Thomas Hraynyk: Writing Is My Escape

Thomas Hraynyk is Canadian-born from Oshawa, Ontario. At forty-three, he is accomplishing a long dream of publishing his first novel. Through many obstacles over the past five years, he has persevered and worked hard to get to this point. His story goes far beyond that and is pretty darn inspiring, so you should check out his website for the rest of it. 

Tell us a bit about your most recent work.

A.M.P.D. Artificial Military Prosthetics Division Book 1, and Book 2 The Phantom Limb releases this coming March. It is a series that follows a handful of soldiers who end up with weaponized prosthetics. I have also just published a short story on Kindle called Hearts on the Apex: The Afterburn. This is a story about a young race car driver with all the skill and potential to be great. However, life happens, and everything changes, and he decides to disappear.

What are the themes and subjects you tend to revisit in your work?

I have experienced a lot of loss and hardship in my life, and my writing is my escape. It is also the way I strive to motivate and encourage others to never give up. Even though my novels are science fiction, the message is in the characters and backstories. Soldiers with weaponized prosthetics have to cope and deal with loss and PTSD, while trying to protect the world. It also looks at the debate of choice and orders.

What happened in your life that prompted you to become a writer? 

I had this Idea for A.M.P.D. years ago, and one day, after losing my job, my fiance looked at me and said, "Why don't you write that story you keep talking about all the time?" So I started writing it on my cell phone. Years later, after life and living, she passed away tragically. She died in my arms, and after a year of grieving, I said to myself, "I need to do this." I need to get this finished and published. So I made the decision to learn and do whatever it took to get it done.

What inspires you to write? 

Inspire others and help show people what can be possible. Motivate people and share from my experience stories that can help them keep going. It doesn't matter if it's fiction or non-fiction, it has to touch the heart and soul of the reader. Other people also inspire me, and watching people achieve goals.

What of your works has meant the most to you?

Today, it's the first book because of the journey it took. Holding that copy for the first time, realizing it was complete meant the world to me. It also showed me how much I loved writing and creating and storytelling. I also knew that it was not going to be just one book.

If you have any former project to do over to make it better, which one would it be, and what would you do?

As a new writer, I only have three right now. My approach is to be true to your work. If you feel that way after you have published it, then it was never ready to be published to begin with. So don't put yourself in that position. You have to be happy with what you created. If you are not happy, accept that you put everything you had into that writing. You may be surprised by the outcome.

What writers have influenced your style and technique?

Michael Crichton and Steven King. I always loved the science fiction and science fact aspect of Crichton's work. Bringing the two as close together as possible. As for Steven King, if I can create just a portion of the level of works he has in his time, I would be happy. I will never be the next Steven King. I would love to be the only Thomas Hraynyk who can get to that level.

Where would you rank writing on the "Is it an art or is it a science continuum?" Why?

Writing is art, and I stand by that. To create a story, or character and world for those to belong in is an art form. There is a special skill needed to be able to visualize the fantasy that no one else can see. It is up to you to put it into words, and for some, that is hard. For me, I can see it and explain it in what feels easy. The science aspect to me is a branch you add when you research. 

What is the most difficult part of your artistic process? 

Time, I don't like deadlines. The pressure of a deadline affects the creative aspect. I believe it takes away from the organic story, and sometimes it gets forced. I have storyboards all over my bedroom, which looks crazy. I need to move them to my office. Sometimes writers don't allow the story to come to them. I ran into that while writing book two and had to step back sometimes to think.

How do your writer friends help you become a better writer? Or do they not? 

I need more writing friends; all of my friends have no idea about writing and the process. I have a skeleton named Jerry but he doesn't say much. He is just a tag-along. Yes, we are Thom and Jerry.

What does literary success look like to you? 

Inspiring the people who read my work and motivating people to chase their dreams. Obviously, to pay my bills, and if people recognize my work as excellent. I can live with that. It is not about fame and fortune; it is about growing and showing the world stories that inspire.

Any other upcoming projects you would like to plug?  

I promote with Saito Motorsports in the Mazda MX5 Cup series. I do public relations, and I am helping young Canadian driver Marcello Paniccia in the early stage of his racing career. I plan to create short stories around the sports car racing world with team owner Jay Saito. I am also a trained Chef so I have a cookbook coming and a number of other fun projects on my website. Including Grid Walk with Thom and Jerry.

For more information, visit: 

AMPD NOVELS LLC | science fiction audible