Ask the Author: Patrick James Ryan
Answered Questions (8)
Patrick James Ryan
The asteroid hit the earth with its full weight and force. We knew no more.
Patrick James Ryan
Amity and fight the Shark in JAWS!
Patrick James Ryan
Mans Search For Meaning, by Viktor Frankl
nos4a2, by Joe Hill
Meg: Night Stalkers, by Steve Alten
nos4a2, by Joe Hill
Meg: Night Stalkers, by Steve Alten
Patrick James Ryan
Autonomy and the ability to leverage creativity in a fashion that is very unique when compared with other jobs and vocations are all very nice personal perks. However, the most rewarding thing for me is when I am told a person has enjoyed reading a story. It is very rewarding to know that you created something that impacted someone and allowed them to have a few hours out of their life that they enjoyed from your contribution as a writer. Income is good and no one works for free, but you cannot put a monetary amount on the ability to please and provide enjoyment to another human being!
Patrick James Ryan
Inspiration varies. Events, things I see and experience trigger ideas that evolve into a story line. For example, when I wrote "Pain and the Boxer" (the first short story in the Blood Verse collection), I was dealing with some rotator cuff pain in a shoulder from martial art related training. I was so mad about the injury that I came up with the idea of having the ability to conjure up pain as a physical entity and defeat it. Hence, the evolution of the story!
Patrick James Ryan
I just wrapped up my second novel, "The Maggots Underneath The Porch" which will be published this year in 2016. I have completed a second collection of short stories in follow up to "Blood Verse," but I want to edit them again. I am also about 175 pages into a mainstream detective thriller that will transcend multiple genres and hopefully have mass appeal to readers.
Patrick James Ryan
Writer's Block eventually hits all authors. I sometimes toggle back and forth between projects. (e.g. at present I am working on a second short story collection and a mainstream detective thriller). When Writer's Block hits, I choose to take a break from the current work and pivot over to something I wrote a while back, but is not yet published to edit it. Not only do I get the writing juices flowing again, but I find sentences and paragraphs in the older work that need to be tweaked and improved. For me, that usually helps!
Patrick James Ryan
Write with passion. Believe in yourself. Be committed to working hard. Don't pay attention to naysayers and harsh critics. However, do listen to sound advice as we all have blind sides and sometimes constructive criticism can be a great learning tool to help you continue to hone your craft. I personally believe school is never out in this industry, and I am always open to input, feedback, and opinions from both readers and fellow authors. Finally, find a good editor (still something I am seeking) because we are our own worst editors and proofreaders, and a an objective reviewer/editor will finds things we miss! Good luck!
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