NICHOLAS RYAN ~ DAY 4

Sylvia asks:

1. Let me start by saying that typically this genre is something I don’t go looking for to read, but I have to tell you that you sucked me right in! I got so lost in the story and the characters, that I had to keep telling myself “It’s not real, it’s not real” EXCELLENT! Ok, now for my question, one of my favorite movies that really scared me like no other, and had to do with “the undead”, was the 1922 classic “NOSFERATU”, what would be yours? And did this movie inspire you to start writing in this genre?

I honestly don’t have a favorite zombie movie. The truth is that I have only ever watched two movies, and I have read exactly NO zombie books! I know that sounds strange, but I am a fan of action/adventure. For me, my zombie books are really action/adventure books with zombies as the bad guys. I think every good zombie book (every good book regardless of genre) is about the way the characters interact and relate to each other. I think real tension and drama comes through characters, regardless of the genre or setting. 

2. Mostly out of curiosity, why is the setting for the start of the Zombie Apocalypse set in the United States as opposed to Europe?

I write for American readers (even though I live in Australia!). Every book I have written so far is set in the USA because that is where my audience lives. I feel it’s easier for readers to relate to a story if they are familiar with the locations. If I use imaginary towns, I still set the books in the USA because I think most readers identify with their own environments.

Q&A with Nicholas Ryan - Day three Noemi

1) Zombie books are not between my favs, but I´ve got to say that the way you write the story makes me keep on reading. I felt the fear, felt the anguish of the characters...Did you feel their fear while you been writing?

If yes , how you handle it?

I don’t feel the character’s fear personally. I can put myself in their situation and describe their fear, but I’m pretty much personally removed from it. Writing is such a vague kind of job because you never really know how each individual is going to experience the book. I’ve certainly never creeped myself out by writing any scene. We had some firewood delivered a few months ago, and I went out to split some of the timber. As I split the first piece of wood about a hundred damned siders came out of the timber and started running over my leg. That creeped me out!

2) If the world came into a zombie apocalypse, do you think we can survive?

Yes, I do. I am writing a new book at the moment which will be released before the end of November. It’s epic! It details a zombie apocalypse from a military point of view and is almost a non-fiction account. If the military responds quickly enough I do believe such an outbreak can be contained.

3) Cutter and Sam´s story deserve another book. Are you going to write another apocalypse book?

All my books are stand alone novels. I won’t be writing any sequels. I had enough of the sequel idea when I was another guy writing in another genre (!) but I am certainly going to write more zombie novels. I also have a half-finished horror novel sitting in my draw. No zombies - just pure horror. It will see the light of day eventually…

4) Die trying is a fantastic story and I felt so tense and afraid while reading. Is this what you are looking for when you write this kind of books?

I loved writing ‘Die Trying’! I specifically wanted to build tension, build tension, build tension! I wanted every page to be an agony of suspense that compelled people to keep turning the page. That book was all about seeing how far I could stretch the reader’s nerves before they snapped!

Where to find

Goodreads | Facebook | Email | Twitter | Amazon Author Page

Q&A with Nicholas Ryan - Day two Lexa

1)  What do you think makes a character a compelling villain or hero?

I think the characters have to have a cause, or a reason for existing. Something has to drive them. Conflict and obstacles along the way reveal the depths of the character beyond being a cardboard cut out. I like writing about average every-day guys because that’s who I most easily identify with as a person. I have no military experience, so I write about characters I know.

2) While this may seem like a given to some people, others may be wondering; Why write horror?

Tension and drama! First and foremost I want to tell an engrossing, entertaining story. Horror and action/adventure are quite closely related. It’s just the villains that vary! The most difficult challenge to writing horror is dealing with the readers setting the book aside and saying ‘this isn’t real’. No matter how bizarre the demons/zombies are, the writer needs to find a way to make them utterly gripping and believable.

3) What is one thing that you'd like people to know about horror writers?

I’m a normal guy! I don’t dream of zombies and I don’t have a girlfriend whose head turns around like in the ‘Exorcist!’. It’s only when I am working that I become that guy. When I finish work I just go about normal life. I don’t wear black and I don’t sleep in a coffin!

4)  Halloween is the biggest holiday for horror lovers. Have you ever had any interesting, spooky, or fun experiences during the best holiday of the year that you'd like to share with us ?

We really don’t have Halloween here in Australia. Over recent years we’ve started getting a few kids knocking on the door trick or treating, but that’s about all. There are no decorations in windows, no great displays on the front lawn like Christmas. We sort of missed the whole Halloween thing don here. On a separate note, I have had a lot of occult/paranormal real-life experiences. None have made it into books at the moment because I am working in the specific zombie genre. But maybe one day…

Where to find

Goodreads | Facebook | Email | Twitter | Amazon Author Page

Q&A with Nicholas Ryan - Day One Amanda

1) You've stated before that a lot of research goes into writing a zombie/horror book, how long does it take you to write your books? And is the long length of time because of the research or do other things factor in, like still developing characters, scenes, etc...?

I write pretty quickly. Since the star of 2014 I have published seven books! Zombie novels take time because I want them to be authentic. That means researching weapons and researching locations that I know nothing about. That’s the slowest part. I am lucky t have a great team of people across the USA who help with the military research. The internet helps a lot. Generally I will write between 2000 and 6000 words every day. At that rate it usually only takes a month to complete a first draft.

2) Would you ever consider writing a book containing the Ground Zero, Die Trying and Dead Rage zombie apocalypse survivors? Why or why not?

I won’t write a sequel.

3) From your first book Ground Zero to your most current book Dead Rage, do you feel you have grown as a zombie/horror author?

Absolutely! I feel I have a greater appreciation of the audience, and a better understanding of my craft. It’s been a long twelve months since Ground Zero was released. In that time I have developed a greater appreciation for the genre and all the folks who read it. 

Where to find

Goodreads | Facebook | Email | Twitter | Amazon Author Page

Nicholas Ryan Giveaway No.1 of 'Dead Rage'

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