Ryan’s Comments (group member since Jun 23, 2012)

Ryan’s comments from the Q&A with Ryan Winfield group.

Dick wrote: "Ryan wrote: "Dick wrote: "Patiently waiting for the next announcement of your new book and title. But remember! Because of my age, I don't buy green bananas." You're linked up on my Facebook page, ..."

Hi Dick. Great to hear from you. I'm busy working on a project I think you'll like. Did you read Falling For June?

Ryan.

Hi Amanda. If you ever get stuck, you might try some timed writing. I like to set a timer for 30 minutes and write as fast as I can without pausing, no concern for spelling or punctuation, the only rule being that you can't let the pen rest. You usually get some good stuff from the subconscious mind that way. Regarding making a story pop, I couldn't say. I think a storytelling style develops with practice.

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

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.

Marianne wrote: "Thank you for not using quotation marks. I felt that the book flowed better without them. There was no pause (in my mind) while reading the book which made it easier. I got so involved in the boo..."

Thank you, Marianne. You have a very alert reader brain and that's what I was writing for. I'll keep you posted on the net release, likely sometime this fall.

Alla wrote: "When I first started reading this book, I thought, how strange, no quotation marks, but I have to say I really liked not seeing them. I had no problem reading without them."

Glad to read that, Alla. Thank you!

Annmarie wrote: "This was the first book I have read without quotation marks. Thank you Ryan. I thought it was illegal. Now I just think it's a great time saver!"

I get some grammar police trying to cite me still, Annmarie, but I rather enjoy being a rebel. I did use quote marks in the novel I just finished but am so far leaving them out of another piece I'm working on. Just another color for the palette I suppose. Thanks for the comment.

Hi Gina. Thanks for the question. I was already writing full time when I began writing South of Bixby Bridge. I've had many jobs in my life, even some short careers, but all of them turned out to be nothing but research for my writing. I know only one thing for sure about writers: they write. Some must make money in other ways to get by, some are fortunate enough to make a living at their craft, but writers always write.

Admat97 wrote: "I had no problem reading SoBB at all. I honestly didn't even notice the lack of quotation marks.

I have to say that it's been a few weeks since I've read this book and am still too much of a fangi..."

Hi there Admat97. (Sounds like I'm addressing a computer.) Thanks for the comment. And thanks for the great review, too!

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.

Hi Julie. Thanks for the question. This is an important one because the characters are what carry my interest in the writing. The plot might be high concept, the drama might be interesting, but if the characters aren’t real people with hearts hammering in their chests and dreams swirling in their heads then the story isn’t worth telling. I do most of my character work before I begin writing the narrative, using many different techniques. I might do timed writing to dig into their childhoods. I might write from another person’s point of view about the characters. I might compose poems from their pain, similar to the one you saw on my Facebook page. I also visit with them and talk to them, promising to tell their story as best I can and to respect their place in the new world I’m creating. They become like friends, or even children. Even my antagonists. My inspiration to write usually comes from a character idea. A curiosity about how someone with a certain set of motivations might handle a dilemma. I have many more characters lurking in my notebooks than I have stories for them to inhabit. But I know that when their stories do appear, I’ll know those characters well enough to write them the way they should be written.

Patty wrote: "When you told me you were working on a second novel, I was very excited and am anticipating seeing it in the Fall. I loved South of Bixby Bridge very much. Yours was my very first book review eve..."

Thanks, Patty! Your message here made my day. I'll keep you posted on my next book.

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.

Julie wrote: "hi Ryan thanks for inviting me to goodreads, have spent about 2hrs today adding books and reviews lol its gonna be a great place for me to hear about new books thanks again and i hope the writing i..."

You're welcome, Julie. I'm glad you joined. This is a great place to discover both books and friends. The writing is going great. I'll have some exciting announcements to make soon.

Linda wrote: "I too am looking forward to a new book from you : )"

Thanks, Linda. I'll let you know when I have a firm publication date.

Shelly wrote: "That's great! I will get some questions together and get them to you some time this week.

Thanks!"

Cool deal, Shelly. I'll keep an eye out for them.

Cheryll wrote: "Glad you mentioned Cormac McCarthy. Your style of writing in SOBB haunted me...and couldn't figure out why. Yes, it was just like listening to Trevor telling me his own story, but there was somethi..."

Thanks, Cheryll. I'm glad you enjoy McCarthy, and it's humbling to have my novel even be mentioned in the same sentence as having had a similar effect on you.

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.

Good question, Kara. I'm very cautious about showing my work to anyone before it's ready. Writing by committee never worked for me and the folks I see doing it turn out pretty generic material. I do feel it's important for me to get qualified eyes on my pages when they're ready, and that's what great editors are for.

Cheryll wrote: "Can't wait for your next novel GBL-Ryan! Also.....I have really enjoyed the few poems you have shared. Any chance of a book of poems by you? I think you should! ;)"

Thanks, Cheryll. I consider most of my poetry practice and I've never thought about publishing them in a book. I have sent a few individual poems off to the New Yorker whenever I feel my ego rising, knowing that the swift rejection email from them will bring me back down to Earth. I'm glad you're eager for my next novel. I'll keep you posted.