As I sit down at my
computer, I am struck by the eerie presence of someone behind me. Leaving
behind the blinking cursor, I realize that the cast of my latest novel, The Path of the Fallen, are standing
behind me. E’Malkai, sullen and burdened by the weight of the pilgrimage he has
undertaken, stands behind the immovable figure of his Umordoc guardian,
Elcites. Arms crossed over his chest, his gaze unsettles me despite how much
time I have spent in his company whilst writing The Path of the Fallen. Arile, proud hunter of the north, leans
against his spear and inspects the wall with a carefree look upon his face.
Fe’rein, shrouded in the darkness that complements him so well, seethes with a
dark mix of irritation and confidence.
E’Malkai: I heard
that you wanted to speak to us.
Me: (clearing my
throat) In a manner of speaking, yes.
Fe’rein: (glowering)
What do you want? We have business left unfinished.
Me: I am releasing The Path of the Fallen, after nearly a
decade hiatus, and wanted to let potential readers know a little more about it.
Instead of giving them a dry summary or an adjective-laden exposition, I
thought getting to know the characters might be a fun exercise.
Arile: (not making
eye contact and looking away with a bored look on his face) What precisely
would these potential readers want to
know about us? We are an open book (snickers).
Me: Let’s start with
something simple: Describe yourself to the readers.
Fe’rein: Darkness.
Death. There is little else to know.
E’Malkai: (shifting
uncomfortably behind his guardian) I do not know what to say about myself. I
thought I knew what I supposed to do with my life, but there was always
something missing. When I learned about the history of the Fallen and the
journey my father began, I realized that I had to find out more, learn about
where I came from.
Elcites: (grunting) I
am no more than what is expected of me. I guard E’Malkai. That is all that
matters.
Arile: I am the last
of my people. We once could hear all the voices of the earth. The world has
been broken. I can no longer hear what I once could. My people have been
scattered into the winds, but I can still hear their distant voices. They speak
of a new age, and of a final war.
Me: That all sounds
quite dire. You make it seem like there is only darkness and sadness. Are
there no happy moments in your life, memories that give you pause and hope when
you consider them?
Elcites: The day I
was given my charge, when I first met young E’Malkai, was the greatest and
saddest day of my life.
E’Malkai: (looking up
at the stoic look on his guardian’s face) I recall playing with my uncle once
upon a time. (Pausing) The world changed, and so too did those memories. I
cannot seem to look back upon the strained moments of my life and see
happiness.
(Fe’rein scoffs and
crosses his arms over his chest. He clearly is not going to answer the
question.)
Arile: Each day is
full of happiness and sadness, joy and terror. I find grace and importance in
the simplest of tasks. This day is a gift. We must not look upon it with
sorrow.
(I start to speak,
but Fe’rein interrupts me, his power crawling over his skin like a swarm of
frightening insects.)
Fe’rein: What makes
this story any different than any of
the other drivel available?
Me: That is a bit
strong, isn’t it? I would like to think that my writing offers a fresh
perspective on the fantasy and science fiction genre. I always try and include
elements of ethics and philosophical assumptions in my novels, and this one is
no different. I love to explore the elements of good and evil, as well as the
murky gray area that is exposed when decisions and choices and are no longer
easy. I think it captures the essence of the monomyth, or the hero’s journey, as well as being a rousing
adventure tale that a reader of any age can enjoy.
E’Malkai: How is it
doing so far?
Me: It is a bit early
in the game to really say much about it. I released it almost a decade ago and
it was well received, but it was in desperate need of a strong editing session.
Now, I feel like it accurately reflects my growth as a writer and that it has a
strong chance of being pretty successful, perhaps my most successful work
yet. Let’s put the focus back on you: What
do you want from life?
E’Malkai: I want to
set things right…
(Fe’rein stands
suddenly. Elcites turns, interceding between the Dark Creator and the youth.
Arile moves soundlessly behind the mion.)
Fe’rein: There is
nothing to set right. I did what was necessary. They took Summer away from me.
They had to pay.
Me: (standing) It
seems as though I have struck a nerve. Let’s try something a bit easier, shall
we? What’s the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?
