We have the pleasure of meeting Axel, a character from Axel.
We'll get a chance to talk to the author, Bry Ann, in a bit, but now we have on the stage...Axel!
Interview
Marie Lavender: Hello, Axel. Please have a seat.
Character Axel: Hello, Marie.
Marie: Awesome to have you here! We're going to start out with some simple questions, okay?
Axel: All right.
Marie: So, what is your occupation? Are you any good at it? Do you like it?
Axel: I’m a boxer and I am f***ing great at it. I have four world titles, and I don’t so much like it as I do need it.
I go insane if I don’t box.
Marie: Nice!
So, tell us...what is your family like?
Axel: Mine, well. I thought they sucked and they’ve made a whole lot of mistakes, but as I’ve matured I’ve realized I’m pretty freaking lucky they love me. Despite everything they love me unconditionally. I’ve realized if you have that you can get over most things.
So, tell us...what is your family like?
Axel: Mine, well. I thought they sucked and they’ve made a whole lot of mistakes, but as I’ve matured I’ve realized I’m pretty freaking lucky they love me. Despite everything they love me unconditionally. I’ve realized if you have that you can get over most things.
Marie: I see.
Let's try something else.
What did your
childhood home look like?
Axel:
I hate it. Too many memories. Small town. Fake people. Bunch
of BS. I moved as soon as I could.
Marie: I hear ya! I came from a small town too.
Do you have any
hobbies? What do you enjoy doing?
Axel:
Well boxing, obviously. I also really enjoy horses. Anything
to do with them; riding them, grooming them, being with them. They calm me.
Marie: Cool! Horses are beautiful creatures.
So, what is your greatest dream, Axel?
Axel:
Axel:
I don’t know. I thought I did. I thought I wanted riches and
women and all this shit that doesn’t matter. Now I just think I want to be
happy and not let anyone down. Aly’s changed a lot for me.
I also want to run my fight gym and help the guys get their aggression
out in a place that won’t lead them down a path to prison.
Marie: (Nods.) That makes sense.
Let's try a different question.
What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you?
Axel:
No f-ing clue. I never thought it
was possible for me to not be anything but angry. Now I love someone, I help my
family. I’m still me and angry, but I’m pretty impressed with how far I’ve come,
to be honest.
Marie: Well, I am impressed as well! ;)
So...if it's not too painful or personal, can you tell us one thing? Who was your first love?
Axel:
Sarah. Always will be.
Marie: (Sighs.) I love a good love story!
What's the most terrible thing that ever happened to you, Axel?
Axel:
I can’t talk about it. The day I lost Sarah.
Marie: Okay. I respect that. I'm so sorry for your loss, though. :(
(Pauses.)
Let's try another question, shall we?
(Nods.)
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved that dream, why not?
Axel:
I didn’t really have any dreams. It was more about keeping
going for me. My life has turned out so much better than expected.
Marie: Well, that's a good thing, right?
I want to ask you something else...
Who is your role model, Axel?
Axel:
My dad and Aly. My dad is the type
of guy who barely says two words, but the things he does are so wise. He’s a
man. He stands up for his family.
… And Aly. She has such a pure
heart. Every day I hope a little of her will rub off on me.
Marie: Nice!
So, is there someone you pretend to like but really dislike?
Axel:
No one. Why would I pretend to like
anyone? I ain’t wasting my time with that crap.
Marie: (Smiles.) Well, I appreciate your candor.
What is your deepest desire?
Axel: Peace.
Marie: Oh, I'm so with you there. We need more peace in the world...
Let's try another question.
What is your greatest fear, Axel?
Axel:
Losing the people I love again.
Marie: I can certainly understand where you're coming from. I think we all worry about those we love.
Well, it looks like we're running out of time, Axel. Thank you for visiting us today.
It
was so interesting getting to know you. (Waves at her guest as he heads
off the stage.) Now, let's shift over and get the author's perspective.
We have Bry Ann on the stage today!
Hi, Bry Ann!
Author Bry Ann: Hello! Glad to be here!
Marie: (Smiles.)
Welcome to Writing in the Modern Age!
So,
we just got to talk to a male character from your story...Axel. Quite
an interesting character. Can you tell us a little about him?
Bry Ann:
Of course!
Axel is a pro fighter with anger issues. He suffered a trauma at a young age
and shut everyone out. There’s a good heart in there, but it’s buried under
years of pain and anger.
Marie: Hmm...that's unfortunate. :( But it's easy for us to react to trauma that way.
Let's
try a different question.
What
are your character's greatest strengths?
Bry Ann:
Loyalty and strength. Axel is furiously
loyal when he dedicates himself to someone. He is the type of person to never
let anyone down once he gets over his crap.
Marie: Admirable!
So, what are his greatest weaknesses?
Bry Ann:
His anger.
Easily. He is so angry it causes him to make rash decisions that sometimes
affect the whole course of life.
Marie: I see...
Bry Ann:
Bry Ann:
Um, ha ha. I don’t know. He eats healthy. He’s a pro fighter
and in great shape. On a day to day basis probably sweet potato or a good
steak.
Marie: (Chuckles.) That sounds good!
What's a positive quality that your character is unaware he or she has?
Bry Ann:
Kindness.
