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The Worst Explorers Ever
What I Did After I Died follows a man who is unaware he is dead as he enlists his family to accompany him on an unconventional treasure hunt. Where did the idea for this story come from?
I traveled north for a guys’ fishing trip in New Hampshire and a bartender told us about a lake in the mountains with free canoes. We found the lake on Google Maps and drove up a road that turned into gravel, and then into complete brush. We abandoned the car and started hiking through thickets for miles, getting totally exhausted, and never finding the lake. We were the worst explorers ever, which planted the seed to write about a disastrous mountain adventure. Maybe the ghosts idea came from all the jokes we made while hiking, that we would surely die out there. By the way, there was an alternate road that we discovered hours later, with a nicely paved trail to the lake.
What part of this book was the most fun to write?
My two prior novels, To the Top of Greenfield Street and When To Fire, are coming of age and psychic-western, respectively. Writing an adventurous quest felt different and fun. I liked the parallel of a family searching for treasure alongside a ghost searching for spiritual peace.
What characters in your book are most similar to you or to people you know?
This book is heavy on family dynamics that echo my daughter, wife, and my sister. The latter especially loved this story and urged me forward.
Can we look forward to more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?
I’m a high school teacher looking forward to writing all summer. Sometimes I read short stories that I wrote decades ago and find inspiration. So far my novels involve realism, psychics, and ghosts, so maybe my next move is aliens, haha.
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What I Did After I Died
Ryan Standley’s What I Did After I Died offers a fresh and imaginative take on the afterlife through the eyes of Kevin, a man unaware of his own death. When Kevin stumbles upon a clue leading to a crashed plane filled with gold, he enlists his family in an unconventional treasure hunt. Their journey is packed with humor, adventure, and heartfelt moments, making the story both entertaining and deeply touching.
The narrative captures an intriguing premise—what would you do if you didn’t know you were dead? Kevin’s obliviousness adds a layer of comedy to the tale, while the treasure hunt serves as a backdrop for exploring family dynamics. The family’s antics, mishaps, and clever teamwork are not only amusing but also showcase their deep bonds.
Standley excels at weaving humor into heartfelt moments, creating a story that’s as emotionally resonant as it is entertaining. Despite its brevity, the story delivers a satisfying experience. The fast-paced plot keeps readers engaged from start to finish, even though some sections feel a bit rushed. However, this pacing adds to the book’s charm, making it easy to dive in and lose yourself in Kevin’s afterlife escapades.
For anyone who enjoys treasure hunts, quirky adventures, or a quick and delightful read, What I Did After I Died is a great choice. Standley’s blend of humor, warmth, and clever storytelling ensures a memorable experience. I recommend this book and eagerly look forward to reading more from the author.
Pages: 126 | ASIN : B0FD4VR557
When to Fire
When to Fire, Ryan Standley’s latest novella, is a captivating blend of classic Western grit and mind-bending science fiction. What begins as a traditional tale of a legendary gunslinger on the run evolves into a narrative filled with unexpected twists reminiscent of Planet of the Apes. Standley’s ability to merge these genres creates a story that is both surprising and thrilling. The novella introduces us to a trio of infamous bandits: Chaske, Euna, and Matt Frimm, known as the Pistol Kid. Their exploits across the frontier, robbing banks to fund the Native cause against an oppressive federal government, form the story’s foundation. When a heist goes awry, Chaske is killed, leaving Euna and Matt to navigate a dangerous path of survival, rebellion, and personal discovery—all while chasing the mystery of Matt’s missing parents.
Initially, the plot unfolds with a familiar, almost predictable rhythm. The Pistol Kid channels a Robin Hood-like charm, a rogue with a noble heart hidden beneath his swagger. Euna, too, follows a well-worn archetype of the strong, determined outlaw. Yet, as the story progresses, these familiar tropes give way to something far more intricate. After an audacious bank heist spirals into chaos, the narrative takes a sharp turn. Matt gains access to a mysterious power that transforms him into a “Seer,” granting visions of the past and future. This newfound ability elevates him from a sharpshooting outlaw to a near-supernatural force. Standley uses these powers to craft exhilarating action scenes, where Matt’s precognitive edge allows him to dominate gunfights with uncanny precision, solidifying his place as a larger-than-life hero.
