60 seconds with Emerald O'Brien

With 25 books to her name, thriller, suspense and mystery author, Emerald O'Brien, has built an incredible writing journey.

In this 60-second interview, she shares the inspiration behind her stories, what keeps her motivated, and her deep appreciation for the readers who have supported her along the way.

From her creative process to lessons learned over the years, Emerald offers a glimpse into the world behind her writing.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a Canadian author from a city less than an hour east of Toronto, Ontario.

I’ve written in many different genres, but primarily under the mystery / thriller / suspense umbrella.

I’ve been writing ever since I learned to create stories in elementary school, but it wasn’t until I was about ten that I realised being an author was something I could do as a career. The possibility was exciting, but I put that dream aside in pursuit of something that seemed more attainable and sustainable.

I went to college for TV Broadcasting but never ended up working in that field. It turned out that the spark that ignited my fire and passion for writing had never been truly snuffed out, and I started writing stories again.

I discovered self-publishing in 2013, and by 2014, I published my first book. Becoming an indie author appealed to me more than traditional publishing once I learned the ins and outs of both, and I’ve always been happy with my decision. I hope to give readers some of what the books I’ve loved have given me, and this career has been a dream come true.

What drew you to writing thrillers/mysteries?

I’ve always loved mysteries, from Nancy Drew, to The Boxcar Children, and soon R.L. Stine, V.C. Andrews, and Christopher Pike got me into horror/thrillers for kids and teens.

Then, I discovered authors like Stephen King, Mo Hayder, and Chevy Stevens, and drank up their stories and those in the same genres like fresh water on a desert island.

I loved trying to solve the puzzles the authors created and found true joy in being surprised by the twists and turns throughout.

Are there any themes or messages that you aim to explore in your books?

I find the themes in most of the genres I write in (mystery, psychological thriller, slasher, domestic suspense, fantasy, etc.) are quite common and connect us as humans. Trust and betrayal. Love and loss. The things in life we all face, and through story, we can face them together.

What is the hardest thing you’ve done in order to write a book?

Writing while grieving and through loss has probably been one of the most difficult things I’ve done, and it’s happened multiple times. In a way, it can be cathartic, exploring emotions, wishes, alternative outcomes, questions, etc. in the story. But it can also be exhausting, pushing through at times when you’re not feeling like writing.

Are there any elements in your books that are drawn from real experiences?

One of my psychological thrillers called What She Found was partially based on a situation I found myself in the summer prior to writing it.

I was with family, at their rural home, celebrating a birthday. It was late at night, we’d just cut the cake, and a car showed up out front. They parked on the road, but without streetlights, we couldn’t see who was out there.

A man came knocking on the front door and claimed he’d just been in an accident. We asked if he wanted us to call for an ambulance or the police. He declined and asked to use a phone. A family member gave him their cell phone to use as he stood just inside the breezeway. As he spoke to someone he referred to as his mom, his story started to change.

He told her he’d been in an accident, and at that time, he’d also been robbed. He went on about something else that didn’t make sense to us, and then said he needed to be picked up. He then asked my family member if his mother could pick him up there, at their house, and he’d wait inside. My family member suggested an alternative (a landmark that was easier to find, and only a walk away), gave him directions, and the man left.

We called the police shortly after because he appeared to be on something (drugs or alcohol) and we had worries regarding him driving (if he was, indeed, alone).

We never heard about him again, but that night, as I went to bed, I wondered if he’d had ulterior motives for coming to the house… and if he’d be back. It sparked an idea for What She Found, and a way to explore those thoughts and questions I had.

Let’s talk about your latest book. What inspired the storyline, and what can readers expect from it?

My latest release was the third installment to The Skull Serial Killer slasher series I created for fellow fans of the Scream and Halloween franchises.