He has no idea how kind he is. When you see how he is with Aly, it is undeniable.
I wish he realized it and would act on it more.
Marie: Aww!
So, will readers like or dislike this character, and why?
Bry Ann:
I think the readers are going to
love Axel. Maybe not at first, but once you get to know him you can’t not love
him. He’s hurting so bad and once he finally admits it you realize everything
is a front.
Marie: Okay.
Well, now that we have a real taste of Axel, we have a few questions
for you as well as the author.
What first gave you the idea for Axel?
Bry Ann:
It’s
really funny. I never intended for this to be a book. I was super angry. The
type of angry where your hands shake and you don’t know what to do. I don’t
get angry very often so I didn’t know what to do with myself. I decided to write a
character who said what he wanted so I could without getting myself into
trouble. Hence Axel. Then I felt bad and I wrote a nicer person. Aly. Soon it
became this beautifully dark love story and I had to get it out there.
Marie: Isn't it interesting how the muse works in such mysterious ways? ;)
So, what is your writing style like, Bry Ann? Are you a pantster or plotter?
Bry Ann:
Definitely a pantster, ha ha. I have
a general guideline but usually I just write as I go. The characters feel real
to me so it’s like I don’t have a choice in their story. I write what it is, if
that makes sense. I would love to make them lighter sometimes, but I can’t.
Marie: I know what you mean...
Well, I'm throwing this one in for our aspiring writers.
Did
you come across any specific challenges in writing Axel, or
getting it published? What would you do differently next time?
Bry Ann:
Yes!!!
The actual getting it on Kindle part of it can be so complicated. Give yourself
time to figure it out, but don’t over study and overwhelm yourself. Focus on one
thing at a time. I should have realized how difficult formatting is sooner. My
final draft got all messed up the first time I had it formatted. Be careful!
Marie: All right! Sounds like great advice!
It
was such a pleasure having you on Writing in the Modern Age, Bry Ann. We
hope you can come back sometime soon!
Bry Ann:
Thank you for having me here!
Marie:
Of course! :)
Readers,
here is the blurb for Axel.
He lets the darkness
consume him. He is rugged, hot headed and trapped in the ghost of a memory.
She chooses to live in the light. A young woman risking it all to move on from her past...
X is a professional fighter running from a dark past. His true identity is a mystery. The only battle he’s ever lost is the one within himself. He uses alcohol, drugs and violence to dull the pain and anger that consume him. His rage keeps everyone at arms length. What happens when he runs into a girl with a past so dark even he can’t turn his head?
Aly is running away from a family whose evil she can’t see until the innocence she has always held onto is ripped from her.
As their worlds collide, Aly finds her life in danger and must rely on X to save her from the ghosts of her past.
Can Aly ever escape her former life? Is she right to trust X, or is she placing herself in even more danger by letting him in?
The heart is a hard thing to heal.
She chooses to live in the light. A young woman risking it all to move on from her past...
X is a professional fighter running from a dark past. His true identity is a mystery. The only battle he’s ever lost is the one within himself. He uses alcohol, drugs and violence to dull the pain and anger that consume him. His rage keeps everyone at arms length. What happens when he runs into a girl with a past so dark even he can’t turn his head?
Aly is running away from a family whose evil she can’t see until the innocence she has always held onto is ripped from her.
As their worlds collide, Aly finds her life in danger and must rely on X to save her from the ghosts of her past.
Can Aly ever escape her former life? Is she right to trust X, or is she placing herself in even more danger by letting him in?
The heart is a hard thing to heal.
Purchase
Links:
Amazon
Universal link: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B077PC8TLD
What People Are Saying About Axel:
"Such a beautiful story! I went in with an open mind and I’m glad I did. I haven’t read a story like Axel and Aly’s, ever! I could feel Aly’s emotions from the very beginning and Axel's frustrations. I loved that you knew why Axel was the way he was from the very beginning. There was no reading and reading to figure it out. It really formed who he was the rest of his life. I was rooting for Aly from the very beginning. Although I didn’t see her hardship coming, it definitely formed who she became. When they met it was good and bad and it took a while for them to come together but when they did, it’s amazing! I couldn’t picture two better people together. It’s a wild ride they take together but they both come out stronger and more emotionally bonded! It’s a definite must read!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️"
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This books sounds great! Readers, don't forget to pick up a copy of Bry Ann's new adult romantic suspense, Axel! :)
About Bry Ann:
Bry Ann is a
psychology student at Arizona State University. She currently lives up in the
Rocky Mountains in Granby, Colorado. She spends most of her free time reading
dark romance books, writing anytime she can get her hands on a computer and
doing homework anytime she can squeeze it in. Bry Ann has been writing for as
long as she can remember. Even from the youngest of ages she was writing about
characters with dark pasts and shady stories. As she got older, she decided everyone
should get a love story so soon her dark stories got happy endings. She loves
to hear from her readers and talk all things books so feel free to contact her
on any of her social media pages!
Author Links:
Website: http://www.authorbryann.com
Tumblr:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbryann
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/authorbryann
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2DRO10YUS/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17095210.Bry_Ann
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/authorbryann
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/authorbryann
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/109937895438594736337
Bry Ann's Books:
Coming Soon:
Available:
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