One of my favorite things about hosting Beyond the Page is discovering the unique journeys that lead people to storytelling.

For the second episode of the series, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jared Maxwell, author of Code of Vengeance. Before becoming a novelist, Jared served in both the military and law enforcement, experiences that now provide the foundation for many of the stories he writes.

Rather than relying on clichés or Hollywood action, Jared draws from real procedures, authentic experiences, and the complexities of human nature to create crime fiction that feels grounded while still embracing dark humor.

Creating “Florida Noir”

One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation was Jared’s description of what he calls Florida Noir.

Growing up and living in Florida, Jared has witnessed firsthand the bizarre headlines, unpredictable weather, and unique culture that have made the state famous for its strange news stories. Instead of simply using Florida as a setting, he turns those real-world oddities into part of the storytelling itself.

The result is a crime novel that balances tension, suspense, and surprisingly sharp dark comedy.

Building Morally Gray Characters

We also spent time discussing one of my favorite storytelling topics: morally gray characters.

From Walter White in Breaking Bad to classic noir protagonists, Jared believes compelling stories aren’t about perfect heroes or purely evil villains. They’re about people whose motivations make sense… even when their decisions don’t.

That philosophy runs throughout Code of Vengeance, where readers are presented with characters whose actions aren’t always easy to defend but are often easy to understand.

It’s a conversation that any fan of crime fiction, thrillers, or character-driven storytelling will appreciate.

Writing from Experience

Jared also shares how his military service and years in law enforcement influence his fiction.

Rather than focusing solely on action, he talks about the realities behind those professions, the long periods of routine, the leadership challenges, and the human stories that often go untold.

We discuss:

• The realities of law enforcement versus Hollywood portrayals
• Leadership lessons learned through military service
• Using personal experiences to create authentic fiction
• Why writing became a form of therapy
• The balance between realism and entertainment

It’s an honest conversation about transforming difficult experiences into compelling stories without losing sight of the people behind them.

Storytelling Beyond the Book

Like many of my favorite interviews, the conversation naturally expands beyond a single novel.

We discuss:

• Classic films like Alien and Aliens
• Character development and suspense
• Why flawed protagonists resonate with readers
• Building believable fictional worlds
• The creative process behind writing crime fiction

Listen to the Episode

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about writing, storytelling, leadership, crime fiction, and the creative process, I think you’ll really enjoy this episode with Jared Maxwell.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a fan of crime noir, or simply someone who enjoys hearing how life experiences shape fiction, there’s plenty to take away from this conversation.

Thank you for supporting Beyond the Page and Page Chewing.

This is only the second episode of the series, and I’m excited to continue bringing you conversations with authors, creators, and storytellers from a wide range of genres and backgrounds.

Let’s go Beyond the Page.

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About Beyond the Page

Beyond the Page is Page Chewing’s interview series featuring conversations with authors, artists, and storytellers about writing, publishing, creativity, and the stories behind the stories. New episodes feature guests from across fantasy, horror, crime fiction, comics, and beyond, offering an inside look at the creative process and the people who bring great stories to life.