An Interview with Ryan Mayers

To start this off, why don't you give an idea of what the book is about?

It's a murder mystery with fairy tales, kind of cross between The Maltese Falcon and Shrek, only not so cool or awesome.

Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life?

Fairview, PA.  Yea, reading was a big part of my life, but not quite as big as the whole tail thing.  Well, actually, that's not true.  The tail thing wasn't all that big of a part  Writing really wasn't, but it's something I've become more and more interested in during the last year.

Who were your earliest influences and why?

Bugs Bunny and that guy from the Dell commercials.  Not the intern guy, the "dude, you're getting a..." guy.

What would a typical day be like for a writer?

I don't really know.  A typical day for me involves getting up, going to class, eating stuff, drinking stuff, reading stuff.  Occasionally I write something.  When I'm writing a book, I'll usually try and write about 10 pages a day, fitting it in whenever I can.

How long have you been writing and in what capacities?

Since last November, and mainly just for fun.  I also used to write skits for my church.  This was back before they made me promise never to write skits anymore.

Which is more difficult to write - Fiction or nonfiction and why?

Fiction, because I've never tried to write nonfiction, so I dont know how hard it is (but it sounds scary...  The truth is stranger than fiction, after all).

Has there ever been a time when you wanted to throw in the towel and give up? And if so, how did you defeat those instincts?

Yes.  Every day I have to go to work, really.  Stupid work.  I convinced myself that without money I would be a broke college student with  wait a minute!  Darn it all  Stupid subconscious

What is the hardest part about being a writer?

Having to answer questions about what it's like to write a book.  It's not that I dont enjoy it, just that I'm not overly articulate.  Basically, I'm no Al Roker.

Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

Yes.  I play guitar and make bug circuses.  Neither of them really enhances my writing, although the bug circuses make me a big hit with the ladies

Articles and media alike make it sound as though the only way to rise to the top is to sacrifice. What do you find to be good sacrifices?

Um  Sacri-whosit?  Actually, I never had to give anything up  I guess I'm lucky that way.

What question do you get asked more than any other?

Ryan who?  No, seriously.  What's the book about?

Whats the coolest thing a reader has said to you?

They called me twisted and brilliant.  I'm proud of the twisted part.

What has been your feedback from readers? What do they say to you about their interpretations of your book?

Everyone who has read the book has loved it.  I've never been a big one for book interpretations.  I for one am a big fan of literalism.

Do you think that as a writer you are more prone to watching what goes on around you and observing behaviors than most people are?

Not really.  I think everyone has at least some of that in them, and that writing is one of the things that enhances what's already there (ie: lots of people gossip about others, but not many of them write stuff)

Who are some of the authors you consider to be "don't miss"?

Let's go with Stephen King and call it a day.  Im a college student, so if it doesn't have to do with Shakespeare or Hemmingway, then I don't have time to read it.

If one were looking to start his/her own career as a writer, what would you suggest his/her first step to be?

Write something.  Anything, really.  Just make it something you would want to read yourself.

What kind of movies do you enjoy?

The funny kinds, the scary kinds, the action-y kinds.  Pretty much anything but the mushy kinds.

What is your favorite city to visit, but one that you wouldnt want to live in?

Houghton.  I love it, but if I had to live here for the rest of my life I think I'd have to beat myself with a wet fish.

Whats the strangest question youve ever been asked in an interview?

This one, oddly enough.  Actually, this is the first interview Ive done, so I dunno.

Whats the best part of being a writer?

Getting to walk around saying "Yea, that's right" and nodding a lot.  Oh, and the women.  Actually, that's not true.  I have a beautiful, smart, wonderful fiancée, and so the women aren't something I can enjoy.  Again, just kidding.  Writers dont get a lot of women.

What's next?

I have another book that's just been accepted for publication, and am preparing to write a third over Christmas break.