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Ask the Author: Joe Hart
Answered Questions (38)
Joe Hart
Thanks so much, Victoria!
Joe Hart
Hi Victoria, and thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed them. Right now there's no current plan for a book three, but I won't say Liam's story is finished for good.
Joe Hart
Hi Paolo, thanks very much for the question! In the former story I envisioned the faceless entity to be a manifestation of death while in You Can Never Go Back the faceless was how the main character thought of the man who had abducted and killed his sister since he was never caught- but the case could also be made he is another representation of death itself since he remained anonymous. That's really up to the reader...
Joe Hart
Hi Brianna, thanks so much for the kind words and very glad you enjoyed the book! Danzig was a really fun character to write- somewhat based off of my best friend. Good to know you connected with him and appreciate the question!
Joe Hart
Hi and thanks for the kind words! There's definitely been interest on the film side but nothing to announce as of yet. Fingers are crossed though!
Joe Hart
Hi Jake, there's definitely more stories to tell regarding Liam and crew, it just depends on schedule and all the storytelling pieces coming together. To answer your question- maybe down the road a bit. Thanks so much for the question.
Joe Hart
Hi Brianna, sorry for the late reply! Thanks so much for the kind words, really glad you're enjoying the book. Haven't seen Solaris, but very much enjoyed Sunshine, and Event Horizon is one of my all time favorite movies, so the latter was a big influence. Also really liked The Martian but wondered what a different, creepier version could be involving isolation in space. Obscura was the outcome. Thanks for the question!
Joe Hart
Hi Amy, thanks so much for the kind words and very glad you're enjoying Obscura! As far as other works go it depends on what you enjoy. If you like supernatural novels I'd suggest The Waiting or Lineage. If you're more into thrillers or dystopian fiction you might like The River Is Dark or The Dominion trilogy.
Joe Hart
Hi Joshua, great question! I would say start off by reading a few writing books such as On Writing by Stephen King and Stein on Writing by Sol Stein to get some insight into the craft. Read some of your very favorite books and take apart the elements that make up the story. Look at how the author was able to convey emotion or create a character.
Then you need to start writing. If it's your first attempt it may not go perfectly, but don't get discouraged. Keep writing, keep learning. Practice setting up scenes and read great dialogue for inspiration. I would also begin with short stories versus a novel, but that's up to you. Continue to practice and finish what you start. As they say, you can fix any page except a blank one. Hopefully this helps. Good luck!
Then you need to start writing. If it's your first attempt it may not go perfectly, but don't get discouraged. Keep writing, keep learning. Practice setting up scenes and read great dialogue for inspiration. I would also begin with short stories versus a novel, but that's up to you. Continue to practice and finish what you start. As they say, you can fix any page except a blank one. Hopefully this helps. Good luck!
Joe Hart
Hi Ashley, thanks so much for reading and for the kind words!
Typically when I start writing I have most of my characters figured out as well as several crucial scenes and the ending. Whenever I come to a roadblock I look back and see if I veered off the path a chapter or two beforehand. If not I usually ask myself what does the character need to do now to get to their overall end goal. Normally that solves the issue or gives me a roadmap about where to go next. Trust your characters and their motivations. If their motivations are strong you only have to follow them. If they are at a loss about where to go maybe you need to reevaluate their goals.
Hopefully this helps!
Typically when I start writing I have most of my characters figured out as well as several crucial scenes and the ending. Whenever I come to a roadblock I look back and see if I veered off the path a chapter or two beforehand. If not I usually ask myself what does the character need to do now to get to their overall end goal. Normally that solves the issue or gives me a roadmap about where to go next. Trust your characters and their motivations. If their motivations are strong you only have to follow them. If they are at a loss about where to go maybe you need to reevaluate their goals.
Hopefully this helps!
Joe Hart
Hi Cintia, sorry to hear you're dealing with this. I know rejection and conflict within the industry can be a real creativity killer, and sometimes there's no getting away from it. The one thing I've focused on during my career that's helped drown out distractions and lessen the sting of rejection is simply finishing the project I'm working on. So many times it feels easier to give up and walk away from a project, but that's exactly when you should push forward. I would focus on a smaller piece of work first, maybe even some flash fiction, then a short story, and so on. Sometimes the bulk of the work itself can be daunting and leveling up from something shorter might be easier to finish and gain confidence back. I know you mentioned you're struggling with ideas as well- my only advice there would be to keep searching for something you absolutely fall in love with. Let the characters ramble on in your mind until you have no choice but to put them on paper. Hopefully this helps and I wish you the best of luck in your future work. Remember, no matter how many writers there are there's always room for another story in the world. Take care!
Joe Hart
Hey Ben, sorry for the late reply and thanks so much for the kind words! Very glad you enjoyed the books. There's more to come in the series for sure (and probably more times you'd like to cuff Liam). Appreciate the support!
Joe Hart
Harry Potter. Hogwarts. Learn magic to the best of my abilities.
Joe Hart
Hey Brad, thanks for the question. Blake is a friend and we thought it would be cool for me to suggest our stories might exist in the same universe.
Joe Hart
Hi Robyn, thanks very much for the kind words and I'm deeply flattered to be any type of inspiration. The main advice I would give writers who are just starting out is don't give up. If you love writing, keep doing it no matter what. Success is a gradual thing and can be measured so many different ways. Finish what you start and keep learning about the craft. I learn new things everyday. If you keep at it long enough, you'll reach your goals.
Joe Hart
Haha! Thanks so much, Tracey! Very glad you're enjoying the books. Sorry for the delayed response.
Joe Hart
Thanks very much, Julie!
Joe Hart
Hi Rich, thanks for the question. Yes, definitely have more books planned for the series, although I'm not sure on when the next one will be completed.
Joe Hart
Hmmm, good question. When I was around 12 years old my older sister was home visiting from college. We were up late talking with only a few lights on in the house. Suddenly we both paused after hearing an almost indiscernible noise. To this day I'm not exactly sure what it was- possibly a quiet click- then the entire room, which was very dark, lit up incandescently. We were both blind for several seconds before the darkness returned as if nothing had happened. We were stunned but able to discern the power hadn't shorted out and that there were no nearby vehicles or headlights that could've caused the flash. One of the strangest things I've ever experienced in my life. Not sure it could be the plot of an entire novel but definitely an interesting short story! Thanks for the question!
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