<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">behind the scenes: creating the realities series</h2><img data-ot-ignore class="image_resized image-style-align-left" style="width:50%;" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/strapi-images-bookfinity-prod/Screenshot_2025_06_20_at_1_21_48_PM_46f92715a3/Screenshot_2025_06_20_at_1_21_48_PM_46f92715a3.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-06-20 at 1.21.48 PM.png" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/strapi-images-bookfinity-prod/thumbnail_Screenshot_2025_06_20_at_1_21_48_PM_46f92715a3/thumbnail_Screenshot_2025_06_20_at_1_21_48_PM_46f92715a3.png 121w,https://storage.googleapis.com/strapi-images-bookfinity-prod/small_Screenshot_2025_06_20_at_1_21_48_PM_46f92715a3/small_Screenshot_2025_06_20_at_1_21_48_PM_46f92715a3.png 388w,https://storage.googleapis.com/strapi-images-bookfinity-prod/medium_Screenshot_2025_06_20_at_1_21_48_PM_46f92715a3/medium_Screenshot_2025_06_20_at_1_21_48_PM_46f92715a3.png 582w,https://storage.googleapis.com/strapi-images-bookfinity-prod/large_Screenshot_2025_06_20_at_1_21_48_PM_46f92715a3/large_Screenshot_2025_06_20_at_1_21_48_PM_46f92715a3.png 776w," sizes="100vw">Ally Walker was a budding biochemist with a BA in biology from UCSC when she stumbled into show business. Spotted by a producer in an LA eatery, she was cast in a small film and continued to make her name as an actress for the next thirty years, starring in Profiler, Universal Soldier, While You Were Sleeping, and Sons of Anarchy, to name a few. She produced and directed an award-winning documentary on LA County's foster care system, then penned and directed the film Far More, which won Best Screenplay at the Milan International Film Festival. She lives in LA with her husband, three boys, and two unruly bulldogs. The Light Runner, a gripping psychological thriller, is her first novel. We spoke to Ally about her transition into authoring a novel, leveraging her performance experience to craft a great story, and what she's working on next!<h3 style="text-align:center;">&nbsp;</h3>&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://bookfinity.com/book/The%20Light%20Runner/9781966981060">The Light Runner</a></h3>by Ally Walker<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img data-ot-ignore src="https://CWSImages.ingramcontent.com/cdsImages/imageloader?id=vDUpyjKJ20J862rAyLIz6eq9vQKwet7pqxOWtxk95rjm2e3FUxTifSDGx0S1VPTkxDOLQ2+VEoudMpbfLtODKmTLkWoJDo88pY2shLs4ATgXqvq1GOvKnmsm4Jg/rJwZh0yoeTLVDnsQS5HLaDsgbl24J62vB+g6yZa5Ub/cIhU=&amp;size=640" alt="isbn: 9781966981060,template: list"></figure>#1 Best Seller in Visionary &amp; Metaphysical Fiction - AS SEEN ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA and PEOPLE MAGAZINE"Ally Walker has crafted a fantastical page turner. A thriller that bridges two worlds and begs the question - how will you fight to keep your humanity?" - Christine LahtiThings aren't as they appear to be at Bainbridge Psychiatric Hospital. Decorated war hero and politician Captain Oliver Haskell has voluntarily committed himself following the murder of his wife, scientist Hannah Haskell, in the parking lot of her workplace, Wellglad Pharmaceuticals. His case is assigned to Dr. Ella Kramer, a young psychiatrist just out of her residency with a troubled past of her own. After interviewing the captain, Ella starts to listen to her other patients at Bainbridge, who seem to be operating in another reality altogether. But it is when their reality bleeds into Captain Haskell's that Ella is forced to choose between the two worlds and learns to trust her gut about what really happened to Hannah Haskell that night. Detective Paul Moran who is investigating the murder smells a rat-or, perhaps, in this case, a rabbit-as he attempts to unravel what has taken place and its strange connection to the hospital's patients.The Light Runner, the first installment in the Realities series from debut author Ally Walker, is an edge-of-your-seat metaphysical thriller that will mesmerize and haunt you from the first page to its shocking end.<h3>Interview with Ally Walker</h3><h4 style="margin-left:0.0px;">Q: What drew you to independent publishing, and what's been the most surprising part of your journey into a debut author?&nbsp;</h4>A: I have always enjoyed the writing process. I cut my teeth on narrative writing by editing and writing screenplays. I guess the most surprising part of my journey in becoming a novelist is how freeing it has been. Screenplays are very bare bones, and the cast, director and producers all add their spin to the script, so it is a much more collaborative field. When I was writing The Light Runner I was free to communicate everything I wanted to about the characters-how they spoke, moved, felt-without anyone's input until editing, which was still pretty respectful of my vision. It was wonderful. As far as publishing the book myself, I feel it's allowed me to understand all aspects of the publishing world. Some of it has been frustrating, but overall, it has been a wonderful learning experience.&nbsp;<h4 style="margin-left:0.0px;">Q: How has your background in acting and directing informed your creative process as a writer?&nbsp;</h4>A: Acting has taught me character development on a very visceral level. Directing taught me rhythm and structure; how each scene moves the story forward visually and emotionally. When I write, I "see" every moment play out like a film. I play each part, feel what the character feels, and know why they are doing what they are doing. So writing is a very immersive experience for me, and hopefully for my reader!&nbsp;<h4 style="margin-left:0.0px;">Q: How did the idea for The Light Runner come to you, and did you always know it would be somewhat genre-bending in form?&nbsp;</h4>A:&nbsp; I always knew it was genre-bending. That's just the way my brain works. I suppose I have always noticed coincidences and patterns in my life and have thought they held the key to some kind of deeper meaning. I believe that we are here to learn from our very difficult times, such as death or illness and, like many, have tried to find meaning in those things. Connecting the spiritual realm and quantum mechanics seemed logical to me because I believe they are connected. So I decided to try and create a step-by-step murder mystery-because thrillers are my favorite-but with a whole other world happening all around it, giving it greater depth and urgency. At first, I wrote it as a TV series because that was what I knew how to do, but no one seemed to want to buy my idea. So I decided to write it as a novel which, ultimately, was much more rewarding.