Author Interview: Zachary Ryan

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Zachary Ryan grew up in a black-and-white box in Maryland, before moving to Chicago to start a new life. There, he found that he was accepted for his misfit status—and learned that it’s perfectly normal to spend your twenties feeling lost and confused.

After a disastrous sexual encounter, Ryan stumbled on a group of true friends, or “soul cluster,” that he connected with. Through his writing, he hopes to help other broken souls out there find comfort amid the chaos.

Interview

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

            I grew up just writing little stories here and there. I remember writing this story about these kids going in a magical portal when I was younger in the back of my step dad’s car. It wasn’t until I started writing poetry and then my novel that I wanted to be a writer.

How long does it take you to write a book?

            It takes me on average a month in a half to two months to write it. It takes me another two months for all my editing to get done.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

            I wrote and completed my first novel at 17. I wrote it about this kid getting revenge on his school. It was a nightmare that I had, and I was like I’m going to make that into a book.

What is the first book that made you cry?

            Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin had to make me cry. I think the fact that even in the end he didn’t get what he wanted. He struggled with his sexuality the whole time and he still had to lie.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

            It depends on the scene. If I’m writing a really scandalous scene then I’m so pumped to keep writing. I want to see what happens next. Once I get to a really huge emotional scene, I need to step back and take a break because I just need a moment to decompress from the intense emotions.

Does a big ego help or hurt writers?

            I think you need to be obsessed with your writing. If you don’t have some confidence or self-delusion about it then you’re going to have some thin skin when people come after you. I also think you need to be open to criticism because that makes you better. I think a combo of both is perfectly fine.

Have you ever gotten  reader’s  block?

            I get too many ideas, and I get freaked out. I have it right now where I’m working on a book, and I’m getting ideas for the next book that’s getting me excited, but I don’t want to give up on the book I’m working on right now.

Do you try more to be original or deliver to readers what they want?

            I’m the number one reader in my book. I’ll do whatever I need to do to make myself happy. If no one buys the book that’s fine. I don’t care if I please my readers because this is something I’m obsessed with. If people are like that doesn’t make sense try it this way then I’ll listen. I usually try to have a series all written out before I publish book one, so I don’t let readers influence the ending of a series.

What was your hardest scene to write?

            Honestly anything with a lot of description. I hate writing descriptions, it’s my least favorite thing, so anytime I have to do that I want to cry. Also, if there’s a scene with a lot of different characters, I wish I didn’t have to do that.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with good or bad ones?

I feel like it depends on the review. Good ones, I enjoy reading, and I get a boost of energy. I want to crawl into a hole when people give me bad reviews. I don’t mind if you’re attacking me for grammar issues, I can take that because I’m not the greatest at grammar. I had it one time someone called me the worst writer they’ve ever experienced. After I survived that, I knew I could survive any review.

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They all thought they did a masterful job of keeping their secrets close to their chest. These stupid fools thought they were the high court of this kingdom, but they had no clue who was really pulling the strings. You might wonder to yourself, who would be that heartless to make them backstab their friends, expose other’s secrets, and lose their morals? You don’t need to know who I am, but you better remember my name, The Marked Queen.

If you’re interested in purchasing your own copy of this book, check it out on Amazon here.