JOHN O'BRIEN SUMMER OF ZOMBIE
What inspired your new release?
A New World: Takedown is the seventh book in the series, A New World. The inspiration for the book was to prevent a lynching. There were several close moments where I escaped just before the torch-wielding mobs arrived.
Tell us about any WIPs you have.
Currently, Mark Tufo and I are writing a novel together where our two main characters, Mike Talbot and Jack Walker, meet. It is more of a work in progress as we both have our other books that we are working on. I’ll be starting on the eighth book in the ANW series soon and hope to have it ready to go in mid-summer.
How many people ask you to read their books?
At first, I had a few requests but that tapered off after a while. I don’t mind doing that if I have the time…however, that is a rarity. Where are the hammocks and drinks with umbrellas in them that I was promised? I distinctly remember being told that was the writer’s lifestyle and why I signed on.
In a word sum up your writing style.
Chaotic and laden with errors. Wait, that was more than one word. Action-oriented.
Do you have a character you enjoyed writing the most?
Honestly, I enjoy writing about them all. I would have to say though that I enjoy writing about Jack, even though he is boring at times, and Gonzalez. She has turned into one of my favorites. She was initially just a placeholder but her character demanded more and thus she has become one of my favorites.
Is there a genre you would like to try?
The one where I get said hammock and drinks. Just kiddin’. I think I have truly found the niche where I like to write. I truly think the series covers a variety of genres – thriller, post-apocalyptic, action, and yes, zombies although the night runners aren’t technically Z’s.
Could you live without coffee?
Nope.
Tell us one of your favorite jokes.
Not long ago and far away, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip. But there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule.
Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her mom was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more.
When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where. More Stress.
Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey. When he went to the cupboard, he found the elves had hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink.
In his frustration, he dropped the coffee pot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made from.
Just then the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.
The angel said: "Where would you like to put this tree Santa?"
And that my friend, is how the little angel came to be on top of the Christmas tree.
What's your favorite thing about the writing process?
I like how the story unfolds as I’m writing it. I have the basics in mind when I begin but the story takes on a life of its own and I’m just as surprised as others by the twists and turns it makes. I’m merely the conduit for the story to be told as the characters take hold. They are constantly in my mind – yes, voices in my head.
Would you rather have fame or fortune?
I don’t really require either to be honest. I just like that the story is being enjoyed. If I had to choose however, I would choose fortune. I’m not really one who wants the spotlight.
Pick one book that is your all-time favorite?
I’ll pick two series – The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King and The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
A bit of both but lean more toward the introverted aspect.
Favorite Color- Black or Charcoal Gray.
Do you speed when you drive?
Um, when I’m in the Challenger, well, enough said.
Spaghetti or Lasagna and why?
Lasagna because, well, its lasagna.
Are you a tweeter, a re-tweeter, or you couldn't care less about Twitter?
I used to be on twitter a lot but now it’s mostly just Facebook. I just don’t have the time to expand into other social medias. And I’m a horrible blogger.
Would you rather sit on a porch with sweet tea {insert other beverage if tea isn't your thing} or go hiking with a bottle of water and a smile?
Hiking – most definitely, although a nice quiet day observing nature can be awesome as well.
Your favorite memory
I have two actually, I mean aside from my kids being born and being with them. The first is one flight at 45,000 feet – flight level 450 – and seeing the earth below cast in total darkness while I was still basking in pure daylight. On another flight at 49,000 feet, I looked up and above, the sky was cast in darkness with the stars showing in the middle of the day. Flying is just pure like that.
Your favorite quote
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, strawberries in one hand, champagne in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!
Anything you would like to say to the aspiring authors reading this blog?
Keep on writing, without worry of how it’s going to be taken or received. Tell your story without fear. And, make sure it’s well-edited and a professional cover done. Both can be found without great expense.
Thanks so much again!
Thank you so much for having me, Emily. And thank you to all of the readers and fans.
Links:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JohnWBOBrien
Web site: http://anewworldseries.com/
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/John-OBrien/e/B005IDEPP0
John O’Brien Biography
John O'Brien is a former Air Force fighter instructor pilot who transitioned to Special Operations for the latter part of his career gathering his campaign ribbon for Desert Storm. Immediately following his military service, John became a firefighter/EMT with a local department. Along with becoming a firefighter, he fell into the Information Technology industry starting two large casinos in Washington as the Information Technology Manager and becoming the Network Manager for the Washington State Legislature, the Northwest Information Technology Manager for the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Network Systems Manager for Hollywood Video.
Currently, John is writing full-time on the series, A New World. As a former marathon runner, John lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and can now be found kayaking out in the waters of Puget Sound, mountain biking in the Capital Forest, hiking in the Olympic Peninsula, or pedaling his road bike along the many scenic roads.
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