51 Books, Hollywood Dreams & Staying Human in the Age of AI | Aaron Ryan

What happens when writing isn’t just something you do, but part of who you are?In this episode of Finish the Damn Book, Susie Schaefer sits down with award-winning and bestselling multi-genre author, voice actor, and creative powerhouse Aaron Ryan, whose career spans more than 50 books, professional voiceover work, and multiple screen adaptations.Aaron shares how a second-grade story called The Electric Boy sparked a lifelong desire to create, why dystopian and post-apocalyptic fiction became his wheelhouse, and how cinematic storytelling influences the way he writes. He and Susie also dig into the creative freedom of being a “pantser,” trusting intuition when a story takes an unexpected turn, and why sometimes the characters themselves seem to know where the story needs to go. They also tackle a growing issue for writers and creatives: artificial intelligence. Aaron has watched AI disrupt the voiceover industry firsthand, and together they explore what may matter even more as AI-generated content grows: the unmistakably human voice behind the work. And, in true Finish the Damn Book fashion, Susie pulls the cards for Aaron as he asks a very specific question about his future: When will he stop being a voice actor who writes books and become an author who happens to do voiceovers? Along the way, they talk Hollywood dreams, intuition, creativity, authenticity, aliens, why Aaron refuses mushrooms in his spaghetti, and the importance of bringing something to your work that nobody else can replicate:You.In This Episode: How Aaron went from writing The Electric Boy in second grade to publishing 51+ books  Why movies inspire much of his fiction  What it means to be a “pantser” instead of a planner  How intuition helps guide characters and stories  Why AI-generated writing and voiceover can't fully replace human creativity  Aaron’s journey from voice actor to full-time author identity  His Dissonance saga and the road toward a possible screen adaptation  Why your unique creative voice may be your greatest advantage Connect with Aaron RyanWebsite: authoraaronryan.com Author Community: authoraaronryangroup.comFinish the Damn Book Podcast helps aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and writers finally complete the book they know they’re meant to write.Hosted by Susie Schaefer, the podcast cuts through perfectionism, writer’s block, overwhelm, and publishing confusion with honest conversations about writing, publishing, book marketing, creativity, and the author journey.Featuring authors, editors, ghostwriters, publishers, writing coaches, and industry professionals, each episode offers practical strategies to help writers finish, publish, and share meaningful books.Topics include: • Writing and revision tips • Publishing and self-publishing guidance • Book marketing and platform-building • Creativity, confidence, and procrastination • Encouragement for writers stuck in the messy middleMany episodes close with Susie’s signature “Reflection Moment”, an intuitive conversation exploring creativity, identity, purpose, and the emotional side of becoming an author.Whether you’re writing memoir, nonfiction, business, or personal development, Finish the Damn Book is here to help you trust your voice and finally bring your story to life.Ready to move your book forward? https://www.finishthebookpublishing.com/