Interview with Simon Dell, Author of The Outpost at Tal Ghrna

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Outpost at Tal Ghrna (The Chronicles of Dorn Book 1)?

I’ve been writing since I was 13 years old, and growing up, I was a big fan of Star Wars and classic 1980s TV shows like The A-Team and Knight Rider. This book is my take on the 1976 film Assault on Precinct 13, combined with the question: what would happen to the outlying parts of an empire once it fell? The idea had been in my head for many years, but it was actually a marriage breakdown that finally gave me the motivation to write it.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Outpost at Tal Ghrna (The Chronicles of Dorn Book 1), what would they be?

That’s such a good question, because in Book 2, I’m actually going to include a full soundtrack for the story. Music is such a massive part of my life, so I’ve already given it a lot of thought. For Dorn, it would be Massive Attack’s Protection. For Rikki, Pat Benatar’s All Fired Up. For Barker, Oasis’s Rock ’n’ Roll Star. Nols is the hardest to pin down, but I suspect she’d be into some kind of freeform jazz—which, honestly, I can’t stand. Lol.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I’m a massive science fiction reader, too. I read a bit of fantasy, but largely stick to science fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Artemis by Andy Weir, Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson (which has been on my TBR for about 10 years! Lol), and about half a dozen Greg Bear books. I’m also halfway through the first Dungeon Crawler Carl book on audiobook.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

That’s hard to describe without spoilers. But there’s a great “everything is lost” moment at the end that was thrilling to write. Basically, anything with Barker causing chaos and destruction is fun to write. In Book 2, he’s the centerpiece of a lot more chaos!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Not really, but I don’t write in a linear way. Sometimes I skip massive parts and leave gaps to write later, then put everything back together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I have a huge document full of quotes, so I could write about 50 here. One of my favorite fun ones is often attributed to Mike Tyson—but it wasn’t him. It sounds like something he would say, so let’s just pretend it was. “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The whole book is about doing the right thing when you have no choice. Sometimes that’s the hardest decision to make. But I think we become better people when we make those tough calls and do what we know is right.

Simon Dell is the author of the new book The Outpost at Tal Ghrna (The Chronicles of Dorn Book 1)

Connect with Simon Dell

Facebook

Buy The Book