Ask the Author: Ryan Aldred
Answered Questions (7)
Ryan Aldred
Jamie and Claire from the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. We've gotten to see the arc of their relationship over many, many books, and yet it always feels real and immediate. I think it's very difficult for an author to write a 'true love' that doesn't feel juvenile or sickly-sweet, but Gabaldon does this tremendously well. Good question!
Ryan Aldred
That's a bit of a loaded question - I don't really think that you need inspiration to write. Certainly, if you only wait until you're inspired you won't write much. But I do like to recharge by reading and watching (good) television. I particularly love Terry Pratchett's Discworld and Doctor Who. I think both are excellent examples of storytelling that is at once funny yet moving.
Ryan Aldred
I've finished the rough draft of the second book in the Bar on a Beach Mystery series, but I'm waiting until after Rum Luck has gotten feedback from readers before I jump into a detailed re-write of the sequel.
And there are a few other projects on the go - but I'm keeping them close to the vest for now.
And there are a few other projects on the go - but I'm keeping them close to the vest for now.
Ryan Aldred
Naps.
Seriously, though, it's that moment when your character surprises you with something completely out of the blue and you're not so much writing as you are trying to record what's happening inside your head.
And the sense of community is amazing. It's a great deal of fun to spend time with other authors, and to hear from readers who have enjoyed your work.
Seriously, though, it's that moment when your character surprises you with something completely out of the blue and you're not so much writing as you are trying to record what's happening inside your head.
And the sense of community is amazing. It's a great deal of fun to spend time with other authors, and to hear from readers who have enjoyed your work.
Ryan Aldred
Just write. Don't let your expectations get in the way of putting words on paper. There's a saying: Painters like to paint, sculptors like to sculpt, writers like to have written. It's okay if writing isn't always fun. And let others see your work. Let people comment on it, and know that everyone will have a different opinion of your work. Don't take it personally - take what you need from their feedback and leave the rest.
Ryan Aldred
I start with a basic outline, and then mostly I just give myself permission to let the rough draft be rough. I refer to that phase as 'making clay' - it's really the edits where it all comes together. And I go for long walks to mull things over.
But generally I try and prevent writer's block by being a 'plantser' - neither too much a 'plotter' nor a 'pantser' (seat-of-the-pants writer). Though I have an outline, I give my characters the freedom to take the storyline in different directions. That results in my outline being rewritten 2 - 3 times during the writing process.
But generally I try and prevent writer's block by being a 'plantser' - neither too much a 'plotter' nor a 'pantser' (seat-of-the-pants writer). Though I have an outline, I give my characters the freedom to take the storyline in different directions. That results in my outline being rewritten 2 - 3 times during the writing process.
Ryan Aldred
I visited Tamarindo, Costa Rica for the first time about a decade ago. It was an eventful trip that involved a four-alarm blaze, a house of negotiable affection, and drug-using real estate agents. And that was just the first night.
Tamarindo has this gravity to it. As you're leaving, you can't help but think about how you're going to get back there - what would let you stay there. I came up with this idea of having a bar that you rented out on a weekly basis to those who always wanted to run their own bar on a beach somewhere. My friends thought it was a brilliant idea, and we promptly did absolutely nothing with it.
Life went on, as it tends to do. Years later, I had moved to Prince Edward County and was starting a family, and I realized that I was never going to move to Tamarindo and open a bar-owner-for-a-week business. But some characters came to mind - Ben and his friends - and they refused to leave me alone until I told their story.
And that's where Rum Luck came from - my subconsciousness's refusal to believe I would never return to paradise.
Epilogue: I went back to Tamarindo years later, and told this story to a man who'd recently moved there from San Diego to open a flower shop. He told me my bar on the beach concept would do well there. It was the highest possible compliment.
Tamarindo has this gravity to it. As you're leaving, you can't help but think about how you're going to get back there - what would let you stay there. I came up with this idea of having a bar that you rented out on a weekly basis to those who always wanted to run their own bar on a beach somewhere. My friends thought it was a brilliant idea, and we promptly did absolutely nothing with it.
Life went on, as it tends to do. Years later, I had moved to Prince Edward County and was starting a family, and I realized that I was never going to move to Tamarindo and open a bar-owner-for-a-week business. But some characters came to mind - Ben and his friends - and they refused to leave me alone until I told their story.
And that's where Rum Luck came from - my subconsciousness's refusal to believe I would never return to paradise.
Epilogue: I went back to Tamarindo years later, and told this story to a man who'd recently moved there from San Diego to open a flower shop. He told me my bar on the beach concept would do well there. It was the highest possible compliment.
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