Paul O'Brien's Blog, page 2
March 25, 2013
It's Real
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Volume 2 is here and I can touch it(but not before I buy it dinner you pervs.) Coming out April 26th!
March 20, 2013
March 16, 2013
Great Interview Piece
The following was published on the Collar and Elbow site.
‘Blood Red Turns Dollar Green’ author talks about hard-hitting sequel
By Ben Veal
If you’re a wrestling fan and you haven’t yet discovered the work of Paul O’Brien, you’re in for a very big treat.
34-year-old O’Brien, from Wexford, Ireland, is a writer of crime fiction with fifteen years’ theatrical experience already under his belt. What relevance has that to us here at CollarAndElbow.com, you may ask? Well, as long-time readers will know, O’Brien is also the author of the Blood Red Turns Dollar Green series, the first fictional account of the world of professional wrestling.
Last year, our very own Chris Pilkington was one of the first to offer a glowing review of O’Brien’s debut novel, describing it as “an instant classic … a captivating read from start to finish” (read the full review here). Following a hugely positive response to his first outing from fans and critics alike, the author is shortly set to return with the follow-up – unsurprisingly titled Blood Red Turns Dollar Green Volume 2 – which will be available to buy, both in paperback and digital form – from 26 April 2013.
Prior to the book’s release, we had the opportunity to sit down with O’Brien and ask him all about what we should expect from the second installment, where the inspiration for the story came from, and just how that Mick Foley endorsement came about…
So Paul, Blood Red Turns Dollar Green is out right now, and Volume 2 follows very soon. Our glowing review aside, why should anyone take the time to read your book?
I’d say because it’s a crime novel set in a world that few, if any, crime novels have ever been set in. It works on both levels – and for wrestling fans, there are hundreds of little nods, or ‘Easter Eggs’, waiting for them throughout.
I’ve had some great feedback from wrestling fans, and Volume 2 is definitely going to be the ‘Empire Strikes Back’ of the series – there’s lots of pay off.
At its heart, this is a crime novel and wrestling’s just the vehicle; in much the same way that Black Swan wasn’t a movie about ballet. So it appeals to fans of both genres.
You can read the full interview here.
March 15, 2013
10 Things About Ireland, from Ireland
The following is from a column I wrote for the Layfield Report.
With St. Patrick's Day Coming - 10 Quick Points from with Ireland about Ireland.
Hello my American friends. This is your guide to understanding Ireland with Saint Patricks Day approaching. We are a nation of poets, playwrights, actors, novelists, arseholes, jockeys, boxers, singers, gingers and other things wet and interesting.
Most of the points in this piece could be debated in a much more serious way. Could be. This column also uses general and sweeping stereotypes. So if all that doesn't bother you, let me update you on where we are as a nation.
And address some popular held beliefs you might have of Ireland as we head towards Patrick's Day.
1. Saint Patrick was from Wales.
2. While I'm sure that some people over here must eat corned beef and cabbage - the vast majority eat bacon and cabbage. And your wimpy slices of bacon either. Over here we just behead a pig, clean its toenails and put it in a pot for a day or two. When I say we I mean she.
3.As per point two, Irishmen do nothing for themselves. They have what's known as the 'Irish Mammy.' Think Avatar. The Irishman is just the giant robot and the 'Irish Mammy' sits in his head pulling the levers to make him move and do things. This makes Irishmen functionally retarded but very polite.
Read the rest here.
March 13, 2013
March 6, 2013
March 3, 2013
Number One.
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Blood Red Turns Dollar Green is officially a bestselling novel! Thank you to everyone who bought a copy. I really do appreciate people taking the time and the money to pick up this funny novel that has a crime structure, but is set in the pro-wrestling business. It’s an unbelievable feeling seeing my book up there on the same chart as Mick Foley, Ric Flair, Chris Jericho and the WWE. This just makes me want to work harder and put out an even better novel in Volume 2.
March 1, 2013
February 23, 2013
Lots of News!
So on Thursday 28th of Feb and Friday 1st of March, Blood Red Turns Dollar Green is going free on Amazon. With Volume 2 finished I wanted to make sure that Volume 1 gets into as many hands as possible. So if you have any reader friends out there who were reluctant to take a risk on a book with ‘wrestling’ in it - tell them now it’s risk free! (Well, for two days)
Also on the site, I have uploaded the first scene from Volume 2 to give you all a taste of how that book is going to be. It’s currently going through the editing process and will be released in April. BEWARE THOUGH: the samples have HUGE SPOILERS from the very first words. If you haven’t read Volume 1 yet, please wait until you’ve done so before checking out the samples.
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February 6, 2013
The Layfield Report
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Yesterday, something cool happened. I made my writing debut on The Layfield Report. That’s right, my column can now be viewed in the good company of The Wrestling God, John Bradshaw Layfield! Here it is...
HHH is a man who brings up a lot of opinion in people. Even fellow wrestlers. But listening to all the opinions down through the years, there seems to be two mirror arguments when people talk about 'The Game.'
Some would say that he stooged himself as a chauffeur to a powerful backstage lobby, then married into the family to help elevate, and keep that elevation long term. That he never made anyone and used the mic to hurt his opponents.
Others would say that he always showed promise, even in WCW, and took it like a man when he was handed the combined tonnage of shit for The Curtain Call at the Garden. That he was a real student of the game and devoured wrestling day and night until he got the belt.
Maybe somewhere in the middle is true. Maybe both of those philosophies are crap. Point is - none of them matter now.
There's certainly two sides to the man. But maybe not those two anymore.
Read the rest over at The Layfield Report!
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