Welcome to Author Services Australia, Justin Veart, and welcome to our author interviews!
If you could start by introducing yourself to everyone Justin Veart, let them know where you’re from and some of your interests and hobbies.
I was born and raised in Western Australia, in the most isolated capital city on earth, Perth. I love writing, going for long walks, and pretending to be philosophical. I have a full-time job as a teacher, and I am the father of four children and two dogs.
What inspired you to start writing?
I started reading and writing before I was school-aged but didn’t know that was atypical. My parents didn’t push it or anything, and when I asked them as an adult, their vague answers were along the lines of, “You were interested, so we showed you.”
I remember when I was in pre-school, I was once sat down at a table by myself while all the kids went through the alphabet in a circle and told to “write a story.” I think it was to keep me busy.
It’s hard to remember much from that age, I was about 4, but I do remember never considering that I could write a story. I had only ever read them. So, I wrote a story about a cat going to the deli. Since then, I’ve made a hobby out of it. I don’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t writing.
What is your preferred genre to write in?
This has been a pivotal self-discovery for me. I’ve always enjoyed writing every genre, but a few years back, I noticed I was gravitating toward the fantasy genre. I’ve written a few fantasy novels (unpublished) just for the fun of it. But I never felt like anything I produced was good enough, or at least, the kind of thing I would want to publish. While at University, I used to write silly, comedic stories, and they were so much fun and positively received, so I decided I should have a crack at writing a comedic fantasy series, and now I think I want to pursue being a comedic fantasy author.
What is your writing process?
Find a moment and seize it! With a full-time job and four kids, I make a plan to write at least something for my book every week.
It may not seem like much, but I can achieve quite a bit in one sitting as I’m a planner. I plot my book scenes and character arcs and even my pacing and pinch points.
When I do get to sit down once a week, it is mostly the construction of it. And hopefully, while in that production phase, I will be struck by the fortune of a new idea, and when that happens, I readjust my plans accordingly for the next time I am able to write.
What is one thing you wish you knew now that you didn’t know when you started writing?
Don’t forget you are in a contract with your reader.
It’s all well and good to write for enjoyment and not publish any of it. That type of writing is good ole fashion escapism or even therapeutic creative expression. But if I want to write for a reader, I’ve needed to learn how to honour the relationship I am establishing with my story and make sure I set up my book to be enjoyable for them, not just myself.
What was the hardest part of self-publishing?
Marketing. As aforementioned, it is hard to find time to write. That’s a precious window of time I have to take advantage of, but now I am on social media attempting to build a following, I find marketing a foreign and time-consuming beast.
If you use a pen name, why and how did you come up with it?
I tossed up using a pseudonym because I was a teacher. But I figured that I respond to my name every day, so if it was to be called out by a stranger, who I’ve connected to with a story, that would feel more personal and profound in some way. Some kept it simple and stuck with my name.
Which book is your favorite and why?
Hitchhikers Guide. It blends comedy, science fiction, philosophy, and social commentary into a beautifully constructed text. I hope to one day write something that is funny and thought-provoking like that one day.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Tolkien must be mentioned. Terry Pratchett is a legend of genres I like to write in, but most notable is his ability to put words into the right order to make your brain tingle.
I’ll throw Isaac Asimov in there, too, for being eccentric and a genius on and off the page.
What are you working on right now?
Finishing off my Quest Off! series. I’m writing book two and hope to release it at the end of this year or early next year. Fingers crossed.
How do you handle a bad review?
Listen to it!
Within all feedback is a lesson. I was brutally undone by an ARC reader for Quest Off!, and we disagreed on so many parts of the book, but I listened to him, mused on his opinion, and found the feedback within it that I could perhaps harness to grow my work into something more effective. I believe if you listen and do not take negative feedback personally or to heart, it will only help grow me stronger in the craft.
What’s next for you as an author?
I’m working with a voice recording artist to set up an animated ad that showcases a scene from my book for social media. We are also working out how to record an audiobook so people can listen to Quest Off! Writing this second book is always on my mind too. Always…
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’d like to eventually add a day to my working week entirely for writing novels. Producing stories more effectively and more often is always the goal.
If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?
Never grow tired. Imagine the hours I would have to learn or perhaps even waste if I didn’t sleep?
Manipulating Time seems overly powerful, and I would most likely mess up timelines and the entire universe. However, never growing tired is my little way of disallowing time to bother me with fatigue, weariness, or only having 2/3 of a day to use it.
Where is your ultimate holiday destination?
I want to go to Italy and Greece and experience the culture, history, and nature they offer.
What are some of the items on your bucket list?
Travel to every continent.
It would be great to write a “best seller.”
Thanks so much for taking the time to do an author interview, Justin Veart! Please take a minute and check Justin Veart out on the links below! Need any assistance with self-publishing, such as ghostwriting, editing, formatting, cover design, or uploading? Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us directly. Our friendly and professional team is always happy to help.
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Author Name: Justin Veart
Genre/s: Fantasy Comedy
Author Website: N/A
Social Media Links: Instagram, TikTok, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Central.
Best Link to Where People Can Buy Your Book: Amazon