Novelist, Japanese Crime Thrillers
H. A. Bryant
Frequently Asked Questions
Since I first published my first novel, I have received a lot of questions. Below I have compiled a list of the most frequently asked—in no particular order.
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Note: This website’s background photos depict an era between 1975 and 1985. The photos were used as a way of showing the time periods Matt Kelly was a part of. Many free photo websites provided these background photos.
This page will be updated as more questions come in.
Q. Why is the website a .net instead of a .com?
When I went to register habryant.com, imagine my surprise—the domain was already snagged by domain squatters. But these weren’t your typical greedy grabbers. Oh no, they were playing the hero! Apparently, their mission is to hoard domain names until the “rightful owner” comes begging. Then, out of the goodness of their hearts, they’ll graciously hand it over for free. All to prevent, you guessed it, the domain from falling into the clutches of... the porn industry? Sure, buddy. Right.
To my disappointment, it became clear they weren’t using the site for its intended purpose. Instead, they were running it for someone else's benefit. When I clarified that I was the rightful webmaster and wanted the domain name back, they surprisingly offered to relinquish control, but there was a catch. They wanted me to cover the transfer fees, which would have amounted to a hefty $****.
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Sure, I could have done it. If I had paid the domain squatters $****, I could have gotten the name. If they didn’t have a reasonable claim to the domain name, I could also have taken them to court. This is because a court recently ruled that you could not hold it against a person who had a claim to the name. By far, the easiest way was to just get habryant.net. For me, that was the best solution.
Q. When is the next Matt Kelly book coming out?
A. The fourth book is out. For the latest information on book releases, consider signing up for the newsletter, which is released sparingly and sent directly to your email inbox.
Q. Do the Matt Kelly novels have to be read in order?
A. The order doesn’t matter in this series! Each book functions as its own story, so readers can dive right in with the newest release. Then, if they’re hooked, they can explore the earlier books in the series. As a starting point, however, I would suggest The Unlikely Detective.
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Q. Why did you choose the name Matt Kelly for your ongoing series character?
A. As I was creating the character, I was struck by the following fact: It was imperative to me not to waste any time. Every aspect of his personality was critical to me. I wanted his life to have meaning. His name, naturally, was no exception.
Q. Is Matt Kelly based on any person in particular? How much of him is based on you?
A. Matt is not based on one person in particular. He is an amalgamation of several real people I knew as a Navy sailor, plus aspects of fictional detectives—from both books and movies—that I have loved. I think and hope there are parts of Cotton Malone in him, as well as Jack Reacher, and many others, to name just a few. I think that starting, Matt had very little in common with me, other than being a former military. Over the course of the two books I have written with him, though, I think that my “worldview” and his are becoming more closely aligned. This probably was inevitable. The more you write about a character, the more you look inside for attributes and thoughts to give him.
Q. Where do you find the ideas for new stories?
A. Readers are always curious about my inspiration. As a thriller writer, my mission is to take them on the most heart-pounding roller coaster ride I can craft. Forget scouring headlines—the initial stages of a book find me locked in a quiet room, brainstorming like a maniac. My concoction? A story brimming with unforgettable characters (flaws and all!), superbly evil villains, and deadlines that loom large after every chapter. It’s a race against the clock to deliver the complete package—a whirlwind of twists, turns, and cliffhangers that will leave you breathless.
Q. Do you outline? Do you know the ending before you begin??
A. I never used to outline my writing. But as I’ve gotten older, it’s become more helpful. It’s funny—I often know the ending of a story before I even begin. The middle, though? That’s a complete mystery! It’s like planning a road trip from North Carolina to New Hampshire. I might take the usual route, I might go on a wild detour through the Panama Canal, or maybe even stop in Tokyo for a bit. But no matter what, I’ll end up in New Hampshire.
Q. Does writing come easily to you? Do you revise much?
A. I wouldn’t say it comes easily to me but I thoroughly enjoy doing it so I’m lucky in that sense. I revise a lot. A manuscript doesn’t even get a glance from my editor until I’ve revised it at least twenty or thirty times (again, I mean major revisions). For details see A Place for Writers.
Q. What books do you like to read?
A. I read more now than I did in the past. When you are writing this stuff you want to read it, so I read more now. Mysteries and spy novels are usually my favorites. I never worry about annoying fellow writers by forgetting to mention those whose work I enjoy. Thus, suffice it to say that I share many of the same favorites as the readers of my work. I have also become a collector, so I try to collect Japanese-related detective crime fiction. For details see A Place for Writers.
Q. What are your favorite and least favorite things about being a writer?
A. It’s important to be able to do what you want—and to just have the time to do it at your own pace. Knowing that there is no time is my least favorite thing. There is no one to blame but yourself when it doesn’t go well. Writing is not passive. It requires effort. You must put in some effort to get your message across. So this means that the feeling is almost euphoric when things are going well. In addition to this, it means that when things are going badly, the feeling is proportionately worse as well. In this sense, there are lots of ups and downs.
Q. What are your long term goals as a writer?
A. I just want to keep doing what I’m doing. My goal is to become a better writer and to reach a higher level overall. Keeping the Matt Kelly series interesting and alive is my mission. I want to continue to work on Kelly’s portrait. This is so that when I am done, he will look like an individual who is fully realized and understood as a person. Those who have taken the journey with him will understand him as a brother.
Q. What is the best advice you would give another writer?
A. Make it a habit to write every day, even if it’s just a paragraph. For details see A Place for Writers.
Q. Is it true you lived and worked in Japan?
A. Yes, it’s true. Unfortunately, I have only been back to Japan on a few occasions, and I don’t currently live there.
Q. Do you have a good understanding of Japan?
A. No, you really cannot fully understand a country like Japan or even your own. I find that Japan’s history is a captivating tapestry, woven with threads of tradition and change. Unraveling its depths requires dedication and perseverance, and even then there’s always more to discover. Language can act as a bridge, but sometimes it can feel like a winding path. Despite the challenges, I feel that Japan’s allure is undeniable. Just like the United States, each region within Japan possesses its own unique character, shaped by history, customs, and traditions. This complexity is what makes Japan so endlessly fascinating.
Q. Do your books accurately portray all the cultural aspects of Tokyo in the 1970s and 1980s?
A. Absolutely! Authentic representation of Japanese culture is a priority for me. Having lived, worked, studied, and explored Tokyo for over nine years, I strive to capture its essence accurately within my stories. My goal is to provide a genuine understanding of the Japanese elements I weave into the narrative, without bogging you down with unnecessary details.
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To provide deeper context for the factual details woven into my novels, I include a dedicated “Author’s Note” section at the end of each book, including The Unlikely Detective, and the forthcoming novels.
Q. I am interested in finding out more about you and the Matt Kelly series. Where do I go to find out more?
A. Simply sign up for my newsletter, and whenever I have something interesting to report, I will send you a message directly to your inbox. You will also receive advance information. Any email addresses you provide will be kept confidential.
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Additionally, I can be reached on Facebook and LinkedIn. Please stop by and say hi. Every now and then, I will post what I’m up to or what has caught my attention. This website will also be updated regularly. To be on the safe side, I recommend signing up for the newsletter and visiting Facebook and LinkedIn when possible.