Beyond the Page #2 | Jared Maxwell on Florida Noir, Storytelling & Code of Vengeance

In the second episode of Beyond the Page, Steve sits down with author Jared Maxwell to discuss his crime noir novel, Code of Vengeance, and the real-world experiences that helped shape its story.Drawing from a career in the military and law enforcement, Jared shares how those experiences influenced his writing while explaining why he believes the best stories are built on complex characters rather than simple heroes and villains.Together they discuss:The inspiration behind Code of VengeanceCreating the "Florida Noir" genreUsing dark comedy to explore serious subjectsStorytelling, character development, and writing morally gray protagonistsThe influence of Alien, Aliens, Breaking Bad, and classic noir fictionLeadership lessons from the militaryThe realities of law enforcement compared to HollywoodHow writing became a form of therapy and creative expressionThe conversation wraps up with a few fun rapid-fire questions covering zombie survival, unusual food combinations, first jobs, and more.Whether you're interested in crime fiction, thriller writing, military experiences, or the creative process behind unforgettable characters, this episode offers an insightful look beyond the finished novel.Guest: Jared MaxwellFeatured Book: Code of VengeanceThanks for listening, and let's go Beyond the Page.Podcast equipment used (Amazon Affiliate links):Rodecaster DuoRode PSA1+ Professional Studio ArmRode Procaster Microphone