Despite its brevity, When to Fire develops its characters with remarkable depth. Matt’s powers serve not only as a narrative device for thrilling action but also as a lens to explore both his and Euna’s motivations, vulnerabilities, and shared history. Euna’s ultimate fate is revealed early, yet this knowledge heightens, rather than diminishes, the emotional stakes and tension as the story unfolds. Standley’s novella excels as a fusion of cowboy adventure and speculative fiction, anchored by an intriguing central mystery. The hints at a broader mythology suggest a world ripe for further exploration, leaving readers eager for a sequel that could delve deeper into its lore. If there’s a flaw, it’s that When to Fire ends too soon. Its rapid pace keeps the story moving but leaves little time to fully savor the rich world Standley has created. Just as the momentum reaches its peak, the novella concludes, leaving readers yearning for more.
In When to Fire, Ryan Standley delivers a thrilling and imaginative ride, seamlessly blending the grit of the Wild West with the wonder of science fiction. It’s a story that sticks with you, not just for what it is but for the tantalizing promise of what it could become.
Pages: 126 | ASIN : B0DX8CBT8N
Live In The Moment
To the Top of Greenfield Street is a compelling coming of age story about a teen starting a new life in a small town in the 90’s. What was the inspiration for the setup to this fascinating story?
My story was unexpectedly inspired by a coming of age pop song, “Castle on the Hill” by Ed Sheeran. The lyrics resonated with me and I began writing about similarly misbehaved teens from my hometown, but I struggled to find a clear beginning/ending setup. Then lightning literally struck, a block away from my house, and a beautiful, gigantic church burned to the ground, the tragedy that’s described in the first paragraphs, as Eric’s home. While I watched the church burning I knew their insurance would never cover a rebuild and the parishioners would be uprooted like Eric.
Eric is an interesting and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind his character development?
Thanks! I knew Eric had to be innocent, and somewhat naive, so his traits could change over a short time and carve out his journey. In early drafts, Eric came off as arrogant. He needed the self-loathing, and the insecurity of being overweight, which were also traits that could be shed quickly at his age. Plus, from an actor’s vocab, I wanted Eric to “live in the moment” and let the conflicts be real-time discoveries
What were some themes that were important for you to focus on in this book?
Classic themes like appreciating what you have, and hard work pays off were deeply anchored in the plot. I had fun exploring the circumstantial morality, loyalty, and whimsical hope of teenagers. I wanted to show how rumors spread and fade while the history of a town remains solid. Above all, honesty and trust were huge, so the events and dialog had to ring true.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
Right now I’m working on another coming of age novel tentatively titled “Better Out West,” about a college dropout who finds love and inspiration, gets dragged back into the dark world of substance abuse, and has to claw himself free again. Sounds pretty rugged but there’s a lot of hope there too. Should be available next fall.
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TO THE TOP OF GREENFIELD STREET is an honest unveiling of the teenage spirit, a sensational coming-of-age tryst, and an uplifting example of starting over. Standley writes with an irresistible blend of action, humor, disgust and nostalgia. Set in the sleepy town of Freeport, IL, in 1993, the novel speaks to the teenagers in the midst of their heartaches, and to the adults who will never forget theirs.
To the Top of Greenfield Street
Ryan Standley’s To the Top of Greenfield Street follows Eric Daniels as he spends a brief yet formative summer in Freeport, a small northern Illinois town hundreds of miles away from his childhood home in Iowa. The text is written in an autobiographical fashion, with many musical and cultural references that indicate that the events take place in the 1980s or 1990s.
Standley does a superb job at recounting the nostalgia of youth. Eric’s adventures with his (mostly) newfound neighborhood friends – from their nighttime rendezvous to the drive-in theater to the Fourth of July festivities, all the way down to Eric’s surprise going-away party hosted by his mates – feel absolutely real and capture the freedom of any summer in the life of a Midwestern teenager. Nate, Matt, Billy, Melissa, Jen, Rachel, and Declan each make their own contribution with their easy-to-distinguish personalities.
To the Top of Greenfield Street is ultimately an engaging coming of age story. Eric has two major experiences that take place in a short amount of time, but leave an indelible mark. It is also through these turning points that Eric learns that resolutions aren’t always happy events – nor do they need to be. One, he comes to grips with the reality of his ties with Donna, his estranged and drug-addicted mother. Two, he experiences through Jen what it is like for a young man to share feelings of affection and chemistry, however fleeting, with another young woman.
Above all, the author showcases the finite nature of young relationships in a way that resonates with readers as young as their twenties. By the end of the text, Eric walks away cherishing the friendships and good times that he has had, but also accepts that just as summer inevitably turns to fall, he must accept what is and begin his next chapter of life alongside his dad. Endings do not need to be finite in nature – and very often in life they are anything but.
This is a solid read for readers of any age who want a well-written, teen-centered coming of age story. To the Top of Greenfield Street is a young adult novel that I heartily recommend.
Pages: 286 | ASIN: B08GFQCVH8
LITERARY TITAN 