Terry Ambrose

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Hank Phillippi Ryan on writing fiction vs fact

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Hank Phillippi Ryan had been a journalist for thirty years when she wrote her first novel. It was, in a sense, a huge leap of faith in her ability to find the story because for her entire career, she’d only reported the truth. When interviewed about her new release, “Truth Be Told,” the veteran reporter and award-winning crime fiction novelist discussed how she made the shift from real crime to fiction.

“I wondered when I started writing fiction whether my brain would allow me to use my imagination in a brand new way,” said Ryan. “Remember, I had never written anything that wasn’t true. Would I be able to create something out of nothing? It turns out that the ‘nothing’ was thirty years of research.”

Truth Be ToldThose thirty years of research involved taking risks not intended for the faint-hearted. Ryan said, “I’ve wired myself with hidden cameras and gone undercover and in disguise. I’ve confronted corrupt politicians and chased down criminals. I’ve been inside prisons and courts and the back rooms of the district attorney’s office. I’ve been at murder scenes and hostage situations. But now—I’m creating a brand new story—even though I’m using the puzzle pieces of my experience.”

Of Ryan’s life, it might be said, she lived it, now she’s writing it. Ryan added, “I think my books feel genuine and authentic because they are. They come from real life.“ For “Truth Be Told, there were several questions that helped her find the story.

“As an investigative reporter,” said Ryan, “I’ve done many stories into mortgage fraud and foreclosure fraud, and about the neglected, empty homes where families have been evicted. I began to wonder about the threat of foreclosure. How it affected people on all sides. What if someone in banking decided it was just too draconian to force someone out of their home because of a tragedy or coincidence or bad luck?”

In essence Ryan was contemplating a banker turned Robin Hood. She said, “What if I had a Robin Hood banker who robbed the bank—from the inside? That was a key element to me,” said Ryan. “If someone does something that they feel is good, but it happens to be illegal, that’s instant conflict. How do we think about something good that could be illegal? That’s exactly how the book starts. ‘I know it’s illegal, but it’s terrible,’ is what Jane says.”

The benevolence/legality conflict is only one of the questions Ryan wanted to write about. She’d once asked her criminal defense attorney husband if he was ever torn by his own uncertainty during a trial. She said, “I asked him if he had ever had a murder case where the client was convicted, but that he was really sure the client was innocent. His face changed a bit and he said, ‘Yes, there was.’ He represented that person through three mistrials.”

In an odd twist of fate, the client, convinced he could do better with someone else, hired a different attorney after the third trial. The results of that fourth trial? Ryan said, “He was convicted.” According to Ryan, that case has haunted her husband since. Her husband also had a different case in which his client confessed to a murder he may not have committed. Ryan said, “I started thinking about that. Why would he confess to a murder he didn’t commit? And that’s now a part of Truth Be Told.”

Ryan added, “In every element of this story, the banking, the mortgage, the foreclosure, the confession, the murder, and the reporting, there’s an element of ‘truth be told.’ On every page of the story there are people who are trying to hide the truth.  Main characters Jane Ryland and Jake Brogan (reporter and cop) chase down two separate crimes that come together in the end. But the goal of each of them is to have the truth be told.”

Ryan, herself, doesn’t write the same as she did ten years ago when she started writing fiction. She said, “Charlie McNally, who was the heroine of my first four novels and, who I hope, will return, is older, incredibly successful as a reporter, smart, savvy, and funny. She’s had a long career as a reporter, twenty-five years. She knows she’s good, but she also knows you’re only as good as your next story. Charlie also knows she may be a little bit past her sell-by date in television.

new hank cu blk shirt“Charlie’s vulnerability is what happens in television when a reporter is married to her job and the camera doesn’t love her anymore. Is she going to be a media old maid? Even though she thinks she’s past the pinnacle of her career, she’s trying to make sure she’s still respected and successful.”

Fast-forward ten years and Ryan is writing about Jane Ryland, who is fifteen years younger than Charlie while still on the upswing of her career. “Jane hasn’t been a reporter for that long. She still considers herself new. So, she is struggling with the conflicts of a young thirty-something woman who is trying to make her way in a very difficult, very stressful, very competitive career in journalism.” According to Ryan, Jane is still learning her way. Ryan said, “Jane’s trying to figure out who she is. Charlie already knows.”

At more than 400 pages, “Truth Be Told” was perhaps Ryan’s most ambitious undertaking to date. Were there ever times when she questioned if she would finish? She said, “No. I love this book. I loved every minute of writing it. There were days when I had no idea what was going to happen. It is unbelievably complicated and difficult to take all those plot threads and make them fit together. I enjoy that process, even on the days it’s incredibly difficult.”

More information

Learn more about Hank Phillippi Ryan on her website at hankphillippiryan.com.

About Terry

I started out as a skip tracer. Just in case you don’t know, that’s the guy who finds the people who don’t want to be found. It was the little things—getting paid to lie—that made skip tracing the fun part of the job.

Those years of chasing deadbeats taught me many valuable life lessons, such as liars come from all walks of life, and always keep your car in the garage.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. Lisa R says

    The questions Ms Ryan asked her husband were questions that I had wondered about in regards to attorneys. I never had anyone I could ask. I’m looking forward to reading this, because I’ve read Ms Ryan’s books in the past and they were excellent. I highly recommend them.

