5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Dan O’Brien, author of The Path of the Fallen

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Dan O’Brien, author of The Path of the Fallen
(Self-Published)

The world is broken. The coming of the Intelligence pushed the remnants of humanity deep into the tundra. What remained was a vast sea of ice and the machine city, Culouth.

E’Malkai Armen, descendant of the Fallen, has been a citizen of Culouth his entire life. A bitter betrayal, and the inception of a war that will destroy millions of lives, forces E’Malkai to confront the past and undertake a pilgrimage that is his by birthright.

As he travels to the cold tundra of the north, the realm prepares for war. The Path of the Fallen is a lonely and arduous path, but it must be walked for the sake of all mankind.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “The Path of the Fallen“?

Dan O’Brien: I wrote “The Path of the Fallen” after a vivid dream I had. Over the course of six months, I wrote this story and its prequel, “Book of Seth”.

I have loved fantasy and science fiction for most of my life. As I grew up, the desire to become a writer only became stronger. Wanting to contribute something to the genre, I felt like “The Path of the Fallen” would add to the brilliant and vibrant catalog of books already available to readers.

JP: What sets “The Path of the Fallen” apart from other books in the same genre?

DO: “The Path of the Fallen” seamlessly mixes science fiction and fantasy, as well adding a philosophical and intellectual discussion to the nature of good and evil. This amalgamation of adventure and thoughtful prose makes it satisfying on multiple levels.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to “The Path of the Fallen” getting out to the public?

DO: Putting in the time and really engaging with my readers is what will lead me down the path of success. I have written a dozen novels, yet it is how I approach potential audiences that determines how successful I might be. I try to get my books in the hands of as many reviewers and readers as I can.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish “The Path of the Fallen“?

DO: Each book is a very different journey. “The Path of the Fallen” was written over the course of six months. Some novels take me a month; some take me a year.

I generally like to work with a kind of living outline and then let the story take me where it will. Like many authors, my characters begin to take on a life of their own, and I must change things about how I thought the story might go to accommodate the evolution of a protagonist (or antagonist).

JP: What’s next for Dan O’Brien?

DJO: I just recently put out a collection of five of my novels entitled “Juxtaposition”. In January, I will be releasing an updated version of “The Ocean and the Hourglass”. In February, I will be releasing “The Portent”. March will mark the release of “Book of Seth”, prequel to “The Path of the Fallen”. The follow-up to “Bitten” will hopefully be released in April 2013.