<h4 style="margin-left:0.0px;">Q: From the perspective of a seasoned storyteller in so many different forms, what do you think is the most important component to a compelling story? &nbsp;</h4>A: The truth. People can feel when a story is emotionally honest; when it's written from a place of deep curiosity, pain or hope. The truth is what keeps people turning pages or sitting in a theater long after they should have gone home.&nbsp;<h4 style="margin-left:0.0px;">Q: Any behind the scenes stories you can share about creating The Light Runner?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>A: When I get bored or lonely, I tell myself stories. I have done this since I was a kid. I'm not exactly sure where they come from or why I do it, but I just do it. Creating The Light Runner was the same kind of journey. One, I started by sitting on a couch and staring at the walls. And as I sat there, the story seemed to just channel itself to me. I remember my best friend and writing partner, Rick Cowan, who died in 2006 always telling me to "write what I know.” Strangely enough, sitting on that couch and weaving things I'd experienced and people I'd known into this story was something I just knew how to do. Sometimes it pays to just get quiet and tell yourself a story.&nbsp;<h4 style="margin-left:0.0px;">Q: Your book is lauded as an edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller. What attracts you to this genre, and do you think you're more aware of elements like pacing because of your performance background? &nbsp;</h4>A: Absolutely. As an actor, you learn that even villains think they're heroes. That duality fascinates me. I'm drawn to psychological thrillers because they dig into the unseen parts of the human mind, the contradictions, the lies we tell ourselves. My performance background has definitely made me more attuned to pacing: I feel when a scene drags or when silence is required instead of another line of dialogue. Or at least I think I do!&nbsp;<h4 style="margin-left:0.0px;">Q: This is the first book in The Realities Series. What can you tell us about the next installment?&nbsp;</h4>A: I have been working on the second book - you know, sitting on my couch and staring at the wall! Ha! I don't want to say much. I will say it is a completely different situation with different characters although one or two are the same....sort of. &nbsp;<h4 style="margin-left:0.0px;">Q: How has your experience been connecting with fans of this book?&nbsp;</h4>A: Extraordinary. I've had people tell me that they believe that similar concepts govern their own lives and that they see themselves in some of the character's trauma or resilience. That really means a lot to me and I am deeply indebted to these folks. I have been particularly touched by the support of my Sons of Anarchy fans who have been outspoken advocates of the book. My fans have always gotten me through things and been there for me, and I am deeply, deeply grateful for their love.&nbsp;<h4 style="margin-left:0.0px;">Q: What piece of advice would you give aspiring indie authors?&nbsp;</h4>A: Own your voice.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0.0px;">From The Light Runner:</h3>&nbsp;<blockquote>He looked at Ella pointedly. “You will now be required to open your mind, as you like to say to your patients. You will have to listen with all your being, for you truly are capable of that, Dr. Kramer.” He took a breath before continuing. “What you called his mental illness was actually a gift bestowed upon Dan by the universe. A gift for mankind.” &nbsp;“What are you talking about, Malakhi?” &nbsp;“Schizophrenia, as you call it—the ability to hear others. Others who you say are not there. You look at this as an illness. But another way of seeing it is that those with this gift are privy to information that you cannot access . . . but Dan could.” &nbsp;Ella was dumbfounded. She didn’t know what to say. &nbsp;Malakhi pressed on. “And Dan didn’t only have what you call schizophrenia, did he, Dr. Kramer?” &nbsp;Ella shook her head, not liking where this was going. “Malakhi, Dan was delusional and paranoid . . . and . . .” &nbsp;“Delusional by your standards, as someone who cannot yet see,” Malakhi snapped. “And paranoid? Wouldn’t you be paranoid if you could hear things that most people cannot? Wouldn’t that make you feel alone and odd? Of course it would!” &nbsp;Ella didn’t know how to respond, nor did she have time to, as Malakhi was picking up steam. &nbsp;“But Dan did something else. Something you also thought was abnormal, though it was done in the service of those around him. For their protection. And you misunderstood that as well.” &nbsp;“Malakhi . . .” she started but was cut off.“He was trying to warn you! All of you! But unfortunately, his warnings fell on deaf ears.” And then he quietly whispered, “Van, van, van . . .” &nbsp;Ella felt as if the air had gone out of the room. She had never seen Malakhi so worked up and decided she needed to calm things down. &nbsp;“Malakhi, Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder that caused him to have many tics, one of which was to shout out at inappropriate times and say things with absolutely no meaning.” &nbsp;But this just seemed to make Malakhi angry. “It was loaded with meaning, but you, Dr. Kramer, you could not understand!” &nbsp;Ella snapped defensively, “No, I didn’t understand why he was shouting van, but given his history . . .” &nbsp;“That is not what he was saying, and you would do well to remember in whose company he would say it!”&nbsp;</blockquote><h2 style="margin-left:0.0px;">Follow the author</h2>Visit Ally's <a href="https://www.allywalkerofficial.com/">website</a> and follow her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/allywalker1/">Instagram</a>!Ready to own your voice? Start working with <a href="https://www.ingramspark.com/how-it-works" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IngramSpark</a> today!

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