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Ask the Author: Bryan Reardon

“Ask me a question.” Bryan Reardon

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This is not a question, but a comment. I literally had to "push" my book club to read Finding Jake ....they could not get past the subject of a school shooting. Just wanted you to know that all of the reviews were 9-10 (10 being our highest rating). This is a supreme compliment... they're a tough crowd :-) I look so forward to reading your next one and hopefully seeing you again at a future Gaithersburg Book Fest?
Bryan Reardon Hi Lynn! Great to hear from you again. Thanks for your kind words. Hopefully I will see you down there again. Just need to get another book finished.
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When you finished "Finding Jake", where you able to let the characters rest or do you still imagine what their future lives would be like? I just finished the book and feel like the characters will stay with me. It was a thoughtful read.
Bryan Reardon Great question. In a way, the characters became like real people. I definitely miss them often. Working on a new book helps but something will remind me and the feeling comes back. And thanks for the kind words!
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Thank you. There are very few books that I consider "stunning". This book is one. I have never read a book on this subject from the perspective of the parent. Often the author is more concerned with describing the scene and all involved but the focus here is gentle, making the story all the more horrific. As the mother of a "quiet child" I am also thankful for your insight. Please say you have future books to share?
Bryan Reardon Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm working hard on the next one. It's definitely moving more slowly than I had hoped.
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How much of Simon is reflected in you and your life- outside of the worrying parent etc...? Did the similarities, if any, make it hard to write Finding Jake and how?
Bryan Reardon There are definite similarities but most were situational. For scenes like a playdate or a baseball game, I used a real setting but what happens and what is said by the characters is fictional and meant to tie back to the plot in the present, if that makes sense. But, yes, it was very hard to write, particularly the second half. I really tried to put myself in Simon's mind and I imagine his reactions would be similar to mine in the same situation. I still feel emotion when I look back over the story. Maybe I always will.
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Do you identify as an Introvert? If so, do you feel like people often misjudge you as stand offish or withdrawn, did you also include that element of angst into the book?
Bryan Reardon Thanks for the thoughtful question, Jasmine. I definitely identify myself as an introvert, although some people I know argue the point. Often I have been (hopefully) misjudged as stand-offish or even arrogant. Strangely, it often occurs when I am feeling the most insecure about a social situation. I'd known for some time that I wanted to write about being a stay-at-home dad; but, the theme I most wanted to address in the book was the perception and challenges associated with introversion.
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