After a decade-long collaboration, Knoxville natives Cyn Taylor and Christa Brogan’s novel Dad on the Run reached Amazon's #1 bestseller spot within a few days of its release. The book follows a Jewish widower and his best friend who accidentally steal mob money and endeavor to evade a hitman. Cyn’s son Jim Taylor created the cover art, completing the family project.

What inspired you to write Dad on the Run?
Christa: “A lot of the novel’s premise originated from jokes we made about putting my dad “in a home” for doing silly old-man things that might make him seem senile. He always responded by promising to run away from the home if we tried.”
Cyn: “After my mother-in-law Mae passed away, our family gathered to share stories about her. When Christa announced her second pregnancy, I saw generations passing and being born. Mae’s wisdom and sayings inspired many elements of the book.”

Where did the Jewish influence come from?

Christa: “I was raised on Jewish comedy—Stand Up Spotlight, Mel Brooks, Seinfeld. The Jewish style of storytelling became part of our writing.”
Cyn: “Giving our characters a Jewish background just fit naturally. I was reminded of the many fabulous Neil Simon plays and movies. His writing was often poignant and always hilarious. I have never done as much research for any book as I did for Dad on the Run because it was important to us to write accurately and respectfully.”

Why did it take 14 years to complete this novel?

Cyn: “Time was our biggest challenge. When we started, Christa taught middle school full-time in Alabama while raising young children, and I was focused on writing faith-based romance novels. We could only meet a few times each year to collaborate.”

What did the long-distance writing process look like?

Christa: “We shared documents of ideas, mapped chapters, and divided writing—Cyn handled most of Ezra's action while I focused on Leonard. We’d meet to edit and plan the next segments. From the beginning we had certain jokes and plot events we wanted to include. We worked around those to build out the story.”
Cyn: “We have different approaches. My daughter is a highly intelligent, degreed educator and planner; I’m a ‘pantser’ with no formal creative writing training. We often disagreed on ideas—she’s more serious while I want humor and happy endings.”

How did you combine your different writing styles?

Christa: “I need to settle into scenes and prefer to get the words right the first time. Cyn writes quickly and revises later. I wrote backstories and emotional scenes, while she drove action and plot.”
Cyn: “What she said.”

How did you develop the main characters?

Christa: “I saw Leonard as underestimated but ideal—regimented yet kind, innocent yet dangerous. I wanted readers to think, ‘I hope I would do the same in that situation.’ I wrote him as someone the reader would trust completely even without knowing his past completely.”
Cyn: “Having personal family experience with Alzheimer’s, Ezra became dear to me. I wanted to protect him while allowing him into harrowing situations, knowing Leonard could and would rescue him.”

Who would enjoy reading your book?

Christa: “Anyone who likes escaping into interesting stories will enjoy Dad on the Run. It has humor, but also touching scenes about faith, family, and grief. It’s lighthearted enough for a beach read but thoughtful enough for book club discussion.”
Cyn: “I don't write for specific audiences. Words get in my head and I have to let them out. My goal is to write books any reader can enjoy.”

Why should someone choose your book as their next read?

Christa: “Ezra and Leonard’s story explores the human experience: love and loss, grief and hope, friendship and family. And their story is woven together by the lives and experiences of the other characters, just as we are affected by circumstances and by the people that move in and out of our lives. The mundane and exceptional moments merge in relatable and entertaining ways.”
Cyn: “Our readers have been very complimentary about the book. They have been multi-generational but all say they loved the characters, plot and outcome.”

What was it like to see your book at the top of an Amazon Bestseller list?

Christa: “I didn’t process it at first. I posted on social media about our book without realizing it was a top seller! Cyn saw my post and called asking ‘Why didn’t you tell me our book is number one?’”
Cyn: “I had no idea it had happened until I saw Christa’s post on Facebook with a screenshot of the book in the #1 Best Seller spot. Then our son called with congratulations and I began to understand the magnitude of that honor. It still seems surreal. Without our readers that elusive #1 spot would still be just that. We appreciate everyone who purchased the book, sent it to #1, and kept it there for five days within a few days of publication. We are also grateful the book continues to draw an audience.

Dad on the Run by Cyn Taylor and Christa Brogan is available on Amazon and in local bookstores.