Ask the Author: Barry Lyga
Answered Questions (7)
Barry Lyga
Well, part of it might have been that when I wrote that book about a dead baby, I was a new father! So I was writing about that tragedy while my little daughter slept in a bassinet next to me. It made it very raw and real for me.
But this is the key to getting ANY character to resonate on the page: You have forget who YOU are and become the character. That means thinking, feeling, and saying (writing) things that you might never in a million years thing, feel, or say. It means kicking your sense of judgement out the window and letting the character speak their own real, honest truth. Whether that's a kid who accidentally shot and killed his sister or Billy Dent, the serial killer father from I HUNT KILLERS, or anyone. If you write in judgement of your characters, they won't feel real.
You have to take the risk and let the character's speak honestly, even if their honesty is difficult or upsetting or offensive to you.
Good luck!
But this is the key to getting ANY character to resonate on the page: You have forget who YOU are and become the character. That means thinking, feeling, and saying (writing) things that you might never in a million years thing, feel, or say. It means kicking your sense of judgement out the window and letting the character speak their own real, honest truth. Whether that's a kid who accidentally shot and killed his sister or Billy Dent, the serial killer father from I HUNT KILLERS, or anyone. If you write in judgement of your characters, they won't feel real.
You have to take the risk and let the character's speak honestly, even if their honesty is difficult or upsetting or offensive to you.
Good luck!
Barry Lyga
I would *love* to write more Killers books! Publishing, thus far, has not been interested. Check out this post (https://barrylyga.com/down-time-an-i-...) for some info and a possible sneak peek into what I wanted to do next. I'm still hoping I'll be able to convince a publisher that Jazz in his twenties would be a great series!
Barry Lyga
Yes and yes!
(And wow -- Goodreads won't let me post that as an answer! It says it's "too short." Go screw yourself, Goodreads! You're not the boss of me!)
(And wow -- Goodreads won't let me post that as an answer! It says it's "too short." Go screw yourself, Goodreads! You're not the boss of me!)
Barry Lyga
Hi! Thanks for your question.
I did a TON of research before writing the book -- everything from serial killer pathology to LEO tactics to the history of serial murder. I was just steeped in this stuff and so, honestly, it wasn't difficult or taxing at all. I just sort of channeled it all.
If I have any gift as an author, it's this: I am really, really good at pretending to be really, really bad people. So that's what I used for this. I tried to approach Billy in particular without judgement. Because he wouldn't judge himself. He thinks what he does is both good and necessary, so I just turned off that inner voice that says, "You can't do that!!!" and let it ride.
Glad you enjoyed it!
(Edited because all these months later, I just noticed a typo!!!)
I did a TON of research before writing the book -- everything from serial killer pathology to LEO tactics to the history of serial murder. I was just steeped in this stuff and so, honestly, it wasn't difficult or taxing at all. I just sort of channeled it all.
If I have any gift as an author, it's this: I am really, really good at pretending to be really, really bad people. So that's what I used for this. I tried to approach Billy in particular without judgement. Because he wouldn't judge himself. He thinks what he does is both good and necessary, so I just turned off that inner voice that says, "You can't do that!!!" and let it ride.
Glad you enjoyed it!
(Edited because all these months later, I just noticed a typo!!!)
Barry Lyga
No plans for a sequel. Truly, I don't think there's much more to say!
Barry Lyga
Excellent question! The folks at wordsbookstore.com can help you out! (Just moving that "s" LOL)
Barry Lyga
Oatmeal for breakfast. Every morning. It's the Big Secret for writers. 😉
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