Hello folks! Today I have a special Guest Post for you today about
SIXTH PRIME by Dan O'Brien!
Dan discusses diversity and gender roles and how it relates to his newest novel, SIXTH PRIME, below. But first, let's learn more about the book!
SIXTH PRIME
Author: Dan O'Brien
Publication Date: July 22, 2016
Summary:
2.3.5.7.11.13.
A war brews as a galaxy struggles to maintain a peace treaty signed in haste. The Commonwealth boasts sprawling cities built upon slums. The Sovereignty has placed the yoke of industry upon its citizens. Sixteen men and women are connected in a way they cannot yet understand. A murder of a prominent artist begins a chain of events that will ultimately determine the fate of the universe.
Only thirteen will remain.
In the end, there can be only one Prime.
Are you a Prime?
Purchase:
You might be wondering: what exactly is the point of that?
Women represent half the population.
I would be remiss if I ignored the statistics right in front of me. 82% of females are female, so why wouldn't you include female characters when so many readers are women. I don't mean the traditional roles of queens and romantic interests; I'm talking about adventurers and villains, scientists and soldiers, and everything in between. The goal should be to tell the best possible story. I waited until I had outlined everything, and then randomly assigned characters as men and women (this includes romantic relationships as well, so buckle your seatbelts).
Personality guides behavior and decision-making.
I went to graduate school for psychology, and as such I've always had a fascination with why people do what they do. This, naturally, translated into thinking about how I could smuggle personality psychology into a narrative. The Prime saga, beginning with SIXTH PRIME, is an attempt to do just that. I wanted readers to feel like they were represented by one of the characters in such a way that the decisions and consequences felt more real to them.
The reader should decide how the characters look.
I know it's a long shot, but maybe (just maybe) the Prime Saga becomes a movie or limited series. I bring this up because nothing is worse than people arguing how characters should look or the kinds of actors or actresses who should play them. Really, even if an adaptation is not in order, I love the idea of people coming to their own conclusions about how a character should look based on their choices, personality, and behavior. I want the characters to be defined by how they make readers feel; I want a reader to be able to see themselves in the character and as the character.
Click here for a brief excerpt of SIXTH PRIME!
Dan O’Brien has written over 50 books, including the bestselling Bitten (which was featured on Conversations Book Club’s Top 100 novels of 2012). Before starting Amalgam, he was the senior editor and marketing director for an international magazine. In addition, he has spent over a decade in the publishing industry as a freelance editor. You can learn more about his literary and publishing consulting business by visiting his website at: www.amalgamconsulting.com.
Dan O’Brien has written over 50 books, including the bestselling Bitten (which was featured on Conversations Book Club’s Top 100 novels of 2012). Before starting Amalgam, he was the senior editor and marketing director for an international magazine. In addition, he has spent over a decade in the publishing industry as a freelance editor. You can learn more about his literary and publishing consulting business by visiting his website at: www.amalgamconsulting.com.
Thanks for having me!
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