Arile: (lowering his
weapon) The search for truth, questioning my place in this world. Complacency
weakens the mind. I value knowledge, intelligence, and logic.
Fe’rein: (sitting
once more with a huff) Solitude. The power to do what I must to keep what I
have claimed. Once, I valued family and love, but those times have passed.
Elcites: My charge,
my mission.
E’Malkai: My family,
the people who depend on and believe in me, even if that faith is misplaced.
Me: Speaking of
family, did you turn out the way you expected? The
way your parents predicted?
(Elcites maintains
his ambivalent stare and Arile inspects something deeper in the darkness of the
room.)
Fe’rein: I did not
know my mother and father well. I have memories of them, brief glimpses of who
they were, moments in time frozen and exaggerated. I used to wonder how they
would judge me, but that doesn’t matter to me any longer. I turned out the way
I did because of the choices I made. My father could not have known what would
fall into my path. His plan for me is irrelevant.
E’Malkai: (looking at
his uncle, Fe’rein, with sorrow) I did not know my father, but as I traveled
north I learned much about the man he was and who he wanted me to be. My mother
was secretive of my past, but I do not blame her. I realize now that she did
not want me to die as my father had.
Me: That is quite
sad. The path of the fallen began when Seth, your father, was cast from the
Fallen and then ends when you return. Were you afraid of traveling north by
yourself, E’Malkai? What is your greatest fear?
E’Malkai: Not being
able to do what is necessary. Turnabout is fair play: At what point in your
life did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
Me: A meaningful
question indeed. I think I always knew I wanted to be a writer. When I was
about six, I designed an entire play for my cousin’s birthday: sets, script,
and little figures on Popsicle sticks. As the years went by, I found that the
notion of storytelling was very attractive. This pursuit led me to writing my
first novel in high school, a space opera that I published in 2002. Since then
I have published ten novels and plan on telling stories until someone spreads
my ashes over the sea. (Turning to Fe’rein) Fe’rein, what is your greatest
regret?
Fe’rein: Beyond being
summoned to this ridiculous farce, I would imagine the content of my life was
the result of walking down a path to darkness. It was not sudden or abrasive,
but instead incremental and engrossing. My greatest regret is taking my
brother’s life. It was too late for me by then. I could only see darkness,
despair.
Elcites: (clearing
his throat) What was your intent with writing The Path of the Fallen? Why did you set us down this path?
Me: I wanted to tell
a very particular story: one in which the line between good and evil become
blurred and the consequences of a hero’s actions mean much more than defeating
the bad guy. I liked the notion of a family saga wrapped up in an epic science
fiction/fantasy novel. The hero’s cycle makes for a powerful story and often
answers fundamental questions about the human condition. Hopefully, my book is
successful to that end. (Taking a step forward and gesturing to Arile) Arile, how
do you decide if you can trust someone? Do you test the person somehow? Or are
you just generally disposed to trust or not to trust?
Arile: Trust, like
respect, is earned. When I first met E’Malkai, it was his naivety and simple
manner that let me know that I could trust him. Generally, the test of whether
or not a person is trustworthy is created by the environment, selected for by
pressures that challenge a person. The idea of being predisposed to trust, or
not to trust, is born of not trusting oneself. Have you written many more
stories? Are we to carry on, storyteller?
Me: As the book
closes, the story does not end. The path has ended, at least metaphorically,
but the journey is far from over. Book of
Seth returns to the beginning, giving us a glimpse of the life of Seth
Armen, as well as Ryan Armen before he was corrupted. The sequel, which takes
place after The Path of the Fallen,
is called Breath of the Creator and
weighs in on what comes next. There are several other novels with transient
beings not of your dimension: a supernatural detective solving murders in San
Francisco; a young man who discovers what it takes to be responsible as the
world falls apart; a love story set in an epic fantasy world. (Spreading my
hands wide, acknowledging all of them) This question is for all of you, what is one strong memory
that has stuck with you from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?
Arile: I will never
forget when I returned home from a hunt and found my village decimated, wiped
from this earth by Umordoc. I took the long walk into the tundra, to die, but
found peace and a new home. The winds have been my companion ever since.
