I sat down with the author.
I wasnt let down.Final Girlsis a fast-paced read I couldnt put down.
It was scary and suspenseful and had some nice twists I didnt see coming.
final girls
Thats so nice of you to say.
I definitely planned every twist in advance.
But in general, Im very much an outliner.
I wish I was more spontaneous, but I cant write without knowing where Im going first.
Things always change slightly along the way, but for the most part I stick to the plan.
Riley Sager:For me, its the unknown.
final girls
Theres nothing more frightening than encountering something completely beyond your realm of experience.
That sense not only of why is this happening, but alsohowis it happening?
Which is why I avoid anything having to do with zombies.
Riley Sager:Honestly, I dont think of myself as a horror writer.
Despite its subject matter and obvious references to slasher flicks, I considerFINAL GIRLSto be psychological suspense.
But I also believe that genres are meant to be blurred.
I like when something is a mix of things.
Ive heardFINAL GIRLSdescribed as horror, suspense, psychological thriller and even YA.
I like to think it can be all of those things at once.
As for getting started, this isnt the first book Ive had published.
I have several other books under my belt, published under different names.
So Riley Sager was born, although in name only.
Im still me, just trying to write the best books I can.
Riley Sager:Ive discovered over the years that I basically work in three stages.
This involves a lot of sitting around drinking coffee and thinking.
Thats the eat-sleep-breathe-the-book phase.
Its a mad scramble to meet a crazy, self-imposed deadline.
Im sure there are better ways to finish a book, but this seems to be working for me.
Riley Sager:Its like a dream Im still worried Ill wake up from.
I truly never, ever expected something like that to happen.
Who in their right mind would?
And Ill be forever grateful to him for that.
But it means so much more than that.
Ive been reading him for thirty years.
Hes truly a living legend and a master of his craft.
Riley Sager:I get a lot of inspiration from the movies.
As for feeling uninspired, it happens often.
Then I sit down and get to work.
One, its an easy way to connect with readers and other writers.
Two, its a cost-effective way to promote your work.
Three, writing is a lonely profession.
I spend most of my day home alone with my laptop.
Its nice to be able to break that up every so often with an interaction or two on Twitter.
That being said, Im very careful about not getting too distracted by social media.
I was sad, angry, almost broke and feeling utterly hopeless.
Basically, Id tell myself that all the pain will eventually be worth it.
Riley Sager:In the immediate future, I have revisions on my next book to contend with.
Its a standalone thriller that Im very excited about polishing and making as good as possible.
While I dont have any plans to revisit the characters of FINAL GIRLS, I never say never.
For now, though, Im happy to let them rest in peace.
you’re able to order Riley Sagers book Final Girls: A Novelhere.
