Author Spotlight: Carrie Ann Ryan | CJC Photography

Author Spotlight: Carrie Ann Ryan

Moments In Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan, Carrie Ann Ryan best selling author, CJC Photography book cover photographer

CJC: How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?

CAR: I loved reading and though my primary focus in school was chemistry, math, and physics, I eventually found my way back to the love of reading romance. I’d always had stories in my head, but it wasn’t until grad school for chemistry that I realized I could put those down on paper! I published my first book nearly 10 years ago and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.

CJC: What do you find to be the most rewarding and challenging part of being an author and what hurdles have you overcome while striving towards your goals?

CAR: I think the most rewarding parts for me are twofold: finding the breadth of change within myself as I write a character’s journey and watching that change through my readers. Challenges come in many forms and change throughout each release, but I do my best to keep pushing through them. I know that this career of mine isn’t a sprint, but a marathon. I’m in this for the long haul. So my values of success can change and will do so, as will what opportunities and growth I want out of what I write.

CJC: Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?

CAR: I’ve just finished writing my 95th, I can never choose! I usually love the book I’m writing the most, and the book that comes next because of the anticipation. Wrapped in Ink is close to my heart because the heroine has a similar auto immune disorder to mine. Moments in Ink (the lovely book with your amazing image) is my first f/f bi/pan sexual book and makes me so happy to have part of myself in a book. Shouldn’t Have You was the first book I wrote about a widow after I became a widow myself. Each of my favorites have parts of me within their pages, even if they hurt along the way.

CJC: For first time readers of your work, which book would you recommend?

CAR: If you’re in the mood of contemporary romance, Delicate Ink. Paranormal romance? Tattered Loyalties. YA Romance? From Breath and Ruin!

CJC: If one of your books were made into a movie, which would you select and who would you like to star in it?

CAR: Wrapped in Ink and Oscar Isaac as Liam. Because Oscar. And yes. Him. LOL

CJC: For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?

CAR: Putting pen to paper is the second step. The first step should be why and finding your purpose. Do you want to change a part of yourself with each book? To learn and grow? Or do you want to change others, to show other paths some might not yet know. Those paths can be subtle, as in looking how another might feel about a job you don’t understand, or something much more complex. Each book is an experience, even if that moment should only be light, fluffy, and escape reading. That’s a choice, a purpose. To be that escape for others. So find out WHY you want to write as you’re putting pen to paper (or keystroke or dictation…lol). As that process changes and you figure it out, the business aspect will be added and that’s a whole new burden, but one you can at least have a foothold in because you know WHY you wrote that book.

CJC: If you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be and why?

CAR: I’ve actually co-written two series! One with Alexandra Ivy (The Branded Packs series). And I have a new series releasing in 2021/2022 with Nana Malone (The Tattered Royals series).

CJC: Favorite motto?

CAR: Love is love is love is love is love.

CJC: What do you do to overcome writer’s block?

CAR: Find something to do to fill that well. Why are you so scared to write the next paragraph? Did you start in the wrong place? Maybe you went in the wrong direction. You can’t go forward without looking backward, nor can you move on without having something to lean on. So read a book, figure out where you went wrong, write something just for fun that doesn’t matter, or just push through and see if you can.

CJC: In one word, how would you describe your writing style?

CAR: Emotive.

(That was hard!!)

CJC: Which do you find harder to do… writing the blurb for your story or selecting the cover?

CAR: The blurb LOL. I have amazing artists who help me with my visions for covers. Sometimes covers take a while, but we get there. Blurb writing isn’t easy and I’m better at helping others write theirs than my own!

CJC: Which author inspires you the most and why?

CAR: Nalini Singh because of her prose, her world building, and her lovely nature.
Lauren Dane because of her purpose and style.

Rachel Caine because of her determination, gratitude, and talent.

CJC: What is your writing process like?

CAR: I take around 2 years on every book I write, but not just drafting. I have an idea for a series, break it down into character, trope, idea, setting etc. I plot out a series arc, then down to the book itself.

I dictate in the mornings four days a week and work on admin work and edits, plotting, etc the other parts of the day. It’s a long process, but in the end, I love it.

CJC: What new projects are you currently working on and what are your goals for the remainder of the year?

CAR: I have three more books out this year! The final Montgomery Ink: Boulder books, as well as the final two Promise Me books. Next year is already shaping up to be filled with emotional romances that have a bit of murder and danger wrapped in them. I get to start a new Montgomery Ink series with Fort Collins, a new college age series called On My Own, as well as going back to my Paranormal Romance roots with my witchy series called the Ravenwood Coven!! Oh, and of course, I get to FINALLY show off the final book in the Elements of Five series. It’s been years in the making and WHOA!

CJC: Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?

CAR: Just, thank you so much for having me. And honestly? Thank you for this photo. As soon as I saw it, I knew I needed to write their story, even if I didn’t have time. So I MADE time.

It’s my first f/f book, but won’t be my last. Thank you for helping me with my inspiration!

CJC: I wanted to say a very special thank you to Carrie Ann Ryan for joining me in this interview. I loved getting to know more about her background and her writing process.

Her latest release, Moments In Ink is now available for purchase here.

Stay up to date with all of her latest release by joining her here.

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