10 Questions
As Christmas draws near, I thought I would do something different this week. Instead of an essay, I decided to answer ten questions to give you all a little more insight into myself and my creative process. So, without further adieu, here we go!
#1 – What inspired you to start writing thrillers?
I think that’s a loaded question. The truth is, I didn’t start out writing thrillers. The first ideas I came up with were more fantasy/horror-based and, as of now, have yet to see the light of day. Out of the original ideas that I came up with in the early days, the one I chose to be my first book was an outline named “The Silencer,” which eventually became “Tears of the Dragon.” So far, I’ve stuck with the Thriller genre, but who knows what the future holds.
#2 – Do You outline your plots, or are you more of a “pantser”?
I would call myself a dedicated plotter, but the answer is somewhat more complicated. The truth is, I start with a very detailed plot. In my plot, each paragraph represents a chapter of the book. So, when I write, I already know where the book is going. However, as I write, I leave the door open to adapting my outlines, sometimes drastically, to accommodate changes that occurred because my perspective of the story shifted. So, it is closer to the truth to say I’m a hybrid writer.
#3 – What’s the most challenging scene you’ve ever written?
Believe it or not, I find fight scenes to be incredibly challenging. It’s really easy for me to picture complex fights playing out in my head, but translating them to the page in such a way that the reader can understand the action is something else entirely. You have to give details, but you must not get too lost in them. If you do, you lose the energy of the scene, which is the most important part of fight scenes.
#4 – Do you hide Easter eggs or subtle references in your books?
Yes! I hide a tremendous amount of easter eggs and personal references in my books, whether it’s old phone numbers, places I’ve been, my favorite foods, or old apartment numbers. Now, keep in mind that most of those details aren’t aimed at casual or even dedicated fans but more at personal acquaintances. My wife always gets the biggest kick out of my easter eggs, and that’s good enough for me.
#5 – How do you handle reader feedback and reviews?
With kid’s gloves. I occasionally look at the reviews, but I don’t take them to heart, good or bad. I do it more to understand how a book resonates with readers. If it generally gets good reviews, then I’ve done my job. But every book will receive its share of bad reviews, and it’s important to remember that, for the most part, these are also valid opinions. The thing to remember is that art is subjective. Your book can be someone’s favorite read ever and the worst book ever written simultaneously.
#6 – Do you have a favorite thriller that shaped your writing?
My writing is an amalgamation of everything I’ve been interested in over the years. From martial arts to espionage to the katana that Xavier carries, it’s all an element of pop culture that I’ve latched onto over the years. As I’ve mentioned many times, the Xavier Greene series started as an homage to Ian Fleming’s thrillers, although it evolved into something much more than that. I will also acknowledge that I learn from the author every time I read, so my books will continue to evolve.
#7 – What advice would you give aspiring thriller authors?
First, learn your genre. Learn what readers expect from thrillers. Learn how to use those tropes without becoming cliched. Second, and most importantly, write. If you want to be a writer or an author, write constantly. And I don’t mean just write your stories. Write any chance you get. Write for local papers, write for clients, write for blogs. The more you can use and train your writing muscle, the better off you will be.
#8 – What’s your favorite tool or software for writing and organizing your ideas?
Scrivener is the most essential piece of software I’ve ever purchased. There is a learning curve, but it will become an essential part of your writing once you take the time to learn it. It allows me to stay organized in a way that simply writing in Word or a Google Doc doesn’t. The second prize goes to my Grammarly subscription, which helps me in every aspect of my business. I’m a better writer because of these two programs.
#9 – Do you ever write scenes that don’t make it into the final book?
Absolutely. Because of the hybrid style that I wrote about in question number two, I’m forever surrendering to the fluid style of my story as it flows out of my head, outline be damned. For example, the Iron Tigers were originally going to be introduced in The Osiris Initiative. In this version, Xavier, Logan, and Hondo would have teamed up only to find themselves cornered by Devos’s forces. Just when all looked lost, an army of ninja assassins would have emerged from the shadows to turn the tide of battle. I ultimately decided on more intimate set pieces, allowing the larger-scale battle to be fought in the background instead.
#10 – How do you connect with your readers outside of your books?
That’s easy. Currently, I’m active on this blog, my newsletter, and social media. My current social media channels are Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Also, since it looks like TikTok is going away, thanks to the ban, I will post a lot more on my YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram Reels, so be on the lookout. If I had good advice for you, it would be to subscribe to my newsletter and my YouTube. Those are going to be my focus in the New Year.
Okay, I hope you enjoyed my Q&A session. If there are other questions you want answered, send me your questions, and I’ll do another session soon! Take care, and we’ll talk soon!
– Ryan
