Category Archives: fiction

On Writing: What I Learned at My First Book Fair

Posted on October 9, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

The thing about self-publishing is eventually you have to sell what you write. And while the digital book world continues to grow, I keep finding people who only want to read my book in print. As I have committed to … Continue reading →

Posted in America, digital publishing, ebook publishing, fiction, independent publishing, self-publishing, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

On Writing: Making it through The Monster of Daily Life

Posted on October 1, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

Where have I been? Away from my blog for too long, and I woke up wondering what could have kept me away. Life. By that I mean wife, sons, death of friends, work, grading papers, writing lesson plans, orienting to … Continue reading →

Posted in America, digital publishing, ebook publishing, fiction, film, husband, independent publishing, kids, love, marriage, parenting, politics, pop culture, self-publishing, sons, sports, super-heroes, teaching, teenagers | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Writing: The Less He Writes, The More Elmore Leonard Teaches

Posted on September 16, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

Don’t let the blog headline fool you, Elmore Leonard writes all the time. He just doesn’t write anything “people tend to skip.” The result as been a career of tight, lively, fast-paced novels that have entertained for decades. Elmore Leonard … Continue reading →

Posted in America, comics, digital publishing, ebook publishing, fiction, film, independent publishing, pop culture, self-publishing, teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Writing: Joyce Carol Oates and Running Through Your Story

Posted on September 12, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

Years ago, I attended the South Hampton Writers Conference, and one of the best speakers there was Joyce Carol Oates. What a sight; she looks like a prettier version of Olive Oil and writes with such constant quality and voluminous … Continue reading →

Posted in America, digital publishing, ebook publishing, fiction, independent publishing, pop culture, self-publishing, teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

On Writing: A Reality Check From Richard Price

Posted on September 3, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

Richard Price, author of literate bestsellers including Clockers, Freedomland, Samaritan and Lush Life, screenplays including Sea of Love and The Color of Money, and notable work on The Wire and NYC22, is the consummate New York writer. His dialogue crackles … Continue reading →

Posted in America, digital publishing, ebook publishing, fiction, film, independent publishing, pop culture, self-publishing, teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

On Writing: Learning from The Big Boys – Stan Lee

Posted on August 31, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

I am starting a series of blogs recounting lessons I’ve learned from big time writers. Since the mega-blockbuster film “Marvel’s The Avengers” returns to theaters this weekend to end the summer like we began it, I am going to start … Continue reading →

Posted in America, comics, digital publishing, ebook publishing, fiction, film, independent publishing, kids, love, pop culture, self-publishing, super-heroes, teaching, teenagers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Pop Culture: Who Warner Bros. Should Really Get to Direct Justice League

Posted on August 10, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

Warner Brothers came soooooooo close to solving their comic book movie credibility problem. And they still have a chance to get it right, with one phone call. This week Marvel announced Joss Whedon would be writing and directing Avengers II … Continue reading →

Posted in America, comics, fiction, film, pop culture, super-heroes, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Writing: Why Smartphones Are A Writer’s New Best Friend

Posted on August 2, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

I used to plan out and gather ideas for novels and screenplays on index cards. Great system. One idea per card. The lined side was for the idea, be it bits of dialogue, character, setting, or whatever else came to … Continue reading →

Posted in comics, digital publishing, ebook publishing, fiction, film, independent publishing, pop culture, self-publishing, teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Dark Knight Rises: Huge Plots Hole or Sharp Political Commentary?

Posted on August 1, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

Christopher Nolan’s superb The Dark Knight Rises has been simmering in my brain since watching the trilogy on July 19 and experiencing the final film at midnight, unaware of the tragedy unfolding in Aurora, Colorado. I have held back the … Continue reading →

Posted in America, comics, fiction, film, politics, pop culture, super-heroes, teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Writing: The Odd Exhilaration of Seeing Your Book on Sale

Posted on July 30, 2012 by chrisryanwrites

There is one thing I feel obligated to share with all writers and every potential self-publisher, independent publisher, ebook publisher, and old-fashioned print publisher: the rush of finally seeing your book for sale makes all the work and worry worth … Continue reading →

Posted in America, digital publishing, ebook publishing, fiction, independent publishing, pop culture, self-publishing, teaching, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment