Writer’s Desk with Bryan Timothy Mitchell
Tricia Goyer
Writer’s Desk with Bryan Timothy MitchellBryan Mitchell lives in Archdale, North Carolina with his wife and children. He is an Army Veteran and has a master’s degree in computer science and a bachelor’s degree in English. His debut novel, Infernal Fall, won the Realm Award for Best Horror. He is a member of Realm Makers and Word Weavers which are Christian writer communities. Beyond higher education, he enhanced his storytelling abilities by attending Realm Maker’s Conferences and the Novel Writing Intensive headed by Stephen James and Robert Dugoni, and by reading books that focus on the craft of writing.
Connect with Bryan Mitchell on his website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and BookBub, and sign up for his newsletter here.
More about Almost ParadiseSometimes Hell follows you home.
Something with sinister intentions stalks Daniel Strong, but it doesn’t know that he has a magical stone that can send it back to the fiery abyss. Unfortunately for Daniel, there isn’t much power in slinging stones.
Heartless Charles must decide who he serves, and If that wasn’t enough trouble, an alluring female spirit has him ensnared with her charms. Beau is in Grayton ready to catch the next bus to Heaven, but to get there, he must remember his past.
None of them know that demons are digging their way into the living world. A peculiar angel, named Chance, tracks their scheme, but after a treacherous act leads to his imprisonment, hell is about to break loose.
Join Daniel as he confronts his demons once more, and find out why it’s harder to fly than to fall.
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Q&A with Bryan Timothy MitchellARCF: Almost Paradise is packed with action, magic, and spiritual battles. What inspired this story?
BTM: After writing Infernal Fall, I felt that there was more to the story. What did these characters do after the journey through the Inferno? They each have interesting story arcs. I took a lot of inspiration from The Great Divorce by CS Lewis for Beau’s journey. I also considered the Screwtape Letters as a way of considering how spirits may interact with us. Another consideration was PTSD. While it isn’t totally in the forefront of the story, it was a lingering question. How are these characters moving on from being in a dark place, and how does their new life conflict with their past?
ARCF: Daniel has a magical stone, but it’s not as powerful as he’d hoped. What makes him a hero despite his limits?
BTM: I think Daniel tries to do the right thing now. He’s not as quick to anger, and though he can be afraid, he wants to stay true to his word. Despite not having as much power as he’d hope with the stone, and still having more confidence with that stone than he should, he will still put himself in danger to protect others.
ARCF: Heartless Charles has some big choices to make. What makes his journey so compelling?
BTM: Heartless Charles was not worthy of anyone’s trust in Infernal Fall. He was deceptive and selfish while also feeling the influence of Daniel’s humanity and the Holy Spirit that was still alive in him. I believe readers of Infernal Fall learn to like Charles along the way, and when he steps out of Hell and into the spirit world, he has amusing takes on what he experiences. I believe the reader knows where his loyalties lie, but how can he be cunning enough to navigate the pressure that powerful demons place on him. What would be the consequences for doing the right thing considering he is a pawn in Satan’s Army now?
ARCF: The book mixes supernatural elements with real struggles. How do you balance the fantasy with deep themes?
BTM: Deep themes make the story real to me. These are things I think about through the whole production of the book. I don’t try to point the characters to certain ways of thinking or direct them to a particular subject that’s on my mind. The characters are on a journey just as we are and the themes we face are oftentimes the same themes we face ourselves.
ARCF: What can readers expect from the demons and angels in this book?
BTM: It’s hard to say to expect the unexpected. We meet these spirits along the way, and it’s very apparent who is evil at times and not always the case when they’re good. It seems to take some time for us to know for sure through the story. I do think there are surprises along the way as to when they show up and what they do and how the world and others react to them. I did try to write them as I believe they would be.
ARCF: Did any part of this story surprise you while writing it?
BTM: Yes and if I say much about it, it will take away a little of the surprise that comes late in the story. I will say this, I didn’t always know who to trust in the book, and when they showed up when they most certainly should not have was quite a question mark. I thought I had a plot hole really, but after several edits and far too much contemplation that there should’ve been, I realized that there was no plot hole but a very special character that I was surprised to meet.
ARCF: If you could step into Almost Paradise, which character would you want to be?
BTM: Daniel, Charles, and Beau have some really hard roads, and I do admire them a lot, but the most courageous and selfless character who I believe is just amazing is Chance. He is the lead missionary in Hell, urging those lost in Grayton to try to take the bus to Heaven. He has to be stealthy, and he goes to deeper circles of the Inferno to get particular souls into better situations. I admire his tenacity and his courage. He was a good guy in life and will go through hell to save others.
ARCF: What’s one of the most intense or exciting scenes in the book?
BTM: The first scene with Daniel is pretty nice. We do start with Chance, Charles, and Beau first, but when we get to Daniel, I believe that scene hits all the points that readers of Infernal Fall were hoping to get. I do think I do a good job painting the setting in all these scenes, but the emotions that Daniel is trying to come to terms with in his first scene (called The Disease) is pretty intense and makes promises that I try to uphold in future chapters.
ARCF: This is book 2 in the Infernal Fall series. How has the story grown since book 1?
BTM: One thing I wanted to do, although this is book 2, is write it as if it were a standalone. I wanted new readers to feel as if they were on track with the story even if they didn’t read Infernal Fall. The characters have all grown since the start of Infernal Fall and they have a lot more to do. It’s kind of nuts that all this takes place over the course of three days really. There were also more worlds brought into this one. The majority of Infernal Fall was in Dante’s Inferno. But the different story arcs in all kinds of directions and how they all come together at the end is quite fun.
ARCF: If you had to describe Almost Paradise in just three words, what would they be?
BTM: Part Three Please?
ARCF: If Almost Paradise became a movie, who would play Daniel?
BTM: This is a question my wife just loves to ask. We both know that we want Cillian Murphy as Heartless Charles. Though I’d be cool with a number of actors. For Daniel it’s harder because he’s younger. He has an edge to him. I had to use the internet to figure this one out because I’m just not good at this. But I believe Logan Lerman would do well. He’s been in Fury, the Percy Jackson films, and others of course. He fits the description. He’d want to feed off his time in Fury to understand Daniel’s anger issues.
ARCF: Would you rather battle a demon or negotiate with an angel?
BTM: This is tricky. If you are battling a demon, it means you are in an uncomfortable situation where you’re trying to improve yourself or help others. It isn’t easy. But, if you are negotiating with an angel, are you trying to get away with doing a lukewarm sin? Oh come on, Gabriel, it’s just one beer. That can be uncomfortable too, I think. However, if the negotiation is more about what’s for dinner or who should come for dinner, I’m all about that. So, I’m going to be a total wimp and say, I’d rather negotiate with an angel because, duh!
ARCF: If you had a magical stone, what power would you want it to have?
BTM: I’d like the stone to be able to transport me instantaneously to places I want to go. I’d be over there reading over your shoulder right now. Don’t turn around. I’m not there. Or am I.
ARCF: Writing supernatural fiction can be intense! What’s your favorite way to unwind?
BTM: I may do some reading or watch a movie. Other things could be running or playing with the kids. I play chess sometimes although I have no intention to ever achieve a grandmaster rating. But I’ll do puzzles and chat with friends and family. I just get on with living and smile, laugh, and dance. Maybe less dancing, though.
ARCF: Can you give us a hint about what’s coming for your writing?
BTM: I’m actually writing a Middle Grade Supernatural that I think will be tons of fun for the whole family. The working title is Iffy Eats Monsters for Breakfast, and it’s all about embracing our imagination and not allowing fear to dictate who we are.
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