The book is called Bleed, and it focuses on a young woman, out for fun with friends on Halloween, all while a masked killer is on the loose. This young woman is the protagonist, and she brings a fresh twist to the genre because she’s also worn a mask (when she was posing for sexy photo shoots as a side job for extra cash), and isn’t the typical, innocent Final Girl some might recognise in the role.

I was inspired to write it after decades of admiration and enjoyment of the slasher genre, and the idea building over so many years to create one of my own.

Although the pacing is pretty similar to those movies that inspired me, in written form, it reads as more of a slow burn as we get to know the characters, and ultimately root for (some of) them to survive.

Can you share any memorable fan interactions or feedback you’ve received?

I always appreciate the support of my readers, and some pleasant surprises I’ve had include when they send me things that relate to my books (one reader made a skull bookmark for her daughter, Erin, who reads my Bleed series, and when Erin showed me, and I loved it, her mom generously sent me one of my own), or when I see my book in a review or even a review video.

Indie authors don’t usually have teams that promote their work like traditionally published authors do (blurbing each other’s books, having dedicated social media accounts sharing their releases, putting them on Netgalley early for reviews, on bookshelves in stores, etc.), so it means so much to us when readers love our works and do anything to help spread the word about them.

My readers have been incredible in that way. Of course, nothing feels better to me than when a reader messages to let you know that your book has helped them through a difficult time. That’s a gift books have given me, and I’m so grateful to be able to do that for others.

Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re particularly excited about?

I’m looking forward to my next psychological thriller release, which is a co-written project with a fellow author friend of mine. I’m also excited for a solo psychological thriller I’ve been writing, in addition to the fourth installment in my psychological thriller/slasher serial killer series, Bleed. I release those books every October, so October 1st, 2025 is my most highly anticipated date this year.

How do you approach outlining and structuring your novels?

I usually plot with cause and effect, loosely structuring my novel off The Hero’s Journey, but also sometimes other structures. I plot thoroughly up until the mid/turning point, and then loosely until the climax. After that, I sum things up in a paragraph or two because I know now, after writing over 25 novels, that it’s best to leave room for things to change. They often do. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been surprised by a plot twist of my own that arises naturally after spending so much time with the characters in the story by that point.

What gets you out of a writing slump?

My writing slumps rarely, if ever, have to do with my actual stories, and everything to do with what is going on in my life. The best advice I could give other writers on this is to find what works for you if you want to push through, but if not, or if you can’t, that’s okay, too. Knowing that my story is there, waiting for me to tell it, is usually motivation enough. The sense of accomplishment I get when I finish chapters, or drafts, is also a great motivator. I’m also grateful to have wonderful readers that I keep in mind through difficult times. Their support, and knowing what my books have meant to them or given them, has always helped me.

What trends do you see emerging in the thriller genre (your genre), and how do you adapt your writing to stay current?

I don’t pay much attention to trends, and I don’t try to keep up with them in my own writing. I became an indie because I’ve retained the control to decide what kind of story I want to tell, and I get to tell it on my own terms. I think it’s part of what gives my stories a unique feel that readers are excited to find regarding unpredictable plots, or even circumstances that aren’t as explored in this genre. In terms of adapting in general, I’ve done a lot of that over the ten plus years I’ve been publishing. I’ve grown as a writer through my career by reading, writing, and paying attention when a great editor teaches me something about my weaknesses.

If you could tell your past self anything, what would it be?

All in good time, my pretty. (LOL the wicked witch knew what was up.) On a serious note, I’d say it’ll all be okay.

About Emerald:

Emerald O’Brien is a Canadian author who grew up just east of Toronto, Ontario. She studied Television Broadcasting and Communications Media, graduating from the program at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario.

As a bestselling author of over 25 unpredictable stories packed with suspense, Emerald hopes to give her readers some of what her favourite stories have given her, including subverted expectations, a thrill ride while you root for the characters you love, and a way to explore the thoughts of confronting some of our worst fears, and facing them together as an audience who can discuss and connect afterwards.

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