Fe’rein: Your
question is foolish, storyteller. My childhood was a lifetime ago. I am no
longer that frail boy who walked beside his brother on the tundra.
Elcites: I do not
recall my childhood. I was born on Terra and raised in Culouth. My youth was
devoted to learning everything I could about human beings and their ways so
that I might one day protect E’Malkai.
E’Malkai: Once I had
fond memories, but now they all seem like lies meant to obscure my path.
Storyteller, do you read other stories? Are you reading
anything right now, or have you read anything recently that is worth
mentioning?
Me: I have been
reading A Dance of Dragons by George
R. R. Martin. I have become very invested in that world, though I will admit
that the pace of the narrative has slowed dramatically. I find myself
undulating between being surprised and intrigued by the story and then suddenly
being quite bored.
Elcites: How
did we come into being?
Me: I am assuming you
are asking me about my writing process. For The
Path of the Fallen I wrote it for four months straight, including Book of Seth. Generally, I like to
create a living outline that evolves as the characters come to life and begin
to guide the narrative. It is dependent on the world I am invested in at any
given time.
E’Malkai: Are
our names meaningful?
Me: They are not
derived from other lore, if that is what you meant. E’Malkai was named as homage
to the naming scheme of the tundra people. It really depends on what I am
writing. For instance, The Journey
has names that are quite significant in terms of their meaning. Otherwise, I
like to invent names for a particular world.
Arile: How
do you define success as a writer? Have you been successful?
Me: Success is
elusive once you define it. It becomes something that you aspire for regardless
of the process and the craft. I would like to think that success is writing
stories that people in enjoy and connect with, even if it is negatively. I
think I have been successful in a very limited way: people have read my books
and enjoyed them.
E’Malkai: Do
you have words of wisdom about writing that you want to pass on to novelists
and writers out there who are starting out?
Me: Write what you
love and learn from criticism. The publishing world has changed. I have been
writing for nearly a decade and I find that every year there seems to be a new
opinion on which way the wind is blowing for fiction. Stay the course and do
what you love. If writing novels and telling stories is what you want to do,
then do that.
Fe’rein: I have
noticed that you ask this ridiculous question of other storytellers: What
is your End of the World Playlist? Why do you ask this question?
Me: I like hearing
what people think about the notion of an end-of-the-world scenario. Also, I
have a zombie novella of the same name and I like having the vibes out there
for it. Do you guys have anything specific that you want to say to the readers?
Arile: E’Malkai of
the South will do what he must to set the world right. His story will be passed
on for generations.
Elcites: The path of
the fallen is filled with both adventure and sadness. Follow E’Malkai and be
transformed.
Fe’rein: I will have
my day, in this life or the next. I am not evil, nor is E’Malkai good. We are
merely opposite perspectives. You decide who visited more harm upon the world.
E’Malkai: I would
like to think that I have done the right thing, taken the right path. The
storyteller will not give away his secrets, but he might give you a glimpse.
The greater question is: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to
your readers, storyteller?
Me: I am honored for
anyone to read my novel. I hope that it will foster and appreciation of reading
and the arts that is slowly disappearing among children and adults alike. I
love to hear back from readers, so if you would like to get in touch with me,
please be sure to check out my links below.
Bio: A psychologist, author, philosopher, freelance editor, and
skeptic, Dan O’Brien has published several novels and currently has many in
print, including: The End of the World
Playlist, Bitten, The Journey, The Ocean and the Hourglass, Deviance
of Time, The Portent, The Twins of Devonshire and the Curse of the
Widow, and Cerulean Dreams.
Follow him on Twitter (@AuthorDanOBrien) or visit his blog at http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com.
He also
works as an editor at Empirical, a
national magazine with a strong West Coast vibe. Find out more about the
magazine at www.empiricalmagazine.com.
Links:
When trying to come up with a good holiday recipe I looked at the
theme for this month's What's Baking which is hosted by Carrie of Carrie's Sweet Life.
The theme for December is peppermint. When I think peppermint dessert I often think of chocolate and peppermint. This was perfect because I still had 4 cookie trays to make and each one comes with 6 homemade candies. What could be better then chocolate peppermint candy?
1. Line 2 mini muffin tins with paper liners. Set aside.
