“A Day in the Life” with Calgary Author Tim Ryan

Writing is a minor miracle for Tim Ryan. No day is the same.

Tim carves out time for writing in between practising law, training for triathlons, being a dad, helping with the household and looking after (serving?) his two household pets—a cat and a rabbit.

Most days he rises early and sneaks downstairs so as not to disturb anyone. Maybe, just maybe he’ll get some writing in before his wife appears, and starts reading aloud newspaper clips that she finds amusing or describing in detail the interaction at the bank/farmers market/work that she has been mulling over for days.

If he doesn’t get any writing done in the morning, he’ll sneak downstairs and try to get a few sentences crafted before his daughter appears asking to go for a drive to Bragg Creek or to the bookstore (activities which they both love to do and can get lost in for hours).

If by evening he still hasn’t managed to write anything, after he does the dishes and takes out the recycling and checks that the cars have washer fluid and gas in them for whoever takes them out next, he might be able to snatch a few minutes with a pen and the beat up Moleskin he has going, until the cat appears again demanding attention (or more likely food) or the next episode of Bob’s Burgers comes on and he chooses to spend time with his family and forgo, for that day, his literary ambitions.

It is always amazing that he gets any writing done at all.

-Written by Stacy Petriuk, wife

Tim Ryan
You gotta take advantage of the mountains when you can. Soul-recharging stuff!
Tim Ryan
And if you can’t get to the mountains, Calgary has so many places to cross-country ski. I don’t get people who complaint about the weather? There’s always something to do.
My fearsome editor: Rolo. There’s nothing quite like having a cat jump onto your back in the middle of trying to write dialogue.
I love to train for and compete in triathlons. I’ve represented Canada twice at the ITU Triathlon World Championships, but the best part of a triathlon is the friends you make and the epic rides. Inspiration for stories!
I try to live a bucket list. Here’s a picture of our trip to one of my bucket list destinations: the Galapagos Islands! Honk if you love tortoises. HONK! That’s my daughter holding the sign.
Meet Emmett. Every morning, after brushing my teeth, I check on Emmett. What a great way to start the day! If I’m lucky and he’s in a good mood, he’ll do a binky. Then I know it’s going to be a great day. (I really have to work a rabbit into one of my stories).
Tim Ryan
We live in Roxboro. Every morning I get to walk to work with this beautiful lady, my wife. Many afternoons, we get to walk back home together. No better way to get downtown. An awesome way to start and end the work day ☺!
Tim Ryan
Another favourite place is New Brunswick. Here’s a picture of the Camp. Also the basis for the setting of my novel, East Grand Lake. I draw inspiration from my very large family and the crazy, wonderful things we did (and still do) during the summer at this place. It looks empty, but you can bet there’s 20 or 30 people asleep in or around this little cottage. Endless stories!

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Which ‘hood are you in?

Roxboro

What do you do?

I am a writer, lawyer, dad and husband

What are you currently working on?

I am currently getting close to finishing my second novel, Young Man of the World. I have one chapter that is giving me the yips a bit (I’ve written about four versions). I am also working on a blog novel, Nico 1-2-3 that will start being available on my website in May of 2023. The idea with the blog novel is that a new chapter/section will get posted every month.

Where can we find your work?

I’ve been published in a number of locations including The Write Launch, Alberta Views, Prometheus Dreaming and Chaleur Magazine. A full list of my works can be found on my website, and my debut novel, East Grand Lake, is available for pre-order now from the University of Calgary Press.

 

 

About Demian Vernieri 638 Articles
Demian is an Argentinian retired musician, avid gamer and editor for the Montréal Guardian, Toronto Guardian, Calgary Guardian and Vancouver Guardian websites.