New York Times bestseller Lexi Ryan takes on our 20 Questions where she explores the world building of her favorite fantasy series, her love of poetry, and more!
1.Your best virtue as an author.
Gratitude. Seriously, this career is tough and I put in countless hours every week, but it is still a dream, a privilege, and an honor to be able to tell stories for a living. I hope I NEVER forget that.
2. Your most quirky author habit.
I struggle to write without my glasses on, and not because I can’t see. If I sit down at the computer without my glasses, my brain doesn’t click into “work mode.”
3. Your favorite quality in a protagonist.
Empathy. (Unsurprisingly, this is also my favorite quality in a real-life person.)
4. Your favorite quality in an antagonist.
A juicy and compelling backstory that makes you go, “Ohhhhh, yeah, I get it now.”
5. If you could ask any other author, past or present, a question who would it be and what would you ask?
I’d ask Sandra Cisneros if she’d let me read all the poems she’s never published. (I am obsessed with her poetry, and it’s the work of hers that gets the least critical acclaim.)
6. When you aren’t writing, you are____
Driving my kids around to all their various activities and appointments. PAR-TAY!
7. Your easiest book to write.
In Too Deep, which was book 5 in The Blackhawk Boys series. I’d teased Mason and Bailey’s story from the beginning of the series, dropping hints and gearing them up for their big moment, so I was ready once their book rolled around and loved every minute of writing it.
8. Your hardest book to write.
Playing with Fire. It’s romantic suspense and those are always a little extra difficult to write (though I love them!), but I wrote it while we were moving and it was a total struggle to find the time to get my words in.
9. Your ideal writing place.
My living room in front of the fireplace my husband built for me.
10. Your favorite childhood book.
I loved all my Little Golden Books, but I have fond memories of making my mother read Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel. Years later, it was The Little Princess.
11. The book you’ve reread the most.
Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Mist and Fury. I’ve reread the entire A Court of Thorns and Roses series several times, but book 2 is the one I’ve read the most. SJM is a genius and I will never get enough of that world.
12. Your favorite hero from literature.
Heathcliff! (And everyone knows the reason I love Arrow from my book Spinning Out so much is because he is my Heathcliff.)
13. Your favorite villain from literature.
Amy from Gone Girl—she’s so deliciously hate-able.
14. The name of your autobiography.
Look at This Stress, Mom! I Made It Myself!
15. Your favorite comfort food.
Ice cream. Preferably with both chocolate and peanut butter sauce.
16. First thing you do when you finish writing a novel.
Type “THE END,” take a picture, and post it on social media! It sounds silly but knowing I get to do that pushes me through that last chapter when I’m (inevitably) so tired.
17. A secret talent you have.
I like to lift heavy weights, and I’m pretty decent at it for someone who spends so many hours sitting on her butt in front of a computer.
18. Where have you always wanted to travel?
I’ve gotten to travel so many awesome places since my career took off, but I’ve not yet made it to New Zealand and I’d love to go.
19. One tip for aspiring authors.
Read a lot. Write a lot. Analyze what you read and what you write, and persist beyond when all common sense would tell you to quit.
20. Puppies or kittens?
Puppies every time.
More about Lexi:
Lexi Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of emotional romance that sizzles. Lexi is the 2018 winner of the Romance Writers of America® RITA® award for Best Long Contemporary Romance. She considers herself the luckiest girl around to make a living through storytelling. She loves spending time with her crazy kids, weightlifting, ice cream, swoony heroes, and vodka martinis.
Lexi lives in Indiana with her husband, two children, and a spoiled dog. You can find her at her website: www.lexiryan.com
Connect with Lexi:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexiryanauthor
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/qymaH
Bookbub: http://www.bookbub.com/authors/lexi-ryan
Instagram: http://instagram.com/writerlexiryan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/writerlexiryan
And want to learn more about your favorite authors? Check out our series 20 Questions with… to get to know other bestselling authors!
