The Ivory Obelisk follows a man haunted by his past on a redemptive journey to transform a symbol of regret into one of hope, renewal, and reconciliation. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I can’t remember how the idea came to me, but I wanted to tell a story that explored the psychological side of a character and took place in a manor or mansion as a metaphor for the brain/mind. Growing up, I loved watching Clue (1985) for its comedic value and alternate endings, but I was also drawn to: the dramatic plot of Forever Young (1992) and the notion that none of us can escape aging and the end of life; the psychological thriller Identity (2003) for the suspenseful plot development; and Inception (2010) for its complex and layered storytelling. In addition to some aspects that naturally developed as I wrote and revised the story, elements of all these stories (even though they take film form and not book form) intertwined together to provide inspiration for The Ivory Obelisk.

Fabian Loxely’s journey is deeply personal and emotional. Did you draw on any personal experiences or influences to shape his character?

I have lost a number of family members over the years, with my father being the most recent and impactful experience. I’m still processing and sorting things out in my heart and mind, but I would say this life event has played the most immediate role. However, the protagonist is not necessarily supposed to be me. I also tried to tap into my emotional self beyond feelings relating to my father as something of an exercise in self-exploration.

The narrative intricately weaves Fabian’s encounters with his past. How did you approach balancing these moments to maintain emotional resonance without overwhelming the reader?

I knew early on that the flashbacks (the historical fiction piece to Obelisk) would have to be self-contained and addressed simply a chapter at a time. Additionally, I developed the plot in a way such that each of those chapters occur within the same time in the story; I set up the reader with the emotional hook and motivations, then explore the deeper aspects of that emotion through the flashbacks, with each one building on the last to bring the reader out on the other side with a piecemeal understanding of the protagonist.

What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?

I have been chipping away at a project that I’ve had on my mental shelf since 2005, so I want to focus on that as my next creative project. As of right now, I’d like to think I’ll release the first book (of a potential trilogy) sometime in the next 5 years. But since writing isn’t my full-time job, I can’t say for certain when it’ll be ready. As for the project itself, I’m trying to find a way to write something between historical fiction and science fiction without attempting to recreate Star Wars or have it otherwise be futuristic and fantastical. I want to create a world that can be recycled over time, much like what has been done with Ian Fleming’s James Bond character/world over the years.

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