Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
THE B-SIDE DIARIES is my first novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
THE B-SIDE DIARIES. When I wrote it, I was a new daddy, and had to find a creative outlet that wasn’t noisy. Up to that point, I was a musician, who toured and played in Punk Rock and Indie bands. I was always interested in writing, or being creative in some fashion.
What brought me to finally sitting down and writing a novel was the feeling of my mortality. You see, when I became a father, I was in my mid-thirties. I would sit and look at my newborn son, Milo, and think about all the wonderful things I wanted to teach him. Then I thought about when my father passed away. He was only 40 when he died, and I was 10. This feeling made me very nervous that maybe I should document something in case I was ever to suffer the same fate as my father-morbid, I know, but inspiration takes many forms.
I decided to write a story about losing a friend, because I thought it was the best way to talk about life and what it means. I focused on my teenage years, because I figured if my son ever had to read it, he would be maybe that age, and identify with the character Rory, and his own feelings of loss.
My goal was to have a place for my son to come back to for life lesson type teachings from me. This was something that I wish I had when I was a teen, and I figured the only way to be a responsible parent was to write these things down in case of the worst. I wanted him to be able to come back and read about how to handle love, loss, friendship, growing up, and making a life-not to mention, how to write a eulogy.
I tried to put life lesson-type teachings into the book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
During the writing process, I would put my son to bed and fall asleep beside him. Then I would wake up at midnight and write until 3AM, three times a week. Often I would be tired, but the story would keep me up. I almost exclusively wrote my book listening to my favorite punk, indie, and emo bands.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a child, I was inspired by S.E. Hinton. I still feel the Outsiders truly explains the push pull many teenagers feel about being part of a group, yet at the same time feeling excluded. I obviously identified as a Greaser. I also am inspired by John Green, Ned Vizzini, Henry Rollins, Stephen Chbosky, Rainbow Rowell, Matthew Quick, and Patrick Ness. I feel like THE B-SIDE DIARIES follows the themes and feelings the authors write about.
What are you working on now?
I am in the beginning stages of a novel called THE MOTOR OF DREAMS. It is a story two kids who are polar opposites, who make a bet to change each other’s lives.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am actually still seeking the write website or method to promote my books. I have had success with THE B-SIDE DIARIES being on the Amazon’s Best Seller’s List many times over, however, I do not feel it has reached its target audience yet. So, I guess the jury is still out on that.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write every day. Write for yourself. Don’t follow trends. Read a lot. Don’t be afraid to write about feelings that are difficult. It helps you see the strength in your characters. Listen to your characters, they will speak to you the truths of your story. Lastly, all writing-good or bad-has its place in your understanding of yourself as a writer. Praise that fact!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
People don’t talk about their morals and values, they live by them. My father told me that.
What are you reading now?
Where The Mountain Meets The Moon, by Grace Lin. It is an amazing book! I am currently reading it with my son, Milo.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am hopeful to finish my next book, THE MOTOR OF DREAMS by 2020.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would bring Where The Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein, The Fault In Our Stars, by John Green, Ulysses, by James Joyce, and Life of Pi, by Yann Martel for obvious reasons.
Author Websites and Profiles
Brian Joyce Website
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