15 March 2010

Author Interview Ryan Potter

Exit Strategy By: Ryan Potter

Synopsis: Who are you supposed to look up to when it seems like every adult you know is more screwed up than yourself?

Looming above Zach Ramsey's hometown are the smokestacks of the truck assembly plant, the greasy lifeblood of this Detroit suburb. Surrounded by drunks, broken marriages, and factory rats living in fear of the pink slip, Zach is getting out of Blaine after graduation. But first, he's going to enjoy the summer before his senior year.

And Zach's having a blast until he uncovers dark secrets that shake his faith in everyone, including his best friend Tank (a state wrestling champion), whose 'roid rages betray a shocking habit. Falling in love with Tank's twin sister Sarah, an Ivy League-bound scholar, doesn't exactly make Zach's life any easier.

Eventually, with enough evidence to nail the town's steroid kingpin, Zach is faced with the toughest decision of his life—one that will prove just what kind of adult he's destined to be.


How did you come up with the idea for Exit Strategy?

I knew I wanted to write a book geared toward male readers in their late teens and early twenties. I thought about what I wished was out there back when I was that age, especially when it comes to peer pressure topics like alcohol, tobacco, and teen sexual pressure. Those are things a lot of guys don’t feel comfortable sharing their emotions about, so I wanted to write a story that explored those issues in a realistic way, without getting too “preachy” about them.

Having said that, it’s been great to hear from female readers who have read the book and enjoyed it. The crossover appeal has surprised me, but in a very good way, of course.

Did you find it hard to write about such sensitive subject matter such as steroid use in teens?

I did in the beginning. In fact, I wasn’t even sure I could justify the idea of having a high school steroid scandal in the book. I kept asking myself, “Is this realistic? Could it happen?” So one day I Googled “high school steroid scandal” and had my answer within seconds.

Without giving too much away, what's your favorite part of the book and why? Favorite scene or line?

My favorite part is the very last scene. Zach (main character) is alone and terribly confused about everything he’s been through. It’s not exactly a happy ending, but I think the themes of confusion and loneliness hit home with most teens.

My favorite line is when Zach says, “I imagine a giant suction tube falling from the sky and slurping me up and out of Blaine, then spitting me out into some clean, sterile city free of smokestacks, layoff notices, fighting parents, and drug-dealing football coaches.”

Was there any part of your road to becoming published that you were completely unprepared for?

Writing a novel is a lonely experience, but the loneliness ends once you get an agent and make a sale. The final product you see in bookstores is the result of a great deal of teamwork between the author and many other talented people. The teamwork and dedication of everybody involved with EXIT STRATEGY has amazed me. It’s been a wonderful experience.

If you had the choice to take a favorite song and turn it into a book, what song would that be and why?

I’ll go with Green Day’s “American Idiot,” because it sounds exactly like something I’d love to read—edgy and brutally honest.

Lastly - I read your currently working on a new book. Anything you can tell us about that and when we might be seeing it in print?

Here’s a quick, one sentence movie-like synopsis: Four rich but bored high school seniors embark on an innocent challenge that spirals violently out of control and changes their lives forever.

In terms of seeing it in print, I’ve set a self-imposed completion deadline of August 2010. We’ll see what happens from there. But I promise to keep you posted!

Thanks, Lisa!

For more info about the book and the author - please be sure to visit these links.
 
Ordering Information:
 
 
Thanks so much for taking the time Ryan, looking forward to reading more from you in the future!

Find the Author

Follow me on Twitter     /     Be friends with me on Goodreads
Subscribe to my RSS Feed

1 comment:

  1. Hello,nice post thanks for sharing?. I just joined and I am going to catch up by reading for a while. I hope I can join in soon.

    ReplyDelete

Comment and let me know your thoughts on this post.

Twitter Goodreads Email

Recently Read


Blog Archive

Search the Blog!

Learn more about RAK

Book Soulmates
Xpresso Book Tours

Total Pageviews

Copyright

FTC Disclaimer:

In accordance with FTC Guidelines, I have not received any monetary gain for any information posted within the pages of this website/blog. Any and all information has been provided by the publisher, author and or publicist for free. Content is also based on purchases made by myself or of my guest reviewer(s). Any and all opinions expressed within the pages of this website/blog are solely my own or those of the authors of any and all guest reviewers(s) or guest bloggers.



Related Posts with Thumbnails

About Me

Hi, I’m Lisa and I'm a proud bibliophile.

I enjoy reading and reviewing a variety of different books within the Young Adult, "New Adult" & Adult genres/categories. If you have any questions or if you are an author or publisher and would be interested in promoting a book, please feel free email. You can find my email under the "mail" button or under the contact link at the top of the page.

I look forward to hearing from you!


Authors, Publishers & Publicists

Have a book you'd like me to review or Promote? How about doing an Author Interview? Or maybe a Guest Post? Great! I'd love to! For more information about having your book reviewed here, please follow this link for more information:

Reviews, Interviews, Guest Posts and Contest.

Guest Reviewer Jenny

Guest Reviewer Jenny
Click for info & links to her reviews!

My Ratings

When I review I rate from 1 to 5 stars, 5 being the highest rating. I review based on many different things from the writing, to the story - to the characters and how I can relate to them or how they are developed. I also review based on if an author has worked their magic and was able to draw me into a story so deeply that I don't want to put the book down. If you would like me to review a book, please contact me or view my Contact Information and Review Policy for further details.

5 Stars - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!
4 Stars - I Really liked/Loved it.
3 Stars - I liked it/Was pretty good.
2 Stars - It was, eh okay.
1 Star - It just wasn't for me.

Followers

Follow the Blog

Follow on Bloglovin

Follow By Email

Enter your email address:

Grab Me!

Blogs I Love