  8. Catherine Lemanski says

    Look forward to reading this book. Enjoyed the background of this author. Thank you for having these giveaways.

  9. vicki wurgler says

    How do we think about something good that could be illegal-I did think about that question. this book sounds so interesting

  14. hankpryan says

    Hi all! Thank you so much…don’t forget to find me on Facebook! It is so lovely to meet you all! xoo

  18. admin says

    Debbie, Jackie, and lsureader, I’m delighted that you liked the interview! I’ve got another great one lined up for next month!

  19. hankpryan says

    KaiW–that is so terrific! Debbie–crossing fingers you love them! And Jackie W–so great of you. Nothing could be more reassuring!

  20. hankpryan says

    Oh, thank you! These are such great comments–I am thrilled! And I am so excited about TRUTH BE TOLD! Anyone near Boston? Come to the launch party Tuesday Oct 7 at 7 at Brookline Booksmith! (CHeck my Facebook events for details! )

  21. JackieW says

    I have read two of your ot her books and know that I would enjoy this one too. Enjoyed the blog today.

  23. Kai W. says

    I love the Charlotte McNally series. They were my first books of yours that I started with and have been following your books ever since.

  24. lsureader says

    Thanks for the post. Truth be Told sounds like it features a truly unique plot. I look forward to reading it.

  27. hankpryan says

    Mvarma, thank you! If you like audiobooks, the audio of TRUTH BE TOLD is ..awesome. It really is. It brought tears to my eyes to hear my words acted so perfectly. (I was in an airport waiting area, hearing it for the first time, with little headphones. I truly almost cried with joy.)

  29. hankpryan says

    Do come follow me on Facebook, okay? At Hank Phillippi Ryan Author Page. Lots of fun giveaways and contests..love to see you there!

  30. hankpryan says

    HI all! Your comments are so terrific…thank you!
    And yes, I’ve done many stories about mortgage fraud and evictions and the difficulties and pressures homeowners encounter. In fact, TBT came from a story I was covering! But one of my favorite reviews so far is the starred review from Booklist, which says “In Ryan’s adroit hands, even foreclosures can be sexy!” Got to love that!

  31. Melody Gonser says

    The article was interesting and I look forward to reading your books. Thank you for the giveaway.

  33. John Vaughn says

    This will be my first read of this author. The background information makes this story sound interesting because she is writing about something she has personal experience with. Any author Terry recommends is worth reading in any event.

  34. admin says

    Hi Karen, it is a Jane Ryland novel (she’s the main character), written by Hank. I would also agree that the legal system seems convoluted. Strange things do happen.

  35. clynsg says

    It is fascinating to learn some of the ins and outs of the legal system. Saw a story today on Sunday Morning about a man who was caught up in the vagaries of juries and mandatory sentencing, where even the judge admitted that he had no option but to impose that mandatory sentence, even though he didn’t go so far as to say that the jury was wrong (but have to admit that I think it was, at least from the facts as presented on the show were concerned, even knowing that it certainly was not the whole story.)

  36. KarenM says

    The print on the cover says it is a Jane Ryland novel, I think (my eyes are definitely going).
    I have enjoyed both series and look forward to reading this episode. Never would have imagined bankers as Robin Hoods!!!

  37. admin says

    How perceptive, Michael! We’ll have to see if the next one is also a three-word title! You’re right, Peggy, she’s a’hopping a lot! And good luck Tatiana—there are a lot of twists and turns!

  39. peggy clayton says

    Loved the interview and dual careers wow that would keep a woman on her toes that is for sure. Love that the giveaway is printed !

  40. mvarma says

    Hank – you’re on a roll. Three books in such a short time. What will Jane Ryland come across next? Hope to win a copy of your latest book as I’m transitioning from audiobooks back to good ole hard and paper backs…maybe ebooks too. Looking forward to the next three word title in the Jane Ryland series.

  43. JEAN MESS says

    I READ HER BOOKS AND I THING 30 YEARS OF RESEARCH IS A DETERMINATION TO BE ADMIRED AND HER TOPICS SHOW IT.

  45. admin says

    Hey Deb and Margie, she does have a fascinating background, doesn’t she? And Sue, banking has taken so many hits in recent years that its an area ripe for mystery writers!

  47. Margie says

    Interesting background on this author. I’m sure her previous career as an investigative reporter adds to the authenticity of the novel. Mortgage fraud is front page news right now, so I would definitely like to read this one.

  49. hankpryan says

    Well, Mark, I was, too! SInce I don’t use an outline, every book is a surprise for me. So when people say–wow, the end of TRUTH BE TOLD really surprised me–I say: yes, me too!

  50. hankpryan says

    Barbara, so interesting. And so correct! Katherine HAll PAge once said to me–“I wish you had started writing twenty years ago–then we could have gone on this journey together!” And yes, that would have been fun.. But twenty years ago, I could not have written these books–so I think things happen when they are supposed to!

  51. hankpryan says

    Oh, thank you, Robin! I’m so fortunate to have this dual career as a journalist and author–it’s all about telling a good story, right? Crossing fingers you love TRUTH BE TOLD..and if you;re just beginning the series, psst. THE OTHER WOMAN is now briefly) $2.99 on all eplatforms! (Not sure how long this will last..)

  54. Robin Coxon says

    Thanks for giving us some background on the Ms. Ryan. It’s great to hear what they did prior to writing. I’m sure this will be an enjoyable and intriguing read.