Biography
Living fifteen minutes from the beach in New Jersey, John spends most of his time relaxing on the beach, playing a round of golf, or even a game of pool. Every day John works tirelessly to come up with the next best idea to expand his stories and soon his day will come to where he is a household name. That is the dream he aspires to accomplish.
Tell us about your debut novel, The Path of a Titan: The Proving.
Jump into the eyes of Carson Paul as he pledges to join the global military in hopes of learning the mystery behind his parent’s disappearance. To do so, Carson must venture into the forbidden land of Alannah and from there he can join the Proving. A fifty-mile race through treacherous terrains, carnivorous predators, and hundreds of other competitors with the same goal in mind. To finish the fastest and prove themselves worthy enough to be drafted into one of the four legions of the global military.
When did you start writing and why did you decide to publish your work?
I started my debut in September of 2019. Writing a book has always been a dream of mine. Once I finished it and saw the potential of what I can truly do with this world I just made, I wanted to show everyone. So, I went through the necessary steps to publish.
What was the biggest highlight for you in writing your first novel?
The biggest highlight when I was initially writing the novel was when I came up with the actual Proving. At first, the Proving was supposed to be a normal non sci fi event similar to a boot camp. But I came to the realization that with this sci fi world I created, I needed to broaden my imagination and use the world to my advantage.
What is something you will do differently when you write your second book?
The sequel to my debut novel has come with so much more experience behind it. With the first book, I was relearning how to do everything from simple grammar, to story building. With the sequel, the story was built with all that knowledge, but cleaner, and properly used without the doubt of doing something grammatically wrong.
What is the next project or next projects you are working on?
Right now, I am in the process of making the sequel to The Path of a Titan: The Proving. It is in its editing stages now, and I am really excited to get the cover done and show it off for everyone whose been following me.
What is your strangest writing quirk?
In dialogue, I tend to have characters studder. To physically studder when speaking is a common occurrence with anyone, especially when heightened emotions are visible. So, it is only logical for a character that I am trying to come to life to say, “uh,” or “um,” or “well,” or “I… uh,”
If money were no object, what would you do with the rest of your life?
Without a doubt. Writing a book has truly been the greatest thing I could have done with my life. It has given me purpose in a way that is hard to describe.
Where/how do you come up with your story ideas?
I’ve been inspired by video games, books, TV shows, anything that I found entertaining but could be better. Even as a kid, I would enhance ideas or what not, so now it was time I put those enhanced ideas on paper.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I play golf, work on my lawn, play video games, work out. I always tried to keep hold of my hobbies so that way my real career doesn’t consume my life.
What does success look like for you as an author?
To be a household name is the ceiling. However, I recently found out that I recently had an interview with someone who has secretly read my book before the interview by sheer chance. When I was told she was fan-girling over the interview, I became ecstatic with joy once she finally told me.
Is there anything additional you want to share with readers?
You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at AuthorJohnBennett. If you pick up my book on Amazon, I would appreciate any feedback. Don’t hesitate to contact me and chat, I’d love to get to know all of you and how you liked my work.
Thank you for your time.
Website: www.facebook.com/AuthorJohnBennett
Book Locations: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091NBH6GX
Excerpt
This is a small excerpt between the two main protagonist. In a short reading, this tells the small story of how close a brother and sister can be and the secrets a family to hide between one another.
I look down at my hands and feel the violence radiate off them. A patch of blood has hardened on my bruised knuckle. It’s not the first time this has happened. It definitely won’t be the last. “Ky, he’s bullying you to do his homework. How about you rip up his paper and throw it in his face tomorrow on the bus? Do it in front of everyone. That will embarrass him.”
“What if he hits me?”
“Has he hit you before?”
“No, but what if he does?”
She’s not wrong to think that. Plenty of women have been reportedly assaulted for less. “Don’t get hit. Duck, bob, and weave.” I mimic some boxing moves. “Get out of the way. Kick him in the shin, the shin hurts! Or worse.” I point to my groin. It makes her laugh. “You’re fast, Kylie. Look at mom, she could kick dad’s butt. Don’t you want to be strong like her?” I reach over and wrap my hand around her bicep. “Give me a squeeze.” She flexes her arm muscles for me. I feel a small bump, but nothing impressive. “Wow, look at you,” I joke. “Some badass chick from the slums of Harmony is here to take on Tyke’s fiercest foes.”
“Stop it, Carson, I’m not strong like you.” She yanks her arm away from me.
“I’m not that strong, Kylie,” I lie. “But kids don’t mess with me because I fight back. I always tell them this. If you want to fight, fine. I don’t care if I lose, but know this,” I step to her and put a finger in her face to show her my intensity. “I will get you at least once, and trust me, you will remember it.” I step back seeing Kylie’s face turn feeling the intimidation of my words. “It really gets in their head.” I point to my temple. “Makes them second guess themselves. It creates doubt.”
“You’re not scared?” she asks.
“Sure. Just back there, seeing that goon squad he had behind him, I was intimidated,” I admit. “Just be smart about it. Remember what I did? I filled their hands with candy, got them off guard. They never saw it coming. They thought I was scared but they all fell into my trap.”
“Yeah, and about that. I know you stole that candy, Carson. Don’t think I don’t know.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do! Why does one carry around four bars of chocolate in the spring months?”
I swing my bag around and pull out the last candy bar I have. It was Kylie’s favorite. I hand it to her. “Five, actually,” I say with a smile.
“Carson…” She looks at me stunned with disappointment but snatches the candy bar out of my hand. I laugh it off, but she doesn’t.
Although I believe my point is made, she must do something next time she sees him. The rain starts coming down harder and the thunder gets louder. I finish putting the bikes away and climb over the countless boxes and containers we have in here. The garage is dark and clammy, packed with boxes and cobwebs my parents have neglected over the years. Some would call them hoarders but in a strange kind of way. If anyone wants anything valuable in here, they will have to go through a lot of junk to get in here, I call it brilliant.
I hop and lunge over all the boxes, and other things in here. I end up tripping over a box and stumble around it. I curse and look back at it, my name is on it. Curiosity consumes me as I swipe a pile of dust off and I open it. What I find is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The curved-looking contraption feels wooden as I pick it up in my hands, but it’s brown and feels different compared to the blue trees we have here. I feel an otherworldly energy radiating from it, dormant inside. It’s wrapped in a cloth where it looks like handles, with some kind of insignia or language I don’t understand. I grip it in my hands and stare at it for a moment, examining this wild toy my parents have kept from me. What is this? I feel it crack and a glowing yellow light flashes me from the middle. It frightens me and I slam it shut and drop it back in the box cursing at myself for thinking I just broke it. I fold the box back up and slide it in a corner where it’s hidden.
