Interview with thriller author Ryan Lawrence

Thriller author Ryan Lawrence joins the blog today to chat about his debut LGBTQ thriller, Vindictive.

During his virtual book tour, Ryan will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Ryan Lawrence was born and raised in Guelph, Ontario. He is a 2000 graduate of The University of Guelph in English. Ryan has worn many hats professionally, including working for over 12 years as a custom art framer. While writing has always been a part of his life, it was only after leaving this profession that Ryan seriously took his education and passion for writing by the horns and began the journey towards Vindictive, his first novel. Since 2002, Ryan has lived in London, Ontario, with his husband, Todd, together since 1997, their cat Dora, and his massive comic book collection that once fell on Todd. He’s okay.

Welcome, Ryan. Please tell us about your current release.
The best revenge is revenge. Getting it is all that matters.

Jules Cartell has it all: wealth; beauty; a handsome, loving husband; a partnership in her father’s law firm; and the top executive position at one of Canada’s leading corporations, Cartell Worldwide. Aside from her secret, problematic desire for the married owner of the internationally renowned Château Bergé, Jules believes she and her life are pretty perfect. But the discovery of an unforgivable crime perpetrated against her family by her husband, Phillip, years before the two met sets Jules down the path of revenge. There is no option for forgiveness. Phillip has to pay. An eye for an eye.

It is said that when seeking revenge, you should dig two graves. Someone from Jules’s past, someone aggrieved by her actions, seeks vengeance for themselves. This is an enemy without compassion, without morality, without mercy—an enemy who will accept no restitution short of Jules’s death.

In the city of Fairporte, ON, secrets, lies, and betrayal can be found everywhere. As adversaries close in, will Jules get revenge before her past catches up with her? Unexpected allies may be instrumental to her success. They may also be the key to her very survival.

What inspired you to write this book?
When I was 17, I watched the first season of Twin Peaks on television and fell in love with the stylized look of the show, the quirky characters, and the tension-filled mystery. I was immediately inspired to write my own novel. I wanted to create an original city, set the location in Canada, and write a mystery story filled with outrageous characters. I wrote about thirty-five pages, single-spaced, but never went further than that. Fast-forward decades later to when I rediscovered my hand-typed manuscript tucked away in a box. As luck would have it, I had just finished rewatching Twin Peaks on DVD and recognized the fortunate stroke of serendipity. Plus, I wanted to write the kind of book I would read, something with length, something with meat. I wanted detailed descriptions of people, places, and settings. So, I set out to do just that.

Excerpt from Vindictive:
“You’ve grown sloppy and let your instincts, your muscle memory, become soft, flabby. Your responses should be instinctual. Even our sparring last night was—meh.”

What! Jules almost ran her car off the road. Her anger towards Amanda’s castigating words and unexpected lack of empathy towards her plight ran hot and potent, and it nearly got the best of her. She visualized Amanda’s admonishing finger waving furiously in the air at her over her phone.

Pointed criticisms due to failings and mistakes took Jules back to her early training sessions with the woman. Amanda had been relentless and unforgiving in her attempt to mould Jules into a version of herself.

Thankfully, Jules managed to keep her head clear, her eyes focused dead ahead, and she remained on the road. She wanted to get to her midtown condo as fast as possible without killing herself in the process. She was almost there, and this was not the time to get in an accident. Jules took a deep breath before countering the unwanted chastisement.

But countering it with what? Anger? Curses? Resentment? She would not be fooling anyone with her self-righteous indignation, least of all herself. Amanda was completely and unequivocally correct in her observations.

Jules realized something significant. Having been so preoccupied for so long with Phillip’s destruction, she absolutely had a lax attitude toward her physical training to keep her skills sharp. She had even put her sessions in Toronto with Master Hiroki on hold. What disrespectful behaviour. His time was priceless. His knowledge? Invaluable! Jules felt terrible regret and shame.

Also, she was shocked by how much she had forgotten about Amanda, about how astute and perceptive she was. Why am I surprised? It’s why I knew she could help with William. This is her life, always prepared, focused—apparently, even more than I am. Dammit, Jules, get it together.

What exciting story are you working on next?
Currently, I am putting the finishing touches on my second novel, a companion, not a sequel to Vindictive. The storylines of both novels take place over the same three days, and by the end of the second book, the two will have converged into a cohesive storyline leading into my third, currently untitled novel. Many characters that take centre stage in Vindictive take a back seat in the follow-up novel, allowing the story to focus significantly more on the Bergé family, Stella Cartell, the mysterious bearded man, and several new and compelling characters, including additional LGBTQ representation.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve been writing stories since childhood, but I never gave myself permission to feel comfortable and confident designating myself as a “writer” until I took up finishing Vindictive. And that was far into adulthood. My commitment to the craft felt serious then, even though I should not have valued my accomplishments outside of Vindictive as lesser because they weren’t a novel. Even when I was in University, writing countless essays and creative writing pieces, I never felt fully attached to the concept that, yes, I am a writer and I have a talent for it. It is hard to see yourself in the same light as your literary idols and recognize that no one should gate-keep “membership” when you want to assert your place within the writing community–including yourself.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I write every day. I have no set time of day, just whenever I feel in the mood or inspired. Sometimes I write a lot and other times a little, but I always write something, even if it’s only a review for a book I finished reading. I have spent hours writing and rewriting a single review. I’ll take “Perfectionism” for two hundred, Alex.

I took time away from working a conventional job while finishing Vindictive; I am currently doing that again to focus on completing my second novel and getting it ready to publish. After University, I worked in several fields, including horticulture, retail management, custom art framing—still a passion—and as a bakery clerk. I make a mean key lime pie and cheese tea biscuit!

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Even though I have a room devoted to writing, with a desk and chair, cases of books, and an assortment of other sources of creativity and inspiration everywhere you look, I still end up doing most of my writing on the couch in the living room.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A comic book artist. I wanted to work for Marvel or DC and create my own superheroes. Unfortunately, my artistic talent is good but not natural, and I had to work too hard at it, which took away any pleasure involved in doing it. Writing comes much more naturally to me. Growing up, I eventually recognized that I had a talent for words; I love vocabulary. It’s why I’m so good at winning verbal arguments—just ask my sisters.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Remember, if you can’t say something nice, say something clever but devastating.