What We Saw Interview with Ryan Casey

Welcome to What We Saw Author Ryan Casey! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions about your life and book!

Ryan is an author from Preston, Lancashire, in the UK.

When he can’t be found writing, he generally can’t be found.

He is the author of What We Saw, his debut novel, and of short stories Something in the Cellar and Silhouette. He regularly blogs about life, writing and marketing tips over at his website.

Connect with Ryan Casey on Website • Facebook • Twitter

What We Saw Interview with Ryan Casey:

If a movie was made about your book, who do you picture playing the lead roles? Why?
That’s a really interesting question because for this book in particular, I didn’t actually have any particular actors in mind. I guess with the protagonists being children, I’d have to have a few really good child actors, preferably new to acting completely. Just some kids that know what it’s like to be kids and are willing to put that across as naturally as possible on film.

Please tell us in 20 words or less, why we should read your book.
Two young adventurous kids stumble upon something truly shocking in the woods, changing their lives forever. Sold?

Do you bake? If so, box or from scratch?
Bake? I might have done, once upon a time. Generally I just get the sauces in and do it that way, which is still pretty ambitious for a student.

Pet Peeves?
The word ‘aspiring’. And people who wear just one earphone. You’re doing it wroooonggg.

What book is on your night stand now?
Cold Granite by Stuart MacBride. Very gritty crime thriller.

If you could have a first edition signed copy of any novel, what would it be and why?
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. I reckon a signed first edition of that would make me rich beyond my wildest dreams.

Do you have plans for a new book? Goals for future projects?
I’m currently rewriting my second novel, Killing Freedom (working title), for a Spring 2013 launch. And I’m drafting away my third novel, which is the first book in a crime series I’m working on. I’d like to have that out in 2013 too.

How did you come up with the title of the book?
Titles are something I really struggle with, but when I came up with What We Saw, I knew it was absolutely golden and perfect for this particular book. Those three little words say so much. I get people asking me ‘what did they see?’ so much, so I’m so glad it creates a sense of mystery and intrigue that, hopefully, the rest of the book delivers on.

Did you lose any characters along the way?
I lost a whole future arc, so I guess so. Me and my editor sat down and decided we’d cut the future arc because it retracted from the focus of the book. Maybe I’ll release it as a freebie in the future, or something.

Which of your characters is most/least like you, and in what way(s)?
The protagonist, Liam, is probably the most like me, or so people say anyway. I think I see myself in a lot of characters. I see the slightly subdued child in Liam, the slightly mischievous side from Adam. I guess all writing is kind of a projection of our subconscious, and that’s what’s so cool about it.

What is your favorite Quote?
Ambition is not what a man would do, but what a man does, for ambition without action is fantasy. Bryant H. McGill

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Chill out, listen to music, and avoid doing university work as much as I possibly can.

What are three words that best describe you?
Obsessive, driven, motivated (when prodded with a stick).

What’s your ‘guilty pleasure’ TV show?
Basically any British soap opera. I watch Emmerdale and EastEnders quite regularly. I enjoy them. Got a problem with that?

Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter. Although I kind of love Facebook too, but more for chat and keeping in touch with people I know. Twitter is great for reaching out to new people.

What inspired you to write your first book?
The realisation that if I didn’t start writing now, I probably never would.

Who designed the cover of your book?
Lloyd Lelina. I met him through 99 Designs. I know some in the design community don’t like 99Designs, but I’ve found a designer for life, so I’m content.

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If so, what did you do about it?
I write through it. I deviate from my first draft plan. Writer’s block doesn’t have to exist – just write through it, no matter how good or bad you think the words are. That’s half of the problem with writer’s block – it’s psychological. If you choose not to believe in it, you won’t encounter it. It’s worked for me so far.

What is your writing process like? Do you follow a regular routine?
I write for an hour five days per week. If I miss a day, I write at the weekend. I can write 1,500-2,000 first draft words in an hour, so that’s, what, 350,000 new words of fiction per year? Weird when you look at it like that.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Stop calling yourself an aspiring writer, and write something. The sooner you can shake that ‘aspiring’ tag and start believing in yourself, the better.
Take it on the chin and move on. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion.

What does your workspace look like?
Pretty tidy. Just a MacBook, and iPad, and some cool speakers. I like keeping things as neat and paper-free as possible.

What genre does your book fall under?
It’s kind of a mystery, coming-of-age novel.

Tell everyone where they can go to stay up to date on your latest news!
Head over to http://ryancaseybooks.com. I blog there once or twice per week. I tweet a lot too, so feel free to follow me on there. I have a mailing list for new releases too, with a free sample of my book — head over to the site to find it.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Thanks very much for giving me the opportunity to chat to you! It’s been a pleasure. Happy 2013.

What We Saw

If you stumbled upon a shocking mystery as a child, how would you react?

What We Saw tells the story of a young boy, Liam O’Donnell, his cousin, Adam, and their experiences at their grandparents’ caravan site one summer. When the disappearance of their dog leads to a terrifying discovery deep in the nearby woods, Liam and Adam are plunged into a very adult world of morals and decisions, and find themselves trapped in the dark clutches of secrecy and suspicion, far transcending mere mystery.

What We Saw is a touching and thrilling British mystery novel that will have you hooked as the plot hurtles towards a shocking conclusion.

Purchase What We Saw at Amazon.

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