Belart-Wright/e/B00R8ZPET2/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
The book will be $0.99 during the
tour.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Belart Wright will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and
Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a $10
Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn host.
