Zipline follows a group of friends on a camping trip that goes awry when they realize the haunting stories they were told might be true. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

This started out as a short story about a camping trip that went terribly awry. I had some of the elements for the story but had to ask questions like – why would they go up the mountain? I kept asking questions till I had a novella.

Your characters are interesting and well-developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?

Gail is the one who wants to face her fears. Danny just wanted to ride the zip line. Neal went because Gail was his girlfriend. Paula went to keep an eye on Danny because she was jealous of Danny’s and Gail’s relationship. Sam is Neal’s best friend who is along for the ride. All the characters just graduated from college and have employment waiting for them to start in two weeks. I needed each one to have a different motivation for being there which really melded the personalities perfectly. Each one is distinct and has a purpose being there. And yet, you can feel the love between each one, including Sam. Everybody loves Sam.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The main theme is going from adolescence to adulthood. From being reckless to responsible. I think everyone who reads this will admit that they grew up really fast and had those adult conversations by the end of the story. Another is Love and Trust which were tested by the decisions that were being made along the journey. Lastly, looking at the future juxtaposed against the reality of the situation they were in. I think the reader will enjoy this spirited trip to the very end.

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

Since this is the start of a series, the other four books are in various editing, the next one is called AFTERMATH. Murphy Napier has a series on YouTube called Dear Author. This is where her following tells us, the authors, what they want in a sequel. So the next book takes place two years after this one and is from the point of view of Neal. Yes, the gang’s back together to solve another mystery that will have you at the edge of your seat biting your nails. It was supposed to come out next month, but I’m making some additions to and editing it right now, so look for it next year and stop by my website panothonymichael.com to get any updates. And when you finish reading it, leave a review on Amazon, please. That really helps.

Author Links: Amazon | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/10/02/this-spirited-trip-to-the-very-end/