Q&A with Ryan Winfield discussion

Ryan, who are your favorite authors who inspired you to write your own novels? What is your favorite genre?

Hi Nancy. My favorite living author is Cormac McCarthy. I think the things he’s doing with language are amazing. When I was young, I was heavily influenced by the fantasy novels of Tolkien and Lewis. I also loved Dickens and Twain, and, later, Hemingway and Steinbeck. I like to spend my time now reading the classics, but I am always ready to pick up a new author who can excite my imagination.

Thanks, Ryan. Looking forward to your next book.

You mentioned being influenced by fantasy novels. Have you read the Song of Ice and Fire Series (Games of Thrones, et al) by George R.R. Martin? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on them if you've read any. Thanks!

Lori wrote: "You mentioned being influenced by fantasy novels. Have you read the Song of Ice and Fire Series (Games of Thrones, et al) by George R.R. Martin? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on them i..."

Hi Lori. I haven't read anything by George R.R. Martin yet, but I have a friend who tears through his books and is always encouraging me to pick them up. I try not to read when I'm writing--don't want another voice creeping in--so I'm left with sparse time to read in between projects. Maybe I'll check him out in the future, though.

Ryan,What do you like to do when you are not writing? & If you could take only one book on vacation with you whuch one would it be?

Gail wrote: "Ryan,What do you like to do when you are not writing? & If you could take only one book on vacation with you whuch one would it be?"

Hi Gail. I write just about every day. When I'm not writing I like to read. I also like hiking, mountain climbing, long late-night walks through the city. I'd tickle lions and swim with whales if I could. Yoga sometimes. Movies. I just got back from a month long writing retreat slash vacation on Oahu and the only book I read while there was Cormac McCarthy's The Border Crossing. Anything by him is a vacation in itself. Great questions. Thanks for being on here.

Ryan, do you read more contemporary or more classics works?

Jay wrote: "Ryan, do you read more contemporary or more classics works?"

Hi Jay. Because I try not to read while I'm actively writing a new story, and because I write so often and need to protect my eyes, I don't get to read as much as I'd like to. Because of that, I've found myself reading more classics with the time I do have. Although, if something contemporary grabs me, I'm happy to pick it up.

Which Hemingway charactor, if any, do you identitfy with?

Carol wrote: "Which Hemingway charactor, if any, do you identitfy with?"

I would have a difficult time selecting one Hemingway character to identify with, but I do love his writing so. I think The Sun Also Rises is my favorite of his novels.

Ryan wrote: "Carol wrote: "Which Hemingway charactor, if any, do you identitfy with?"

I would have a difficult time selecting one Hemingway character to identify with, but I do love his writing so. I think The..."

Sweet...and thanks for answering. ;)

Have you ever read Anne McCaffery Dragon riders of pern?

Hi Anne. I have not. I love the sound of that title, though...

Mercedes Lackey is another great fantasy author. My youngest got hooked on her books and even named her cockatiel Skandrannon, after the Gryphon series. Unfortunately, Skan of the books was a male--we later found out that our Skan was a hen, right about the time she laid an egg. Skan is now 11 years old, still spoiled rotten, and she loves cheese. :-P