YA Christian Sci-Fi/Dystopian
Date Published: 03-05-2025
When a man in power believes he's God, mankind doesn't have a prayer
Interview
Is There a Message in Your Novel That You Want Readers to Grasp?
Sometimes we think we know God’s will, and we proceed along that trajectory, only to find out that we proceeded on our own path of desire. Alternatively, there is a recurring theme of justice vs. revenge in my books, and that has found its way into this as well. You could also say that “hope is hard to kill” would be a theme. The moral of the story however is that you have to be very careful what you worship. It might betray you.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Writing something that is outside of my knowledge sphere. For example, military. I have no military experience, but I did my due diligence for the Dissonance series and spoke with several enlisted or formerly enlisted personnel who have served, and they were utterly indispensable to the success of that series. I also did a tremendous amount of research online both for military terms, equipment, protocols, bases, operations, etc., as well as research on geographical areas I had never been to, where I set the books in. The research takes time, but, if executed well, that research pays off and contributes to a tangible sense of verisimilitude in the final products.
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I am writing my 30th book at the moment and really loving it. However, I truly enjoyed my heart and soul, my baby, the Dissonance series. It’s INCREDIBLY robust, spanning six volumes, with a lot of heart and thematic depth. I love all of the installments in that series, but am particularly fond of Dissonance Volume Zero: Revelation (the first prequel) and have a special place in my heart for Dissonance Volume II: Reckoning.
If You had the chance to cast your main character from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?
My screenwriter and I were looking at Dylan Sprouse to helm the series as Cameron “Jet” Shipley, and there might still be a chance of that, but not sure yet. We’re pitching the screenplay to studios at the moment, not necessarily going down the actors route. We might circle back to him soon, but are busy with the studios at the moment. I do happen to think that he’d make a fantastic Jet Shipley!
When did you begin writing?
In 1981, I was tasked by my 2nd grade teacher – we all were – with writing a fictional story. I wrote something crude and elementary (because I was in elementary school, ha!) called “The Electric Boy.” It stole elements from the novelization of E.T., admittedly, but it was so cute and really set me on the path of being a writer because I loved the process.
How long did it take to complete your first book?
Well, my first REAL fiction book, and the one that set the record for fastest writing – because the story just burst out of me like an alien queen – was Dissonance Volume I: Reality. That was finished in 21 days. The next fastest was this one for which this interview is being conducted: The End: Alpha, at 22 days. I just couldn’t stop hammering away at the keyboard, and was really, really excited to present it. I’ve written others, and have published some voiceover business books as well, which I don’t recall taking very long to write/publish, but they didn’t have the same level of inventiveness or passion behind them.
Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?
By far, every day of the week and twice on Sunday, I will cite J.R.R. Tolkien. I read The Lord of the Rings when I was 10, and it utterly blew me away. I could not believe the incredibly immersive world I was swimming in…it had such depth and breadth and POWER. I was so inspired! And while I fall dreadfully short of his grandeur, I do have tips of the hat, and nods to him in my books. You just have to look. A seasoned Tolkien aficionado will readily spot them. For me, nothing has ever held a candle to the majesty of his opus.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
I love how I can just receive inspiration during the day, at random, and then find a way to incorporate that into the book. I love finishing incredible dialogue between two opposing forces in a faceoff….something Tolkien employs SO well. I love writing a good battle scene. I love writing something that just makes you writhe inside…or pump your fist in the air with relish, because you’re so moved. It’s a gift to be able to create, and it becomes a gift that I then get to give to everyone.
Describe your latest book in 4 words.
Hope cannot be killed.
Can you share a little bit about your current work or what is in the future for your writing?
My next release will be The End: Omicron in late April or early May. That is with the editor right now, and it’s uh-MAZE-eeng. Can’t wait to reveal what journeys Sage and the rest of them have gone on following The End: Alpha! After this series is done, I plan on returning to my novel, “The Slide.” Much like “Forecast,” I’ve picked it up and set it down so many times as I’ve sought to re-engage it but then been interrupted by something more compelling at the moment. My first volume of Dissonance, “Dissonance Volume I: Reality” has been adapted for the screen and is being pitched to streaming networks as we speak. I have MASSIVE hopes that that will result in a major studio optioning or buying it, and I can’t wait for people to see it. It’s an immeasurably potent story with loads of heart, passion, parenting through trauma, thematic depth, and more. I’m very proud of it.
About the Author
Award-winning and bestselling author Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with
his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and Merry
& Pippin, the finches.
He is the author of the bestselling "Dissonance" 6-book alien
invasion saga, the post-apocalyptic Christian fiction saga "The
End," the sci-fi thrillers "Forecast" and "The
Slide," the children's picture books "The Ring of Truth,"
"The Sword of Joy" and "The Book of Power," the business
reference business books "How to Successfully Self-Publish &
Promote Your Self-Published Book" and "The Superhero
Anomaly", 6 business books on voiceovers penned under his former stage
name (Joshua Alexander), as well as a previous fictional novel, "The
Omega Room."
When he was in second grade, he was tasked with writing a creative
assignment: a fictional book. And thus, "The Electric Boy"
was born: a simple novella full of intrigue, fantasy, and 7-year-old wits
that electrified Aaron's desire to write. From that point forward,
Aaron evolved into a creative soul that desired to create.
He enjoys the arts, media, music, performing, poetry, and being a
daddy. In his lifetime he has been an author, voiceover artist,
wedding videographer, stage performer, musician, producer, rock/pop artist,
executive assistant, service manager, paperboy, CSR, poet, tech support,
worship leader, and more. The diversity of his life experiences gives
him a unique approach to business, life, ministry, faith, and
entertainment.
Aaron's favorite author by far is J.R.R. Tolkien, but he also enjoys
Suzanne Collins, James S.A. Corey, Michael Crichton, Marie Lu, Madeleine
L'Engle, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Tim Lebbon, Christopher Golden, C.S.
Lewis, Stephen King and Dave Barry.
Aaron has always had a passion for storytelling. Visit the Dissonance saga
website at https://www.dissonancetheseries.com or The End saga website at
https://thisisnottheend.com.
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