Ryan Sylander: Stories

Richard, a talented young pianist, sets off for the Wexford Conservatory of Music. Between lessons with his exacting teacher and fun times with two fellow musicians named Emily and Sandra, he discovers that music, friendship and love can lead to passions never imagined. Supported by a cast of characters pulled straight out of the music world, these three aspiring performers find that the life of a musician is that of extremes: formidably challenging, and exceptionally rewarding. Edited by pcb

Hook, Pick and Lens
A summer vacation at the beach changes Matt’s life. His first relationship with a local girl is accompanied by a growing closeness with his oversexed sister. Secrets start interfering with his summer affair, even as he’s haunted by the face of a nameless girl he meets on the fishing pier. Despite his sister’s support, he finds that having a long-distance girlfriend isn’t easy. Through the influence of the women in his life, Matt begins to understand what it means to love someone.

Hook, Pick and Lens
Picking up where Looking Through The Lens ends, Matt's interest in fishing, music, and photography brings him close to friends both new and old. A summer camping trip challenges him with new experiences and blurred lines. As he tries to untangle the mischievous schemes of his long-distance girlfriend and his sister, Matt finds that sex, drugs & rock'n'roll are a heady but dangerous mix. To understand this story, you need to be familiar with LTTL; please read that story first! Edited by pcb

Hook, Pick and Lens
Matt and Lara start off the new year with hope for the future, but the arrival of the Irish twins throws everything on its head. The foursome grows close, riding the victories and defeats of high school with a little help from their friends. When a dim secret is dredged up from the depths of the sea, everything changes. The half-siblings leap into the unknown, wondering if they'll ever be able to find truth. (Please read Books 1 & 2 of the HPL series to understand this story.)

Hook, Pick and Lens
Epilogues for the HPL series. Do not read this unless you have read through the end of Shutter Release; they contain spoilers for the entire series. The first epilogue gives a look at the characters after 15 years. If you're the type of reader who likes to end on a content chord of closure, then stop reading at the end of 'side 3', which is the first section. The last three pull no punches and continue the philosophical trajectory of what this story was always about. Read at your own discretion!

Halloween 2013 Contest Entry
An introverted violinist encounters an unlikely ghost on Halloween and is forced to confront the costumes and rituals that pervade his world. A dark and moody story about redemption. Edited by pcb

A story about knowing your lover. Can you ever understand your mate completely? Title borrowed from the GW album, (though I'm not giving it back!) and some codes are implicit. Unedited draft.